Search Results (146)

Virtual communication, involving the transmission of all human senses, is the next step in the development of telecommunications. Achieving this vision requires real-time data exchange with low latency, which in turn necessitates the implementation of the Tactile Internet (TI). TI will ensure the transmission of high-quality tactile data, especially when combined with audio and video signals, thus enabling more realistic interactions in virtual environments. In this context, advances in realism increasingly depend on the accurate simulation of the grasping process and hand–object interactions. To address this, in this paper, we methodically present the challenges of human–object interaction in virtual environments, together with a detailed review of the datasets used in grasping modeling and the integration of physics-based and machine learning approaches. Based on this review, we propose a multi-step framework that simulates grasping as a series of biomechanical, perceptual, and control processes. The proposed model aims to support realistic human interaction with virtual objects in immersive settings and to enable integration into applications such as remote manipulation, rehabilitation, and virtual learning. Full article

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is a widely used additive manufacturing (AM) method for thermoplastic materials due to its low cost, accessibility, and ability to produce fully functional machine parts. Cylindrical components, common in mechanical devices, require precise dimensional and form accuracy to ensure long service life. To assess their quality, cylindricity deviation measurements are essential, as they reveal defects generated during the printing process. This study investigates the potential of optical scanning for measuring form deviations specifically cylindricity and roundness of ABS components manufactured via FDM. The influence of printing orientation (0°, 45°, 90°) on dimensional accuracy was examined using experimental models comprising three series of ten samples each, with identical process parameters except orientation. Measurements were performed using a Zeiss Prismo Navigator (Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) coordinate measuring machine and an ATOS II Triple Scan (GOM, Brunswick, Germany) optical scanner. Results indicate that print orientation significantly affects cylindricity deviation. The lowest deviations were achieved for specific orientations, offering guidelines for producing cylindrical surfaces of acceptable quality. The findings also show that optical scanners are not suitable for precise form deviation analysis in FDM-printed parts, confirming the higher accuracy of tactile coordinate measurement methods. Full article

This study examines the design characteristics of subway transfer station facilities in South Korea using an expanded Universal Design (UD) framework that integrates principles of sustainability. Five representative transfer stations were selected for evaluation using a customized assessment tool grounded in seven adapted UD principles: equitability, simplicity, perceptibility, safety, low physical effort, accessibility, and sustainability. Facility elements were analyzed across five categories: access routes, internal facilities, sanitary amenities, guidance systems, and other supportive features. Field observations and scoring using a structured evaluation scale revealed both strengths and critical deficiencies. Key issues identified include inadequate vertical mobility infrastructure, insufficient tactile signage for visually impaired users, and inconsistencies in environmentally responsive design. These shortcomings highlight the need for more inclusive and sustainable design interventions. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating accessibility and ecological responsibility in the planning and renovation of transit facilities. By offering empirical data and actionable recommendations, this research contributes to improving the design quality of transfer stations, fostering more inclusive, efficient, and environmentally resilient urban transportation systems–both in South Korea and in global urban contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Voice disorders caused by laryngeal hypertension can impact volume, quality, pitch, resonance, flexibility, and stamina. The laryngeal palpation is a tactile-perceptual assessment, which is one of a few examination methods to evaluate laryngeal hypertension. Laryngeal palpation is a manual examination of the extrinsic and paralaryngeal tissues of the larynx (e.g., lateral laryngeal mobility, thyrohyoid and cricothyroid spaces, vertical laryngeal position/mobility, and pain) through the examiner’s fingers. It can be performed during rest (static assessment) or during phonation (dynamic assessment) of the individual being evaluated. This study aimed to validate a novel laryngeal palpation tool with quantitative ordinal scores by assessing its reliability and diagnostic accuracy establishing preliminary clinical cut-off values, and examining its correlations with self-reported voice disorder symptoms. Methods: In a prospective, controlled validation study, 33 participants were selected to assess the validity and reliability of the novel diagnostic tool in a clinical sample and healthy controls. The clinical sample (n = 19) comprised individuals diagnosed with voice disorders, whereas the healthy control group (n = 14) included participants with no history or symptoms of voice pathology. The novel laryngeal palpation tool was employed by two independent examiners to assess both static and dynamic laryngeal function in all participants. In addition, each participant completed the following questionnaires: Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30) with the 30-item, Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI), and the Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTD). Results: Static palpatory assessment of laryngeal tension demonstrated excellent discriminatory power between groups and tension levels (AROC = 0.979), along with high intra-rater (ICC = 0.966) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.866). Significant correlations were revealed between the static palpation results and the VHI scores (r = 0.496; p < 0.01) and VFI (r = 0.514; p < 0.01). For the dynamic evaluation of the palpation tool, comparable results for the validity (AROC = 0.840) and reliability (inter-rater: ICC = 0.800, and intra-rater: ICC = 0.840) were revealed. However, no significant correlations were found between dynamic palpation and self-perceived questionnaires, although some were likely found with static palpation. The validity of the total score was found to be AROC = 0.992. Conclusions: The static and dynamic assessments using the novel laryngeal palpation tool demonstrated promising reliability and diagnostic accuracy, providing initial evidence to support its clinical utility. Further studies are needed to establish broader validation. Full article

