Simulation and Analysis of Perceptual-Motor Skill Training

1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (17) ◽  
pp. 1264-1268
Author(s):  
Donald L. Fisher ◽  
Robert A. Wisher ◽  
James T. Townsend ◽  
Mark A. Sabol

This paper examines the application of order-or-processing networks to the simulation of performance of a complex skill, the copying of high-speed Morse code. A sequence of processing stages and memory buffers is described that is presumed, on the basis of earlier work, to represent the task. Two models of this sequence, distinguished by their assumptions regarding concurrent processing of characters, are also presented. Simulations were run on these models to find the parameters that yielded the best fit to performance data from 19 students undergoing the early stages of military Morse code training. The implications of the results to an analysis of early performance and the potential benefits of applying the same technique to data obtained from students late in training are discussed.

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren E. McEntire ◽  
Xiaoqian Wang ◽  
Eric A. Day ◽  
Vanessa K. Kowollik ◽  
Paul R. Boatman ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ragunathan Padmashri ◽  
Anand Suresh ◽  
Michael D. Boska ◽  
Anna Dunaevsky

Motor-skill learning induces changes in synaptic structure and function in the primary motor cortex through the involvement of a long-term potentiation- (LTP-) like mechanism. Although there is evidence that calcium-dependent release of gliotransmitters by astrocytes plays an important role in synaptic transmission and plasticity, the role of astrocytes in motor-skill learning is not known. To test the hypothesis that astrocytic activity is necessary for motor-skill learning, we perturbed astrocytic function using pharmacological and genetic approaches. We find that perturbation of astrocytes either by selectively attenuating IP3R2 mediated astrocyte Ca2+signaling or using an astrocyte specific metabolic inhibitor fluorocitrate (FC) results in impaired motor-skill learning of a forelimb reaching-task in mice. Moreover, the learning impairment caused by blocking astrocytic activity using FC was rescued by administration of the gliotransmitter D-serine. The learning impairments are likely caused by impaired LTP as FC blocked LTP in slices and prevented motor-skill training-induced increases in synaptic AMPA-type glutamate receptorin vivo. These results support the conclusion that normal astrocytic Ca2+signaling during a reaching task is necessary for motor-skill learning.


1972 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 706-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Burton ◽  
J. Lobo-Guerrero U.

Reciprocating pumps have been employed in conjunction with air vessels and fluid accumulators for a long time in order to reduce maximum cylinder pressures and energy wastage in friction. More recently, diaphragm pumps, run at high speed, have been built utilizing a hydraulic accumulator or capacitance in conjunction with a hydraulic inductance, in order to greatly increase the flow output. Volumetric efficiencies of over 250 percent have been obtained. The present paper describes briefly this induced flow principle and then compares theoretical solutions with experimental measurements taken in the first commercially available pump of this type.


2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Dangxiao Wang ◽  
Yuru Zhang ◽  
Jun Wu

Model of motor skill pattern is a fundamental component to support feedback mechanism in haptic-assisted motor skill training. Because of the diversity of manipulation tasks in real world, it is a challenge to construct a generic model for various motor skill patterns. Considering fine motor skill mediated by a rigid tool, criteria for a general model of motor skill are identified: generality, quantifiable representation and the capability to support real-time error computation. A hierarchical motor skill model is proposed in a two-level architecture: the spatial-temporal coupling mechanism in task level and the quantified representation in action level. The purpose of task level is to decompose a motor skill into basic elements that can be described with quantified representation. The purpose of the action level is to give quantified representation in each single dimension in the Cartesian Space. Based on the combinations of independent variants, mapping functions in the action level are classified as five basic types. The proposed model can provide a systematical view to compare various motor skills in literatures, and thus can help us to identify unexplored topics in haptic-enabled motor skill training area. Furthermore, examples of two motor skill tasks show that the proposed model can provide a systematic way to design training system for complex motor skills.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Jian J. Zhang ◽  
Jonathan Rutherford ◽  
Metasebya Solomon ◽  
Brian Cheng ◽  
Jason R. Xuan ◽  
...  

Objectives.Although laser lithotripsy is now the preferred treatment option for urolithiasis due to shorter operation time and a better stone-free rate, the optimal laser settings for URS (ureteroscopic lithotripsy) for less operation time remain unclear. The aim of this study was to look for quantitative responses of calculus ablation and retropulsion by performing operator-independent experiments to determine the best fit versus the pulse energy, pulse width, and the number of pulses.Methods.A lab-built Ho:YAG laser was used as the laser pulse source, with a pulse energy from 0.2 J up to 3.0 J and a pulse width of 150 μs up to 1000 μs. The retropulsion was monitored using a high-speed camera, and the laser-induced craters were evaluated with a 3-D digital microscope. The best fit to the experimental data is done by a design of experiment software.Results.The numerical formulas for the response surfaces of ablation speed and retropulsion amplitude are generated.Conclusions.The longer the pulse, the less the ablation or retropulsion, while the longer pulse makes the ablation decrease faster than the retropulsion. The best quadratic fit of the response surface for the volume of ablation varied nonlinearly with pulse duration and pulse number.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lasse Christiansen ◽  
Malte Nejst Larsen ◽  
Mads Just Madsen ◽  
Michael James Grey ◽  
Jens Bo Nielsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Motor skill acquisition depends on central nervous plasticity. However, behavioural determinants leading to long lasting corticospinal plasticity and motor expertise remain unexplored. Here we investigate behavioural and electrophysiological effects of individually tailored progressive practice during long-term motor skill training. Two groups of participants practiced a visuomotor task requiring precise control of the right digiti minimi for 6 weeks. One group trained with constant task difficulty, while the other group trained with progressively increasing task difficulty, i.e. continuously adjusted to their individual skill level. Compared to constant practice, progressive practice resulted in a two-fold greater performance at an advanced task level and associated increases in corticospinal excitability. Differences were maintained 8 days later, whereas both groups demonstrated equal retention 14 months later. We demonstrate that progressive practice enhances motor skill learning and promotes corticospinal plasticity. These findings underline the importance of continuously challenging patients and athletes to promote neural plasticity, skilled performance, and recovery.


2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Hendricks ◽  
D. T. Shouse ◽  
W. M. Roquemore ◽  
D. L. Burrus ◽  
B. S. Duncan ◽  
...  

The Trapped Vortex Combustor (TVC) potentially offers numerous operational advantages over current production gas turbine engine combustors. These include lower weight, lower pollutant emissions, effective flame stabilization, high combustion efficiency, excellent high altitude relight capability, and operation in the lean burn or RQL modes of combustion. The present work describes the operational principles of the TVC, and extends diffuser velocities toward choked flow and provides system performance data. Performance data include EINOx results for various fuel-air ratios and combustor residence times, combustion efficiency as a function of combustor residence time, and combustor lean blow-out (LBO) performance. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using liquid spray droplet evaporation and combustion modeling are performed and related to flow structures observed in photographs of the combustor. The CFD results are used to understand the aerodynamics and combustion features under different fueling conditions. Performance data acquired to date are favorable compared to conventional gas turbine combustors. Further testing over a wider range of fuel-air ratios, fuel flow splits, and pressure ratios is in progress to explore the TVC performance. In addition, alternate configurations for the upstream pressure feed, including bi-pass diffusion schemes, as well as variations on the fuel injection patterns, are currently in test and evaluation phases.


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