(1) Objective: This study was conducted with the objective of characterizing the variability of a force on a simulated skin surface using the Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test (SWMT). (2) Research Design and Methods: Two distinct experiments were performed to determine the effects of human hand motion variability on the monofilament buckling force, and to determine the monofilament’s mechanical properties using a positioning stage. (3) Results: In manual operation (by human hand motion), the buckling force over the ten compressions decreased by over 10%, and the human hand motion variations during the SWMT may have impacted the buckling force. When the SWMT was performed under manual control, the buckling force was closely correlated with the number of compressions. In automated operation (by positioning stage), the buckling force was affected not only by the number of compressions but also by both the velocity and the contact angle between the monofilament and the skin surface. (4) Conclusions: The buckling force decreased in ten successive compressions, independent of the hand motion. Hence, medical staff need to consider not only the operator’s hand motion but also the effect of repeated trials.

Title: Basic Study of the Influence of the Manner of Grasping, Number of Contacts, and Auditory Information on Recognition of Hardness of Objects by Visually Impaired Persons Using White Canes | Keywords: white cane, visual impairment, tactile information, auditory information | Author: Kiyohiko Nunokawa, Manabu Chikai, Kouki Doi, and Shuichi Ino

(1) Background: In-home assistive systems to help people with physical disabilities stand up from toilets are necessary, and the ease of the standing-up motion should be evaluated. (2) Methods: This study investigated the ease of the standing-up motion using objective and subjective data from healthy participants to facilitate the development of a toilet-seat-tilting system. Participants were divided into younger and older age groups. Objective data concerning muscle activity (EMG), three-dimensional (3D) body motion, and center of pressure distribution (COP) were collected. The participants also provided subjective data related to standing up from a toilet tilted at three different angles. (3) Results: All participants repeated the motion 25 times for each angle and provided feedback regarding their standing-up experience under each condition. Objective EMG, COP, and 3D body motion analysis results varied across individuals and age groups. The older group exhibited a consistent pattern of head motion while standing up. Thus, older individuals prefer a forward trunk-inclination motion. (4) Conclusions: According to the collected subjective data, all participants found it easier to stand when the seat angle was 5° or 10°; objective data on the ankle dorsiflexion angle, muscle activity, and head motion may be related to the subjective ease of the standing-up motion.

本研究では，顧客視点に立った接客応対に関連するおもてなしの概念の整理を行うことを目指し，航空接客応対の模擬シナリオに基づいた実験動画を用いた顧客視点評価を実施した．実験では，120名の顧客役の幅広い年代の研究対象者を対象とし，研究対象者らは5段階の評価尺度を用いて顧客視点による模擬接客動画の主観評価を行った．得られた実験データは，多変量解析手法である因子分析を活用し，顧客視点による接客応対の要素を抽出した．分析結果から，顧客から見た接客応対は，接客応対時の説明力（頼りがい力）・対応力（インタラクション力）・表現力（マナー力）・スタッフ自身が持つ雰囲気（キャラクター力）というカテゴリに分類された．結論として，本研究で得た結果に基づき，おもてなしの概念を整理することが可能であり，接客応対時の4つの要素を抽出することができた．