Diverses méthodes d'interfaçage Homme/Machine se confrontent et se complètent, suivant une gradation allant du peu invasif, le contact, jusqu'au totalement invasif, la greffe. Il ressort de cette recherche comparative portant sur le recours à des dispositifs implantés actifs comme sur l'utilisation de différentes prothèses détachables (membres bioniques, interfaces haptiques, informatique pervasive et systèmes de réalité augmentée), que l'implantation d'une endoprothèse est acceptée principalement parce qu'elle est perçue comme un moyen de prolonger l'espérance de vie ou d'améliorer significativement la qualité de vie. La pose des implants informatisés s'inscrit dans le contexte de l' »Humain réparé ». Dans ce domaine, des relations étroites entre patients, médecins, constructeurs d'implants et pouvoirs publics donnent lieu à la mise en place d'un accompagnement social structurant qui permet de limiter fortement de nombreuses dérives liées à un usage inapproprié. Cependant, il s'avère que l'essentiel de l'émergence actuelle de l' »Humain augmenté » ne découle pas du recours à des implants ni à des prothèses de membres, car la diffusion de ces appareils est limitée à un très faible effectif de la population mondiale. On assiste à un déferlement d'objets informatisés détachables (comme les smartphones et les tablettes tactiles, par exemple). Ces outils, diffusés massivement, sont principalement des prothèses cognitives. Or, l'usage fréquent de ces appareils semble pourtant en mesure d'exercer une forme de modification subtile de l'activité cognitive et peut transformer significativement les rapports sociaux ainsi que certains processus pédagogiques essentiels. / The research subject addresses the social use of man/machine interfaces. This thesis investigates invasive approaches (such as electronic surgical implants) as well as non-invasive approaches (nerve impulse detection using non-implanted sensors, haptic interfaces, augmented reality devices and ubiquitous computing). Such investigation aims at understanding the clinical and antropological issues generated by the multiplication of self-animated devices in the environment as well as in the human body. A clear point that stands out of this research is the following. Implants are not the key element in the process of « enhanced human » being which, by the way, concerns only a tiny portion of the world population. Implanted computing devices are mainly used an a strictly regulated context of « repaired human » (to keep the patients alive or to restore significantly their quality of life). It is worth mentioning that we are witnessing a surge of computer objects (such as smartphones, tablet computers...) in our social world as never before. Instances of computerized removable (detachable) prostheses are deeply pervasive nowadays. An increasing part of them can be described as cognitive prosthetics. A marketing very intense, presents this devices as fully harmless items. However, the way we constantly recourse (without clear social regulation) to these tools (or gadgets), the common daily exposure to different kinds of computer programs, raises fundamental pedagogic questions, causes upheavals in our relationship to our surrounding environment, let alone to man's cognitive activity.

This dissertation is about manipulating equipments using Fin Ray Effect ®. The model of manipulator, using this principle, was created for description of the manipulator movement. The measurement was done with this model. After result evaluation the improvement of model was proposed. There were also proposed technical applications where this type of manipulation could be used.

Omniphobic surfaces found in nature have great potential for enabling novel and emerging products and technologies to facilitate the daily life of human societies. One example is the water and even oilrepellent cuticle of springtails (Collembola). The wingless arthropods evolved a highly textured, hierarchically arranged surface pattern that affords mechanical robustness and wetting resistance even at elevated hydrostatic pressures. Springtail cuticle-derived surfaces therefore promise to overcome limitations of lotus-inspired surfaces (low durability, insufficient repellence of low surface tension liquids). In this review, we report on the liquid-repellent natural surfaces of arthropods living in aqueous or temporarily flooded habitats including water-walking insects or water spiders. In particular, we focus on springtails presenting an overview on the cuticular morphology and chemistry and their biological relevance. Based on the obtained liquid repellence of a variety of liquids with remarkable efficiency, the review provides general design criteria for robust omniphobic surfaces. In particular, the resistance against complete wetting and the mechanical stability strongly both depend on the topographical features of the nano- and micropatterned surface. The current understanding of the underlying principles and approaches to their technological implementation are summarized and discussed.

Bionischer Leichtbau realisiert mit Applikationen an gängige FEM-Programme nach dem Vorbild der Natur

Omniphobic surfaces found in nature have great potential for enabling novel and emerging products and technologies to facilitate the daily life of human societies. One example is the water and even oilrepellent cuticle of springtails (Collembola). The wingless arthropods evolved a highly textured, hierarchically arranged surface pattern that affords mechanical robustness and wetting resistance even at elevated hydrostatic pressures. Springtail cuticle-derived surfaces therefore promise to overcome limitations of lotus-inspired surfaces (low durability, insufficient repellence of low surface tension liquids). In this review, we report on the liquid-repellent natural surfaces of arthropods living in aqueous or temporarily flooded habitats including water-walking insects or water spiders. In particular, we focus on springtails presenting an overview on the cuticular morphology and chemistry and their biological relevance. Based on the obtained liquid repellence of a variety of liquids with remarkable efficiency, the review provides general design criteria for robust omniphobic surfaces. In particular, the resistance against complete wetting and the mechanical stability strongly both depend on the topographical features of the nano- and micropatterned surface. The current understanding of the underlying principles and approaches to their technological implementation are summarized and discussed.

