Energy exchange between subject and belt during treadmill walking

Treadmill walking aims to simulate overground walking, but intra-stride belt speed variations of treadmills result in some interaction between treadmill and subject, possibly obstructing this aim. Especially in self-paced treadmill walking, in which the belt speed constantly adjusts to the subject, these interactions might affect the gait pattern significantly. The aim of this study was to quantify the energy exchange between subject and treadmill, during the fixed speed (FS) and self-paced (SP) modes of treadmill walking. Eighteen subjects walked on a dual-belt instrumented treadmill at both modes. The energy exchange was calculated as the integration of the product of the belt speed deviation and the fore-aft ground reaction force over the stride cycle. The total positive energy exchange was 0.44 J/stride and the negative exchange was 0.11 J/stride, which was both less than 1.6% of the performed work on the center of mass. Energy was mainly exchanged from subject to treadmill during both the braking and propulsive phase of gait. The two treadmill modes showed a similar pattern of energy exchange, with a slightly increased energy exchange during the braking phase of SP walking. It is concluded that treadmill walking is only mildly disturbed by subject-belt interactions when using instrumented treadmills with adequate belt control.     

Using Insect Electroantennogram Sensors on Autonomous Robots for Olfactory Searches

Robots designed to track chemical leaks in hazardous industrial facilities¹ or explosive traces in landmine fields² face the same problem as insects foraging for food or searching for mates³: the olfactory search is constrained by the physics of turbulent transport⁴. The concentration landscape of wind borne odors is discontinuous and consists of sporadically located patches. A pre-requisite to olfactory search is that intermittent odor patches are detected. Because of its high speed and sensitivity^5-6, the olfactory organ of insects provides a unique opportunity for detection. Insect antennae have been used in the past to detect not only sex pheromones⁷ but also chemicals that are relevant to humans, e.g., volatile compounds emanating from cancer cells⁸ or toxic and illicit substances^9-11. We describe here a protocol for using insect antennae on autonomous robots and present a proof of concept for tracking odor plumes to their source. The global response of olfactory neurons is recorded in situ in the form of electroantennograms (EAGs). Our experimental design, based on a whole insect preparation, allows stable recordings within a working day. In comparison, EAGs on excised antennae have a lifetime of 2 hr. A custom hardware/software interface was developed between the EAG electrodes and a robot. The measurement system resolves individual odor patches up to 10 Hz, which exceeds the time scale of artificial chemical sensors¹². The efficiency of EAG sensors for olfactory searches is further demonstrated in driving the robot toward a source of pheromone. By using identical olfactory stimuli and sensors as in real animals, our robotic platform provides a direct means for testing biological hypotheses about olfactory coding and search strategies¹³. It may also prove beneficial for detecting other odorants of interests by combining EAGs from different insect species in a bioelectronic nose configuration¹⁴ or using nanostructured gas sensors that mimic insect antennae¹⁵.     

基于加速康复外科理念的早期康复训练联合八段锦前四式在乳腺癌改良根治术后患者中的应用效果研究

摘要 目的：研究基于加速康复外科（ERAS）理念的早期康复训练联合八段锦前四式在乳腺癌改良根治术后患者中的应用效果。方法：选择2019年9月~2022年5月期间在湖南中医药大学第一附属医院行乳腺癌改良根治术的128例乳腺癌患者。按照随机数字表法将患者分为对照组（基于ERAS理念的早期康复训练,n=64）和研究组（对照组的基础上接受八段锦前四式干预,n=64）。对比两组抑郁自评量表（SDS）评分、健康调查简表（SF-36）、焦虑自评量表（SAS）评分、Constant-Murley肩关节功能评分、疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）和肩关节活动度。结果：与对照组相比,研究组干预后SDS、SAS评分更低（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,研究组情感/生理职能、躯体疼痛、社会/生理功能、活力、总体/精神健康评分更高（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,研究组干预后VAS评分更低,Constant-Murley肩关节功能评分更高（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,研究组干预后前屈、后伸、外展关节活动度更大（P<0.05）。结论：基于ERAS的早期康复训练联合八段锦前四式应用于乳腺癌改良根治术后患者,可提高患者的生活质量,可能与缓解焦虑、抑郁情绪,减轻术后疼痛,促进肩关节功能恢复有关。     

Magnetotactic bacteria: nanodrivers of the future

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) represent a heterogeneous group of Gram-negative aquatic prokaryotes with a broad range of morphological types, including vibrioid, coccoid, rod and spirillum. MTBs possess the virtuosity to passively align and actively swim along the magnetic field. Magnetosomes are the trademark nano-ranged intracellular structures of MTB, which comprise magnetic iron-bearing inorganic crystals enveloped by an organic membrane, and are dedicated organelles for their magnetotactic lifestyle. Magnetosomes endue high and even dispersion in aqueous solutions compared with artificial magnetites, claiming them as paragon nanomaterials. MTB and magnetosomes offer high technological potential in modern science, technology and medicines. This review focuses on the applicability of MTB and magnetosomes in various areas of modern benefits.     

