The Need for Verbal Robot Explanations and How People Would Like a Robot to Explain Itself

Although non-verbal cues such as arm movement and eye gaze can convey robot intention, they alone may not provide enough information for a human to fully understand a robot’s behavior. To better understand how to convey robot intention, we conducted an experiment ( N = 366 ) investigating the need for robots to explain , and the content and properties of a desired explanation such as timing , engagement importance , similarity to human explanations, and summarization . Participants watched a video where the robot was commanded to hand an almost-reachable cup and one of six reactions intended to show the unreachability : doing nothing (No Cue), turning its head to the cup (Look), or turning its head to the cup with the addition of repeated arm movement pointed towards the cup (Look & Point), and each of these with or without a Headshake. The results indicated that participants agreed robot behavior should be explained across all conditions, in situ , in a similar manner as what human explain, and provide concise summaries and respond to only a few follow-up questions by participants. Additionally, we replicated the study again with N = 366 participants after a 15-month span and all major conclusions still held.

Compensating for Soft-Tissue Artifact Using the Orientation of Distal Limb Segments During Electromagnetic Motion Capture of the Upper Limb

Most motion capture measurements suffer from soft-tissue artifacts (STA). Especially affected are rotations about the long axis of a limb segment, such as humeral internal-external rotation (HIER) and forearm pronation-supination (FPS). Unfortunately, most existing methods to compensate for STA were designed for optoelectronic motion capture systems. We present and evaluate a STA compensation method that 1) compensates for STA in HIER and/or FPS, 2) is developed specifically for electromagnetic motion capture systems, and 3) does not require additional calibration or data. To compensate for STA, calculation of HIER angles rely on forearm orientation, and calculation of FPS angles rely on hand orientation. To test this approach, we recorded whole-arm movement data from eight subjects and compared their joint angle trajectories calculated according to progressive levels of STA compensation. Compensated HIER and FPS angles were significantly larger than uncompensated angles. Although the effect of STA compensation on other joint angles (besides HIER and FPS) was usually modest, significant effects were seen in certain DOF under some conditions. Overall, the method functioned as intended during most of the range of motion of the upper limb, but it becomes unstable in extreme elbow extension and extreme wrist flexion-extension. Specifically, this method is not recommended for movements within 20° of full elbow extension, full wrist flexion, or full wrist extension. Since this method does not require additional calibration of data, it can be applied retroactively to data collected without the intent to compensate for STA.

PREDICTING MAXIMAL COUNTERMOVEMENT JUMP HEIGHT FROM UPRIGHT AND SQUAT POSITIONS HEAD TITLE: UPRIGHT AND SQUAT MAXIMUM JUMP HEIGHT PREDICTORS

Introduction. Countermovement jump is common in sport and testing and performed from various starting positions. Little is known about effective contributors to maximal countermovement jump height from various starting positions. Purpose and Objectives. Determine effective jump height predictors and effect of starting position on countermovement jump height. Applied Methodology. Forty-nine collegiate athletes performed maximal height countermovement jumps from upright and squatting positions with arm movement. Several variables were calculated from kinetic data. Correlation and regression determined variables related to and predictive of jump height in both conditions. Paired t-tests evaluated differences in jump height. Achieved Major Results. Upright condition jump height positively correlated with peak force and power, eccentric and concentric impulses, and countermovement depth. Jump height prediction included peak force and power, and eccentric and concentric impulses. Squat condition jump height positively correlated with peak force and power, mean rate of force development, force generated at the beginning of propulsion, and concentric impulse. Jump height prediction equation included mean rate of force development, force at the beginning of propulsion, and peak power. Jump height was higher in the upright condition. Conclusions. Higher jumps are achieved from the upright position. Peak force, peak power, and concentric and eccentric impulses best contribute to upright jump height. Mean rate of force development, force at the beginning of propulsion, and peak power best predicted squat jump height. Limitations. We did not restrict arm movement, to encourage natural motion. Depth was not controlled, rather advising a comfortable depth. Subjects were recruited from various collegiate sports. Practical implications. Maximal jump height from various positions may be achieved through efforts to maximize jump peak power and increase musculotendinous loading in sport-specific starting positions. Originality/Value. This is the first study to explore the predictors of upright and squat countermovement jumps. These results can guide jump performance training.

