scholarly journals Does Curved Walking Sharpen the Assessment of Gait Disorders? An Instrumented Approach Based on Wearable Inertial Sensors

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 5244
Author(s):  
Valeria Belluscio ◽  
Elena Bergamini ◽  
Marco Tramontano ◽  
Rita Formisano ◽  
Maria Gabriella Buzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Gait Disorders ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Balance Assessment ◽  
Gait Patterns ◽  
Curved Trajectories ◽  
Gait Quality ◽  
Wearable Inertial Sensors ◽  
Definition Of

Gait and balance assessment in the clinical context mainly focuses on straight walking. Despite that curved trajectories and turning are commonly faced in our everyday life and represent a challenge for people with gait disorders. The adoption of curvilinear trajectories in the rehabilitation practice could have important implications for the definition of protocols tailored on individual’s needs. The aim of this study was to contribute toward the quantitative characterization of straight versus curved walking using an ecological approach and focusing on healthy and neurological populations. Twenty healthy adults (control group (CG)) and 20 patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (9 severe, sTBI-S, and 11 very severe, sTBI-VS) performed a 10 m and a Figure-of-8 Walk Test while wearing four inertial sensors that were located on both tibiae, sternum and pelvis. Spatiotemporal and gait quality indices that were related to locomotion stability, symmetry, and smoothness were obtained. The results show that spatiotemporal, stability, and symmetry-related gait patterns are challenged by curved walking both in healthy subjects and sTBI-S, whereas no difference was displayed for sTBI-VS. The use of straight walking alone to assess gait disorders is thus discouraged, particularly in patients with good walking abilities, in favor of the adoption of complementary tests that were also based on curved paths.

scholarly journals Gait Quality Assessment in Survivors from Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: An Instrumented Approach Based on Inertial Sensors

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (23) ◽  
pp. 5315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Belluscio ◽  
Elena Bergamini ◽  
Marco Tramontano ◽  
Amaranta Orejel Bustos ◽  
Giulia Allevi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Gait Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Clinical Scales ◽  
Gait Quality

Despite existing evidence that gait disorders are a common consequence of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI), the literature describing gait instability in sTBI survivors is scant. Thus, the present study aims at quantifying gait patterns in sTBI through wearable inertial sensors and investigating the association of sensor-based gait quality indices with the scores of commonly administered clinical scales. Twenty healthy adults (control group, CG) and 20 people who suffered from a sTBI were recruited. The Berg balance scale, community balance and mobility scale, and dynamic gait index (DGI) were administered to sTBI participants, who were further divided into two subgroups, severe and very severe, according to their score in the DGI. Participants performed the 10 m walk, the Figure-of-8 walk, and the Fukuda stepping tests, while wearing five inertial sensors. Significant differences were found among the three groups, discriminating not only between CG and sTBI, but also for walking ability levels. Several indices displayed a significant correlation with clinical scales scores, especially in the 10 m walking and Figure-of-8 walk tests. Results show that the use of wearable sensors allows the obtainment of quantitative information about a patient’s gait disorders and discrimination between different levels of walking abilities, supporting the rehabilitative staff in designing tailored therapeutic interventions.

scholarly journals Role of metformin pregravid preparation patients with prediabetes impaired glucose toletance

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 18-25
Author(s):  
Evgeniy Konstantinovich Komarov ◽  
Tamara Aleksandrovna Pluzhnikova
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Perinatal Complications ◽  
Insulin Resistence ◽  
Group I ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Level

Tasks of investigation were concluded the characterization of insulin resistence (IR) and hormonal features in patients with prediabetes and influence of diet or metformin on the course of pregnancy and perinatal complications. There were examined 61 womans. The OGTT, definition of insulin levels in plasma and index IR were performed in all patiens. OGTT and index IR were normal in 14 womans (control group I). OGTT was normal but index IR was impared in 33 womans (group IR - II). From this group 22 womans were treated with diet (II A group) and 11 womans treated with metformin (IIB group). OGTT and index IR were abnormal in 14 womans (impared OGTT - III group), they were treated with metformin. Dose of metformin was 1500 mg/d, threatment was continueted for 3-4 manths. Conclusion: Used indexes IR basal and two hour after glucose load were significant in definition of normal and decreased insulin sensitivity (IR). Presence of IR is accompanied by high level of free testosterone in blood without impared secretion of ovarian and suprarenal androgens. There was impared sensitivity of endometrium of secretory stage. The frequency of obstetric and perinatal complications in patients receiving diet not differ from patients treated with metformin. There was only a tendercy to low frequency of threatening miscarriages befor 12 weeks of gestations in paitiens receiving metformin. Development of GDM was observed in 13,1 % of patiens only with presence of IR. The use of metformin in pregravidal stage preserved the development of macrosomia in offsprings of patients with prediabetes.

