scholarly journals Variability of Muscle Synergies in Hand Grasps: Analysis of Intra- and Inter-Session Data

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 4297
Author(s):  
Una Pale ◽  
Manfredo Atzori ◽  
Henning Müller ◽  
Alessandro Scano
Keyword(s):  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Muscle Synergy ◽  
Muscle Synergies ◽  
Electrode Position ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Spatial Composition ◽  
Electrode Positioning ◽  
Neurophysiological Mechanisms ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Virtual Electrode

Background. Muscle synergy analysis is an approach to understand the neurophysiological mechanisms behind the hypothesized ability of the Central Nervous System (CNS) to reduce the dimensionality of muscle control. The muscle synergy approach is also used to evaluate motor recovery and the evolution of the patients’ motor performance both in single-session and longitudinal studies. Synergy-based assessments are subject to various sources of variability: natural trial-by-trial variability of performed movements, intrinsic characteristics of subjects that change over time (e.g., recovery, adaptation, exercise, etc.), as well as experimental factors such as different electrode positioning. These sources of variability need to be quantified in order to resolve challenges for the application of muscle synergies in clinical environments. The objective of this study is to analyze the stability and similarity of extracted muscle synergies under the effect of factors that may induce variability, including inter- and intra-session variability within subjects and inter-subject variability differentiation. The analysis was performed using the comprehensive, publicly available hand grasp NinaPro Database, featuring surface electromyography (EMG) measures from two EMG electrode bracelets. Methods. Intra-session, inter-session, and inter-subject synergy stability was analyzed using the following measures: variance accounted for (VAF) and number of synergies (NoS) as measures of reconstruction stability quality and cosine similarity for comparison of spatial composition of extracted synergies. Moreover, an approach based on virtual electrode repositioning was applied to shed light on the influence of electrode position on inter-session synergy similarity. Results. Inter-session synergy similarity was significantly lower with respect to intra-session similarity, both considering coefficient of variation of VAF (approximately 0.2–15% for inter vs. approximately 0.1% to 2.5% for intra, depending on NoS) and coefficient of variation of NoS (approximately 6.5–14.5% for inter vs. approximately 3–3.5% for intra, depending on VAF) as well as synergy similarity (approximately 74–77% for inter vs. approximately 88–94% for intra, depending on the selected VAF). Virtual electrode repositioning revealed that a slightly different electrode position can lower similarity of synergies from the same session and can increase similarity between sessions. Finally, the similarity of inter-subject synergies has no significant difference from the similarity of inter-session synergies (both on average approximately 84–90% depending on selected VAF). Conclusion. Synergy similarity was lower in inter-session conditions with respect to intra-session. This finding should be considered when interpreting results from multi-session assessments. Lastly, electrode positioning might play an important role in the lower similarity of synergies over different sessions.

Stability and mutual impact of perception of parental pressure and infants' social support – A study based on the difference between employment status and household income

2021 ◽  
pp. 002072092199705
Author(s):  
Yong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Household Income ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Working Mothers ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Research Report ◽  
Parental Pressure ◽  
Income Levels ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Stability

The purpose of this study is to explore the stability and interaction between parental pressure and social research report, as well as the role of employment status and family income levels in this process. This study used a special study on Korean children (PSKC) 2–4 waves. Use t-test, correlation and autoregressive cross-delay modeling to analyze the data. The main findings of this study are: First, over time, parental pressure and mother’s social research report are consistent. Secondly, the pressure of motherhood and childcare has an obvious lagging effect on upbringing, and vice versa. Third, there is no significant difference between working mothers and non-working mothers in terms of the stability of working parents' pressure, social research report and social research report for children's pressure channels. However, parental pressure can only predict the social research report of working mothers. Fourth, there is no significant difference between the stability and interaction of these two structures in household income levels. In short, the results show that, over time, parental pressure is consistent with mother’s social research report. The results also show that there is a significant cross-lag effect between the mothers’ perceptions of mutual pressure analysis. In the process from parental pressure to social research report, I found the difference between working and non-working mothers. The advantage of this study is that the expected longitudinal design was adopted during infancy and the priority between the two structures can be considered. The results of this study can be used as a source of intervention plans to help parents withstand severe parenting pressure and lack of social research report.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Selective Grinding Guided by an Occlusal Splint in Management of Myofascial Pain: A Prospective Clinical Trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 301-311
Author(s):  
Felipe J. Fernández-González ◽  
Jorge Cabero-López ◽  
Aritza Brizuela ◽  
Ivan Suazo ◽  
Esteban Pérez-Pevida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporomandibular Joint ◽  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Vertical Displacement ◽  
Occlusal Splint ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Skeletal Pattern ◽  
Condylar Position ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Facial Types

