This paper presents the design, construction and testing of a new capacitive TACTILE sensor for measurement of normal TACTILE force. The operation of proposed sensor has been investigated in ASTABLE and MONOSTABLE circuits. According to the results of these circuits the deviation of ASTABLE circuit results is less than MONOSTABLE circuit results. In addition, the results obtained from ASTABLE circuit are less separable compared to those of MONOSTABLE circuit. Remarkable advantages of this circuit are its simplicity and low energy consumption aside from its ability to be miniaturized which makes it a good substitute for the sensor in robotics and medical sciences such as minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

Background: Most deaf and severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss patients are incapable to communicate well because of a lack of receiving sound signals. Cochlear implant is one of the effective measures, which has been of great help to the deaf. Up to now, more than 1000 cochlear implants have been accomplished successfully in Iran. Since cochlear implantation is faced with numerous problems and difficulties, we should establish other methods for sound communication. TACTILE aids can be a very effective help regarding this issue. Methods: We designed and accomplished a study on the use of TACTILE aid, along with rehabilitation and training of these patients in our department. We designed four educational stages to check the improvement of subjects who used one-, two-, and seven-channel TACTILE aids. Results: Hundred percent of the cases passed the first stage (detection) successfully. In the second stage (beginning pattern perception) all the cases with two and seven channel TACTILE aids were able to distinguish all kinds of sounds. They could differentiate between speech and nonspeech sounds. In the third stage (recognition of speech), all the cases were able to recognize environmental and “sound maker” sounds, but only 43% of the individuals were able to recognize speech sounds and repeat correctly with two-channel TACTILE aids. In the fourth stage (comprehension of words), identification and repetition of the words were only possible with seven-channel TACTILE aids. Conclusion: The results of our study show that TACTILE aids are well accepted by the patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who do not benefit from usual hearing aids.  

Urban perception is the result of mutual transaction between human and environment and the process of perception is developed through the three continuous steps of “ensation”, “perception” and “cognition”. In the first step (sensorial perception), the environmental signals are received via sensorial sensors and each different sense based on its own essence, performance and ability has its own specific contribution to develop the process of perception of the environment and replace the concept in mind. The sensorial experience made from these environmental perceptions will lead to better understanding and recognition of urban features and qualities. Different senses play different roles to enrich the environmental experience based on their depth and quantity. This paper aims at remembering forgotten distinguished values of tactility in perception of urban space and study is conducted using analytical method with an interpretive approach. The TACTILE senses because of their unique features like universality and diversity and experiencing the space without any medium and understanding the time and place are not emphasized much. The present study aimed to manifest the forgotten values of TACTILE sense and its efficiency in urban environment.

Objective This research was an experimental study that was aimed to detect differences response of TACTILE sensory stimulus between normal children and children with sensory brain development disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Materials & Methods A total of 134 children, in two groups including 67 healthy children (control) and 67 children with autism were studied. TACTILE sensory stimulus responses in children were tested directly using a Reflex Hammer. In addition, TACTILE sensory sensitivity was also assessed via questionnaire Short Sensory Profile (SSP) filled out by the child’ s parents. All response data were analyzed using Fisher’ s Exact Test; questionnaire data was analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U Test. Results Autistic children were more sensitive to palpation and pain than children who were not autistic. Furthermore, the value of SSP was also significantly higher (P<0. 05) in autistic children, which means that they always responded to all categories in the SSP questionnaire than children who are not autistic. Conclusion Autistic children are more sensitive to TACTILE sensory stimulus and all categories of SSP than children who are not autistic.

Objective: Low Birth Weight [LBW] (1500gr£Birth Weight£2499 gr) is one of the most serious health problems in neonates. These neonates need complementary interventions (e.g. TACTILE-kinesthetic stimulation) to promote development. This study was conducted to determine the effect of TACTILE-Kinesthetic Stimulation (TKS) on physical and behavioral development of Low Birth Weight neonates.Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial with equal randomization (1:1 for two groups) and parallel group design. Forty LBW neonates were randomly allocated into test (n=20) and control (n=20) groups. TKS was provided for three 15 minute periods per day for 10 consecutive days to the test group, with the massages consisting of moderate pressure strokes in supine and prone position and kinesthetic exercises consisting of flexion and extension of limbs. All measurements were taken before and after completion of the study with the same equipment (Philips electronic weighing scale with an accuracy of ±5 grams and Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment) and by the same person.Findings: There was a trend towards increased daily weight gain, but without statistical significance. On the Brazelton scale, the test group showed statistically significant improved scores on the ‘motor’ (P-value <0.001) and ‘regulation of state’ (P-value=0.039) clusters after the 10 days TKS.Conclusion: TKS has no adverse effects on physiologic parameters and gives better adaptive behavior of LBW neonates compared to those without TKS.

Using their whiskers, rats have TACTILE capacities rivaling those of the human with our fingertips. We have carried out experiments to explore how neurons encode touch signals to build up a central representation. Touch signals begin with the receptors in the follicle of each whisker and can be traced to a columnar module in somatosensory cortex that is connected with the same whisker: the well-known whisker-to-column topography. We first examine the spatial organization or TACTILE information and find that the columnar topography acts as a framework for the organization of sensory information in behaving rats. Then, we consider the messages carried by neurons. Because rats can sweep their whiskers across surfaces to identify texture with very fine capacities, we ask what the brain representation of texture is. We will present evidence that the surface features of an object induce vibrations in the whisker shaft with distinct kinetic "signatures." The brain encodes the kinetics of whisker vibration to achieve a reliable representation of texture.