Optimization of Link Length Fitting between an Operator and a Robot with Digital Annealer for a Leader-Follower Operation

In recent years, the teleoperation of robots has become widespread in practical use. However, in some current modes of robot operation, such as leader-follower control, the operator must use visual information to recognize the physical deviation between him/herself and the robot, and correct the operation instructions sequentially, which limits movement speed and places a heavy burden on the operator. In this study, we propose a leader-follower control parameter optimization method for the feedforward correction necessitated by deviations in the link length between the robot and the operator. To optimize the parameters, we used the Digital Annealer developed by Fujitsu Ltd., which can solve the combinatorial optimization problem at high speed. The main objective was to minimize the difference between the hand coordinates target and the actual hand position of the robot. In simulations, the proposed method decreased the difference between the hand position of the robot and the target. Moreover, this method enables optimum operation, in part by eliminating the need for the operator to maintain an unreasonable posture, as in some robots the operator’s hand position is unsuitable for achieving the objective.

Proprioceptive Re-alignment drives Implicit Sensorimotor Adaptation

Multiple learning processes contribute to successful goal-directed actions in the face of changing physiological states, biomechanical constraints, and environmental contexts. Amongst these processes, implicit sensorimotor adaptation is of primary importance, ensuring that movements remain well-calibrated and accurate. A large body of work on reaching movements has emphasized how adaptation centers on an iterative process designed to minimize visual errors. The role of proprioception has been largely neglected, thought to play a passive role in which proprioception is affected by the visual error but does not directly contribute to adaptation. Here we present an alternative to this visuo-centric framework, arguing that that implicit adaptation can be understood as minimizing a proprioceptive error, the distance between the perceived hand position and its intended goal. We use this proprioceptive re-alignment model (PReMo) to re-examine many phenomena that have previously been interpreted in terms of learning from visual errors, as well as offer novel accounts for unexplained phenomena. We discuss potential challenges for this new perspective on implicit adaptation and outline a set of predictions for future experimentation.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC-FUNDED CHARGING STATIONS TO INCREASE THE RATE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) OWNERSHIP IN INDONESIA

The current surplus of electricity across Indonesia has further underlined many opportunities to optimize the usage of electricity in many sectors; including on the issue of Electric Vehicle (EV) ownership within the country. According to the government’s projection, the state-owned enterprise (SOE) of PLN would construct 254.181 units of charging stations by 2030. However, there exists the problem of ‘chicken and egg’; in which more EV charging stations would be required to spur EV sales and vice versa. In addition to that, the lack of charging stations has also led to the disinterest from the public to purchase EVs due to fear of range anxiety. Hence, this paper is written to address the importance of publicly funded charging stations in Indonesia to help cultivate EV development within the country. Not only that, since Indonesia is the largest member country of ASEAN, it could be the ‘trendsetter’ of this issue in the region and would have the upper hand position as an early adopter. Our hypotheses suggest that not only publicly funded the development of charging stations would be beneficial to the future-buyer of EV, but also for the government itself. Keywords: Electric Vehicle, Charging Station, Public-Funded, Range Anxiety

SmartBathroom Data Visualization Tool to Inform OT Clinical Reasoning

Traditionally, Occupational Therapy assessment of an older adult’s toilet transfer performance has been based on qualitative observation and client self-report. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementing traditional clinical reasoning with quantitative transfer performance data about body and foot position, balance, hand placement and grasping forces on grab bars. Specifically, we conducted an online survey of occupational therapy practitioners and educators to assess the usefulness and usability of 2D and 3D graphic visualizations representing foot and hand position and forces exerted on the floor, toilet seat and grab bars. These data were captured by sensors located throughout GA Tech’s SmartBathroom laboratory during a study of transfer performance. Findings are being used to identify the most useful sensor data and the most effective ways to convey that data to improve training of occupational therapy students.

Comparison of extended reality and conventional methods of basic life support training: protocol for a multinational, pragmatic, noninferiority, randomised clinical trial (XR BLS trial)

Background Conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for the general public involves the use of a manikin and a training video, which has limitations related to a lack of realism and immersion. To overcome these limitations, virtual reality and extended reality technologies are being used in the field of medical education. The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of extended reality (XR)-based basic life support (BLS) training. Methods This study is a prospective, multinational, multicentre, randomised controlled study. Four institutions in 4 countries will participate in the study. A total of 154 participants will be randomly assigned to either the XR group or the conventional group stratified by institution and sex (1:1 ratio). Each participant who is allocated to either group will be sent to a separate room to receive training with an XR BLS module or conventional CPR training video. All participants will perform a test on a CPR manikin after the training. The primary outcome will be mean compression depth. The secondary outcome will be overall BLS performance, including compression rate, correct hand position, compression, and full release and hands-off time. Discussion Using virtual reality (VR) to establish a virtual educational environment can give trainees a sense of realism. In the XR environment, which combines the virtual world with the real world, trainees can more effectively learn various skills. This trial will provide evidence of the usefulness of XR in CPR education. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04736888. Registered on 29 January 2021

