Advances in Neuronal Control of Prosthetic Devices Essay

Introduction Every year, thousands of Americans are paralyzed in accidents. As a result researchers are currently looking into ways to help paralyzed patients carry out their daily duties and bring control to their lives. Bringing movement to those who are currently incapable of doing so could be accomplished through several methods. Recently, a robotic arm was made by the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute which was placed on an amputee’s shoulder, and functioned by monitoring nerve impulses from the subject. While this new technology proved to be a success, it has its drawbacks. Mainly, the subject must have a healthy or undamaged nervous system to allow the impulses to travel to the robotic limb. This limits this technology’s use†¦show more content†¦Methods and Materials Aim: Enable spinal cord injury victims lost motor functions by corresponding the action potentials to an alternate device Incorporating individuals suffering from tetraparesis from spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neuromotor prostheses are used to send signals to external receptors in the place of lost internal receptors (i.e. absence of useable muscle of limbs). Consent regarding the pending array (multiple electrodes) was obtained prior to the surgical insertion (which has yet to be published). In order to record possible neurons despite the differentiating layers, the array was inserted into the arm/hand. The signals run through an external apparatus and cross the skin in order to reach an internal apparatus on the skull, which translates through cables in order to produce an output defined as a neural cursor. The recording sessions took place at the participant?s residence to the discretion of the participant. All stimulation was kept constant by the selected electrodes when participants faced external devices that demanded output by way of neural signals, such as video games. As the participant rested, units in data gathered were determined by a technician using time-amplitude windows according to a 1.6 msShow MoreRelatedRestoration Of Function After Spinal Cord Injury2722 Words   |  11 Pagesspinal cord injury Abstract The deformation in the structure of spinal cord after an injury causes the conduction of impulse to be disrupted and the body functions are lost. This happens relying on the severity of the injury. There are different devices which have been developed or are under development to restore the body functions after a spinal cord injury. Neuroprosthetic treatment has a promising future and it is a technology which can be used to restore motor and autonomic functions and also

Modernism Vienna, Klimt, and Feminism - 808 Words

Vienna was a city in turmoil at the end of the nineteenth century. Society was changing; women were beginning to gain power; art was changing. Gustav Klimt and his Vienna Secession played a great role in this modernization of Vienna. Klimt began as an academic painter; however, after both his father and brother died, his style began to change. He helped found the Vienna Secession, and he began to draw and paint nude models. He never married, but he had multiple affairs with his models. During the 1890s—due to all the changes in his life and the city around him—his lifestyle and therefore artistic style began to completely and radically change from heavily academic art to extremely scandalous, almost pornographic work. The rise of feminism and general empowerment of women in Vienna stimulated the Vienna Secession, specifically Gustav Klimt’s work, which also assisted the growth of feminist movements. Gustav Klimt and Viennese feminist movements had a symbiotic rel ationship, each helping and needing the other succeed. Klimt was not a feminist; however, without the feminist movements of Vienna, he would not have been nearly as successful. He enjoyed the eroticization of women, and his work was rebellious in its portrayal of nude women. Even his work that did not actually depict nude women was still extremely sexual, and it was offensive due to its highly erotic and taboo nature. Klimt’s art astounded the Viennese population and became a scandal, making it more well-known.

