Motor control is a critical process for muscle contraction, which is initiated by nerve impulses governed by the motor cortex. This process is vital for performing activities of daily living (ADLs). Consequently, a disruption in communication between the brain and muscles, as seen in various chronic conditions and diseases, can impair bodily movement and ADLs. Evaluating the interaction between brain function and motor control is significant for the diagnosis and treatment of motor control disorders; moreover, it can contribute to the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). The purpose of this study is to investigate brain activation in designed upper extremity motor control tasks in regulating the pushing force in different brain regions; and develop investigation methods to assess motor control tasks and brain activation using a robotic arm to guide upper extremity force and motor control. Eighteen healthy young adults were asked to perform upper extremity motor control tasks and recorded the hemodynamic signals. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRs) and robotic arms were used to assess brain activation and the regulation of pushing force and extremity motor control. Two types of motion, static and dynamic, move along a designated trajectory in both forward and backward directions, and three different force levels selected from a range of ADLs, including 4, 12, and 20 N, were used as force-regulating upper extremity motor control tasks. The hemodynamic responses were measured in specific regions of interest, namely the primary motor cortex (M1), premotor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Utilizing a two-way repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.00625) across all regions, we observed no significant interaction effect between force levels and movement types on oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) levels. However, in both contralateral (c) and ipsilateral (i) PFC, movement type—static versus dynamic—significantly affected brain activation. Additionally, cM1, iPFC, and PMC showed a significant effect of force level on brain activation.
This observational study aims to investigate the relationship between brain activation in specific regions and various motor tasks involving upper extremity movement with force control. Utilizing fNIRs, the research will monitor hemodynamic changes in four key brain areas: the prefrontal cortex (PFC), premotor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and primary motor cortex (M1) during task performance. The primary population for this investigation consists of healthy young adults, allowing for a clearer understanding of how force control affects brain activation. The scope of the study includes assessing brain activation measured by fNIRs during upper extremity motor and force control tasks, as well as examining how upper extremity movements and force control influence brain activation.
คณะวิศวกรรมศาสตร์
The Thai Sign Language Generation System aims to create a comprehensive 3D modeling and animation platform that translates Thai sentences into dynamic and accurate representations of Thai Sign Language (TSL) gestures. This project enhances communication for the Thai deaf community by leveraging a landmark-based approach using a Vector Quantized Variational Autoencoder (VQVAE) and a Large Language Model (LLM) for sign language generation. The system first trains a VQVAE encoder using landmark data extracted from sign videos, allowing it to learn compact latent representations of TSL gestures. These encoded representations are then used to generate additional landmark-based sign sequences, effectively expanding the training dataset using the BigSign ThaiPBS dataset. Once the dataset is augmented, an LLM is trained to output accurate landmark sequences from Thai text inputs, which are then used to animate a 3D model in Blender, ensuring fluid and natural TSL gestures. The project is implemented using Python, incorporating MediaPipe for landmark extraction, OpenCV for real-time image processing, and Blender’s Python API for 3D animation. By integrating AI, VQVAE-based encoding, and LLM-driven landmark generation, this system aspires to bridge the communication gap between written Thai text and expressive TSL gestures, providing the Thai deaf community with an interactive, real-time sign language animation platform.
วิทยาลัยนวัตกรรมการผลิตขั้นสูง
This research presents a Digital Twin of an Aquarium for Water Quality Monitoring, developing a virtual model that displays real-time key water parameters, including pH level, temperature, flow rate, and dissolved oxygen. Sensor data is processed and visualized through a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to reflect the real-time status of the virtual aquarium. This system enables accurate water quality monitoring and analysis while reducing reliance on expensive software solutions.
คณะวิศวกรรมศาสตร์
This cooperative education project aims to enhance speed and facilitate the verification process for stock issuance, transfers, distributions, and receipts in the warehouse. The primary focus is to address issues related to wasted time and delays in operational processes. Through analysis, it was found that SAP, the current system, involves complex processes requiring specialized expertise. Although the company has developed the iWarehouse system to improve efficiency, delays and procedural complexity persist. To resolve these challenges, Power BI was utilized to visualize data related to stock issuance, transfers, distributions, and receipts, allowing warehouse staff to work more efficiently by minimizing waste and accelerating processes. Additionally, Power Automate was integrated to automate the processing of received stock numbers from emails, reducing errors and delays caused by manual data entry. The results of this improvement indicate a significant increase in employee efficiency and a noticeable reduction in wasted time. Upon project completion, the findings and development approach will be provided to the company for further enhancement.