In this paper, we propose an original formalism inspired by Markov Decision Process in order to represent homogeneously actions and direct interactions between agents. Thanks to the introduction of individual rewards characterising the problem to be solved, this formalism is a first step towards the automatic computation of policies and use of available interactions. A simple problem of distrib...

Measuring the state variables of systems actuated by shape memory alloys (SMAs) is normally a difficult task because of the small diameter of the SMA wires. In such cases, as an alternative, observers are used to estimate the state vector. This paper presents an extended Kalman filter (EKF) for estimation of the state variables of a single-degree-of-freedom rotary manipulator actuated by an SMA...

We analyzed neuronal activity in the supplementary eye field (SEF), supplementary motor area (SMA), and presupplementary motor area (pre-SMA) during the performance of three motor tasks: capturing a visual target with a saccade, reaching one arm to a target while gazing at a visual fixation point, or capturing a target with a saccade and arm-reach together. Our data demonstrated that each area ...

We explored functional differences between the supplementary and presupplementary motor areas (SMA and pre-SMA, respectively) systematically with respect to multiple behavioral factors, ranging from the retrieval and processing of associative visual signals to the planning and execution of target-reaching movement. We analyzed neuronal activity while monkeys performed a behavioral task in which...

OBJECTIVE To study how the early crying behavior of preterm infants at term, 6 weeks, and 5 months of corrected age is related to later behavioral problems at age 3 and 4 years and parenting stress at 2 and 4 years. METHODS The study group included 202 live-born, low birth weight infants (birth weight ≤1500 g) born from January 2001 through December 2006 at the Turku University Hospital, Finl...

A key component of executive control and decision making is the ability to use the consequences of chosen actions to update and inform the process of future action selection. Evaluative signals, which monitor the outcomes of actions, are critical for this ability. Signals related to the evaluation of actions have been identified in eye movement-related areas of the medial frontal cortex. Here w...

The Shape Memory Alloy is a lightweight, compact and biocompatible actuation mechanism which is considered here to replace the current actuation technologies in assistive locomotion devices. This paper is aimed toward the development of an adaptive robust controller to deal with control problems in the actuation of shape memory alloys (SMA). In this research the ankle joint is considered to be ...