Selectivity and Longevity of Peripheral-Nerve and Machine Interfaces: A Review

Ghafoor, Usman,Kim, Sohee,Hong, Keum-Shik Frontiers Media S.A. 2017 Frontiers in neurorobotics Vol.11 No.-

<P>For those individuals with upper-extremity amputation, a daily normal living activity is no longer possible or it requires additional effort and time. With the aim of restoring their sensory and motor functions, theoretical and technological investigations have been carried out in the field of neuroprosthetic systems. For transmission of sensory feedback, several interfacing modalities including indirect (non-invasive), direct-to-peripheral-nerve (invasive), and cortical stimulation have been applied. Peripheral nerve interfaces demonstrate an edge over the cortical interfaces due to the sensitivity in attaining cortical brain signals. The peripheral nerve interfaces are highly dependent on interface designs and are required to be biocompatible with the nerves to achieve prolonged stability and longevity. Another criterion is the selection of nerves that allows minimal invasiveness and damages as well as high selectivity for a large number of nerve fascicles. In this paper, we review the nerve-machine interface modalities noted above with more focus on peripheral nerve interfaces, which are responsible for provision of sensory feedback. The invasive interfaces for recording and stimulation of electro-neurographic signals include intra-fascicular, regenerative-type interfaces that provide multiple contact channels to a group of axons inside the nerve and the extra-neural-cuff-type interfaces that enable interaction with many axons around the periphery of the nerve. Section Current Prosthetic Technology summarizes the advancements made to date in the field of neuroprosthetics toward the achievement of a bidirectional nerve-machine interface with more focus on sensory feedback. In the Discussion section, the authors propose a hybrid interface technique for achieving better selectivity and long-term stability using the available nerve interfacing techniques.</P>

A Study on the Drivers’ Mental Model for Designing User-Centered Four Wheel Independent Steering Interfaces

Young Woo Kim(김영우),Da Yeong Kim(김다영),Sol Hee Yoon(윤솔희),Dong Hyun Ha(하동현),Yong Gu Ji(지용구) 대한인간공학회 2021 대한인간공학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2021 No.11

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the drivers’ mental model to design the interfaces for four-wheel independent steering (4WIS) vehicles. Background: 4WIS vehicles refer to the vehicles that can perform novel movements such as rotating or crabwalk with four wheels driven in independent directions and torque. However, user research on the design of an appropriate interface for 4WIS is insufficient. Method: Cognitive walkthrough and think-aloud protocol were used to observe drivers’ interaction and establish user mental models. A total of 23 participants who have valid driving license were recruited for the experiment. 5 interfaces were exploited as the candidates for 4WIS controller (i.e., motion steering wheel, steering wheel buttons, center console buttons, touch-display, and joysticks). Participants were asked to perform 4 different movements (i.e., parallel movement, rotation, crabwalk, and small-radius turn) by each interface. Results: Mostly, participants anticipated to maintain the current mental model of driving, which was using the steering wheel for determining the direction of the vehicle and accelerating with the throttle pedal. Moreover, participants stated that an obvious mode change between normal driving and 4WIS modes is necessary for all interfaces to prevent unintended manipulation and accidents. Regarding the motion steering wheel, the participants stated that it is intuitive to use parallel movement and crabwalk by pushing the edge of the steering wheel in the direction of the vehicle head. In the same vein, joysticks have often been used to tilt sticks in the direction of movement in order to actually move the vehicle. In the case of buttons, which were located on the steering wheel and center console, participants usually wanted to operate them in combination with the steering wheel. Participants stated that they want to turn on a certain mode for parallel movement or rotation button before determining the direction by rotating the steering wheel in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. On the other hand, when performing crabwalk and small-radius turn, they anticipate to tilt the steering wheel, as the movements require specific wheel angles, not just the left and right directions. Touch displays showed the least suitability for vehicle controls, because the drivers have to change their posture to interact with them. Also, several respondents expressed anxiety in the failures of the electric system. Concerning the 4WIS movements, there was a tendency that participants wanted to use different interfaces for each scenario. In particular, movements that can be used in low-speed situations, such as parallel movement and rotation, were found to be operable even in areas away from the steering wheel. On the contrary, movements which are able to be used during driving, such as crabwalk and small-radius turn, were expected to be manipulated in areas near the steering wheels. Conclusion: This work aimed to establish a user mental model for the 4WIS interfaces. By observing the interaction and using think-aloud protocols, it was found that the drivers anticipate using the steering wheel even in the 4WIS contexts and different types of interfaces for each scenario. The results of the present work will help to design the interfaces for 4WIS vehicles. For future work, we will design the interaction method of each interface based on the results of the present study and discover the effectiveness and usability issues of each interface in driving situations.