scholarly journals Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Oxidative Status by β-Carotene in Late Pregnant Sows

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xupeng Yuan ◽  
Jiahao Yan ◽  
Ruizhi Hu ◽  
Yanli Li ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Fecal Microbiota ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Metabolic Activities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Β Carotene

Recent evidences suggest that gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating physiological and metabolic activities of pregnant sows, and β-carotene has a potentially positive effect on reproduction, but the impact of β-carotene on gut microbiota in pregnant sows remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanisms of β-carotene on the reproductive performance of sows from the aspect of gut microbiota. A total of 48 hybrid pregnant sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with similar parity were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 16) and fed with a basal diet or a diet containing 30 or 90 mg/kg of β-carotene from day 90 of gestation until parturition. Dietary supplementation of 30 or 90 mg/kg β-carotene increased the number of live birth to 11.82 ± 1.54 and 12.29 ± 2.09, respectively, while the control group was 11.00 ± 1.41 (P = 0.201). Moreover, β-carotene increased significantly the serum nitric oxide (NO) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (P < 0.05). Characterization of fecal microbiota revealed that 90 mg/kg β-carotene increased the diversity of the gut flora (P < 0.05). In particular, β-carotene decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes including Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group, Lachnospiraceae NK4B4 group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-008, but enriched Proteobacteria including Bilophila and Sutterella, and Actinobacteria including Corynebacterium and Corynebacterium 1 which are related to NO synthesis. These data demonstrated that dietary supplementation of β-carotene may increase antioxidant enzyme activity and NO, an important vasodilator to promote the neonatal blood circulation, through regulating gut microbiota in sows.

scholarly journals Experimental Evaluation of Shear Behavior of Stone Masonry Wall

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2313
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Beconcini ◽  
Pietro Croce ◽  
Paolo Formichi ◽  
Filippo Landi ◽  
Benedetta Puccini
Keyword(s):  
Shear Behavior ◽  
Stone Masonry ◽  
Masonry Walls ◽  
Mechanical Parameters ◽  
In Situ Tests ◽  
Capacity Curves ◽  
Historical Structures ◽  
Definition Of

The evaluation of the shear behavior of masonry walls is a first fundamental step for the assessment of existing masonry structures in seismic zones. However, due to the complexity of modelling experimental behavior and the wide variety of masonry types characterizing historical structures, the definition of masonry’s mechanical behavior is still a critical issue. Since the possibility to perform in situ tests is very limited and often conflicting with the needs of preservation, the characterization of shear masonry behavior is generally based on reference values of mechanical properties provided in modern structural codes for recurrent masonry categories. In the paper, a combined test procedure for the experimental characterization of masonry mechanical parameters and the assessment of the shear behavior of masonry walls is presented together with the experimental results obtained on three stone masonry walls. The procedure consists of a combination of three different in situ tests to be performed on the investigated wall. First, a single flat jack test is executed to derive the normal compressive stress acting on the wall. Then a double flat jack test is carried out to estimate the elastic modulus. Finally, the proposed shear test is performed to derive the capacity curve and to estimate the shear modulus and the shear strength. The first results obtained in the experimental campaign carried out by the authors confirm the capability of the proposed methodology to assess the masonry mechanical parameters, reducing the uncertainty affecting the definition of capacity curves of walls and consequently the evaluation of seismic vulnerability of the investigated buildings.

Fundamental relations and identities of fuzzy hyperalgebras

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Narjes Firouzkouhi ◽  
Abbas Amini ◽  
Chun Cheng ◽  
Mehdi Soleymani ◽  
Bijan Davvaz
Keyword(s):  
Universal Algebra ◽  
Equivalence Relation ◽  
Polynomial Function ◽  
Equivalence Relations ◽  
Fundamental Relation ◽  
Term Function ◽  
Biological Phenomena ◽  
Definition Of

Inspired by fuzzy hyperalgebras and fuzzy polynomial function (term function), some homomorphism properties of fundamental relation on fuzzy hyperalgebras are conveyed. The obtained relations of fuzzy hyperalgebra are utilized for certain applications, i.e., biological phenomena and genetics along with some elucidatory examples presenting various aspects of fuzzy hyperalgebras. Then, by considering the definition of identities (weak and strong) as a class of fuzzy polynomial function, the smallest equivalence relation (fundamental relation) is obtained which is an important tool for fuzzy hyperalgebraic systems. Through the characterization of these equivalence relations of a fuzzy hyperalgebra, we assign the smallest equivalence relation α i 1 i 2 ∗ on a fuzzy hyperalgebra via identities where the factor hyperalgebra is a universal algebra. We extend and improve the identities on fuzzy hyperalgebras and characterize the smallest equivalence relation α J ∗ on the set of strong identities.

scholarly journals Genomic Tackling of Human Satellite DNA: Breaking Barriers through Time

