Neural network committees for finger joint angle estimation from surface EMG signals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In virtual reality (VR) systems, the user's finger and hand positions are sensed and used to control the virtual environments. Direct biocontrol of VR environments using surface electromyography (SEMG) signals may be more synergistic and unconstraining to the user. The purpose of the present investigation was to develop a technique to predict the finger joint angle from the surface EMG measurements of the extensor muscle using neural network models.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>SEMG together with the actual joint angle measurements were obtained while the subject was performing flexion-extension rotation of the index finger at three speeds. Several neural networks were trained to predict the joint angle from the parameters extracted from the SEMG signals. The best networks were selected to form six committees. The neural network committees were evaluated using data from new subjects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was hysteresis in the measured SMEG signals during the flexion-extension cycle. However, neural network committees were able to predict the joint angle with reasonable accuracy. RMS errors ranged from 0.085 ± 0.036 for fast speed finger-extension to 0.147 ± 0.026 for slow speed finger extension, and from 0.098 ± 0.023 for the fast speed finger flexion to 0.163 ± 0.054 for slow speed finger flexion.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although hysteresis was observed in the measured SEMG signals, the committees of neural networks were able to predict the finger joint angle from SEMG signals.</p

ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

n/

Work up of neuro-ophthalmological cases - Examination – Investigations

Importance of thorough history-taking, meticulous examination and tailored investigations cannot be underestimated in any branch in medicine, and the same goes for neuro-ophthalmology too. In patients presenting with visual loss, ocular motility disturbances, or simply headache, the ophthalmologist may be the first one to diagnose life-threatening conditions. Thus, before referring the patient to other services, it is essential to arrive systematically and rationally at a conclusive, problem-oriented diagnosis. This article gives a stepwise approach to work up patients with a potential neuro-ophthalmic condition. It gives a brief and helpful overview about history-taking in these patients and clears most ambiguities regarding examination techniques and the choice and timing of investigations. It may especially prove to be very useful and of special interest for training ophthalmologists

Focal fibrous overgrowths: A case series and review of literature

Intraoral fibrous overgrowths of the soft tissues are relatively common and may be benign reactive or neoplastic lesions. A series of 10 lesions is presented which included pyogenic granuloma, fibroma and peripheral ossifying fibroma. Almost all the lesions occurred in the second and third decades and were present in the anterior segment of the jaws, with a distinct female predilection. Majority of these lesions were asymptomatic and the patients reported for treatment only due to the discomfort during function. Histopathologic examinations were done for diagnosis of these lesions. Surgical excision along with removal of causative irritants remains the treatment of choice. The extent of excision should depend on the severity of the lesion, as some of these lesions have a tendency for recurrence. All the patients in this series were closely followed up for a period of 2 years and showed no signs of recurrence

An evaluation of patient's decisions regarding dental prosthetic treatment

Introduction: For fabricating dental prostheses that meet patients' demands and have good longevity and function, appropriate treatment planning and decision-making are required. Therefore, not only technical skills and clinical judgment of the dentist are needed, but also patients' attitude toward treatment plays a critical role in posttreatment satisfaction. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the factors affecting decision-making and the selection of dental prosthesis by the patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey to determine patients' attitudes about replacement of teeth was conducted. This survey was performed with the help of a prevalidated questionnaire, which contained the demographic data of every patient, whether or not they accept the treatment plan proposed by the dentist, and a close-ended multiple choice question stating the reasons cited by them if they decline the proposed treatment plan. Results: The data were subjected to statistical analysis by Chi-square test at a significance level of P< 0.05. A relationship between the demographical information such as age, gender, educational status, marital status, and monthly income of each patient and the single best reason opted by them to not undergo the proposed treatment plan was established. Conclusions: In the sample of population studied, most of the patients declined the proposed treatment plan and accepted the alternate one. High expenditure is the most common reason for this rejection