Bilateral Paragangliomas in the Setting of Autonomic Dysfunction: A Case Report

In 2018, a 59-year-old female patient presented with hoarseness in her voice, headache, intermittent pain in her right side, difficulty of right arm movement, left side neck pain, difficulty controlling hypertension of unknown etiology, and a large mass on the upper left side of her neck with a smaller mass on the right side. MRI of the neck revealed masses at each carotid bifurcation. These were determined to be bilateral paragangliomas. Paragangliomas are rare tumors, and bilateral ones tremendously so. The patient underwent radiation over 2 years, resulting in the successful shrinking and stabilization of both masses. Since completing radiation, the patient reported improvement in her memory, and her blood pressure has stabilized with medication.

Bilateral actigraphic quantification of upper extremity movement in hemiparetic children with perinatal stroke: a case control study

Background Hemiparetic cerebral palsy impacts millions of people worldwide. Assessment of bilateral motor function in real life remains a major challenge. We evaluated quantification of upper extremity movement in hemiparetic children using bilateral actigraphy. We hypothesized that movement asymmetry correlates with standard motor outcome measures. Methods Hemiparetic and control participants wore bilateral wrist Actiwatch2 (Philips) for 48 h with movement counts recorded in 15-s intervals. The primary outcome was a novel statistic of movement asymmetry, the Actigraphic Movement Asymmetry Index (AMAI). Relationships between AMAI and standard motor outcomes (Assisting Hand Assessment, Melbourne Assessment, and Box and Block Test [BB]) were explored with Pearson or Spearman correlation. Results 30 stroke (mean 11 years 2 months (3 years 10 months); 13 female, 17 male) and 23 control (mean 11 years 1 month (4 years 5 months); 8 female, 15 male) were enrolled. Stroke participants demonstrated higher asymmetry. Correlations between AMAI and standard tests were moderate and strongest during sleep (BB: r = 0.68, p < 0.01). Conclusions Standard tests may not reflect the extent of movement asymmetry during daily life in hemiparetic children. Bilateral actigraphy may be a valuable complementary tool for measuring arm movement, potentially enabling improved evaluation of therapies with a focus on child participation.

Prevalence of Adverse Events Post-COVID-19 Vaccination amongst the Adult Zambian Population

Introduction: COVID-19 continues to be a public health concern despite several practical interventions to curb its spread. Now, widespread vaccination appears to be the most important strategy in winning the fight against this deadly pandemic by promoting herd immunity. However, a lack of independent and local studies on vaccines’ safety may adversely impact the vaccine uptake and eventually the overarching goal of reducing disease transmission. Objective: To determine the prevalence of adverse events post COVID-19 vaccination amongst the adult Zambia population. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among recipients of COVID-19 vaccines in Zambia. The study was conducted between July and August 2021. 584 adult individuals who had access to the questionnaire were enrolled. Relationships between patients' demographics and Adverse Events (AEs) were assessed using the chi-square (χ2) test given the categorical nature of the data. Results: Pain at the injection site (79.8%), headache (57.4%), fatigue (55.5%), chills (52.6%), fever (42.3%), and joint pains (37.5%) were the most commonly reported adverse events. When stratified by gender, pain at the injection site (p = 0.01), limitation of arm movement (p < 0.001), chills (p = 0.017), headache (p = 0.044), fatigue (p = 0.004), nausea or vomiting (p < 0.001) were statistically significant, with females mostly affected. There was a statistically significant difference in the case of limitation of arm movement (20.7% vs. 9.9%, p = 0.031), chills (54.8% vs. 36.6%, p = 0.004), headache (59.6% vs. 40.8%, p = 0.003) and fatigue (57.5% vs. 40.8%, p = 0.008) between those 49 years and below compared to those above 50 years. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence of adverse events being experienced by the recipient of COVID-19 vaccines and that these have been mainly mild. Healthcare authorities need to educate the public about the possible adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines and how to report these events should they experience some. This will improve pharmacovigilance of adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines.