Socrates Plato and Christianity Through the Eyes o Essay Example For Students

Socrates Plato and Christianity Through the Eyes o Essay f Friedrich NietzscheSocrates has undoubtedly had a major impact upon western philosophy and society in general. Plato, whose work is essentially an elaboration and expansion upon that of Socrates, has had a similar effect. Naturally, these two philosophers have been subjects of immense academic interest for over two thousand years. With this great interest comes both praise and criticism. One of the most critical writers to attack these legendary philosophers was Friedrich Nietzsche. Here I will examine Nietzsches arguments, draw evidence to support such arguments, and discuss his notion of Christianity as an extension of such philosophy. From Nietzsches viewpoint, Socrates and Plato were to Greek society symptoms of societal decay, or as Nietzsche usually puts it decadence (Nietzsche 39). In his attack on Western Philosophy throughout Twilight of the Idols, he purports the main weakness of Socrates to be evident in the delivery of his philosophy, or more specifically dialectics. Socrates was never a rich man and belonged to the lowest of the socioeconomic classes in Athens. Nietzsche claims that, With dialectics the rabble gets on top, the rabble in this case being Socrates (Nietzsche 41). Socrates repeatedly takes on the government in various matters such as the weakness of democracy the connection of justice and holiness. He uses dialectics with such techniques as elenchus to use complex arguments to loosely back up his statements or to confuse his opponent into submission. Before Socrates, the dialectical manner of argument was widely looked down upon. The good society considered dialectics as bad manners. Parents warned their children against such arguments purporting that such arguments were not to be trusted. Nietzsches rationale for this mistrust was that honest things should be able to stand alone as honest without the implication of a complex argument. In Athens, where authority lay primarily in commands as opposed to reason and discussion, the dialectician is not usually taken seriously (Nietzsche 41). According to Nietzsche, dialectics are such cowardly weapons that they should be used only as a last resort. He believes this cowardice to lie in the way the opponent must prove he was an idiot rather than the dialectician proving his wisdom (Nietzsche 42). Socrates used dialectics as a substitute for true superiority over his stronger opponents, and thus made his way to the forefront of Greek philosophy. Nietzsche asserts that Socrates ideas, rather than working toward their intended purpose of developing thought and bringing wisdom to a new level, instead worked against the progress o f society. This problem stems from Socrates equation of reason with virtue with happiness. By this, Socrates was merely trying to suppress his dark desires by producing a so-called permanent daylight of reason (Nietzsche 44). He, as well as many other philosophers of his time, believed that in attacking that which was commonly thought to be this moral decadence, he could somehow elude such decadence himself. The way in which he combats the decadence is simply another, disguised expression of decadence. He seemed to bask in a sort of rational daylight in a bright, circumspect, life (Nietzsche 44). He believed himself to be living without instinct and in opposition therein. This rationalism at any cost was simply another sickness, and certainly not a path, as it was intended to be, back to health and happiness. Socrates even seems to realize this in retrospect towards the end of his life: Socrates is no physicianDeath alone is the physician hereSocrates has been a long time sick (Niet zsche 44). Socrates may have finally realized that, as Nietzsche believes, As long as life is ascending, happiness and instinct are one (Nietzsche 44). Socrates endeavors to escape basic human instinct, as it could easily be labeled as the root of societal decay towards a more barbaric society. However, Nietzsche believes that one must accept and embrace this intrinsically influential element of the human psyche to be able to deal realistically with the rest of ones self and ones peers before societal advancement can occur (Nietzsche 49). For someone, such as Socrates, to acknowledge and hope for another higher world (e.g. the afterlife) does nothing but brings about decadence in the tangible, more important world by trying to escape it. Socrates

