Human-computer interaction in ubiquitous computing environments

Purpose &ndash; The purpose of this paper is to explore characteristics of human-computer interaction when the human body and its movements become input for interaction and interface control in pervasive computing settings. Design/methodology/approach &ndash; The paper quantifies the performance of human movement based on Fitt\u27s Law and discusses some of the human factors and technical considerations that arise in trying to use human body movements as an input medium. Findings &ndash; The paper finds that new interaction technologies utilising human movements may provide more flexible, naturalistic interfaces and support the ubiquitous or pervasive computing paradigm. Practical implications &ndash; In pervasive computing environments the challenge is to create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. Application domains that may utilize human body movements as input are surveyed here and the paper addresses issues such as culture, privacy, security and ethics raised by movement of a user\u27s body-based interaction styles. Originality/value &ndash; The paper describes the utilization of human body movements as input for interaction and interface control in pervasive computing settings. <br /

Population-scale organization of cerebellar granule neuron signaling during a visuomotor behavior.

Granule cells at the input layer of the cerebellum comprise over half the neurons in the human brain and are thought to be critical for learning. However, little is known about granule neuron signaling at the population scale during behavior. We used calcium imaging in awake zebrafish during optokinetic behavior to record transgenically identified granule neurons throughout a cerebellar population. A significant fraction of the population was responsive at any given time. In contrast to core precerebellar populations, granule neuron responses were relatively heterogeneous, with variation in the degree of rectification and the balance of positive versus negative changes in activity. Functional correlations were strongest for nearby cells, with weak spatial gradients in the degree of rectification and the average sign of response. These data open a new window upon cerebellar function and suggest granule layer signals represent elementary building blocks under-represented in core sensorimotor pathways, thereby enabling the construction of novel patterns of activity for learning

Effect of methamphetamine dependence on inhibitory deficits in a novel human open-field paradigm.

RationaleMethamphetamine (MA) is an addictive psychostimulant associated with neurocognitive impairment, including inhibitory deficits characterized by a reduced ability to control responses to stimuli. While various domains of inhibition such as exaggerated novelty seeking and perseveration have been assessed in rodents by quantifying activity in open-field tests, similar models have not been utilized in human substance abusers. We recently developed a cross-species translational human open-field paradigm, the human behavior pattern monitor (hBPM), consisting of an unfamiliar room containing novel and engaging objects. Previous work demonstrated that manic bipolar subjects exhibit a disinhibited pattern of behavior in the hBPM characterized by increased object interactions.ObjectivesIn the current study, we examined the effect of MA dependence on inhibitory deficits using this paradigm. hBPM activity and object interactions were quantified in 16 abstinent MA-dependent individuals and 18 matched drug-free comparison subjects. The Wisconsin card sorting task (WCST) and the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) were administered to assess executive function and psychopathology.ResultsMA-dependent participants exhibited a significant increase in total object interactions, time spent with objects, and perseverative object interactions relative to comparison subjects. Greater object interaction was associated with impaired performance on the WCST, higher PANSS scores, and more frequent MA use in the past year.ConclusionsAbstinent MA-dependent individuals exhibited impaired inhibition in the hBPM, displaying increased interaction with novel stimuli. Utilization of this measure may enable assessment of inhibitory deficits relevant to drug-seeking behavior and facilitate development of intervention methods to reduce high-risk conduct in this population

Technology applications

A summary of NASA Technology Utilization programs for the period of 1 December 1971 through 31 May 1972 is presented. An abbreviated description of the overall Technology Utilization Applications Program is provided as a background for the specific applications examples. Subjects discussed are in the broad headings of: (1) cancer, (2) cardiovascular disease, (2) medical instrumentation, (4) urinary system disorders, (5) rehabilitation medicine, (6) air and water pollution, (7) housing and urban construction, (8) fire safety, (9) law enforcement and criminalistics, (10) transportation, and (11) mine safety

Decoding spoken words using local field potentials recorded from the cortical surface

Pathological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or damage to the brainstem can leave patients severely paralyzed but fully aware, in a condition known as 'locked-in syndrome'. Communication in this state is often reduced to selecting individual letters or words by arduous residual movements. More intuitive and rapid communication may be restored by directly interfacing with language areas of the cerebral cortex. We used a grid of closely spaced, nonpenetrating micro-electrodes to record local field potentials (LFPs) from the surface of face motor cortex and Wernicke's area. From these LFPs we were successful in classifying a small set of words on a trial-by-trial basis at levels well above chance. We found that the pattern of electrodes with the highest accuracy changed for each word, which supports the idea that closely spaced micro-electrodes are capable of capturing neural signals from independent neural processing assemblies. These results further support using cortical surface potentials (electrocorticography) in brain–computer interfaces. These results also show that LFPs recorded from the cortical surface (micro-electrocorticography) of language areas can be used to classify speech-related cortical rhythms and potentially restore communication to locked-in patients