思维导图引导康复锻炼对胸腰椎肿瘤术后功能恢复的干预效果

目的:研究思维导图引导康复锻炼对胸腰椎肿瘤术后功能恢复的干预效果,为患者术后的康复提供指导。方法:选择我院2017年1月-2019年12月期间我院200例胸腰段肿瘤术后患者。按照随机数表法将其分为研究组与对照组。研究组采用思维导图引导康复锻炼措施,对照组采用常规术后康复锻炼措施。比较两组患者干预前后腰背部功能、日常生活活动能力、社会生活生存质量及康复质量的评分结果。结果:干预后研究组生活自理能力、疼痛情况、站立、坐位、步行、睡眠情况、社会生活的Oswestry功能障碍(ODI)指数明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。干预后研究组Barthel指数以及Fugl-Meyer评分明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。干预后研究组社会功能缺陷筛选量表(SDSS)评分与生存质量测定量表(QOLI)评分明显优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。干预后研究组患者的躯体症状、心理状态及康复状况评分明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:思维导图引导康复锻炼对胸腰椎肿瘤术后功能恢复有着较为理想的效果,值得临床推广运用。     

Kinesiotaping for scapular dyskinesis: The influence on scapular kinematics and on the activity of scapular stabilizing muscles

Scapular dyskinesis is observed in 61% of overhead athletes (Burn et al., 2016). For most of them, it remains asymptomatic. However, scapular dyskinesis is considered a risk factor for shoulder injury by some authors (Clarsen et al., 2014). The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of kinesiotaping in modifying scapular kinematics and peri-scapular muscle activity in dyskinetic athletes. The 3-dimensional position and orientation of the scapula as well as the activation of upper trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus anterior were recorded in twenty asymptomatic athletes during shoulder movements (flexion and abduction), in loaded and unloaded conditions and in three circumstances (standard, kinesiotaping 1, kinesiotaping 2). A significant decrease between 9 and 12% in upper trapezius activity was observed with kinesiotaping 1 and 2. Lower trapezius activity was slightly increased with kinesiotaping 1 while it was significantly decreased about 15–20% with kinesiotaping 2. No change was observed in serratus anterior activity, for either kinesiotaping 1 or 2. Considering scapular kinematics, both kinesiotaping 1 and 2 significantly increased posterior tilt and upward rotation. External rotation was decreased with kinesiotaping 2, in comparison to standard condition. Kinesiotaping, and especially taping 1, seems to be an effective method for changing periscapular muscle activity and scapular kinematics.     

Passive joint mobility in patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas): rehabilitation of caged animals after release into a free-ranging environment

A previous study of passive joint mobility in patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) showed that laboratory-caged animals had significantly greater mobility in most joints than age/sex matched free-ranging monkeys. Passive joint mobility on 27 of the same animals was measured 6 months after the caged animals were released onto a 40-hectare island. The results show that within 6 months of becoming free-ranging, typical passive joint mobility is restored. Thus, although caging directly affects measurements of morphologically-determined features in patas monkeys, confinement itself does not necessarily prevent rehabilitation if the immature monkeys are released into a free-ranging environment.     

Shoulder joint loadings in post total hip replacement surgery patients during assisted walking: The influence of the crutch setup

A crutch is prescribed to permit the patient to walk safely and independently immediately after total hip replacement (THR) surgery. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the crutch setup on upper limbs biomechanics, including shoulder joint kinematics and kinetics parameters that will be evaluated to detect possible differences related to the crutch length.Thirty patients were randomly assigned to elbow flexed (EF) or elbow extended (EE) forearm crutch setup. Subjects were asked to walk on the laboratory path, instrumented with motion tracking system and force platforms. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, crutch ground reaction force (GRF) and crutch displacement (measured as the relative distance between the crutch position on the floor and the shoulder joint center), were evaluated. A three-dimensional (3D) biomechanical model was implemented to determine shoulder joint kinematics and kinetics during crutch walking.Results showed that the stride length significantly decreased, and base of support width increased for the EF group when compared to the EE group. Crutch forces and distance to the body significantly decreased in the EE group. Furthermore, shoulder joint moments in all planes of motion, vertical and lateral forces were significantly reduced in the EE group.The present study showed that crutch setup influenced performance and upper limb loading during walking, with EE setup allowing a more stable walking and reducing stress on the shoulder joint when compared to the EF setup. Results may help therapists in rationalizing crutch length adjustments for patients after THR surgery.     

The effect of a novel gait retraining device on lower limb kinematics and muscle activation in healthy adults

The Re-Link Trainer (RLT) is a modified walking frame with a linkage system designed to apply a non-individualized kinematic constraint to normalize gait trajectory of the left limb. The premise behind the RLT is that a user’s lower limb is constrained into a physiologically normal gait pattern, ideally generating symmetry across gait cycle parameters and kinematics. This pilot study investigated adaptations in the natural gait pattern of healthy adults when using the RLT compared to normal overground walking. Bilateral lower limb kinematic and electromyography data were collected while participants walked overground at a self-selected speed, followed by walking in the RLT. A series of 2-way analyses of variance examined between-limb and between-condition differences. Peak hip extension and knee flexion were reduced bilaterally when walking in the RLT. Left peak hip extension occurred earlier in the gait cycle when using the RLT, but later for the right limb. Peak hip flexion was significantly increased and occurred earlier for the constrained limb, while peak plantarflexion was significantly reduced. Peak knee flexion and plantarflexion in the right limb occurred later when using the RLT. Significant bilateral reductions in peak electromyography amplitude were evident when walking in the RLT, along with a significant shift in when peak muscle activity was occurring. These findings suggest that the RLT does impose a significant constraint, but generates asymmetries in lower limb kinematics and muscle activity patterns. The large interindividual variation suggests users may utilize differing motor strategies to adapt their gait pattern to the imposed constraint.