Connectivity modulations induced by reach&grasp movements: a multidimensional approach

Reach&grasp requires highly coordinated activation of different brain areas. We investigated whether reach&grasp kinematics is associated to EEG-based networks changes. We enrolled 10 healthy subjects. We analyzed the reach&grasp kinematics of 15 reach&grasp movements performed with each upper limb. Simultaneously, we obtained a 64-channel EEG, synchronized with the reach&grasp movement time points. We elaborated EEG signals with EEGLAB 12 in order to obtain event related synchronization/desynchronization (ERS/ERD) and lagged linear coherence between Brodmann areas. Finally, we evaluated network topology via sLORETA software, measuring network local and global efficiency (clustering and path length) and the overall balance (small-worldness). We observed a widespread ERD in α and β bands during reach&grasp, especially in the centro-parietal regions of the hemisphere contralateral to the movement. Regarding functional connectivity, we observed an α lagged linear coherence reduction among Brodmann areas contralateral to the arm involved in the reach&grasp movement. Interestingly, left arm movement determined widespread changes of α lagged linear coherence, specifically among right occipital regions, insular cortex and somatosensory cortex, while the right arm movement exerted a restricted contralateral sensory-motor cortex modulation. Finally, no change between rest and movement was found for clustering, path length and small-worldness. Through a synchronized acquisition, we explored the cortical correlates of the reach&grasp movement. Despite EEG perturbations, suggesting that the non-dominant reach&grasp network has a complex architecture probably linked to the necessity of a higher visual control, the pivotal topological measures of network local and global efficiency remained unaffected.

Study of Neuropeptide Substance P as A Marker of Pain in Newborn Infant

BACKGROUND: Prolonged and repeated untreated pain in newborn infant may produce a relatively permanent adverse long-term sequela. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role for neuropeptides substance P (SP) as neurochemical pain marker in newborn infants in order to decrease unnecessary use of analgesics and protect the developing brain. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 60 newborn infants. They were assigned to four groups, control preterm, sick preterm, control full term, and sick full term. All neonates were subjected to estimation of pain through neonatal infants pain score (NIPS) as well as Neuropeptide SP on the 1st and 5th day of life. The NIPS addresses five behavioral parameters (facial expression, crying, arm movement, leg movement, and state arousal) and one physiological parameter (breathing pattern). Results were further evaluated according to nature of the procedures; invasive and non-invasive procedures. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the severity of pain score among the sick preterm and full-term infants after invasive procedures. There was a significant increase in SP in the sick preterm group than the control preterm on the 1st and 5th day of life; p were =0.003 and = 0.037, while full-term infants showed significant increase on the 5th day; p = 0.005. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in SP values between the preterm and full-term infants on the 1st and 5th day of life. SP increased significantly after invasive procedures than noninvasive procedures in the sick full-term and sick preterm infants weather in the 1st or 5th day of life. There was a significant correlation between the pain score NIPS and SP level on the 1st day of life. CONCLUSION: SP can be used as pain marker in sick preterm and full-term newborn infants. It showed increase with invasive procedures, acute and chronic pain.

Abstract Action Language Processing in Eleven-Year-Old Children: Influence of Upper Limb Movement on Sentence Comprehension

Regarding the embodiment of language processing in adults, there is evidence of a close connection between sensorimotor brain areas and brain areas relevant to the processing of action verbs. This thesis is hotly debated and has therefore been thoroughly studied in adults. However, there are still questions concerning its development in children. The present study deals with the processing of action verbs in concrete and abstract sentences in 60 eleven-year-olds using a decision time paradigm. Sixty-five children mirrored arm movements or sat still and rated the semantic plausibility of sentences. The data of the current study suggest that eleven-year-olds are likely to misunderstand the meaning of action verbs in abstract contexts. Their decision times were faster and their error rates for action verbs in concrete sentences were lower. However, the gender of the children had a significant influence on the decision time and the number of errors, especially when processing abstract sentences. Females were more likely to benefit from an arm movement before the decision, while males were better if they sat still beforehand. Overall, children made quite a few errors when assessing the plausibility of sentences, but the female participants more often gave plausibility assessments that deviated from our expectations, especially when processing abstract sentences. It can be assumed that the embodiment of language processing plays some role in 11-year-old children, but is not yet as mature as it is in adults. Especially with regard to the processing of abstract language, the embodied system still has to change and mature in the course of child development.