To examine personal space perception, a method of identifying joint position was determined by having the subject equally bisect the joint angle, by producing a minimum increment in change of position and by selecting a threshold for two-point discrimination using the metacarpophalangeal joint of digits 2-5.
Eight healthy adults (6 males and 2 females) were used as subjects. The subjects' eyes were covered at all times to prevent any visual feedback.
Each metacarpophalangeal joint of digits 2-5 was extended, flexed and pointed to the bisection position in 6 sec (about 2 sec in each position) . The difference in the bisection position selected using the index finger with the shoulder, elbow and hand in variety of positions was determined. The deviation from the mid-bisection point and the standard deviation were less when the hand was positioned most comfortably and near the face (“natural and near”) than when the hand was positioned in the more uncomfortable position and further from the face (“unnatural and further”) .
In a second test, the index finger was moved from full extension to the full flexion in increments as small as possible at a rate of one change in position per second. Again, the effect of arm position was determined.
In case of“the natural and near”position, each increment in joint position was smaller than in“the unnatural and further”position.
In“the natural and near”position, the two point threshold was smallest of all. It was measured at the thumb side of right palm in the proximo-distal direction.
These results suggest that personal space perception of metacarpophalangeal joint is affected by the position of adjoining limb segments.

To examine personal space perception, a method of identifying joint position was determined by having the subject equally bisect the joint angle, by producing a minimum increment in change of position and by selecting a threshold for two-point discrimination using the metacarpophalangeal joint of digits 2-5.
Eight healthy adults (6 males and 2 females) were used as subjects. The subjects' eyes were covered at all times to prevent any visual feedback.
Each metacarpophalangeal joint of digits 2-5 was extended, flexed and pointed to the bisection position in 6 sec (about 2 sec in each position) . The difference in the bisection position selected using the index finger with the shoulder, elbow and hand in variety of positions was determined. The deviation from the mid-bisection point and the standard deviation were less when the hand was positioned most comfortably and near the face (“natural and near”) than when the hand was positioned in the more uncomfortable position and further from the face (“unnatural and further”) .
In a second test, the index finger was moved from full extension to the full flexion in increments as small as possible at a rate of one change in position per second. Again, the effect of arm position was determined.
In case of“the natural and near”position, each increment in joint position was smaller than in“the unnatural and further”position.
In“the natural and near”position, the two point threshold was smallest of all. It was measured at the thumb side of right palm in the proximo-distal direction.
These results suggest that personal space perception of metacarpophalangeal joint is affected by the position of adjoining limb segments.

To examine the variation in the knee extension force and the integrated electromyogram from rectus femoris, medial vastus and lateral vastus muscles with the knee joint angle in growing children, measurements were conducted in 61 school boys aged from 7 to 12 years old. Anthropometric measurements were also done on the body height, the lower limb length, and so on. Results obtained were as follows.
1) Ratio of the lower limb length comparing with the body height increased with the grade.
2) Maximal force at each joint angle in each grade was shifted peak from 70°to 90°with the grade.
3) The pattern of the integrated surface electromyogram from rectus femoris, medial vastus or lateral vastus muscle at each joint angle was the same in all of the grade. The integrated electromyogram at the maximal voluntary contraction was maximal at 45°of the knee joint angle in the rectus femoris muscle, at 110°in the medial vastus and at 90°in the lateral vastus muscle.

Objective: We aimed to clarify factors associated with the ability to seek help among older male caregivers who care for women with dementia in their families.Patients and Methods: This information will inform strategies to support their continued provision of long-term care. Participants were 364 male caregivers recruited from three places: The study period was 2017–2018. We obtained ethical approval for this study from the relevant ethics committee.Results: The ability to seek help for care problems among male caregivers was normally distributed. We found that more than 90% of older male caregivers did not actively seek help to resolve care problems, suggesting that older male caregivers had problems with long-term care. In the high score group, health status and the number of emotional support persons in the household were significantly and somewhat strongly positively correlated. The low score group showed a significant and rather weak positive correlation between economic status and health status, and the number of emotional supporters inside and outside the household.Positive correlations for the high score group were self-esteem and depressive symptoms, and self-esteem and resources. Positive correlations for the low score group were self-esteem and depressive symptoms, self-esteem and resources, and resources and depressive symptoms.Conclusion: Male caregivers are more likely to seek help if they are employed or play a role in their community. Nurses also need to support male caregivers with positive words and praise to help them use available support and resources and continue to provide long-term care. It is important for healthcare professionals to observe whether a caregiver presents with depressive symptoms or has long-term care problems because older male caregivers do not seek help. Collaboration between caregivers and medical, long-term care, and welfare professionals is necessary. Direct and timely intervention is needed.