Assessing the Impacts of Project Interfaces in Construction Works in Nigeria

Okebugwu, Onyinyechi Francesca,Omajeh, Enoch Oghene-Mairo Korea Institute of Construction Engineering and Ma 2015 Journal of construction engineering and project ma Vol.5 No.1

Interface management problems inherent in construction projects hamper their successful delivery. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the most important project interfaces in construction works in Nigeria in terms of most significant potential impacts, so that management attention are objectively focused on potential highest impacting project interfaces. From a review of literature, 28 project interfaces management issues were identified and categorized. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data concerning the impact (estimated losses to the project in terms of cost) and probability of occurrence of the identified interfaces. The interfaces were ranked using their computed Matrix Scores (MS). The results reveal that "project-workers interfaces problem manifested in use of inappropriate mixes" is the highest impacting. A ranking of the interface categories also reveal that the interfaces at the execution phase of a project (MS = 1226.79) are those that could result in the highest losses to the project.

이동 단말의 다중 인터페이스 동시 사용에 관한 고찰

유태완,이승윤,You Tae-wan,Lee Seung-yun 한국정보통신학회 2005 한국정보통신학회논문지 Vol.9 No.7

현재 점점 더 많은 휴대용 단말들은 서로 다른 access 기술들을 이용하여 Internet에 연결하기 위해 많은 인터페이스를 가지고 있다. 이러한 각각의 access 기술들은 서비스 지윈 영역, bandwidth, 그리고 신뢰성 등의 그들만의 특성들을 갖게 된다. 이와 같이 두 개 이상의 인터페이스를 가지고 있는 단말은 현재 사용 중인 인터페이스의 문제가 발생했을 경우 다른 여분의 인터페이스를 통해 인터넷에 접하거나, 효과적으로 traffic을 분산시킬 수 있는 등 많은 장점들을 지니고 있다. 이런 환경을 단말의 Multihoming이라고 하는데 현재까지는 인터넷 상의 프로토콜이 이와 같은 Multihoming을 지원하고 있지 않다. 따라서 본 논문은 이와 같은 IPv6 환경에서 이동 단말의 Multihoming 지원 시 필요한 기술적인 고려사항에 대해 알아보고 multiple interface로부터 획득한 address들의 등록을 통해 신뢰성 있는 접근성과 vertical handover를 지원할 수 있는 방법을 소개한다. Recently, more and more portable terminals probably have multiple interfaces to be connected to different access technologies. Each technology has its specific characteristics in terms of coverage area, bandwidth, reliability, etc. For example, the mobile node is equipped with three heterogeneous interfaces; IEEE 802.1lb MLAM link, CDMA Cellular link, and 802.16 WiMAX link These mobile nodes may be reachable through different links at the same time or use each interface alternately depending on the network environment. As like this, the portable terminal equipped multiple interfaces can have many benefits; it should be connect to Internet through other interface in case of occurring to failure for currently activate interface, and it should share a mount of traffic efficiently per interface etc. This environment is called end node Multihoming. However, current most Internet protocols are designed originally with single interface in mind. So these potocols do not provide methods for supporting simultaneous diffentiated use of multiple access technologies. In this paper, firstly we have to refer technical consideration items to use multiple interfaces based on IPv6 simultaneously. And we should propose extended registration mechanism for multiple addresses being acquired from interfaces to support reliable accessibility and vertical handover.