Bimanual Grasping Adheres to Weber's Law

Weber's law states that our ability to detect changes in stimulus attributes decreases linearly with their magnitude. This principle holds true for many attributes across sensory modalities but appears to be violated in grasping. One explanation for the failure to observe Weber's law in grasping is that its effect is masked by biomechanical constraints of the hand. We tested this hypothesis using a bimanual task that eliminates biomechanical constraints. Participants either grasped differently sized boxes that were comfortably within their arm span (action task) or estimated their width (perceptual task). Within each task, there were two conditions: One where the hands’ start positions remained fixed for all object sizes (meaning the distance between the initial and final hand-positions varied with object size), and one in which the hands’ start positions adapted with object size (such that the distance between the initial and final hand-position remained constant). We observed adherence to Weber's law in bimanual estimation and grasping across both conditions. Our results conflict with a previous study that reported the absence of Weber's law in bimanual grasping. We discuss potential explanations for these divergent findings and encourage further research on whether Weber's law persists when biomechanical constraints are reduced.

Assessment of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Expertise among Dental House Officers Working in A Dental Hospital, Multan

Background: Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is an abrupt and an unpredicted halt in patients’ breathing as well as circulation due to several reasons. All wellbeing experts, including dental specialists, should be very much prepared to take care of and oversee health related crises. Aim: To examine House Surgeon’s medical practices of the recent CPR guidelines and to recognize the precautions that should be followed to correct the deficiencies identified. Setting: Multan Dental College Multan Methodology: Participants were selected randomly. Knowledge about CPR was evaluated by printed objective paper. Practical expertise/ skills were evaluated by SimMan (high-fidelity simulator). Objective paper comprised of 7 multiple choice questions and eighteen true false. Allotted time duration was 20 Minutes. One mark for every query and 50% marks were thought-off as passing scores Results: 34% of the participants scored 50% or more marks while 66% failed to do so. Regarding practical demonstration’s none of the participant was successful completely. Failure in initial assessment was attributed to 67% participants. Failure due to compression rate error, Failure due to ventilation rate error & Failure due to wrong hand position were reported by 70% participants. Conclusion: We conclude that level of knowledge as well as training regarding medicinal emergencies of dental house officers is below the required standard. Therefore, it is essential to place correct strategies & plans in place to fortify their recognized zones of weakness. Keywords: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Dental House officers, Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA),

The Relative Contributions of Visual and Proprioceptive Inputs on Hand Localization in Early Childhood

Forming an accurate representation of the body relies on the integration of information from multiple sensory inputs. Both vision and proprioception are important for body localization. Whilst adults have been shown to integrate these sources in an optimal fashion, few studies have investigated how children integrate visual and proprioceptive information when localizing the body. The current study used a mediated reality device called MIRAGE to explore how the brain weighs visual and proprioceptive information in a hand localization task across early childhood. Sixty-four children aged 4–11 years estimated the position of their index finger after viewing congruent or incongruent visuo-proprioceptive information regarding hand position. A developmental trajectory analysis was carried out to explore the effect of age on condition. An age effect was only found in the incongruent condition which resulted in greater mislocalization of the hand toward the visual representation as age increased. Estimates by younger children were closer to the true location of the hand compared to those by older children indicating less weighting of visual information. Regression analyses showed localizations errors in the incongruent seen condition could not be explained by proprioceptive accuracy or by general attention or social differences. This suggests that the way in which visual and proprioceptive information are integrated optimizes throughout development, with the bias toward visual information increasing with age.

Two‐Thumb Technique Is Superior to Two‐Finger Technique in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Simulated Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Infants

Background To compare the 2‐finger and 2‐thumb chest compression techniques on infant manikins in an out‐of‐hospital setting regarding efficiency of compressions, ventilation, and rescuer pain and fatigue. Methods and Results In a randomized crossover design, 78 medical students performed 2 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with mouth‐to‐nose ventilation at a 30:2 rate on a Resusci Baby QCPR infant manikin (Laerdal, Stavanger, Norway), using a barrier device and the 2‐finger and 2‐thumb compression techniques. Frequency and depth of chest compressions, proper hand position, complete chest recoil at each compression, hands‐off time, tidal volume, and number of ventilations were evaluated through manikin‐embedded SkillReporting software. After the interventions, standard Likert questionnaires and analog scales for pain and fatigue were applied. The variables were compared by a paired t ‐test or Wilcoxon test as suitable. Seventy‐eight students participated in the study and performed 156 complete interventions. The 2‐thumb technique resulted in a greater depth of chest compressions (42 versus 39.7 mm; P <0.01), and a higher percentage of chest compressions with adequate depth (89.5% versus 77%; P <0.01). There were no differences in ventilatory parameters or hands‐off time between techniques. Pain and fatigue scores were higher for the 2‐finger technique (5.2 versus 1.8 and 3.8 versus 2.6, respectively; P <0.01). Conclusions In a simulation of out‐of‐hospital, single‐rescuer infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the 2‐thumb technique achieves better quality of chest compressions without interfering with ventilation and causes less rescuer pain and fatigue.