Did
you know...
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have demonstrated that
a monkey can feed itself with a robotic arm simply by using
signals from its brain, an advance that could enhance
prosthetics for people, especially those with spinal cord
injuries.
The robotic arm, or neural prosthesis, is about the size of a
child's arm and moves much like a natural arm, with a fully mobile
shoulder and elbow and a simple gripper that allows the monkey to
grasp and hold food while its own arms are restrained.
The arm is wired into the monkey's brain and intercepts signals
through electrodes attached to tiny probes that tap into neuronal
pathways in the motor cortex, a region of the brain responsible for
voluntary movement. The neurons' collective activity is fed through
an algorithm developed at the University of Pittsburgh and then sent
to the arm to tell it what direction to go.
"This is a breakthrough in the development of neural prosthetic
devices that will someday lead to devices that could help people who
are paralyzed or who have lost limbs," said Andrew Schwartz, Ph.D.,
professor of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of
Medicine and senior researcher on the project.
To
read a press release that describes the study in detail, click
here.
Call for Authors
Do you want to become an Elsevier author? We’re looking for
authors and instructors to write textbooks in some of the
following areas: Psychosocial, Geriatrics, Neurology,
Documentation, Occupation-based Practice, Physical Agents,
Autism Spectrum Disorders (text or reference), and Psychosocial
for OTAs. If any of these areas are of interest to you, please
contact Kathy Falk, Editor
(k.falk@elsevier.com). |
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Coming Soon!
 Occupational
Therapy for Children, 5th Edition
by Jane Case-Smith, EdD OTR/L
Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, Ohio State University,
Columbus, OH
Incorporating the newly adopted OT Practice Framework, this
market-leading text takes an evidence-based look at children
at various ages and stages in development, comprehensively
addressing both conditions and treatment techniques in all
settings. Users will discover new author contributions, new
research and theories, new techniques, and current trends to
keep them in step with the changes in pediatric OT practice.
New features to this edition include updated language and
terminology in accordance with the 2002 OT Practice
Framework; International Classification of Functioning,
Disability, and Health (ICF) codes integrated throughout;
more evidence-based content such as clinical trials and
outcome studies with regard to evaluation and intervention
more accurately reflects OT as it is currently taught and
practiced; and over 150 new illustrations and improved text
concepts, plus much more!
Now Available for this title – A conversion guide from the 4th
edition to the 5th edition will help you update
your syllabus for the spring term. Contact your Elsevier
Sales Rep or Faculty Support at 1-800-222-9570 to get your
copy.
For more information, click
here.
 Kinesiology,2nd
Edition
by David Paul Greene,
PhD,
MS, OTR
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Susan L. Roberts,
MDiv, OTR
Tucson Unified School District, Tuscon, AZ
Approaching the subject of kinesiology from the perspective
of occupational therapy, this unique text written by
occupational therapists examines the everyday activities of
people using the principles of biomechanics to adapt to
changes in their functional abilities. This new edition
stresses applicability to clinical practice with the
inclusion of case examples.
New features to this edition include updated materials
providing explanations of the pathokinesiology of shoulder
subluxation, rotator cuff tear, adhesive capsulitis,
fractures, tendon injuries, and shoulder problems secondary
to CVA; more case studies and less emphasis on heavy
calculations to ensure the concepts are more easily grasped;
and a perforated lab manual filled with activities tied
directly to the chapters.
A CD-ROM included contains comprehensive multimedia
components with animations and video clips on range of
motion and goniometry to allow for greater comprehension and
interactivity, and a digital version of the printed lab
manual.
Evolve Learning Systems websites are also available for
instructors, which contains the instructor’s manual and lab
keys, and for students, which contains animations, video
clips and review questions.
For more information, click
here.
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