The experiments described in this thesis investigate the temporal relationship between frequency bands in a cochlear implant sound processor. Initial studies were of cochlea-based traveling wave delays for cochlear implant sound processing strategies. These were later broadened into studies of an ensemble of across-frequency delays. / Before incorporating cochlear delays into a cochlear implant processor, a set of suitable delays was determined with a psychoacoustic calibration to pitch perception, since normal cochlear delays are a function of frequency. The first experiment assessed the perception of pitch evoked by electrical stimuli from cochlear implant electrodes. Six cochlear implant users with acoustic hearing in their non-implanted ears were recruited for this, since they were able to compare electric stimuli to acoustic tones. Traveling wave delays were then computed for each subject using the frequencies matched to their electrodes. These were similar across subjects, ranging over 0-6 milliseconds along the electrode array. / The next experiment applied the calibrated delays to the ACE strategy filter outputs before maxima selection. The effects upon speech perception in noise were assessed with cochlear implant users, and a small but significant improvement was observed. A subsequent sensitivity analysis indicated that accurate calibration of the delays might not be necessary after all; instead, a range of across-frequency delays might be similarly beneficial. / A computational investigation was performed next, where a corpus of recorded speech was passed through the ACE cochlear implant sound processing strategy in order to determine how across-frequency delays altered the patterns of stimulation. A range of delay vectors were used in combination with a number of processing parameter sets and noise levels. The results showed that additional stimuli from broadband sounds (such as the glottal pulses of vowels) are selected when frequency bands are desynchronized with across-frequency delays. Background noise contains fewer dominant impulses than a single talker and so is not enhanced in this way. / In the following experiment, speech perception with an ensemble of across-frequency delays was assessed with eight cochlear implant users. Reverse cochlear delays (high frequency delays) were equivalent to conventional cochlear delays. Benefit was diminished for larger delays. Speech recognition scores were at baseline with random delay assignments. An information transmission analysis of speech in quiet indicated that the discrimination of voiced cues was most improved with across-frequency delays. For some subjects, this was seen as improved vowel discrimination based on formant locations and improved transmission of the place of articulation of consonants. / A final study indicated that benefits to speech perception with across-frequency delays are diminished when the number of maxima selected per frame is increased above 8-out-of-22 frequency bands.

Research has shown that maximal exercise has a significant effect on cells of the immune system. Specifically, lymphocyte count increases during exercise and decreases to a value lower than baseline following an acute exhaustive bout of exercise. The overall lymphocyte response is well characterized, however, the ability of exercise to affect lymphocyte subfractions is unknown to our knowledge. The purpose of this study was to assess and evaluate the affects of a simulated tennis match across two sessions on lymphocyte subsets. Initial measurements such as age, height, weight, skinfold analysis, and heart rate were recorded for each player, as well as blood samples being obtained by a finger prick before and after the tennis sessions. The tennis protocol started with five serves to the deuce court and five serves to the ad court, then individuals hit twenty-four forehands and twenty-four backhands against an oscillating ball machine. Each bout of serves and ground strokes were repeated ten times, with one minute rests in between each session. Before and immediately after completing the tennis trial, subjects were pricked with a lancet on the non dominant hand so to obtain at least two capillary tubes of blood. Whole blood was then added to the antibody cocktail, which is mixed according to the antibodies that were tested, which were CD4, CD8, CD19, CD95, and CX3CR1. Whole blood was added to red blood cell lysis buffer and fixation buffer, and the blood solution was incubated with antibodies specific to cell phenotype. The main results of this study indicated that there was a decrease in mainly post cell counts in pre and post CD19/CD95 measurements (P= .007), an increase in CD8/CX3CR1 in pre counts and an increase then decrease in post counts without wearing the bionic glove (P= .042), and a decrease in CD4 in the post count measurement with the bionic tennis glove (P= .043). The study’s can assist in making recommendations for after match treatment such as health and diet suggestions. Knowledge of prevention and treatment methods are low in the field of tennis and immune functions, so findings in this area could prevent elite athletes from contracting infections between matches.

