Movement Strategies in Virtual Reality: Exploring the Influence of 3D Endpoint Variability

Research using a kinematic approach has revealed that users often exhibit strategic biases in their movement behavior to minimize the effort required to reach a target. However, a recent exploration of these effects in a virtual reality (VR) environment yielded conflicting results, calling into question whether strategic patterns observed in movements to physical targets can be expected to generalize to VR environments. In the present study, we re-analyze the data from Clark and Riggs (2020) using principal component analysis (PCA) to empirically distinguish between alternative explanations for the unexpected results. Our findings clarify the source of these results for downward versus upward movements and provide a preliminary look at how adaptations to manage perception- and execution-related motor variability may impact users’ movement strategies in VR.

Motor dysfunction in Drosophila melanogaster as a biomarker for developmental neurotoxicity

Humans interact with numerous chemical compounds with direct health implications, with several able to induce developmental neurotoxicity (DNT), which bear developmental, behavioral, and cognitive consequences from a young age. Current guidelines for DNT testing are notably costly, time consuming, and unsuitable for testing large numbers of chemicals. Therefore, there is a need for adequate alternatives to conventional animal testing for neurotoxicity and DNT. Here we show that detailed kinematic analysis can provide a strong indicator for DNT, using known (chlorpyrifos, CPS) or putative (β–N–methylamino–L–alanine, BMAA) neurotoxic compounds. Here we Drosophila melanogaster exposed to these compounds during development and evaluated for common general toxicity – notably developmental survival and pupal positioning, together with the FlyWalker system, a detailed adult kinematics evaluation method. At concentrations that do not induce general toxicity, the solvent DMSO had a significant effect on kinematic parameters. Nonetheless, CPS not only induced developmental lethality but also significantly impaired coordination in comparison to DMSO, altering 16 motor parameters, validating the usefulness of our kinematic approach. Interestingly, BMAA, although not lethal during development, induced a dose–dependent motor decay, targeting most parameters in young adult animals, phenotypically resembling normally aged, non-exposed flies. This effect was subsequently attenuated during ageing, indicating an adaptive response. Furthermore, BMAA induced an abnormal terminal differentiation of leg motor neurons, without inducing degeneration, underpinning the observed altered mobility phenotype. Overall, our results support our kinematic approach as a novel, highly sensitive and reliable tool to assess potential DNT of chemical compounds.

Investigation of Falcon Dive and Developing Kinematic Approach

This study investigates the aerodynamic methods already implemented in studying a peregrine falcon dive. The paper presents a literature review of aerodynamic methods, starting from mathematical models aimed at predicting falcon dive using minimum drag theory. This is followed by experimental methods that developed the flight path trajectory using high-tech cameras. Additionally, the paper presents numerical analysis of the falcon body model using computational fluid dynamics and particle image velocimetry in order to assess and derive aerodynamic coefficients. Based on the research, a kinematic model for the problem was developed, and the reason for failure were highlighted.

Investigation of Falcon Dive and Developing Kinematic Approach

This study investigates the aerodynamic methods already implemented in studying a peregrine falcon dive. The paper presents a literature review of aerodynamic methods, starting from mathematical models aimed at predicting falcon dive using minimum drag theory. This is followed by experimental methods that developed the flight path trajectory using high-tech cameras. Additionally, the paper presents numerical analysis of the falcon body model using computational fluid dynamics and particle image velocimetry in order to assess and derive aerodynamic coefficients. Based on the research, a kinematic model for the problem was developed, and the reason for failure were highlighted.