scholarly journals Separating neural influences from peripheral mechanics: the speed-curvature relation in mechanically constrained actions

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (5) ◽  
pp. 1870-1885
Author(s):  
James Hermus ◽  
Joseph Doeringer ◽  
Dagmar Sternad ◽  
Neville Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Power Law ◽  
Kinematic Constraints ◽  
Hand Path ◽  
Neural Origin ◽  
Path Curvature ◽  
Neural Influences ◽  
Biomechanical Factors

Physically interacting with kinematic constraints is commonplace in everyday actions. We report a study of humans turning a crank, a circular constraint that imposes constant hand path curvature and hence should suppress variations of hand speed due to the power-law speed-curvature relation widely reported for unconstrained motions. Remarkably, we found that, when peripheral biomechanical factors are removed, a speed-curvature relation reemerges, indicating that it is, at least in part, of neural origin.

scholarly journals Drawing Sequences of Segments in 3D: Kinetic Influences on Arm Configuration

2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 3253-3263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary D. Klein Breteler ◽  
Jan M. Hondzinski ◽  
Martha Flanders
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Energetic Efficiency ◽  
Sensorimotor System ◽  
Kinematic Constraints ◽  
3D Space ◽  
Final Approach ◽  
Path Curvature ◽  
Movement Segment ◽  
Segment Data

Complex movements are generally thought to consist of a series of simpler elements. If this is so, how does the sensorimotor system assemble the pieces? This study recorded and evaluated sequences of arm movements to various targets placed in three-dimensional (3D) space. Subjects performed sequences consisting of single, double, or triple segments with the same first target but with different second targets. The data analysis focused on the first movement segment and evaluated hand path curvature, the hand's final approach to the first target, and the whole arm postures at the beginning and end. Although some idiosyncratic differences in approach were observed, only the final arm posture depended, in a consistent way, on which particular movement was to follow as the second segment. This provided evidence for “coarticulation” of the two segments, only at the level of arm posture, and simulations revealed that this anticipatory modification improved the energetic efficiency of the second segment. Data from movements through five consecutive triple segments (i.e., 5 triangles) were assessed to determine whether kinematic constraints, such as Donders' law, apply to repetitive drawing movements. Although such constraints could prevent the accumulation of changes in arm posture, this was not observed. Instead, in most cases, the elbow was a little bit higher at the end of each triangle than at the beginning. Taken together, the results suggest that coarticulation may facilitate the joining of two segments and the efficiency of the second movement, but does not extend over the drawing of several segments.

Analysis of power law assumptions for short-period comets and Kuiper bodies

1999 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 289-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Donnison ◽  
L.I. Pettit
Keyword(s):  
Power Law ◽  
Pareto Distribution ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Probability Plots ◽  
Exponential Probability

AbstractA Pareto distribution was used to model the magnitude data for short-period comets up to 1988. It was found using exponential probability plots that the brightness did not vary with period and that the cut-off point previously adopted can be supported statistically. Examination of the diameters of Trans-Neptunian bodies showed that a power law does not adequately fit the limited data available.

Hearing in Mice by GSR Audiometry: II. Magnitude of Unconditioned GSR as a Function of Intensity and Frequency Interactions

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Gill ◽  
Charles I. Berlin
Keyword(s):  
Power Law ◽  
Response Magnitude ◽  
Single Units ◽  
Spectral Content ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Subjective Magnitude ◽  
Orderly Fashion ◽  
Viiith Nerve

The unconditioned GSR’s elicited by tones of 60, 70, 80, and 90 dB SPL were largest in the mouse in the ranges around 10,000 Hz. The growth of response magnitude with intensity followed a power law (10 .17 to 10 .22 , depending upon frequency) and suggested that the unconditioned GSR magnitude assessed overall subjective magnitude of tones to the mouse in an orderly fashion. It is suggested that hearing sensitivity as assessed by these means may be closely related to the spectral content of the mouse’s vocalization as well as to the number of critically sensitive single units in the mouse’s VIIIth nerve.

How Useful is the Power Law of Practice for Recognizing Practice in Concentration Tests?

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Hagemeister
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Error Rate ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Practice Effect ◽  
Practice Effects ◽  
Rate Decrease ◽  
Small Practice

Abstract. When concentration tests are completed repeatedly, reaction time and error rate decrease considerably, but the underlying ability does not improve. In order to overcome this validity problem this study aimed to test if the practice effect between tests and within tests can be useful in determining whether persons have already completed this test. The power law of practice postulates that practice effects are greater in unpracticed than in practiced persons. Two experiments were carried out in which the participants completed the same tests at the beginning and at the end of two test sessions set about 3 days apart. In both experiments, the logistic regression could indeed classify persons according to previous practice through the practice effect between the tests at the beginning and at the end of the session, and, less well but still significantly, through the practice effect within the first test of the session. Further analyses showed that the practice effects correlated more highly with the initial performance than was to be expected for mathematical reasons; typically persons with long reaction times have larger practice effects. Thus, small practice effects alone do not allow one to conclude that a person has worked on the test before.

Inverse Power Law Behavior in a Memory Scanning Experiment

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo Ramirez ◽  
Sonia Perez ◽  
John G. Holden
Keyword(s):  
Power Law ◽  
Inverse Power ◽  
Memory Scanning ◽  
Inverse Power Law
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