Despite increasing attention to inclusive education, the spatial and environmental requirements of individuals with Down syndrome remain insufficiently addressed within architectural research. This study investigates how educational environments can be redesigned to betteraccommodate the developmental, sensory, and behavioral needs of this user group, utilizing the interdisciplinary lens of building biology that emphasizes occupant health, well-being, and environmental quality. Employing a case study methodology, this study focuses on Gülseren Özdemir Special Education Practice School in Turkey. Fieldwork was conducted through structured qualitative spatial analysis based on principles derived from building biology and universal design. While the facility meets several baseline accessibility criteria, qualitative observations indicate areas for improvement, particularly in lighting quality, acoustic conditions, tactile stimuli, and spatial adaptability. These findings demonstrate the potential of building biology to serve as a comprehensive, health-centered design approach for inclusive educational settings. This study concludes by proposing spatial strategies applicable to both new construction and retrofit projects, offering a knowledge base that may inform future architectural practices aimed at fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments. Full article

Ungual disorders can impact quality of life, with onychomycosis and nail psoriasis being the most prevalent disorders among the general population. In humans, the main functions of the nail apparatus comprise protection against trauma, improvement of tactile sensations, and allowing precision gripping. In order to perform such functions, the nail plate has a hard structure formed by dead keratinized corneocytes tightly bound to each other, giving the nail plate a “barrier-like” character. Due to this property of the nail plate, drug delivery to the region is hindered, making the treatment of ungual disorders difficult, either by systemic or topical drug administration. Many strategies have been developed in the last few decades in an attempt to increase the bioavailability of drugs in the nail. Interest in the employment of nanostructured drug delivery systems aiming to increase the bioavailability of drugs in the nail plate upon topical administration has increased. Moreover, the association of the nanotechnological approaches with other methods may be a beneficial strategy when aiming to increase drug permeation through the nail barrier. In this sense, the present review has the intention of presenting the panorama of the current technological development of nanostructured systems designed for the local treatment of ungual disorders. Through this extensive literature review, it was possible to recognize, among the studies, a lack of standardization regarding the methodology of nail permeation assessment, which imposes an obstacle to comparison. Full article

