Saliency4ASD: Challenge,dataset and tools for visual attention modeling for autism spectrum disorder

The recent studies showing that gaze features can be useful in the identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), have opened a new domain where Visual Attention (VA) modeling could be of great help. In this sense, this paper presents a report of the Grand Challenge “Saliency4ASD: Visual attention modeling for Autism Spectrum Disorder”, organized at IEEE ICME’19, aiming at supporting the research on VA modeling towards this healthcare societal challenge. In particular, this paper describes the workflow, obtained results, and datasets and tools that were used within this activity, in order to help on the development and evaluation of two types of VA models: (1) to predict saliency maps that fit gaze behavior of people with ASD, and (2) to identify individuals with ASD from typical development.     

From enfant terrible to problem-solver? Tracing the competing discourse to explain blockchain-related technological diffusion

Since the inception of blockchain-related technologies over a decade ago, investors’ uptake of the technologies has grown rapidly. But even with the advancement in standing from conceptual beginnings to real-world experimentation, mainstream adoption of the technologies in either organizational or individual contexts has yet to eventuate. To resolve this paradox, we examine progression of the technologies’ diffusion instead, and in the process, seek to uncover the underlying dynamics of sentiments at play. Diffusion involves multiple actions by different parties, with social discourses via diverse media playing an essential role. In demonstrating the interplay of support to resistance via media framing and the diffusion of innovation theory, findings from our paper contribute to the technology adoption literature. Understanding resistant behavior toward a new technology area could help resolve potential issues that may arise. This would hopefully lead to better technological implementation outcomes in future.     

Lie symmetry analysis and numerical solutions for thermosolutal chemically reacting radiative micropolar flow from an inclined porous surface

Steady, laminar, incompressible thermosolutal natural convection flow of micropolar fluid from an inclined perforated surface with convective boundary conditions is studied. Thermal radiative flux and chemical reaction effects are included to represent phenomena encountered in high-temperature materials synthesis operations. Rosseland's diffusion approximation is used to describe the radiative heat flux in the energy equation. A Lie scaling group transformation is implemented to derive a self-similar form of the partial differential conservation equations. The resulting coupled nonlinear boundary value problem is solved with Runge-Kutta fourth order numerical quadrature (shooting technique). Validation of solutions with an optimized Adomian decomposition method algorithm is included. Verification of the accuracy of shooting is also conducted as a particular case of nonreactive micropolar flow from a vertical permeable surface. The evolution of velocity, angular velocity (microrotation component), temperature, and concentration are examined for a variety of parameters including coupling number, plate inclination angle, suction/injection parameter, radiation-conduction parameter, Biot number, and reaction parameter. Numerical results for steady-state skin friction coefficient, couple stress coefficient, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are tabulated and discussed. Interesting features of the hydrodynamic, heat and mass transfer characteristics are examined.     

Functional organisation of the endomembrane network in the digestive gland of the Venus flytrap: revisiting an old story with a new microscopy toolbox

Up-to-date imaging approaches were used to address the spatiotemporal organisation of the endomembrane system in secretory cells of Dionaea muscipula. Different ‘slice and view’ methodologies were performed on resin-embedded samples to finally achieve a 3D reconstruction of the cell architecture, using ultrastructural tomography, array tomography, serial block face-scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), correlation, and volume rendering at the light microscopy level. Observations of cryo-fixed samples by high-pressure freezing revealed changes of the endomembrane system that occur after trap activation and prey digestion. They provide evidence for an original strategy that adapts the secretory machinery to a specific and unique case of stimulated exocytosis in plant cells. A first secretion peak is part of a rapid response to deliver digestive fluids to the cell surface, which delivers the needed stock of digestive materials ‘on site’. The second peak of activity could then be associated with the reconstruction of the Golgi apparatus (GA), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and vacuolar machinery, in order to prepare for a subsequent round of prey capture. Tubular continuum between ER and Golgi stacks observed on ZIO-impregnated tissues may correspond to an efficient transfer mechanism for lipids and/or proteins, especially for use in rapidly resetting the molecular GA machinery. The occurrence of one vacuolar continuum may permit continuous adjustment of cell homeostasy. The subcellular features of the secretory cells of Dionaea muscipula outline key innovations in the organisation of plant cell compartmentalisation that are used to cope with specific cell needs such as the full use of the GA as a protein factory, and the ability to create protein reservoirs in the periplasmic space. Shape-derived forces of the pleiomorphic vacuole may act as signals to accompany the sorting and entering flows of the cell.     

