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A modular fixture system is a flexible alternative to a dedicated fixture. In this paper, an automatic modular fixture design system is suggested for creating prismatic parts. The system contains fixture planning, fixture modelling, and fixture assembly. The part geometrical database and process plans are considered as inputs to the system. A rule- based method is applied to assign the feasible locating scheme and the locating and clamping datum. The search strategy is designed to determine the most suitable locating and clamping points. The final fixture assembly is made with the standard fixture components using the CATVBA Editor inside CATIAV5. The proposed methodology is successfully validated with a case study.

After a prolonged period of using the cortico-centric models of brain function, scientists developed a parallel perspective with an emphasis on all neural structures of the brain. Therefore, the present study aims to create a valid and reliable assessment based on the parallel perspective of brain function. First, a basic assessment was made. Then, a sample size of 183 participants was recruited from graduates and undergraduates at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad over a 2-year period (2020 and 2021). The measures were the Neural Circuits Questionnaire (NCQ) and the Demographic Data Questionnaire. Data analyses were performed by using exploratory factor analysis. Using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, cutting points for the quality index of the questionnaire were calculated. The results showed that the questionnaire has a three-factor structure and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.617. Based on the ROC curve, the valid range for the quality index is 10.5–15.5. The cerebro-cerebellar index is higher for Ph.D. students than for students with lower degrees (F = 8.60, p = 0.001). In conclusion, it appears that the Neural Circuits Questionnaire is a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess cognitive function following the parallel perspective of brain function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Meniere's disease is an inner ear disorder not associated with central brain structure involvement. Although the ECochG test has been commonly used to diagnose Meniere's disease recently, it has not demonstrated high sensitivity. Therefore, it is recommended that other complementary tests alongside the ECochG test be used to diagnose Meniere's disease. The SVV test has gained popularity recently for this reason, and in this study, it was decided to use the SVV test in both static and dynamic modes, along with the ECochG test, as a tool for diagnosing Meniere's disease and evaluating its diagnostic features. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 53 patients with confirmed unilateral Meniere's disease and a normal group. Means were calculated with a 95% confidence interval for the groups, and the corresponding graphs were plotted. Independent t-tests were used to examine the difference in SVV results between the normal and Meniere's groups. The ROC curve was then used to determine the cutoff point and calculate. Results: After investigating the cutoff point for the three SVV conditions (tilted towards the lesion), a cutoff point of 2.1 degrees with a sensitivity and specificity of approximately 0.7 was identified as the best condition for distinguishing the Meniere's group from the healthy group. Conclusion: Finally, based on the findings, it can be concluded that the SVV test has relatively low sensitivity for diagnosing Meniere's disease. Therefore, more than relying solely on its results to identify Meniere's disease is required, and it is suggested that other measures alongside the ECochG and SVV tests be included in future studies for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim was to assess prevalence of tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing and balance problems among patients recovered from COVID-19 infection. Self-reported ear and hearing symptoms were compared in three groups comprising: confirmed COVID-19, possible COVID-19, and non-COVID-19. Materials and Methods: 1649 participants completed the survey in this cross-sectional study. The mean age was 34 years and 65% were female. Participants with confirmed and possible COVID-19 were asked if after their infection (compared to the past) they experienced hearing loss, ringing or whistling noises, fullness or blockage in their ears, loudness of the sounds that are normal to other people bother them more (an indication of hyperacusis), dizziness, giddiness, or imbalance. Results: Among participants with confirmed COVID-19, 16% reported that compared to the past their hearing has decreased, 21.5% noticed tinnitus, 22.5% aural fullness, 26.1% hyperacusis and 17.3% balance problems. Regression models showed that compared to the non-COVID-19 group, participants with confirmed COVID-19 had odds ratios (ORs) of significantly greater than 1 in predicting presence of self-reported symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness, hyperacusis and balance problems, OR=1.96 (p=0.001), OR=1.63 (p=0.003), OR=1.8 (p<0.001), OR=2.2 (p<0.001), and OR=2.99 (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: There seem to be higher prevalence of self-report symptoms of ear-related problems among individuals with confirmed COVID-19 infection compared to a non-COVID-19 group during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The present study investigates the role of psychological patterns and the duration of smartphone and laptop use on neck pain. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this correlational study included all students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad-Iran, in the academic year of 2021-2022. Two-hundred forty-two students were selected by the multi-stage cluster method. The data were gathered through NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21), Nordic Neck Pain Scale, and a researcher-made questionnaire to check smartphone and laptop usage hours. Information and data were analyzed using the structural equation model. Results: The results showed that personality traits and their dimensions (such as flexibility, neuroticism, introversion/extroversion, work conscientiousness, and agreeableness), psychological stress and its subscales (anxiety, depression, and stress), and the duration of using smartphone and laptop could not have a significant effect on neck pain (P> 0.05) (Power AGFI> 0.90, Power RMSEA> 0.90). Conclusion: Based on the findings, psychological patterns and the duration of smartphone and laptop use have no significant effects on neck pain, and it is necessary to use more accurate tools to investigate in a wider and deeper way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]