Background: Preclinical dental training requires simulation-based tools to develop fine motor skills, but traditional models like plastic teeth often lack realistic tactile feedback, and systematic evaluations of multi-layered drilling plates are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the educational utility and perceived realism of a novel multi-layered drilling plate designed to simulate enamel, dentin, and pulp, with null hypotheses that it would not differ in realism from natural dental tissues or in educational utility from existing tools. Methods: Seventy dental educators (mean preclinical teaching experience: 112.9 ± 116.7 months) from 14 institutions across four continents assessed the plates using standardized protocols. Statistical analysis (Mann–Whitney U Test) was performed to analyze the results. Results: Quantitative ratings (1–10 scale) showed high mean scores for drilling quality (enamel: 7.80 ± 1.55, dentin: 7.27 ± 1.94, pulp: 7.48 ± 2.33), surface smoothness (enamel: 8.17 ± 1.55, dentin: 8.17 ± 1.57), and ergonomic visibility (8.56 ± 1.58), with 90% passing grades, rejecting the null hypothesis of no difference in educational utility. Tissue transition scores (enamel/dentin: 7.09 ± 2.56; dentin/pulp: 6.86 ± 2.46) showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in realism from natural tissues, rejecting the null hypothesis of no difference. Inter-rater reliability was poor (Krippendorff’s alpha: 0.449 for failing scores, 0.211 for passing scores). Qualitative feedback praised ease of use but noted limitations in dentin haptic simulation. Conclusions: The drilling plate shows promise for skill development, though without controlled comparisons to existing tools, its relative efficacy remains preliminary. Further research on student outcomes and tool refinement is needed to validate its use in dental education. Full article

Utilizing tactile sensors embedded in intelligent mats is an attractive non-intrusive approach for human motion analysis. Interpreting tactile pressure 2D maps for accurate posture estimation poses significant challenges, such as dealing with data sparsity, noise interference, and the complexity of mapping pressure signals. Our approach introduces a novel dual-diffusion signal enhancement (DDSE) architecture that leverages tactile pressure measurements from an intelligent pressure mat for precise prediction of 3D body joint positions, using a diffusion model to enhance pressure data quality and a convolutional-transformer neural network architecture for accurate pose estimation. Additionally, we collected the pressure-to-posture inference technology (PPIT) dataset that relates pressure signals organized as a 2D array to Motion Capture data, and our proposed method has been rigorously evaluated on it, demonstrating superior accuracy in comparison to state-of-the-art methods. Full article

Optical tactile sensing is gaining traction as a foundational technology in collaborative and human-interactive robotics, where reliable touch and pressure feedback are critical. Traditional systems based on total internal reflection (TIR) and frustrated TIR (FTIR) often require complex infrared setups and lack adaptability to curved or flexible surfaces. To overcome these limitations, we developed OptoSkin—a novel tactile platform leveraging direct time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR principles for robust contact and pressure detection. In this extended study, we systematically evaluate how key optical properties of waveguide materials affect ToF signal behavior and sensing fidelity. We examine a diverse set of materials, characterized by varying light transmission (82–92)%, scattering coefficients (0.02–1.1) cm⁻¹, diffuse reflectance (0.17–7.40)%, and refractive indices 1.398–1.537 at the ToF emitter wavelength of 940 nm. Through systematic evaluation, we demonstrate that controlled light scattering within the material significantly enhances ToF signal quality for both direct touch and near-proximity sensing. These findings underscore the critical role of material selection in designing efficient, low-cost, and geometry-independent optical tactile systems. Full article

Honey quality and authenticity are influenced by floral origin, processing, and storage, with implications for composition and sensory appeal. This study offers a comparative assessment of eight monofloral honey samples, representing five botanical varieties: acacia, linden, rapeseed, lavender, and thyme. For acacia, linden, and rapeseed, both producer-sourced and commercial honeys were analyzed, while lavender and thyme samples were available only from local beekeepers. The botanical origin of each sample was confirmed using morphological markers of pollen grains. Physicochemical characterization included acidity, pH, moisture content, refractive index, hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), proline concentration, and carbohydrate profiling by HPLC-RID. Acacia honey exhibited the lowest acidity and HMF levels, alongside the highest fructose/glucose (F/G) ratios, indicating superior freshness, lower crystallization risk, and a sweeter flavor profile. In contrast, rapeseed honey showed elevated glucose levels and the lowest F/G ratio, confirming its tendency to crystallize rapidly. All samples recorded proline concentrations well above the quality threshold (180 mg/kg), supporting their authenticity and proper maturation. The estimated glycemic index (eGI) varied between 43.91 and 62.68 and was strongly inversely correlated with the F/G ratio (r = −0.98, p < 0.001). Sensory evaluation highlighted acacia honey from producers as the most appreciated across visual, tactile, and flavor attributes. Correlation analyses further revealed consistent links between sugar composition and both physical and sensory properties. Overall, the findings reinforce the value of integrated analytical and sensory profiling in assessing honey quality and authenticity. Full article