The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli

During the Renaissance, the political situation of Italy consisted of instability, invasion, fear, intrigues, and violence. Several powerful families established their territories and ruled authoritatively. The Prince provided a practical direction to Lorenzo Di Medici to operate in this unstable political environment. According to Machiavelli, the republic was the best form of government as opposed to an authority of the prince.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, Machiavelli proposed some advice for a new prince, who wanted to govern a state to prosperity. These pieces of advice would ensure that the prince remained great and powerful. Machiavelli’s work provided practical solutions to Lorenzo in a turbulent political environment. Unfortunately, Lorenzo did not concur with Machiavelli’s suggestions. Machiavelli looks at how an authoritarian ruler can achieve a great success if he changes his authoritarian style. The Prince offers advice on how Lorenzo can expand the empire, keep people from all territories loyal to him, and conquer new territories. According to Machiavelli, Lorenzo could not afford to repeat past mistakes that divided Italy, and he had to learn to use both good and bad styles when running the kingdom. Machiavelli offers two ideal views on principality: these are how to win and hold power. He notes, â€Å"Either through fortune or through strength†, (Machiavelli 6) are the main ways by which rulers can achieve principalities. This implies that people can only achieve power by overthrowing others or inheriting it from the family. From the Renaissance perspective, Machiavelli showed that moral or ethical issues were not important in a quest for power. When a ruler overthrows another one, wars happen and people die. Thus, Machiavelli showed that killings were appropriate means of gaini ng power. Once a ruler has conquered a territory, he must â€Å"ensure that the previous ruler has no heirs† (Machiavelli 9). In addition, a new ruler must not change existing laws or introduce new taxes. Machiavelli argues that the new ruler should maintain the previous lifestyle people had so that many people can like him. This was the only way for the new ruler to establish hereditary domains. Subjects have the duty to remain loyal to their rulers so that leaders can maintain power. The purposes of maintaining loyal subjects are to help the ruler keep power and join militia and fight for the ruler. However, this raises the issue of how Machiavelli viewed ‘subjects’. According to Machiavelli, rulers only needed subjects to maintain their power and protect their kingdoms. Machiavelli did not foresee moral and ethical issues that his work would raise. However, these issues have been the epitome of The Prince. The work provided practical advice in a politically vo latile society. However, both ruthless rulers and business individuals have used Machiavelli’s concepts (Machiavellian) to justify their actions, which view winning as the ultimate goal.Advertising Looking for essay on biography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Machiavelli offered his advice on qualities the prince needed in order to run a new kingdom. He wrote: â€Å"Since a ruler, then, needs to know how to make use of beastly qualities, he should take as his models among the animals both the fox and the lion, for the lion does not know how to avoid traps, and the fox is easily overpowered by the wolves. So you must be a fox when it comes to suspecting a trap, and a lion when it comes to making the wolves turn tail† (Machiavelli 54). This indicates that a ruler should be cunning than his subjects or those who may wish to overthrow him. As a result, the subject shall protect their strong ruler, fear him for his strength, and avoid any attempts to kill him. This leads us to the argument of whether it ‘is it better for a Prince to be loved or feared?’ According to Machiavelli, a Prince should be both (Machiavelli 51). However, the challenge is to maintain both love and fear simultaneously. Machiavelli argues for both fear and love because a Prince needs obedience and loyalty from his people and people must fear the Prince because he has the responsibility to control and run the kingdom. Machiavelli notes: â€Å"I conclude, then, that, as far as being loved and feared is concerned, since men decide for themselves whom they love, and rulers decide whom they fear, a wise ruler should rely on the emotion he can control, not on the one he cannot. But he must take care to avoid being hated, as I have said† (Machiavelli 53). Machiavelli supports the use of military to gain power and protect the kingdom. However, he does not support oppression. His views emanate from the notion t hat a good military power leads to a good rule of law. He supports this idea by stating, â€Å"The presence of a sound military force indicates the presence of sound laws† (Machiavelli 65). Machiavelli is right to advise the Prince that the subjects’ loyalty is a good defense than a structure a fortress. Machiavelli notes that leaders should have positive public opinions, have support of subjects, and achieve their objectives. The ultimate objective is to unite different states.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Machiavelli does not encourage leaders to be cruel for personal gains. Instead, he wants leaders to use their power and influence to protect their kingdoms and subjects. Thus, most people have misunderstood Machiavelli’s concept of â€Å"The end justifies the means. This is because Machiavelli believed that rulers could use brutality to capture, but will eventually lose their glory. Therefore, he believes that the Prince can only achieve loyalty, obedience, and trust if he does not cruelties on his subjects. However, the concept was justifiable if there were clear objectives to achieve for the benefit of the state. Machiavelli viewed humans as objects of gaining power and using it to maintain power. In addition, human subjects provided numbers for authorities, which were suitable for achieving power and money by using force for the interest of the state. Machiavelli considered human subjects as â€Å"fickle and ungrateful† (Machiavelli 52). The Prince showed that Machiavelli’s main concern was how to run a kingdom rather than moral and ethical issues, which came with such responsibilities. Thus, Lorenzo had not moral or ethical obligation to be correct. However, Machiavelli reflects the raw life of the Renaissance in which States benefited from atrocities. Machiavelli remains a contro versial figure. He knew that some of his views were not right. For instance, he viewed subjects as objects of acquiring and keeping power, considered people as ungrateful, and raised issues of fear or love among others. From Machiavelli’s point of view, the ruler could apply these techniques during his time of need in order to defend his throne. The true purpose of Machiavelli remains defined as succinct ideals for running a prosperous kingdom in a volatile political situation. Therefore, Machiavelli did not advocate for brutality. It is advisable for a ruler to have advisers in order to manage a kingdom effectively. According to Machiavelli, a good leader had to possess proper skills in order to select good advisers. The works of such competent advisers are to provide competent responses and honest advice to specific issues.Advertising Looking for essay on biography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition, such advisers have to put the state first before their self-interests (Machiavelli 22). In return, the prince must reward and honor such characters because of their unshakable services. On the other hand, bad leaders were likely to surround themselves with incompetent people, who only revealed their weaknesses. Private morality and ethics have other factors too, such as personal character, state duties, and divine approvals. However, it is only reactions from humans, which count in real-life situations. This explains why Machiavelli insists that a leader needs to achieve the best reputation among his subjects, and do whatever is appropriate and wrong for the prosperity of the state in a given circumstance. Therefore, rulers must be cunning, generous and must inculcate a reputation of honesty (Machiavelli 18). According to Machiavelli, rulers can disregard moral obligations in affairs of kingdoms. Thus, the only relevant issue is the important outcome for the kingdom. It is suitable for rulers to engage in deceit, murder, and other immoral acts for the benefit of their states. These ideologies of Machiavelli gave rise to the concept of Machiavellian, which implies being â€Å"crude, cunning, and deceitful. This is exactly how Machiavelli thought the new prince should act† (Machiavelli 63). This is why Machiavelli notes that, in the absence of a court of law, one should only rely on the result in order to make a judgment. However, Machiavelli had a strong belief in the need to have a strong ruler so that kingdoms could maintain their power for benefits of subjects rather than for individual interests. Works Cited Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. Shelbyville, KY: Wasteland Classics, 2011. Print. This essay on The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli was written and submitted by user Audrianna Nash to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.