scholarly journals The Golden Ratio of Gait Harmony: Repetitive Proportions of Repetitive Gait Phases

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Iosa ◽  
Augusto Fusco ◽  
Fabio Marchetti ◽  
Giovanni Morone ◽  
Carlo Caltagirone ◽  
...  

In nature, many physical and biological systems have structures showing harmonic properties. Some of them were found related to the irrational number known as the golden ratio that has important symmetric and harmonic properties. In this study, the spatiotemporal gait parameters of 25 healthy subjects were analyzed using a stereophotogrammetric system with 25 retroreflective markers located on their skin. The proportions of gait phases were compared with , the value of which is about 1.6180. The ratio between the entire gait cycle and stance phase resulted in 1.620 ± 0.058, that between stance and the swing phase was 1.629 ± 0.173, and that between swing and the double support phase was 1.684 ± 0.357. All these ratios did not differ significantly from each other (, , repeated measure analysis of variance) or from (, resp.,t-tests). The repetitive gait phases of physiological walking were found in turn in repetitive proportions with each other, revealing an intrinsic harmonic structure. Harmony could be the key for facilitating the control of repetitive walking. Harmony is a powerful unifying factor between seemingly disparate fields of nature, including human gait.

Author(s):  
Zi Di Lim ◽  
Edwin Pheng ◽  
Evelyn Tai Li Min ◽  
Hans Van Rostenberghe ◽  
Ismail Shatriah

Platelets are a primary source of pro- and anti-angiogenic cytokines. However, the evidence of their role in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is controversial. This retrospective study aimed to compare mean weekly platelet counts between infants with and without ROP over the first 6 weeks of life. A total of 93 infants matched by gestational age and birth weight were recruited (31 with ROP, 62 without ROP). Weekly mean platelet counts and other related risk factors were documented. The repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the repeated measure analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare mean platelet counts over time between the two groups, with and without adjusting for confounders. We found significant differences in the weekly mean platelet counts of infants with and without ROP over the first 6 weeks of life (p = 0.002). These differences disappeared after adjusting for covariates (p = 0.489). Lower mean platelet counts in ROP infants are not directly related to ROP, but rather to the presence of other risk factors for ROP, such as culture-proven sepsis, blood transfusion and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2342
Author(s):  
Long Li ◽  
Zhongqu Xie ◽  
Xiang Luo ◽  
Juanjuan Li

Gait pattern generation has an important influence on the walking quality of biped robots. In most gait pattern generation methods, it is usually assumed that the torso keeps vertical during walking. It is very intuitive and simple. However, it may not be the most efficient. In this paper, we propose a gait pattern with torso pitch motion (TPM) during walking. We also present a gait pattern with torso keeping vertical (TKV) to study the effects of TPM on energy efficiency of biped robots. We define the cyclic gait of a five-link biped robot with several gait parameters. The gait parameters are determined by optimization. The optimization criterion is chosen to minimize the energy consumption per unit distance of the biped robot. Under this criterion, the optimal gait performances of TPM and TKV are compared over different step lengths and different gait periods. It is observed that (1) TPM saves more than 12% energy on average compared with TKV, and the main factor of energy-saving in TPM is the reduction of energy consumption of the swing knee in the double support phase and (2) the overall trend of torso motion is leaning forward in double support phase and leaning backward in single support phase, and the amplitude of the torso pitch motion increases as gait period or step length increases.


Author(s):  
Samer Mheissen ◽  
Haris Khan ◽  
Mohammed Almuzian ◽  
Emad Eddin Alzoubi ◽  
Nikolaos Pandis