Background: Mirror therapy (MT) creates a cerebral illusion of a normal movement in a paretic limb. Although mirror therapy has been studied as a suitable intervention for children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a comprehensive understanding of its full range of benefits is still lacking. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine all motor and sensory effects of MT in children and adolescents with UCP. Methods: Clinical trials focused on the application of MT in the upper limb (UL) of children and adolescents with UCP were included. A search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and LILACS databases. Eleven studies were included in this systematic review. The PEDro scale and the MINORS scale were applied to evaluate the methodological quality of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, respectively. The Risk of Bias tool was also employed to evaluate the potential bias. In addition, the TIDieR checklist was used to assess the quality of intervention reporting. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis. Results: The studies included children with UCP from three to eighteen years, classified in Manual Ability Classification System levels I–IV. Motor effects of MT were found in nine studies. Also, two studies reported sensory effects on registration, perception, and proprioception abilities. Qualitative and quantitative analysis showed that MT improved manual dexterity and tactile registration in children and adolescents with UCP. Conclusions: MT is a therapy capable of inducing motor and sensory improvements in the affected UL of children with UCP. Full article

This study presents a novel investigation into immersive teleoperation systems using collaborative, device-agnostic interfaces for advancing smart haptics in industrial assistive applications. The research focuses on evaluating the quality of experience (QoE) of users interacting with a teleoperation system comprising a local robotic arm, a robot gripper, and heterogeneous remote tracking and haptic feedback devices. By employing a modular device-agnostic framework, the system supports flexible configurations, including one-user-one-equipment (1U-1E), one-user-multiple-equipment (1U-ME), and multiple-users-multiple-equipment (MU-ME) scenarios. The experimental set-up involves participants manipulating predefined objects and placing them into designated baskets by following specified 3D trajectories. Performance is measured using objective QoE metrics, including temporal efficiency (time required to complete the task) and spatial accuracy (trajectory similarity to the predefined path). In addition, subjective QoE metrics are assessed through detailed surveys, capturing user perceptions of presence, engagement, control, sensory integration, and cognitive load. To ensure flexibility and scalability, the system integrates various haptic configurations, including (1) a Touch kinaesthetic device for precision tracking and grounded haptic feedback, (2) a DualSense tactile joystick as both a tracker and mobile haptic device, (3) a bHaptics DK2 vibrotactile glove with a camera tracker, and (4) a SenseGlove Nova force-feedback glove with VIVE trackers. The modular approach enables comparative analysis of how different device configurations influence user performance and experience. The results indicate that the objective QoE metrics varied significantly across device configurations, with the Touch and SenseGlove Nova set-ups providing the highest trajectory similarity and temporal efficiency. Subjective assessments revealed a strong correlation between presence and sensory integration, with users reporting higher engagement and control in scenarios utilizing force feedback mechanisms. Cognitive load varied across the set-ups, with more complex configurations (e.g., 1U-ME) requiring longer adaptation periods. This study contributes to the field by demonstrating the feasibility of a device-agnostic teleoperation framework for immersive industrial applications. It underscores the critical interplay between objective task performance and subjective user experience, providing actionable insights into the design of next-generation teleoperation systems. Full article