Baigiamajame magistro darbe „Bioniškos architektūros ypatumai: konstrukcijos, ornamentika, ryšys su aplinka“ architektūra nagrinėjama bionišku aspektu. Bioniškos architektūros nagrinėjimo gaires nustato bioniškos architektūros apibrėžimas, pasak kurio bioniška architektūra – tai architektūra, grindžiama gyvosios gamtos formomis ir organizmų sandaros principais. Iš jo matyti, kad tiek gamtinių struktūrų taikymas statinių konstruktyvui, tiek gamtinių formų vaizdavimas architektūroje daro tuos statinius bioniškus. Kita vertus, harmoningas statinio įkomponavimas į jį supančią aplinką, netaikant anksčiau paminėtų būdų, o naudojant kitas priemones, taip pat gali būti organiškas. Taigi architektūriniai statiniai, kurių forma išsilieja iš jų paskirties ir konkrečių gamtinių sąlygų, – kaip tai įprastai vyksta gamtinės kilmės organizmuose, – šiame darbe taip pat įtraukiami į bioniškos architektūros apibrėžimą. Visiems trims bioniškos architektūros išraiškos būdams atskleisti parenkami jiems atstovaujantys architektai. Jų suprojektuoti statiniai naudojami tolimesnei analizei, ieškoma panašumų ir skirtumų tarp skirtingų bioniškos architektūros atstovų. Baigiamojo darbo tikslas yra įrodyti, kad taikant skirtingas išraiškos priemones galima pasiekti to paties pobūdžio rezultatą, šiuo atveju, bionišką architektūrą. / The final post-graduate work focuses on three different aspects of bionic architecture –i.e. construction, ornamentation and smooth connection with environment. These guidelines are based on definition of bionic architecture. It says that bionic building is the one projected whether under natural decorative motifs or natural structures. However, harmonic composition of the building and the surrounding landscape using different expressions also creates an organic look. Thus the whole work is based on the analysis of the basic features of the bionic buildings. Those distinctive and common features are analyzed and compared together to find the essential ones that reflect the bionic connection. The main cause is to seek and to prove through the research of similarities and differences, that all these edifices, built in different manner, has the same root – bionic architecture.

Advances in cybernetic and nanotechnological body modifications currently allow for enhancements to human physical and mental function which exceed human species-based norms. This thesis examines body modification and human enhancement from two perspectives—Roman Catholicism and Transhumanism— in order to contribute to bioethical deliberations regarding enhancement technologies. Roman Catholicism has a longstanding tradition of bioethical discourse, informing the healthcare directives of Roman Catholic institutions. Transhumanism is more recent movement that endorses body modifications and human enhancements as a means of individual betterment and social evolution. The thesis first considers definitions of human enhancement and levels of normalcy in connection to cybernetic and nanotechnological bionic implants, and outlines a series of criteria to assess a technology’s potential bioethical acceptability: implantability, permanency, power, and public interaction. The thesis then describes Roman Catholicism’s response to non-enhancing decorative body modifications (cosmetic surgeries, common decorative modifications such as tattoos and piercings, and uncommon modifications such as scarifications and brandings) in order to establish a basis for possible Roman Catholic responses to enhancing cybernetic and nanotechnological modifications. This is followed by an analysis from a Roman Catholic perspective of the major social issues brought forward by enhancement technologies: commodification, eugenics, vulnerability, and distributive justice. Turning to Transhumanism, the thesis describes the origins and philosophy of the movement, and then discusses the bioethical principles it advances with regard to human enhancement. The thesis concludes by locating points of convergence between Transhumanism and Roman Catholicism that could be the basis of more widely accepted ethical guidelines regarding modification technologies.

This thesis explores methods for enhancing digital image-like sensations which might be similar to those experienced by blind users of electronic visual prostheses. Visual prostheses, otherwise referred to as artificial vision systems or bionic eyes, may operate at ultra low image quality and information levels as opposed to more common electronic displays such as televisions, for which our expectations of image quality are much higher. The scope of the research is limited to enhancement by digital image processing: that is, by manipulating the content of images presented to the user. The work was undertaken to improve the effectiveness of visual prostheses in representing the visible world. Presently visual prosthesis development is limited to animal models in Australia and prototype human trials overseas. Consequently this thesis deals with simulated vision experiments using normally sighted viewers. The experiments involve an original application of existing image processing techniques to the field of low quality vision anticipated from visual prostheses. Resulting from this work are firstly recommendations for effective image processing methods for enhancing viewer perception when using visual prosthesis prototypes. Although limited to low quality images, recognition of some objects can still be achieved, and it is useful for a viewer to be presented with several variations of the image representing different processing methods. Scene understanding can be improved by incorporating Region-of-Interest techniques that identify salient areas within images and allow a user to zoom into that area of the image. Also there is some benefit in tailoring the image processing depending on the type of scene. Secondly the research involved the construction of a metric for basic information required for the interpretation of a visual scene at low image quality. The amount of information content within an image was quantified using inherent attributes of the image and shown to be positively correlated with the ability of the image to be recognised at low quality.