Analysis of the simultaneous usage of multiple network interfaces in a host

Yong-Geun Hong,Hyoung-Jun Kim 대한전자공학회 2009 ITC-CSCC :International Technical Conference on Ci Vol.2009 No.7

In this paper, we analyze the simultaneous usage of multiple network interfaces in a host. The current TCP/IP mechanism and networking methods are suitable for a single network interface. When a host has multiple interfaces, the current TCP/IP mechanism and networking method cannot directly be used for them. In this paper, we describe some problems for a host which has multiple network interfaces as an aspect of host’s operation and scenarios of the usage of multiple network interfaces.

Usability Study on Error-Free Interfaces in terms of Optimized Navigation and Manipulation in Digitalized Control Room of Nuclear Power Plants

Sa Kil Kim,Hyun Chul Lee,Jung Taek Kim,Jang Soo Lee 대한인간공학회 2015 대한인간공학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2015 No.10

Objective: The aim of this study is to propose error-free interfaces in terms of optimized navigation and manipulation in digitalized control room of nuclear power plants such as APR-1400 in Korea. Background: Digital-based control rooms of nuclear power plant have adapted to not only Korea nuclear industry but also other countries’ it. This is because that digital information and configurations provide many well-known advantages to the operators in the control room. In the control room, advanced interface technologies were induced to realize more compact and safer control room. However, these new technologies were not proven in terms of human errors in nuclear industry yet so that many researchers have concerned about the unanticipated human errors in condition of using new digital interfaces. The representative concerns are three fold; navigation, manipulation, shared situation. Method: We developed three types of error-free interface prototypes considering navigation manipulation, and shared situation. To validate the effectiveness of error-free interfaces, we performed usability test by using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The test was performed by 22 operation experts after using the developed interfaces. Results: In terms of navigation and manipulation, we found that their usability was acceptable in nuclear industry. However, in terms of the task monitoring function for sharing situation among operators, we could not find acceptance of usability. Conclusion: We proposed three types of error-free interfaces in digitalized control room. Through the usability test of them, we found the effectiveness partially. Application: We will adapt two types of error-free interfaces to the real nuclear power plant project soon.

On the control of structural/compositional ratio of coherent order-disorder interfaces

Forghani, Farsad,Han, Jong Chan,Moon, Jongun,Abbaschian, Reza,Park, Chan Gyung,Kim, Hyoung Seop,Nili-Ahmadabadi, Mahmoud Elsevier 2019 JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS Vol.777 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Order-disorder coherent interfaces determine the microstructure and mechanical properties of precipitation-hardened high-temperature alloys. The characteristics of these interfaces can be defined by a compositional width, δ, and structural width, δ′. The latter, which can be considered as the width of the ordered part of the interface, can play an important role in high-temperature mechanical behavior of precipitation-hardened alloys. This is due to the fact that diffusion in the ordered part of the interface is generally much slower than diffusion in the disordered phase, thus hindering the solid-state diffusion-based phenomena. Here, we investigate the order-disorder interface in a Ni-19Al (at.%) alloy as a model alloy for Ni-based superalloys using atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and three-dimensional atom probe tomography. Then, we employ thermodynamic modeling to describe the interplay between the structural and compositional interface widths in binary Ni-Al and in ternary Ni-Al-Cr and Co-Al-W systems. We introduce the δ′/δ ratio as a critical parameter that varies significantly in different alloys. Our findings offer a general pathway to control the δ′/δ ratio of interfaces, which in turn affect the high-temperature properties of precipitation-hardened alloys.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Characterization of the order-disorder coherent interface in a Ni-19Al model alloy. </LI> <LI> Describing the dual nature of order-disorder coherent interfaces. </LI> <LI> Prediction of the structural interface width δ′ based on the thermodynamic modeling. </LI> <LI> Introducing the δ′/δ ratio as a critical parameter that varies in different alloys. </LI> </UL> </P>