Eggshell quality inspection plays a pivotal role in enhancing the commercial value of poultry eggs and ensuring their safety. It effectively enables the screening of high-quality eggs to meet consumer demand for premium egg products. This paper analyzes the surface characteristics, ultrastructure, and mechanical properties of poultry eggshells. It systematically reviews current advances in eggshell quality inspection technologies and compares the suitability and performance of techniques for key indicators, including shell strength, thickness, spots, color, and cracks. Furthermore, the paper discusses challenges in non-destructive testing, including individual egg variations, species differences, hardware precision limitations, and inherent methodological constraints. It summarizes commercially available portable and online non-destructive testing equipment, analyzing core challenges: the cost–accessibility paradox, speed–accuracy trade-off, algorithm interference impacts, and the technology–practice gap. Additionally, the paper explores the potential application of several emerging technologies—such as tactile sensing, X-ray imaging, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy—in eggshell quality inspection. Finally, it provides a comprehensive outlook on future research directions, offering constructive guidance for subsequent studies and practical applications in production. Full article

Recent advancements in urban vitality space design reflect increasing academic attention to emotional experience dimensions, paralleled by the emergence of AI-based generative technology as a transformative tool for systematically exploring the emotional attachment potential in preliminary designs. To effectively utilize AI-generative design results for spatial vitality creation and evaluation, exploring whether generated spaces respond to people’s emotional demands is necessary. This study establishes a comparative framework analyzing emotional attachment characteristics between LoRA-generated spatial designs and the real urban vitality space, using the representative case of THE BOX in Chaoyang, Beijing. Empirical data were collected through structured on-site surveys with 115 validated participants, enabling a comprehensive emotional attachment evaluation. SPSS 26.0 was employed for multi-dimensional analyses, encompassing aggregate attachment intensity, dimensional differentiation, and correlation mapping. Key findings reveal that while both generative and original spatial representations elicit measurable positive responses, AI-generated designs demonstrate a limited capacity to replicate the authentic three-dimensional experiential qualities inherent to physical environments, particularly regarding structural articulation and material tactility. Furthermore, significant deficiencies persist in the generative design’s cultural semiotic expression and visual-interactive spatial legibility, resulting in diminished user satisfaction. The analysis reveals that LoRA-generated spatial solutions require strategic enhancements in dynamic visual hierarchy, interactive integration, chromatic optimization, and material fidelity to bridge this experiential gap. These insights suggest viable pathways for integrating generative AI methodologies with conventional urban design practices, potentially enabling more sophisticated hybrid approaches that synergize digital innovation with built environment realities to cultivate enriched multisensory spatial experiences. Full article

Aiming at the problems of insufficient function, cultural aphasia, and blunted perception faced by contemporary urban public space, this study explores the potential of paper-based materials in enhancing spatial quality and realizing spatial expansion effects, providing new solutions for urban renewal. Taking the sensory plasticity, visual aesthetics, cultural carrying, and ecological and environmental protection of paper materials as the entry point, we constructed a theoretical model of “paper art space expansion”. Through the design intervention strategy, we explored the application of paper art in the design of interface, space, art creation, and cultural empowerment from visual and tactile perspectives. Through course design, artist interviews, and questionnaire analysis, the study shows that (1) paper material can achieve a balance between function and aesthetics through multi-dimensional design strategies; (2) its environmental attributes and emotional healing value can effectively enhance the emotional connection between people and space; and (3) the contemporary translation of paper art provides an important path for cultural empowerment. This study forms a three-dimensional design framework of “Perception Layer-Technology Layer-Cultural Layer” and proposes a set of innovative models for the application of paper materials in contemporary art and space design, which can provide support for the expansion of space and the increase in content. Future research will focus on the transition of paper art from decoration to the design paradigm of the cultural narrative of intelligent space, deepening the value of paper material as an ecological, cultural, and technological medium, and open up a new direction for the theory and practice of spatial design. At the same time, more attention will be paid to the exploration of the possibility of sensory healing for the blind and other special populations. Full article