4,563,345 research outputs found
Construction of Latent Descriptor Space and Inference Model of Hand-Object Interactions
Appearance-based generic object recognition is a challenging problem because
all possible appearances of objects cannot be registered, especially as new
objects are produced every day. Function of objects, however, has a
comparatively small number of prototypes. Therefore, function-based
classification of new objects could be a valuable tool for generic object
recognition. Object functions are closely related to hand-object interactions
during handling of a functional object; i.e., how the hand approaches the
object, which parts of the object and contact the hand, and the shape of the
hand during interaction. Hand-object interactions are helpful for modeling
object functions. However, it is difficult to assign discrete labels to
interactions because an object shape and grasping hand-postures intrinsically
have continuous variations. To describe these interactions, we propose the
interaction descriptor space which is acquired from unlabeled appearances of
human hand-object interactions. By using interaction descriptors, we can
numerically describe the relation between an object's appearance and its
possible interaction with the hand. The model infers the quantitative state of
the interaction from the object image alone. It also identifies the parts of
objects designed for hand interactions such as grips and handles. We
demonstrate that the proposed method can unsupervisedly generate interaction
descriptors that make clusters corresponding to interaction types. And also we
demonstrate that the model can infer possible hand-object interactions
Vagus nerve stimulation paired with tactile training improved sensory function in a chronic stroke patient
Background: Recent studies indicate that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation can enhance neural plasticity in the primary sensory and motor cortices, improve forelimb function after stroke in animal models and improve motor function in patients with arm weakness after stroke. OBJECTIVE:To gain âfirst-in-manâ experience of VNS paired with tactile training in a patient with severe sensory impairment after stroke. Methods: During the long-term follow-up phase of a clinical trial of VNS paired with motor rehabilitation, a 71-year-old man who had made good motor recovery had ongoing severe sensory loss in his left hand and arm. He received VNS paired with tactile therapy in an attempt to improve his sensory function. During twenty 2-hour sessions, each passive and active tactile event was paired with a 0.5 second burst of 0.8âmA VNS. Sensory function was measured before, halfway through, and after this therapy. Results: The patient did not report any side effects during or following VNS+Tactile therapy. Quantitative measures revealed lasting and clinically meaningful improvements in tactile threshold, proprioception, and stereognosis. After VNS+Tactile therapy, the patient was able to detect tactile stimulation to his affected hand that was eight times less intense, identify the joint position of his fingers in the affected hand three times more often, and identify everyday objects using his affected hand seven times more often, compared to baseline. Conclusions: Sensory function significantly improved in this man following VNS paired with tactile stimulation. This approach merits further study in controlled clinical trials
A Control Model: Interpretation of Fitts' Law
The analytical results for several models are given: a first order model where it is assumed that the hand velocity can be directly controlled, and a second order model where it is assumed that the hand acceleration can be directly controlled. Two different types of control-laws are investigated. One is linear function of the hand error and error rate; the other is the time-optimal control law. Results show that the first and second order models with the linear control-law produce a movement time (MT) function with the exact form of the Fitts' Law. The control-law interpretation implies that the effect of target width on MT must be a result of the vertical motion which elevates the hand from the starting point and drops it on the target at the target edge. The time optimal control law did not produce a movement-time formula simular to Fitt's Law
Evolution and Epiphany: Language in Biological and Theological Perspective
Brief sketches are given, on the one hand, of three \"biological\" accounts of human
language that construe its function in terms of evolutionary adaptation, and, on the other
hand, of three \"theological\" accounts of language that construe its function in terms of
human relatedness to God. The theological accounts, when placed into conversation with
the biological accounts, are allowed to raise specific critical questions and suggestions for
further work, in an attempt to contribute methodologically and materially to the ongoing
dialogue between science and religion
The effectiveness of origami on overall hand function after injury: A pilot controlled trial
This pilot study measured the effectiveness of using origami to improve the overall hand function of outpatients attending an NHS hand injury unit. The initiative came from one of the authors who had used origami informally in the clinical setting and observed beneficial effects. These observed effects were tested experimentally. The design was a pilot non-randomised controlled trial with 13 participants. Allocation of the seven control group members was based on patient preference. The experimental group members attended a weekly hour of origami for six weeks, in addition to their conventional rehabilitation.
Hand function of all participants was measured using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test before and after the six-week period, and additional qualitative data were gathered in the form of written evaluations from patients. The quantitative data were analysed using the Mann Whitney U test or Fisherâs exact test. Themes were highlighted from the qualitative data.
The results show that there was a greater difference in the total score of the experimental group using the impaired hand between pre- and post-intervention of 11.8 seconds, compared with 4.3 seconds in the control group, but this was not statistically significant at the 5% level (p=0.06). Additionally, differences in the sub-test scores show a markedly larger improvement in the experimental group. Qualitative data indicate that the experimental group experienced the origami sessions as being enjoyable and beneficial. Further research with a larger sample and randomised group allocation is recommended to verify and expand these preliminary findings
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