Applications of aerospace technology in the public sector

Current activities of the program to accelerate specific applications of space related technology in major public sector problem areas are summarized for the period 1 June 1971 through 30 November 1971. An overview of NASA technology, technology applications, and supporting activities are presented. Specific technology applications in biomedicine are reported including cancer detection, treatment and research; cardiovascular diseases, diagnosis, and treatment; medical instrumentation; kidney function disorders, treatment, and research; and rehabilitation medicine

Vertical computer mice and gaming: |b effect of mouse orientation on muscle activation and performance

This thesis was completed and submitted at Nipissing University, and is made freely accessible through the University of Toronto’s TSpace repositoryIntroduction: Continued growth in the electronic sports industry has fuelled an increase in gaming-related pain, with 37.9% of high-level gamers reporting pain to the distal upper limb. The prevalence of gaming-related pain is not surprising when considering the high physical demands, including up to 500 actions/minute for 10 hours/day. Previous researchers investigated vertical mouse use as a means of reducing musculoskeletal load, which identified modest reductions in wrist extensor activity; however, only naïve participants with no prior experience using a vertical mouse were tested. The purpose of this study was to quantify gaming performance and physical demands in high-level gamers that received training with the vertical mouse compared to conventional horizontal mouse use. Given the sustained intensity and frequency of gaming actions and the likelihood of fatigue development, each computer mouse was tested before and immediately after a fatiguing protocol. Methods: Fifteen high-level gamers ranked in the top quartile of their preferred game were separated into 2 groups, balanced according to gameplay performance tested in the lab. One group (n=8) received a horizontal gaming mouse (Logitech G203) while the other group (n=7) received a vertical gaming mouse (Deluxe Seeker). Following an extensive 2-week training protocol, gaming performance was assessed in 3 trials before and after a fatiguing protocol within the software FirstPersonScience (v22.05.01). The fatigue protocol consisted of sustaining combined grip and wrist extension efforts at 20% of maximal voluntary force until failure. The gaming trials involved target acquisition of 16 targets spawned consecutively in random order at 2 different distances circling a homing origin in increments of 45° (azimuth). Measured performance outcomes were time to target acquisition (ms), accuracy (%), and throughput (bits/s). Amplitude probability distribution function (% maximum voluntary contraction, MVC) of seven muscles were also quantified via bi-polar surface electromyography at 4,000 Hz: abductor pollicis longus (APL), flexor carpi radialis (FCR), flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), flexor digitorum (FD), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), and extensor digitorum (ED). Repeated measures ANOVAs tested the effects of computer mouse (horizontal, vertical), fatigue development (pre-, post-), and trial number (1, 2, 3) on all performance and muscle activity metrics (α<0.05). Muscle activity percentiles (10th, 50th, 90th, 99th) were also entered as an independent variable to represent the amplitude probability distribution function. Results: There was a significant interaction between computer mouse and pre-post fatigue on time to target acquisition (F1,13=16.16, p<0.01). Time increased following pre-post fatigue development for the vertical mouse only. Consequently, target acquisition was slower for the vertical than horizontal mouse in the post-fatigue condition. However, there were no significant findings for target accuracy or throughput between the computer mice. With respect to physical demands aggregated over all experimental conditions, muscle activity ranged from 1% MVC (10th percentile) to 5% MVC (99th percentile) across the flexors, and 2% MVC (10th percentile) to 17% MVC (99th percentile) for the extensors. This level of muscle activity indicated persistent static loading for all extensor muscles. FCU, FCR, FD, and ECR muscle activity all decreased with vertical mouse use (compared to horizontal), especially for the 90th and 99th percentiles. These changes were muscle dependent, with the greatest reductions in muscle activity for the ECR (F1,13=5.06, p=0.042; Horizontal mouse – 10.09±2.35% MVC; Vertical mouse – 6.15±2.51% MVC). Conclusion: While muscle activity decreased for the vertical mouse in 90th and 99th percentiles, there were no significant differences at the 10th percentile. Performance differences between mice were also minimal. Considering prolonged gameplay durations characteristic of high-level gamers, my results reflect increased risk of developing musculoskeletal pain and/or disorder due to persistent static loading regardless of mouse design.M.Sc

Decoding spoken words using local field potentials recorded from the cortical surface

Pathological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or damage to the brainstem can leave patients severely paralyzed but fully aware, in a condition known as 'locked-in syndrome'. Communication in this state is often reduced to selecting individual letters or words by arduous residual movements. More intuitive and rapid communication may be restored by directly interfacing with language areas of the cerebral cortex. We used a grid of closely spaced, nonpenetrating micro-electrodes to record local field potentials (LFPs) from the surface of face motor cortex and Wernicke's area. From these LFPs we were successful in classifying a small set of words on a trial-by-trial basis at levels well above chance. We found that the pattern of electrodes with the highest accuracy changed for each word, which supports the idea that closely spaced micro-electrodes are capable of capturing neural signals from independent neural processing assemblies. These results further support using cortical surface potentials (electrocorticography) in brain–computer interfaces. These results also show that LFPs recorded from the cortical surface (micro-electrocorticography) of language areas can be used to classify speech-related cortical rhythms and potentially restore communication to locked-in patients