Background:For patients whose centric relation (CR) has not been considered at the start and during treatment, the task of achieving an occlusal scheme that works together with the temporomandibular joint, the muscles, and the structures of the stomatognathic apparatus becomes a major concern.Objective:This study aims to describe a reproducible, predictable and to date unreported procedure of selective grinding guided by an occlusal splint and to analyze condylar position (CP) based on the skeletal pattern.Methods:A total of 72 symptomatic patients (38 females and 34 males) were classified into three groups: hyperdivergent, intermediate and hypodivergent. CP was quantified by mounted casts on a measures condyle displacement (MCD) device. Helkimo index was also performed in order to assess the severity of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders attending to clinical dysfunction, occlusal state and anamnestic dysfunction. Once the stability had been obtained, the splint was progressively reduced until the maximum intercuspation (MIC) was achieved.Results:The vertical displacement was found to be significantly different between the hyperdivergent and other two groups (p<0.01). Comparisons of MCD analysis before and after the selective grinding procedure identified a statistically significant difference in the horizontal and vertical CP (p<0.01) between the different groups whereas the Helkimo Index showed a clear improvement of TMJ disorders.Conclusion:All facial types, specially the hyperdivergent face type, showed a reduction in condylar displacement (CD) and less craniomandibular symptoms using this procedure, making it an excellent technique for clinicians.

scholarly journals Radiographic evaluation of the use of transverse traction device in vertebral arthrodesis for degenerative diseases

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-30
Author(s):  
Edgar Takao Utino ◽  
João Paulo Machado Bergamaschi ◽  
Luciano Antonio Nassar Pellegrino ◽  
Ricardo Shigueaki Galhego Umeta ◽  
Maria Fernanda Silber Caffaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Fusion Rate ◽  
Radiographic Evaluation ◽  
Pedicle Fixation ◽  
Degenerative Lumbar Diseases ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Traction Device ◽  
Consolidation Rate ◽  
The Stability

OBJECTIVE: Perform radiographic analysis of the use of Transverse Traction Device (DTT) with respect to fusion rate in patients submitted to vertebral arthrodesis for degenerative lumbar diseases. METHODS: We selected x-ray images on anteroposterior, lateral and oblique views and with maximum flexion and extension dynamics of 23 patients submitted to posterolateral arthrodesis of the lumbar spine with a minimum follow-up period of six months. The images were evaluated and classified by the Linovitz's system by two spine surgeons. RESULTS: We evaluated the radiographs of 23 patients after the minimum postoperative period of 6 months and of these, 11 have used DTT. With regard to the consolidation rate, seven patients (63.6%) in the group of DTT were classified as fusion as well as six patients (50%) who were not submitted to the treatment. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding the consolidation rate. CONCLUSION: The use of transverse traction device in this study showed no significant difference in the rate of consolidation in radiographic evaluation. Studies on the effective participation of this device in the stability of pedicle fixation systems are still lacking in the literature.

scholarly journals Dynamics Analysis of a Mathematical Model for New Product Innovation Diffusion

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Chunru Li ◽  
Zujun Ma
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Time Delay ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
New Product ◽  
Normal Form Theory ◽  
Center Manifold Theorem ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Form Theory ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Stability

In this paper, a mathematical model with time-delay-related parameters and media coverage to describe the diffusion process of new products is proposed, in which the time-delay-related parameters denote the stage in which potential customers decide whether to adopt a new product. Then, the stability and the Hopf bifurcation of the proposed model are analyzed in detail. The center manifold theorem and the normal form theory are used to investigate the stability of the bifurcating periodic solution. Moreover, a numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the difference between the model with delay-dependent parameters and that with delay-independent parameters. The results show that there is significant difference between the two models.

scholarly journals The assessment of the stability of the corneal structure after LASIK correction of myopia by different optical zone diameters

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 572-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milorad Milivojevic ◽  
Vladimir Petrovic ◽  
Miroslav Vukosavljevic ◽  
Ivan Marjanovic ◽  
Mirko Resan
Keyword(s):  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Preoperative Assessment ◽  
Laser In Situ Keratomileusis ◽  
Group I ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Optical Zone ◽  
Corneal Structure ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Corneal Thinning