STRESS ANALYSIS WITH NONLINEAR MODELLING OF THE LOAD TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS ACROSS THE OSSEOINTEGRATED INTERFACES OF DENTAL IMPLANT

Lee Seung-Hwan,Jo Kwang-Hun The Korean Academy of Prosthodonitics 2004 대한치과보철학회지 Vol.42 No.3

A modelling scheme for the stress analysis taking into account load transfer characteristics of the osseointegrated interfaces between dental implant and surrounding alveolar bone was investigated. Main aim was to develop a more realistic simulation methodology for the load transfer at the interfaces than the prefect bonding assumption at the interfaces which might end up the reduced level in the stress result. In the present study, characteristics of osseointegrated bone/implant interfaces was modelled with material nonlinearity assumption. Bones at the interface were given different stiffness properties as functions of stresses. Six different models, i.e. tens0, tens20, tens40, tens60, tens80, and tens100 of which the tensile moduli of the bones forming the bone/implant interfaces were specified from 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 percents, respectively, of the compressive modulus were analysed. Comparisons between each model were made to study the effect of the tensile load carrying abilities, i.e. the effectivity of load transfer, of interfacial bones on the stress distribution. Results of the present study showed significant differences in the bone stresses across the interfaces. The peak stresses, however, were virtually the same regardless of the difference in the effectivity of load transfer, indicating the conventional linear modelling scheme which assumes perfect bonding at the bone/implant interface can be used without causing significant errors in the stress levels.

INTERFACES FEATURES IN POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES: A REVIEW OF PROPOSED MODELS

DESPOINA PITSA,MICHAEL G. DANIKAS 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2011 NANO Vol.6 No.6

Interfaces features play a dominant role in the improved behavior that polymer nanocomposites exhibit. This review presents theories and models that interpret the physical, chemical and electrical structure of interfaces. Several proposed models clarify the phenomena and properties of nanocomposites based on the interfaces characteristics.

The interface and its role in carrier transfer/recombination dynamics for the planar perovskite solar cells prepared under fully open air conditions

Fei Wang,Yiqing Chen,Guotao Han,Qianlong Zhang,Qilin Ma 한국물리학회 2016 Current Applied Physics Vol.16 No.10

The planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells, where the perovskite film is deposited directly onto a flat hole blocking layer, have recently attracted a great deal of attention owing to their high performance and ease of processing. However, the interface and its underlying role in carrier transport/recombination kinetics for such perovskite devices prepared under ambient air is still obscure. Herein, we addressed this issue by a dynamic intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS) model using a continuity equation. The interface and its role in charge-carrier transport/recombination kinetics have been explored and discussed as an approach to understand the origin of the photovoltaic properties for the devices prepared under ambient air. The experimental IMVS responses were measured and satisfactorily fitted to the analytical results. Compared to the typical IMVS model based on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the better IMVS fitting results presented in this study indicated that there was a discrepancy between the planar perovskite devices and those of DSSCs in electron transport/recombination properties, because carrier transfer across the TiO2/liquid electrolyte interface in DSSCs has been modified. That is, the Schottky interface in DSSCs needs to be replaced by the semiconductor heterojunction interface in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Besides, the interface exhibits a more significant role in determining the carrier transport/recombination process by influencing the boundary conditions in a continuity equation. Furthermore, the intensity modulated photocurrent/photovoltage spectroscopy responses demonstrated that the carrier recombination characteristic is ultimately related with the surface and defect density in the interface. Interfacial modification, such as air-annealing, resulting in crystallographic changes, oxygen passivation, and variation in grain domain size, could suppress carrier recombination and prolong charge lifetime, which can yield more photo-generated electrons to be collected by anode, subsequently resulting in strikingly improving photovoltaic performance of the devices. In short, the dynamic IMVS model would help in elucidating the role of interface and the importance of interfacial modification or even interface design in order to obtain a highly efficient solar cell. The study can not only pave the way to construct the currentvoltage curve using a continuity equation model, but also provide new insights into the performance-improving steps for the PSCs prepared under fully open air conditions, which is of great importance for their future commercialization.