<div> <div> <div> <p>This study focused on a physical property of human finger touch: finger contact area (FCA). The value of FCA lies not only in optimizing the interface layout design but also in streamlining the process of sensitivity tuning for capacitive devices. However, from previous research, whether the target size and display position have effects on the FCA is unknown, and the data of FCA in the contexts of touching various appliances had never been explored. A within-subjects experiment was conducted to study the FCA in the context of four target sizes and two display positions. Forty-two participants were recruited, and both their demographic data as well as touch data were collected and analyzed. As a result, both the target size and the display position have significant effects on the FCA size, and users would implement different finger approach angles (FAA) in varying contexts accordingly. In general, larger target size and vertical touch surface would lead to a larger FCA size, but other factors such as finger joint circumference, stature, touch force did not show significant effects in the experiment. Overall, this study contributes to a clearer understanding of FCA data as well as how users behave in the touch interaction on the capacitive touch interface of appliances. Moreover, it pointed out what factors were related or unrelated to the FCA. This knowledge would directly help designers and engineers to develop optimized capacitive buttons with appropriate sizes as well as sensitivity on touch interfaces of appliances and could improve the usability of the capacitive touch interface in the future. </p> </div> </div> </div>

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ZNF292 is a gene that encodes for a large multifunctional zinc finger protein. ZNF292 has a role in Growth Hormone transcription, developmental disorders on the autism spectrum, and in the initiation of tumorigenesis. Cancer cells have revealed ZNF292 as a gene with unique features: it is present in both linear and circular RNA (circRNA) forms. Circular ZNF292 RNAs vary in size depending on the number of exons that are back-spliced together forming a nested set of babushkas or “Russian dolls” – larger forms add an exon to a smaller circle. To determine whether anti-cancer treatments change the expression of circRNA forms as well as the linear form of ZNF292, we performed quantitative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Primers used were designed to amplify only the specified form of ZNF292, either the linear form or one of four targeted circular forms. Control and flavone (3,5 dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone)-treated cell lines were grown, harvested, and total RNA extracted. Then, samples were analyzed by qRT-PCR with specific ZNF292 primer sets for each product using a standard curve for comparisons. All results were normalized to actin levels in each sample prior to statistical analysis. When compared to untreated controls, two linear ZNF292 RNAs were each reduced to 52% of control levels (p Funded by the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy.

Determining tendon tension in the finger is essential to understanding forces that may be detrimental to hand function. Direct measurement is not feasible, making biomechanical modelling the best way to estimate these forces. In this study, the intrinsic muscles and extensor mechanism were added to an existing model of the index finger, and as such, it has been named the Intrinsic model. The Intrinsic model of the index finger has 4 degrees of freedom and 7 muscles (with 14 components). Muscle properties and paths for all extrinsic and intrinsic muscles were derived from the literature. Two models were evaluated, the Intrinsic model and the model it was adapted from (identified in this thesis as the Extrinsic-only model). To complement the model, multiple static optimization solution methods were also developed that allowed for EMG-constrained solutions and applied objective functions to promote co-contraction. To test the models and solution methods, 10 participants performed 9 static pressing tasks at 3 force levels, and 5 free motion dynamic tasks at 2 speeds. Kinematics, contact forces, and EMG (from the extrinsic muscles and first dorsal interosseous) were collected. For all solution methods, muscle activity predicted using the Intrinsic model was compared to activity from the model currently available through open-source software (OpenSim). Just by using the Intrinsic model, co-contraction increased by 16% during static palmar pressing tasks. The EMG-constrained solution methods gave a smaller difference between predicted and experimental activity compared to the optimization-only approach (p < 0.03). The model and solution methods developed in this thesis improve co-contraction and tendon tension estimates in the finger. As such, this work contributes to our understanding of the control of the hand and the forces that may be detrimental to hand function. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The anatomical structure of the extrinsic finger muscles suggests that posture may play a role in the production of enslaved forces in the fingers. This phenomenon also appears dependent on contraction conditions. The purpose of this thesis was to determine the effect of: (i) wrist posture on the enslaving effect (EE) during ramp and isotonic exertions, and (ii) the rate of force development on EE and accuracy during ramp exertions. Twelve male participants performed 3 submaximal finger flexion and extension trials with the index and ring fingers at 30° wrist flexion, neutral, and 30° wrist extension. Trials consisted of a 5 second isotonic contraction at 25% MVC (maximum voluntary contraction), and two ramp contractions. Ramp contractions were performed at 25% MVC/s and 10% MVC/s up to 50% MVC, a 0.5 second hold, and decreased to zero at the same rate. Surface electromyography was recorded from the compartments of extensor digitorum and flexor digitorum superficialis and analyzed at 25% of maximum. Wrist posture had a significant effect on EE during extension exertions (F4, 44 > 2.6, p < 0.05); specifically, higher EE, error, and muscle activity were found at shorter muscle lengths. Contraction condition significantly affected EE for both index (p = 0.001) and ring finger exertions (p = 0.001). In the fingers adjacent to the task finger, descending phase EE was higher than the ascending phase, which appeared independent of muscle activity. This thesis found that, in extension exertions, neural factors affecting EE were dependent on muscle length, while mechanical factors appeared dependent on the type of exertion. These findings further our knowledge of the complex relationship between neural and mechanical control of the hand and fingers. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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Finger movements in the sagittal plane mainly consist of flexion and extension about the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. The purpose of this study was to develop a biomedical finger model and to validate it by comparing finger strength and muscular forces in static exertions, which predicated from the model and measured in experiments. Two kinematic finger models were developed: one was with the assumption of constant tendon moment arms, and the other was with the assumption of non-constant tendon moment arms. Equations of static equilibrium were derived for these finger models using the principle of virtual work. Equations of static equilibrium for the finger models were indeterminate since only three equations were available for five unknown variables (forces). By reducing the number of variables based on information in the literature on muscular activities in finger movements, the amounts of force which muscles exerted to maintain static equilibrium against an external load were computed from the equilibrium equations. The muscular forces were expressed mathematically as functions of finger positions, tendon moment arms, lengths of phalanges, and the magnitude and direction of external load. Equations of muscular forces were used to predict external finger strength and to compute internal muscular forces in static exertions against an external load. Computer simulations were performed to compute finger strengths and muscular forces at various finger positions and directions of force exertions. For this, finger positions were controlled, and lengths of phalanges were measured. Experiments were performed to measure finger strengths and muscular activity levels in submaximal contractions. Muscular activity levels were estimated by ratios of standardized EMG amplitude to exerted force. Measurements were taken in combinations of four finger positions and four directions of force exertions. Validation of the biomechanical finger models was done by comparing the results of computer simulations and experiments. Significant differences were found between the predicted and measured finger strengths. However, the trends of finger strengths with respect to finger positions were similar in both the predicted and measured. Trends of variations in predicted and measured muscular activity levels were not different from each other. These findings indicate that the finger models and the procedure to predict finger strengths and muscular forces were correctly developed. / Ph. D.