Background/Aim. Enlargement of optical zone (OZ) diameter during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) correction of myopia postoperatively improves the optical outcome, however, it also leads to the increased stroma tissue consumption - progressive corneal thinning. The aim of this investigation was to present the possibility of safe OZ enlargement without impairing the structural stability of the cornea, while obtaining an improved optical outcome with LASIK treatment of shortsightedness. Methods. Preoperative assessment of the cornea structure and prediction of the ablated stroma tissue consumption was conducted in 37 patients (74 eyes) treated for shortsightedness by means of the LASIK method. With the eyes that, according to their cornea structure, had the capacity for OZ diameter enlargement of 0.5 mm, LASIK treatment was performed within the wider OZ diameter of 7.0 mm compared to the standard 6.5 mm. The following two groups were formed, depending on the diameter of the utilized OZ: the group I (the eyes treated with the OZ 6.5 mm, n = 37) and the group II (the eyes treated with the OZ 7.0 mm, n = 37). Results. No significant difference in the observed structural parameters of the cornea was detected between the groups of patients treated with different OZ diameters. The values of all the parameters were significantly bellow the threshold values for the development of postoperative ectasia. Conclusion. Diameter enlargement of the treated OZ, if there is a preoperative cornea capacity for such enlargement, will not impair the postoperative stability of the cornea structure, and will significantly improve the optical outcome.

scholarly journals Influence of Foot Progression Angle on Center of Pressure During Stair Ascending in Subjects With Chronic Ankle Instability

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 350-354
Author(s):  
Jung-Hyun Ban ◽  
Tae-Ho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Ankle Instability ◽  
Chronic Ankle Instability ◽  
Foot Progression Angle ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Neutral Posture ◽  
Criteria For Selection ◽  
Anterior Posterior ◽  
Selection Of

The purpose of this study was to identify changes in the center of pressure during stair ascending in subjects with chronic ankle instability while different angles of foot are applied. The subjects of this study were 20 male and female adults with chronic ankle instability were selected from among the employees of D Hospital in Daegu Metropolitan City. The criteria for selection of subjects with chronic ankle instability were those who felt wobbling in the ankle joint and scored not higher than 24 points in a test using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). The subjects carried out stair ascending in neutral, toe-in and toe-out postures, respectively, and changes in the center of pressure (COP) were compared and analyzed. The results of this study, no statistically significant difference appeared in the comparison between the toe-in posture and neutral posture or between the neutral posture and the toe-out posture but medial/lateral movements of the center of pressure showed significant differences between the toe-in and toe-out postures. In addition, the total travel range and the moving range of the center of pressure, the average velocity, and the anterior/posterior movements of the center of pressure showed no statistically significant difference among all three postures. As a result, it could be seen that when adults with chronic ankle instability climb the stairs, the toe-in posture reduce the medial/lateral movements of the center of pressure thereby increasing the stability of the ankle and effectively preventing re-injuries.

scholarly journals Bacteriocin Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Rumen Fluid of Thin Tail Sheep

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Okti Widayati ◽  
Zaenal Bachruddin ◽  
Chusnul Hanim ◽  
Lies Mira Yusiati ◽  
Nafiatul Umami
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Lactic Acid Bacteria ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Heating Temperature ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Bacteriocin Activity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sheep Rumen ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Range Test

The objective of this study was to determine the activity and the stability of bacteriocin from lactic acid bacteria (BAL) isolated from rumen fluid of thin-tail sheep under the temperature (80, 100, and 121°C), pH (3, 7, and 10), and the length of storage (for 2 weeks under the temperature -8, 11, and 29°C). Lactic acid bacteria obtained by isolation, selection, and identification of thin-tailed sheep rumen fluid were used for bacteriocin production. The crude bacteriocin was partially purified using 70% ammonium sulfate, then was dialysis for 12 hours. The obtained bacteriocin then tested its inhibitory activity against E.coli (representing Gram-negative) and S. aureus (representing Gram-positive) under temperature (80, 100, and 121°C), pH (3, 7, and 10), and the length of storage (for 2 weeks under the temperature -8, 11, and 29°C). The data of bacteriocin activity based on pH, temperature, and the length of storage were analyzed with factorial, then when there was a significant difference of variable because treatment was continued with Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) test. The results showed that the bacteriocin activity of the three types of BAL against S.aureus is greater than E.coli. The highest activity was shown in pH 3, while the lowest activity was shown at pH 10 (P<0.01). The highest activity was shown at a heating temperature of 100°C, while the lowest activity was shown at a heating temperature of 80°C (P<0.01). The activity of bacteriocin produced by BAL 0 A, BAL 1 A, and BAL 4 C tended to be stable to the heating temperature of 80, 100, and 121°C but decreased with increasing pH value (pH 3, 7, and 10). The best of bacteriocin activity was found at pH 3 (acid), heating at 100°C, and stored at -8°C for 14 days.

scholarly journals Optimal use of statistical methods to validate reference gene stability in longitudinal studies

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkat Krishnan Sundaram ◽  
Nirmal Kumar Sampathkumar ◽  
Charbel Massaad ◽  
Julien Grenier
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Reference Gene ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Reference Genes ◽  
Developmental Studies ◽  
Variation Analysis ◽  
Reference Gene Stability ◽  
Statistical Approaches ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Gene Stability