Deformation-induced bonding of polymer films below the glass transition temperature

Bonding between polymers through interdiffusion of macromolecules is a well-known mechanism of polymer adhesion. A new polymer bonding mechanism in the solid state, taking place at ambient temperatures well below the glass transition value (T_g), has been recently reported; in this mechanism, bulk plastic compression of polymer films held in contact led to adhesion over timescales of the order of a fraction of a second. In this study, we prepared various blends of plasticized polymer films with desirable ductility from amorphous and semicrystalline powders of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and polyvinyl alcohol derivatives; then, we observed the bonding of these polymers at ambient temperatures, up to 80 K below T_g, purely through mechanical deformation. The deformation-induced bonding of the polymer films studied in this work led to interfacial fracture toughnesses in the range of 1.0–21.0 J/m² when bulk plastic strains between 3% and 30% were imposed across the films. Scanning electron microscopy observation of the debonded interfaces also confirmed that bonding was caused by deformation-induced macromolecular mobilization and interpenetration. These results expand the range of applicability of sub-T_g, solid-state, deformation-induced bonding processes.     

Anatomical and physiological considerations in scleral lens wear: Eyelids and tear film

Scleral lenses can affect a range of anterior segment structures including the eyelids and the tears. The eyelids, consisting of the outer skin layer, the middle tarsal plate, and the posterior palpebral conjunctiva, provide physical protection and house the meibomian glands and cilia which have important and unique functions. Tears consist of a mix of aqueous, mucus, and lipidomic components that serve vital functions of lubricity, protection, and nourishment to the ocular surface. Both the eyelids and the tear film interact directly with scleral lenses on the eye and can affect but also be impacted by scleral lens wear. The purpose of this paper is to review the anatomy and physiology of the eyelids and tear film, discuss the effects and impacts of the scleral lenses on these structures, and identify areas that require further research.     

Reality-based interaction affecting mental workload in virtual reality mental arithmetic training

ABSTRACT

The concept of digital game-based learning (DGBL) evolves rapidly together with technological enhancements of virtual reality (VR) and smart phones. However, the mental workload (MWL) that VR-training applications demand and motivational qualities originating from user experience (UX) should be identified in order to create effective and enjoyable training/learning challenges that fit with individual users’ capabilities. This study examined the effects of reality-based interaction (RBI) and VR on measures of student motivation and MWL, in a mental arithmetic game for secondary school pupils. In a randomised controlled trial with sixty school children, a mental arithmetic game was tested with three different interaction and two different presentation methods – VR RBI, VR head-mounted-display tapping and tablet flick-gesture. Results found a significant effect of RBI on MWL but no differences in enjoyment of training were found between VR-experience and tablet training-experience. In fact, adding the gaming-context to the mental arithmetic task created an enjoyable, motivating experience regardless of presentation or interaction-style.     

Influence of teaware on subjective ratings of,and taste expectations concerning,tea

Two studies were conducted in order to investigate the influence of teaware on consumers’ subjective ratings of, and taste expectations concerning, one of the world’s most popular beverages, namely tea. In Study 1, 100 Chinese participants and 100 participants from the USA viewed online photographs of Chinese brand and British brand green tea presented in either Chinese or British tea sets. The participants then rated their feelings about, taste expectations concerning, and willingness-to-pay for, each cup of tea. In Study 2, 65 Chinese participants also viewed these photos with either a high or low price label for each cup of tea. The results of both studies consistently revealed that the teaware influenced Chinese participants’ bitterness and astringency ratings concerning their tea expectations; whereas no such effects were found for the USA participants. Moreover, the teaware also influenced Chinese participants’ pleasantness ratings of tea when no price information was provided, but not when price information was presented. Collectively, these findings highlight the influence of the visual appearance of the receptacle on the subjective ratings of, and taste expectations concerning, tea. These results also compare the influence of product-extrinsic and contextual cues on consumers’ taste expectations.