Tommaso Leo

A general computing method for the analysis of human locomotion

Abstract This is a study of a method for obtaining a mathematical description of the most significant variables concerning kinematics and dynamics of human locomotion. The method is characterized by a typical approach of system theory. It consists of an analytical procedure for the processing of data obtained by the most common experimental techniques in this area. i.e. photography for recording the movement, and the force platform for measuring the ground reactions. The proposed mathematical algorithms have been designed to obtain the time functions of the variables cited above in an analytical form, and a measurement of the relative indefiniteness induced by experimental errors. The results of the latter allows a critical evaluation of the experimental procedure. In particular, a maximum limit of the number of experimental data to be taken, can be evaluated. The subsystem of the locomotor apparatus which the present work deals with, is the lower limb. The method presented can be applied successfully to all of the gaits having a constant mean direction of progression and periodic time patterns.

In-Depth Analysis of the Felder-Silverman Learning Style Dimensions

Abstract Learning styles are increasingly being incorporated into technology-enhanced learning. Appropriately, a great deal of recent research work is occurring in this area. As more information and details about learning styles becomes available, learning styles can be better accommodated and integrated into all aspects of educational technology. The aim of this paper is to analyse data about learning styles with respect to the Felder-Silverman learning style model (FSLSM) in order to provide a more detailed description of learning style dimensions. The analyses show the most representative characteristics of each learning style dimension as well as how representative these characteristics are. As a result, we provide additional information about the learning style dimensions of FSLSM. This information is especially important when learning styles are incorporated in technology-enhanced learning.

A Bayesian approach to the Hough transform for line detection

This paper explains how to associate a rigorous probability value to the main straight line features extracted from a digital image. A Bayesian approach to the Hough Transform (HT) is considered. Under general conditions, it is shown that a probability measure is associated to each line extracted from the HT. The proposed method increments the HT accumulator in a probabilistic way: first calculating the uncertainty of each edge point in the image and then using a Bayesian probabilistic scheme for fusing the probability of each edge point and calculating the line feature probability.

Analysis of Felder-Silverman Index of Learning Styles by a Data-Driven Statistical Approach

In this paper a data driven analysis of Felder-Silverman index of learning styles (ILS) is given. Results, obtained by multiple correspondence analysis and cross-validated by correlation analysis, show the consistent dependencies between some styles; some latent dimensions present in data, that are unexpected, are discussed. Results are then compared with the ones given by literature concerning validity and reliability of ILS questionnaire. Both the results and the comparisons show the effectiveness of data driven methods for patterns extraction even when unexpected dependencies are found and the importance of coherence and consistency of mathematical representation of data with respect to the methods selected for an effective, precise and accurate modeling

Investigating relationships within the Index of Learning Styles: a data driven approach

Learning styles are incorporated more and more in e‐education, mostly in order to provide adaptivity with respect to the learning styles of students. For identifying learning styles, at the present time questionnaires are widely used. While such questionnaires exist for most learning style models, their validity and reliability is an important issue and has to be investigated to guarantee that the questionnaire really assesses what the learning style theory aims at. In this paper, we focus on the Index of Learning Styles (ILS), a 44‐item questionnaire to identify learning styles based on Felder‐ Silverman learning style model. The aim of this paper is to analyse data gathered from ILS by a data‐driven approach in order to investigate relationships within the learning styles. Results, obtained by Multiple Correspondence Analysis and cross‐validated by correlation analysis, show the consistent dependencies between some learning styles and lead then to conclude for scarce validity of the ILS questionnaire. Some latent dimensions present in data, that are unexpected, are discussed. Results are then compared with the ones given by literature concerning validity and reliability of the ILS questionnaire. Both the results and the comparisons show the effectiveness of data‐driven methods for patterns extraction even when unexpected dependencies are found and the importance of coherence and consistency of mathematical representation of data with respect to the methods selected for effective, precise and accurate modelling.

Reliable in vivo estimation of the instantaneous helical axis in human segmental movements

An assessment of the experimental setup and the data processing methods for the in vivo kinematic investigation of the human joints is described. The relative movement of contiguous body segments, supposed rigid, is described by means of the instantaneous helical axis (IHA). Attention has been paid to the stereophotogrammetric aspects and to the filtering and numerical differentiation procedures, in order to obtain reliable estimation of IHA parameters. Their accuracy has been estimated in a simulation context. One experimental case relative to the metacarpophalangeal joint is described in detail. The clinical application of the procedures and of the experimental protocol has been used in the entire work.<<ETX>>

Robot control designer education on the Web

The general goal of this work is to illustrate the learning potentialities of e-learning in the robotics field. In order to communicate the knowledge that can be learnt in a Mobile Robotics Laboratory and delivered through the Web we made references to a telelaboratory. The knowledge domain is autonomous vehicle control and the adopted solutions allow the development of the following experiments: environment mapping, path planning, trajectory following, Navigation Guidance and Control (NGC), obstacle detection and obstacle avoidance. The learning design is aimed at educating robot control designers and promoting learning by doing and active learning, through telepresence and developing tools able to supply telelaboratory immersivity on the Web.

Navigation systems for increasing the autonomy and security of mobile bases for disabled people

A navigation module for technological aids for the disabled user is presented. Usability and acceptability criteria are considered in the design of this module. Different levels of autonomy for the navigation module are considered for allowing an active interaction of the user with the technological aids. A standardized protocol for the integration of input-output devices for robotic assisted systems is also used. The navigation module is tested on an powered wheelchair and an autonomous mobile base. The sonar sensors are used for online detection of possible obstacle collisions. The reliability of sonar readings is increased by the use of a probabilistic map of the environment to support the decisions on obstacle detection.

Learning Design and Teaching Practice: Outlining an Iterative Cycle for Professional Teachers

In recent years, the multiplicity of educational resources and tools available have opened discussions about the role of the teacher in his/her professional practices. This paper investigates the relationship between Learning Design and teaching practice, based on research literature and on a study involving structured interview conducted with Italian language teachers from 16 countries. As a result, a new perspective to promote the diffusion of Learning Design among professional teachers is proposed inspired by the epistemology of practice. The proposed process may further inform the design of tools to support Learning Design.

Can the Current Mobile Technology Help for Medical Assistance? The Case of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects around 1.5 % people aged 65 years. Among PD features, freezing of gait (FOG) is frequent, involving almost 70 % PD people after 10 years of disease onset, and highly disabling. Effective management of FOG is a challenge for the limited responsiveness to both drug treatment and functional neurosurgery. As “cueing on demand” is the only strategy of proven efficacy on FOG, it would be crucial to develop a portable assistive device able to release suitable cues at every time the FOG occurs during the daily living (DL) of the patient, without interfering with his/her daily activities. The current smart mobile telephony devices are in principle apt to satisfy all the above mentioned requisites in terms of technological feasibility of ambulation monitoring devices and in terms of acceptability, because of their increasing widespread diffusion. In this paper we will outline a smart-phone based architecture able to detect FOG, to produce the proper cues, and to provide information for continuous monitoring of the events. The paper will specifically consider the clinical necessity, technical feasibility, economic sustainability of the solution proposed and its potential of application.