Credit assignment in multiple goal embodied visuomotor behavior

The intrinsic complexity of the brain can lead one to set aside issues related to its relationships with the body, but the field of embodied cognition emphasizes that understanding brain function at the system level requires one to address the role of the brain-body interface. It has only recently been appreciated that this interface performs huge amounts of computation that does not have to be repeated by the brain, and thus affords the brain great simplifications in its representations. In effect the brain’s abstract states can refer to coded representations of the world created by the body. But even if the brain can communicate with the world through abstractions, the severe speed limitations in its neural circuitry mean that vast amounts of indexing must be performed during development so that appropriate behavioral responses can be rapidly accessed. One way this could happen would be if the brain used a decomposition whereby behavioral primitives could be quickly accessed and combined. This realization motivates our study of independent sensorimotor task solvers, which we call modules, in directing behavior. The issue we focus on herein is how an embodied agent can learn to calibrate such individual visuomotor modules while pursuing multiple goals. The biologically plausible standard for module programming is that of reinforcement given during exploration of the environment. However this formulation contains a substantial issue when sensorimotor modules are used in combination: The credit for their overall performance must be divided amongst them. We show that this problem can be solved and that diverse task combinations are beneficial in learning and not a complication, as usually assumed. Our simulations show that fast algorithms are available that allot credit correctly and are insensitive to measurement noise

Behavioral, computational, and neuroimaging studies of acquired apraxia of speech

A critical examination of speech motor control depends on an in-depth understanding of network connectivity associated with Brodmann areas 44 and 45 and surrounding cortices. Damage to these areas has been associated with two conditions-the speech motor programming disorder apraxia of speech (AOS) and the linguistic/grammatical disorder of Broca's aphasia. Here we focus on AOS, which is most commonly associated with damage to posterior Broca's area (BA) and adjacent cortex. We provide an overview of our own studies into the nature of AOS, including behavioral and neuroimaging methods, to explore components of the speech motor network that are associated with normal and disordered speech motor programming in AOS. Behavioral, neuroimaging, and computational modeling studies are indicating that AOS is associated with impairment in learning feedforward models and/or implementing feedback mechanisms and with the functional contribution of BA6. While functional connectivity methods are not yet routinely applied to the study of AOS, we highlight the need for focusing on the functional impact of localized lesions throughout the speech network, as well as larger scale comparative studies to distinguish the unique behavioral and neurological signature of AOS. By coupling these methods with neural network models, we have a powerful set of tools to improve our understanding of the neural mechanisms that underlie AOS, and speech production generally

A general purpose wideband optical spatial frequency spectrum analyzer

The light scattered at various angles by a transparent media is studied. An example of these applications is the optical Fourier spectrum measurement resulting from various spatial frequencies which were recorded on a photographic emulsion. A method for obtaining these measurements consists of illuminating the test object with parallel monochromatic light. A stationary lens, placed in the resulting wavefield at a distance of one focal length from the object, will focus parallel waves emanating from the test object at a point lying in the focal plane of the lens. A light detector with a small filtering aperture is then used to measure the intensity variation of the light in the focal or transform plane of the lens. Such measurements require the use of a lens which is highly corrected for all of the common aberrations except chromatic aberration

Inhaled nitric oxide in premature infants: effect on tracheal aspirate and plasma nitric oxide metabolites.

ObjectiveInhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a potential new therapy for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and brain injury in premature infants. This study examined dose-related effects of iNO on NO metabolites as evidence of NO delivery.Study designA subset of 102 premature infants in the NO CLD trial, receiving 24 days of iNO (20 p.p.m. decreasing to 2 p.p.m.) or placebo, were analyzed. Tracheal aspirate (TA) and plasma samples collected at enrollment and at intervals during study gas were analyzed for NO metabolites.ResultiNO treatment increased NO metabolites in TA at 20 and 10 p.p.m. (1.7- to 2.3-fold vs control) and in plasma at 20, 10, and 5 p.p.m. (1.6- to 2.3-fold). In post hoc analysis, treated infants with lower metabolite levels at entry had an improved clinical outcome.ConclusioniNO causes dose-related increases in NO metabolites in the circulation as well as lung fluid, as evidenced by TA analysis, showing NO delivery to these compartments

A Radar-Based Climatology of Thunderstorms in Hawai‘i.

