Dataset Information

Complex conditional control by pigeons in a continuous virtual environment.

ABSTRACT: We tested two pigeons in a continuously streaming digital environment. Using animation software that constantly presented a dynamic, three-dimensional (3D) environment, the animals were tested with a conditional object identification task. The correct object at a given time depended on the virtual context currently streaming in front of the pigeon. Pigeons were required to accurately peck correct target objects in the environment for food reward, while suppressing any pecks to intermixed distractor objects which delayed the next object's presentation. Experiment 1 established that the pigeons' discrimination of two objects could be controlled by the surface material of the digital terrain. Experiment 2 established that the pigeons' discrimination of four objects could be conjunctively controlled by both the surface material and topography of the streaming environment. These experiments indicate that pigeons can simultaneously process and use at least two context cues from a streaming environment to control their identification behavior of passing objects. These results add to the promise of testing interactive digital environments with animals to advance our understanding of cognition and behavior.

SUBMITTER: Qadri MA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4877626 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Complex conditional control by pigeons in a continuous virtual environment.

Qadri Muhammad A J MA Reid Sean S Cook Robert G RG

Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior 20160101 1

We tested two pigeons in a continuously streaming digital environment. Using animation software that constantly presented a dynamic, three-dimensional (3D) environment, the animals were tested with a conditional object identification task. The correct object at a given time depended on the virtual context currently streaming in front of the pigeon. Pigeons were required to accurately peck correct target objects in the environment for food reward, while suppressing any pecks to intermixed distrac ...[more]

PMID: 26781058

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Advances such as targeted muscle reinnervation and pattern recognition control may provide improved control of upper limb myoelectric prostheses, but evaluating user function remains challenging. Virtual environments are cost-effective and immersive tools that are increasingly used to provide practice and evaluate prosthesis control, but the relationship between virtual and physical outcomes-i.e., whether practice in a virtual environment translates to improved physical performance-is not understood. METHODS:Nine people with transhumeral amputations who previously had targeted muscle reinnervation surgery were fitted with a myoelectric prosthesis comprising a commercially available elbow, wrist, terminal device, and pattern recognition control system. Virtual and physical outcome measures were obtained before and after a 6-week home trial of the prosthesis. RESULTS:After the home trial, subjects showed statistically significant improvements (p <?0.05) in offline classification error, the virtual Target Achievement Control test, and the physical Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure and Box and Blocks Test. A trend toward improvement was also observed in the physical Clothespin Relocation task and Jebsen-Taylor test; however, these changes were not statistically significant. The median completion time in the virtual test correlated strongly and significantly with the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (p =?0.05, R =?-?0.86), Box and Blocks Test (p =?0.007, R =?-?0.82), Jebsen-Taylor Test (p =?0.003, R =?0.87), and the Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control (p =?0.005,R =?-?0.85). The classification error performance only had a significant correlation with the Clothespin Relocation Test (p =?0.018, R =?.76). CONCLUSIONS:In-home practice with a pattern recognition-controlled prosthesis improves functional control, as measured by both virtual and physical outcome measures. However, virtual measures need to be validated and standardized to ensure reliability in a clinical or research setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION:This is a registered clinical trial: NCT03097978 .

Dataset Information

Complex conditional control by pigeons in a continuous virtual environment.

Publications

Complex conditional control by pigeons in a continuous virtual environment.

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