AbstractMultiple statistical approaches have been proposed to validate reference genes in qPCR assays. However, conflicting results from these statistical methods pose a major hurdle in the choice of the best reference genes. Indeed, as their respective approaches to calculating reference gene stability is different, their suitability has to be tested for a given experimental setting. In this study, the stability of 10 candidate reference genes (Actb, Gapdh, Tbp, Sdha, Pgk1, Ppia, Rpl13a, Hsp60, Mrpl10, Rps26) was assessed using four common statistical approaches (GeNorm, NormFinder, Coefficient of Variation analysis and Pairwise ΔCt method) in a longitudinal setting. We used the development of the cerebellum and the spinal cord of mice as a model to assess the suitability of these statistical methods for reference gene validation. GeNorm and the Pairwise ΔCt were found to be ill suited due to a fundamental assumption in their stability calculations. Whereas, NormFinder and Coefficient of Variation analysis fare better provided they are used complementarily. We therefore devised a workflow combining these two methods for validating reference genes in developmental studies. This workflow proves to be more robust than any of the methods used individually.

Strategies that simplify the control of quadrupedal stance. II. Electromyographic activity

1988 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 218-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Macpherson
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Synergy ◽  
Muscle Synergies ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Supporting Surface ◽  
Force Vector ◽  
Tuning Curves ◽  
Hindlimb Muscles ◽  
Vector Generation ◽  
High Level ◽  
Selection Of

1. This study tested the hypothesis that muscle synergies underlie the invariance in the direction of corrective forces observed following stance perturbations in the horizontal plane. Electromyographic activity was recorded from selected forelimb and hindlimb muscles of cats subjected to horizontal translations of the supporting surface in 16 different directions. The responses of muscles were quantified for each perturbation, and tuning curves were constructed that related the amplitude of muscle response to the direction of platform movement. 2. Muscle tuning curves tended to group into one of two regions, corresponding to the two directions of force vectors. A few muscles showed clearly different recruitment patterns. The same direction of correction force vector was produced by different patterns of muscle activity, and the particular EMG pattern depended on the direction of platform movement. Therefore a simple muscle synergy organization could not account for the invariance in force vector generation. 3. It is concluded that there is a hierarchy of control in the maintenance of stance in which the vector of force exerted against the ground is a high level, task-dependent controlled variable and the selection of muscles to activate in order to produce the vector is controlled at a lower level. It is proposed that muscles are controlled using a modified synergy strategy. In this scheme, a synergy is not simply a fixed group of muscles, constrained to act as a unit. Rather, muscles are organized as a task-dependent synergy that is tuned or modified as needed by the addition or subtraction of other muscles.

scholarly journals Chemical, Mineralogical, and Refractory Characterization of Kaolin in the Regions of Huayacocotla-Alumbres, Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
L. M. Romero-Guerrero ◽  
R. Moreno-Tovar ◽  
A. Arenas-Flores ◽  
Y. Marmolejo Santillán ◽  
F. Pérez-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Thermogravimetric Analysis ◽  
Decomposition Temperature ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Polarization Optical Microscopy ◽  
Plagioclase Feldspar ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mullite Phase ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Stability

In the present work, the chemical, mineralogical, refractory, and microstructural characterizations of kaolinites from the Huayacocotla-Alumbres region, which is between Veracruz and Hidalgo border, by X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarization optical microscopy (POM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), refractoriness proof (pyrometric cone equivalent), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were carried out. The analysis by POM showed that the kaolinization degree in this region is variable due to the presence of primary minerals, such as plagioclase, feldspar, and quartz. Additionally, hydrothermal alteration of the epithermal type was determined by oxidation of sulfides (pyrite and galena) and chlorite association. With the X-ray diffraction technique, andalusite and kaolinite were identified as the majority phases in Huayacocotla and quartz was identified as the majority phase in Alumbres. The minority phases, such as dickite, kaolinite, and cristobalite, were observed in both zones. The SEM technique was useful in the determination of the morphology of kaolinite and impurities of Na, Mg, K, and Fe of the complex clay illite-andalusite-dickite group. Thermogravimetric analysis was useful to discover the decomposition temperature and reveal the significant difference between 400 and 800°C, which showcases the greatest mass loss due to dehydration and carbonates decomposition. The mullite phase was detected at approximately 1000°C in the kaolin samples. The refractoriness tests were important to determine the stability temperature of kaolin, which is between 1300 and 1600°C. This stability temperature makes it feasible to use the kaolin as a refractory material for both low and high temperatures. The variables that affect the kaolin stability temperature were determined by principal components with the XLSTAT free program.

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