M.S. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2018

Factors Influencing Acceptance of a Worksite Wellness Program in a Major Urban Healthcare System - A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract Adults spend a significant portion of their lives at their workplace. Thus the workplace provides an important venue for public health interventions aimed at prevention and wellness. Best practices for workplace wellness programs are continually being refined. Ironically, health care workers are often less healthy than other professionals and face significant barriers to participating in workplace wellness programs. This paper analyzes the experience of a large urban health care system as it instituted a workplace wellness program and offers recommendations to increase participation in healthcare workplace wellness program and create an overall healthier work environment for healthcare workers. Factors negatively influencing participation in a workplace wellness program in a large urban healthcare system included: 1) working a shift other than first, 2) being male and 3) being older than 65 years. Significant cultural, personal, and environmental barriers were also described in focus group sessions: 1) lack of time to participate due to stressful work patterns, 2) failure to read communications about the program, 3) lack of trust and concerns of lack of confidentiality with perceived threats to job security, 4) lack of on-site exercise facilities and healthy food choices, and 5) low perceived self-efficacy to engage in wellness activities

Effect of tip planform on blade loading characteristics for a two-bladed rotor in hover

A laser velocimeter was used to study the flow surrounding a 2.13 m diam. two-bladed, teetering model-scale helicopter rotor operating in the hover condition. The rotor system employed interchangeable blade tips over the outer 25% radius. A conventional rectangular planform and an experimental ogee tip shape were studied. The radial distribution of the blade circulation was obtained by measuring the velocity tangent to a closed rectangular contour around the airfoil section at a number of radial locations. A relationship between local circulation and bound vorticity was invoked to obtain the radial variations in the sectional lifting properties of the blade. The tip vortex-induced velocity was also measured immediately behind the generating blade and immediately before the encounter with the following blade. The mutual influence between blade loading, shed vorticity, and the structure of the encountered vortex are quantified by the results presented and are discussed comparatively for the rectangular and ogee planforms. The experimental loading for the rectangular tip is also compared with predictions of existing rotor analysis

The Effects Orthostatic Hypotension has on Falls: A study done in San Francisco with the Patient Population of the Veterans Affairs Hospital

The Effects Orthostatic Hypotension has on Falls: A Study Done in San Francisco Represented Population of the Veterans Affairs Hoapital The global AIM of this project is to Identify patients that are at risk for Orthostatic Hypotension (OH) with in the first 24 hours of addmission. It was identified that 50% of the falls over the last 4 quarters at the VA were OH related. The patients were not identified as a fall risk and over half of them had fallen multiple times. After performing a nursing survey online, a SWOT analysis, and a Root Cause Analysis using a fishbone diagram, The problem was identified as a gap in knowledge for the assessment of OH and poor implementation and standardization of the current fall program. The 124 bed unit of 2 B South is a Telemetry/Seizure unit that has over-flow from TCU. The patients are all Veteran’s, many who suffer from multiple co-morbidities, including psychiatric conditions and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) I will build and strengthen this project using two essential competencies. The first #3 Quality Improvement and Safety as this is the AIM of the project, to reduce falls. The second is #7 Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes, through working with the medical staff on the unit we will build a strong team to enhance the quality and satisfaction of the patient. Evaluation of the OH patient at risk for falls, as defined by the Merck Manual, will be assessed following the guidelines of the Morse Fall Scale (MFS). 3 cycles of PDSA were ran over a weeks time to gain more specific information of gaps in knowledge and program process. I used Lewin’s Change Theory and Kotter’s Eight-Step Process for Leading Change. I selected two theories to guide me due to the staffs resistence to change, this has been a strong barrier dueing my rotation. The nursing surveys were done through an online questionaire to allow privacy and honest answers, I often made rounds on the unit meeting independantly with staff as well as visual assessments. Through the use of Evidence-based data, the current falls program was updated to incorporate OH patients. I have designed a patient pamphlet to help the nurses teach patients about OH and how it relates to falls. The project met or exceded the goal of reducing falls by 35% and repeat falls by 50%. The project started working with pharmacy and IT to change the charting process and identify patients that are on medications that could cause OH. These changes will not be in effect due to the projects length of 3.5 months, but the CNL preceptor will continue the project with the appointed Fall Champions. Education to the nurses was delivered by a projection power point on the wall once a month for 15 minutes. As the knowledge grew, the nurse became more confident and change started to take place. By mid November the staff, at 87%, had almost reach the 24 hour OH assessment goal of 95%. We celebrated small wins as a team with bagels or special treats. The nurse manager was able to get one paid day off for each of the Champion, with the restriction that each month they be reassessed for participation. My biggest surprise implementing this project was that this unit had just started hourly rounding and they were not doing post fall huddles. We did start PFH with this project as it is the best way to dissimenate information. It is proven research PFH reduce fall rates. Pre fall project the fall rate in July was 7 with 4 reoccuring falls at the end of the project the October fall rate was 2 with no reoccuring falls