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4707
Author(s):  
Mariana Lopes ◽  
Sandra Louzada ◽  
Margarida Gama-Carvalho ◽  
Raquel Chaves
Keyword(s):  
Human Genome ◽  
Satellite Dna ◽  
Repetitive Sequences ◽  
Nucleotide Composition ◽  
Genomic Component ◽  
Genomic Studies ◽  
Human Genomic ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Degree

(Peri)centromeric repetitive sequences and, more specifically, satellite DNA (satDNA) sequences, constitute a major human genomic component. SatDNA sequences can vary on a large number of features, including nucleotide composition, complexity, and abundance. Several satDNA families have been identified and characterized in the human genome through time, albeit at different speeds. Human satDNA families present a high degree of sub-variability, leading to the definition of various subfamilies with different organization and clustered localization. Evolution of satDNA analysis has enabled the progressive characterization of satDNA features. Despite recent advances in the sequencing of centromeric arrays, comprehensive genomic studies to assess their variability are still required to provide accurate and proportional representation of satDNA (peri)centromeric/acrocentric short arm sequences. Approaches combining multiple techniques have been successfully applied and seem to be the path to follow for generating integrated knowledge in the promising field of human satDNA biology.

scholarly journals A lattice-theoretic characterization of pure subgroups of Abelian groups

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ferrara ◽  
M. Trombetti
Keyword(s):  
Abelian Group ◽  
Abelian Groups ◽  
Subgroup Lattice ◽  
General Definition ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
Theoretic Characterization ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractLet G be an abelian group. The aim of this short paper is to describe a way to identify pure subgroups H of G by looking only at how the subgroup lattice $$\mathcal {L}(H)$$ L ( H ) embeds in $$\mathcal {L}(G)$$ L ( G ) . It is worth noticing that all results are carried out in a local nilpotent context for a general definition of purity.

scholarly journals The Influence of the Physiotherapeutic Program on Selected Static and Dynamic Foot Indicators and the Balance of Elderly Women Depending on the Ground Stability

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4660
Author(s):  
Joanna Matla ◽  
Katarzyna Filar-Mierzwa ◽  
Anna Ścisłowska-Czarnecka ◽  
Agnieszka Jankowicz-Szymańska ◽  
Aneta Bac
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Women ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Balance Assessment ◽  
Motor Functions ◽  
Static Test ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

Seniors are a constantly growing group of people in many societies. It is necessary to develop physiotherapeutic programs to improve their mobility. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the physiotherapeutic program conducted unstable ground on selected indicators of motor functions of elderly women. Sixty women (60–80 years) participated in the research. Group A (N = 20) underwent a 12-week physiotherapeutic program on stable ground, group B (N = 20) followed an exercise program on unstable ground, and group C (N = 20) (control group) had no therapeutic intervention. The effects of the therapy were assessed by using a FreeMed platform (foot load analysis) and a Biosway balance system. The results were compared using ANOVA (the one-way analysis), the Kruskal–Wallis test and also the post hoc tests (Tukey’s test and the multiple comparison test). In group A, a statistically significant change was observed in the static test and balance assessment, in group B this was observed in the static and dynamic foot tests and balance assessment, in group C, no statistical significance was achieved. The authors’ physiotherapeutic program had a statistically significant effect on changes in the balance and selected indicators of the motor functions of the examined people. Comparing the results before and after the therapy more improvement changes were noted in women training on an unstable ground compared to women training on a stable ground.

scholarly journals Characterization of Spent Ni-MH Batteries

2012 ◽  
Vol 730-732 ◽  
pp. 569-574
Author(s):  
Marta Cabral ◽  
Fernanda Margarido ◽  
Carlos A. Nogueira
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Electrode Materials ◽  
Phase Identification ◽  
Recycling Process ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Leaching Experiments ◽  
Plastic Components ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Spent Ni-MH batteries are not considered too dangerous for the environment, but they have a considerable economical value due to the chemical composition of electrodes which are highly concentrated in metals. The present work aimed at the physical and chemical characterisation of spent cylindrical and thin prismatic Ni-MH batteries, contributing for a better definition of the recycling process of these spent products. The electrode materials correspond to more than 50% of the batteries weight and contain essentially nickel and rare earths (RE), and other secondary elements (Co, Mn, Al). The remaining components are the steel parts from the external case and supporting grids (near 30%) containing Fe and Ni, and the plastic components (<10%). Elemental quantitative analysis showed that the electrodes are highly concentrated in metals. Phase identification by X-ray powder diffraction combined with chemical analysis and leaching experiments allowed advancing the electrode materials composition. The cathode is essentially constituted by 6% metallic Ni, 66% Ni(OH)2, 4.3% Co(OH)2 and the anode consists mainly in 62% RENi5 and 17% of substitutes and/or additives such as Co, Mn and Al.

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