Assertion based verification (ABV) using the PSL language is currently gaining acceptance as an essential method for functional verification of hardware. A basic technique to implement ABV is to embed temporal assertions in RTL code. The paper describes the use of a PSL-based ABV methodology in a C++-based system level modeling and simulation environment. We describe the considerations of porting a tool, which translates PSL to VHDL/Verilog, to support C++, a language which was designed for software and does not have concurrent language constructs. The translation scheme is shown to be adaptable to all C-based environments. We exemplify the wide applicability of this scheme by detailing its successful deployment in a SystemC-based industrial system-on-chip (SoC) project.

We compare motor planning mechanisms of ADHD and control subjects based on their effect on later observed kinematic characteristics. We monitor hand movement following planning conditions that differ in preparation time, and evaluate the differences across conditions and participants with/without ADHD. Our findings show that when there is sufficient planning time, people without ADHD seem to have a motor plan ready, and immediately initiate a planned movement after a ‘GO’ cue, with a bell shaped velocity profile. When planning time is not sufficient, they start the movement in a delayed time, possibly indicating that they needed to complete a movement plan. However, people with ADHD, did not start movement immediately after the cue, even when provided with a long preparation time, possibly indicating that even for this planning interval they did not have a motion plan ready. The movement was not only delayed, its velocity profile was not bell shaped and had several peaks. We further found differences between control and ADHD participants in the velocity profile, variability and jitter of movements. Our results suggest that ADHD motion characteristics, are associated with an immature motor plan. Based on the results we propose a paradigm to evaluate deficiencies in motor planning.

Human motor response time (RT) is determined by the matureness of the preceding neural motor planning process. In the current study, we characterize the temporal boundaries required for the motor planning process, and its impact on the overall motor RT. In particular, we contrasted short and long planning times by measuring the resulting differences in motor RTs, in an attempt to find whether an optimal planning time for minimal RT exists. Using a “Timed Response” paradigm, we presented participants with varying planning intervals prior to a requested motor response and studied their effect on the timing of initiation of the following movement. We found that, as expected, reaction time shortens as more planning time is provided, yet only until reaching a minimal RT, after which additional planning time increases the motor RT, thus creating a U-shaped behavioral function. Furthermore, since the minimal RT was found to be an individual characteristic, we suggest that there is an individual time window for motor planning.

Motor functions in general and motor planning in particular are crucial for our ability to synchronize our movements with those of others. To date, these co-occurring functions have been studied separately, and as yet it is unclear whether they share a common biological mechanism. Here, we synthesize disparate recent findings on motor functioning and interpersonal synchrony and propose that these two functions share a common neurobiological mechanism and adhere to the same principles of predictive coding. Critically, we describe the pivotal role of the dopaminergic system in modulating these two distinct functions. We present attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as an example of a disorder that involves the dopaminergic system and describe deficits in motor and interpersonal synchrony. Finally, we suggest possible directions for future studies emphasizing the role of dopamine modulation as a link between social and motor functioning.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in interactional synchrony and motor performance, but little is known about the association between them. The current study investigated the association among aberrant interactional synchrony (as measured by interactors’ symmetry in the form of the hand at each time-point along movement’s execution), motor functioning and the level of Autistic traits. In this study, autistic traits were evaluated by the Autistic Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Two tasks were used: (1) an interactional synchrony task where participants and the research assistant were instructed to move their hands together; and (2) a motor planning task which allows for continuous monitoring of natural hand movements. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a significant association between lower communication skills (i.e., higher AQ communication scores) and lower intentional synchrony rates. In addition, lower communication skills were found associated with typical patterns of motor planning and execution characterized by shorter time to start the movement and higher value of max speed. Mediator analyses supported the notion that aberrant intentional synchrony in individuals with low communication skills is partially mediated through typical patterns of motor planning and execution. These results suggest typical patterns of motor functions may account for intentional synchrony difficulties.