Summary Background In orthodontic trials, longitudinal designs with multiple outcome measurements over time are common. The aim of this epidemiological study was to examine whether optimal statistical analysis approaches have been used in longitudinal orthodontic trials. Methods Pubmed was searched in August 2021 for longitudinal orthodontic trials with at least three time points of outcome assessment published in the 2017–20 period. Study selection and data extraction were done independently and in duplicate. The analysis approaches undertaken were tabulated and associations between study characteristics and the use of optimal analysis or not were assessed using Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression. Results One hundred forty-seven out of 563 unique records were deemed eligible for inclusion. Only 26.50% of these trials used an optimal statistical analysis for longitudinal data where the data structure is accounted for. None of the study characteristics except the statistical significance of the results were associated with the appropriateness of the statistical analysis. The odds of significant results in studies with suboptimal analyses were higher than that in studies with optimal longitudinal analyses (odds ratio: 3.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.62, 7.46, P = 0.001). For the studies with optimal analysis, the most frequent test was repeated-measure analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). The reporting of the statistical analysis section was suboptimal in the majority of the trials. Conclusion Most longitudinal orthodontic trials are not analysed using optimal statistical approaches. Inferences and interpretation of their results are likely to be compromised.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
Martina Đodan ◽  
Tomislav Dubravac ◽  
Sanja Perić

Background and Purpose: Recently raised questions on adaptability of native tree species to climate changes pointed to Douglas-fir as a species suitable for rapid reforestation and increase of stand resistance. The first results on provenance research need to be confirmed in later stages of stand development, so the paper answers the following two questions: (i) are there differences in growth of 14 Douglas-fir provenances still in the fifth decade of stand development, and (ii) which provenances should be used and which omitted from further use in the hilly area of Croatia? Materials and Methods: Productivity of 14 provenances was evaluated on the basis of height, diameter at breast height and volume in the 46th year after planting. Growth dynamics was also statistically analysed using a repeated measure analysis of variance, for which purpose we partially used published data from the 2010. Results: The analysis excluded Castle Rock and Shady Cove (Oregon) provenances due to their low values of all analysed growth indicators, as well as Castle Rock, Elma and Hvidilde provenances due to their high values. Average values of tree volume ranged from 0.53 m3 (Shady Cove) to 2.05 m3 (Castle Rock), while the tallest trees belonged to Elma provenance (29.6 m). Conclusions: Different growth dynamics of provenances were confirmed for later development stage, so further monitoring is still required. Clear guidelines for the selection of provenances for practical forestry distinguish provenances from lower altitudes of the State of Washington, Denmark and Bulgaria as the most productive. Shady Cove and Salmon Arm provenances are not advised to be used in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Hui Wei ◽  
Runxiu Shi ◽  
Leitong Lin ◽  
Lechi Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate lower-limb muscle activities in gait phases and co-contraction of one gait cycle in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). This study enrolled 17 LDH patients and 17 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals. Bilateral muscle activities of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris long head (BL), tibialis anterior (TA), and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) during walking were recorded. The gait cycle was divided into four phases by the heel strike and top off according to the kinematics tracks. Root mean square (RMS), mean frequency (MF), and co-contraction of surface electromyography signals were calculated. The LDH patients showed enhanced BL RMS during the single support phase (SS), second double support phase, and swing phase (SW) as well as decreased MF of RF during SS and of TA and LG during SW (p < 0.05). The co-contraction of the TA-LG was increased in LDH patients than in the control group (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between TA-LG co-contraction (affected side, r = 0.557, p = 0.020; contralateral side, r = 0.627, p = 0.007) and the Oswestry disability index scores in LDH patients. LDH patients have increased BL firing rate and insufficient motor unit recruitment in specific phases in the lower limbs during walking. Dysfunction in LDH patients was associated with immoderate intermuscular co-contraction of the TA-LG during walking.


2001 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary C. Galbraith ◽  
Bernadine Bagasan ◽  
Jane Sulahian

The human brainstem frequency-following response reflects neural activity to periodic auditory stimuli. Responses were simultaneously recorded from one vertically oriented and three horizontally oriented electrode derivations. Nine participants each received a total of 16,000 tone repetitions, 4,000 for each of four stimulus frequencies: 222, 266, 350, and 450 Hz. The responses were digitally filtered, quantified by correlation and spectral analysis, and statistically evaluated by repeated measure analysis of variance. While the various horizontal derivation responses did not differ from each other in latency (values tightly clustered around M = 2.60 msec), the vertical derivation response occurred significantly later ( M = 4.38 msec). The smaller latency for the horizontal responses suggests an origin within the acoustic nerve, while the larger latency for the vertical response suggests a central brainstem origin. The largest response amplitude resulted from gold “tiptrode” electrodes placed in each auditory meatus, suggesting that this electrode derivation provided the most accurate (noninvasive) assessment of short-latency events originating at the level of the auditory nerve.


2010 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 224-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Zanna ◽  
Ludovica Filippucci ◽  
Maria Chiara Castiglioni

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 621-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Piccione ◽  
M. Rizzo ◽  
F. Arfuso ◽  
C. Giannetto ◽  
S. Di Pietro ◽  
...  

Abstract During early post-partum period both neonatal foals and peripartum mares are most susceptible to diseases. The aim of this study was to establish physiologic modifications of leukogram during the first month after foaling in mares and their newborn foals. To this end blood samples were collected from nine mares and nine foals (T0-T10), every three days from the 1st day until the 30th day after foaling. Samples were analysed for white blood cell (WBC) count and differential leucocyte counts. Two-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed, in postpartum mares WBC showed significant higher values at T0 (9.02±0.76) in respect to other time points, and at T2 (8.08±0.53) and T3 (7.92±0.59) compared to T1 (6.98±0.43), whereas in foals lower WBC values at T0 (6.11±0.49) compared to other experimental periods except T1 (6.90±0.94), and at T1 compared to T8 (7.95±0.61) and T10 (7.90±0.36) were observed. The differential leucocyte counts showed significant modifications in the percentage of neutrophils (π<0.001) and lymphocytes (p<0.001) both in postpartum mares and in foals during the experimental period. Furthermore ANOVA showed significant differences between postpartum mares and foals (P<0.01) in all studied parameters, and between postpartum mares and control mares in WBC and neutrophils values. The obtained results provide suitable information about the influence of foaling on leukogram of periparturient mares and reveal WBC dynamics in newborn foals during the first month post-partum.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-298
Author(s):  
Rian Tri Prayogo ◽  
Sendy Mohamad Anugrah ◽  
Ardhika Falaahudin ◽  
Dody Tri Iwandana ◽  
Rifqi Festiawan

Pembatasan kegiatan masyarakat akibat penyebaran virus covid-19 telah mengubah olahraga di Indonesia sehingga memaksa para atlet untuk melakukan latihan mandiri di tempat tinggalnya masing-masing dengan program latihan yang dibuat oleh para pelatihnya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah membandingkan kapasitas aerobik, aspek kelincahan, dan daya tahan otot lokal atlet pencak silat sebelum dan sesudah masa latihan mandiri. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskritptif dengan melibatkan 12 atlet pencak silat putra kategori tanding Kabupaten Karawang. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa terjadi penurunan signifikan pada kapasitas aerobik (p= 0.025) dan performa kelincahan (0.042) namun pada daya tahan otot lokal tidak terdapat perbedaan. Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah terjadi penurunan pada kapasitas aerobik dan aspek kelincahan pada atlet pencak silat Kabupaten Karawang setelah masa latihan di tempat tinggalnya masing-masing akibat dari pemberlakukan pembatasan kegiatan masyarakat (PPKM), namun pada komponen daya tahan otot-otot lokal tidak terdapat perubahan.The sports activity of badminton and responses to changes in blood uric acid at productive age AbstractThis study aims to determine whether there was a response to changes in uric acid levels due to the physical activity of badminton. The design of this study is a quasi-experimental. The sample used in this study was eight respondents with certain criteria. Treat physical activity twice on different days with 4 measurements of uric acid levels. The method of this study is repeated measure analysis. When subjects are measured repeatedly, requiring fewer subjects per experiment, then repeated measures analysis can be used. The results showed that the treatment of badminton had a significant effect on changes in uric acid levels with a probability value of 0,038. These results were obtained by using the Greenhouse-Geisser test where the assumptions of normality and homogeneity were satisfied. From the marginal test results using pairwise comparisons, there was a significant difference in the average uric acid levels at 15 minutes after exercise and 9 hours the following day, where there was a decrease of 1.169 mg/dl. Badminton can reduce uric acid levels, which is indicated by a decrease of 0.15 mg/dl at 09.00 the next day compared to before exercise. Marginally, this decrease is not statistically significant, but regular badminton can be an option for physical activity for those who want to reduce uric acid levels.


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