Three-dimensional comparison of static and dynamic scapular motion tracking techniques

The shoulder is complex and comprised of many moving parts. Accurately measuring shoulder rhythm is difficult. To classify shoulder rhythm and identify pathological movement, static measures have been the preferred method. However, dynamic measures are also used and can be less burdensome to obtain. The purpose of this paper was to determine how closely dynamic measures represent static measures using the same acromion marker cluster scapular tracking technique. Five shoulder angles were assessed for 24 participants using dynamic and static tracking techniques during humeral elevation in three planes (frontal, scapular, sagittal). ANOVAs were used to identify where significant differences existed for the factors of plane, elevation angle, and tracking technique (static, dynamic raising, dynamic lowering). All factors were significantly different for all shoulder angles (p < 0.001), except for elevation plane in scapulothoracic protraction/retraction (p = 0.955). Tracking techniques were influential (p < 0.001), but the grouped mean differences fell below a clinically relevant 5° benchmark. There was large variation in mean differences of the techniques across individuals. While population averages are similar, individual static and dynamic shoulder assessments may be different. Caution should be taken when dynamic shoulder assessments are performed on individuals, as they may not reflect those obtained in static scapular motion tracking.     

Dynamic Visual Tests to Identify and Quantify Visual Damage and Repair Following Demyelination in Optic Neuritis Patients

In order to follow optic neuritis patients and evaluate the effectiveness of their treatment, a handy, accurate and quantifiable tool is required to assess changes in myelination at the central nervous system (CNS). However, standard measurements, including routine visual tests and MRI scans, are not sensitive enough for this purpose. We present two visual tests addressing dynamic monocular and binocular functions which may closely associate with the extent of myelination along visual pathways. These include Object From Motion (OFM) extraction and Time-constrained stereo protocols. In the OFM test, an array of dots compose an object, by moving the dots within the image rightward while moving the dots outside the image leftward or vice versa. The dot pattern generates a camouflaged object that cannot be detected when the dots are stationary or moving as a whole. Importantly, object recognition is critically dependent on motion perception. In the Time-constrained Stereo protocol, spatially disparate images are presented for a limited length of time, challenging binocular 3-dimensional integration in time. Both tests are appropriate for clinical usage and provide a simple, yet powerful, way to identify and quantify processes of demyelination and remyelination along visual pathways. These protocols may be efficient to diagnose and follow optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis patients.In the diagnostic process, these protocols may reveal visual deficits that cannot be identified via current standard visual measurements. Moreover, these protocols sensitively identify the basis of the currently unexplained continued visual complaints of patients following recovery of visual acuity. In the longitudinal follow up course, the protocols can be used as a sensitive marker of demyelinating and remyelinating processes along time. These protocols may therefore be used to evaluate the efficacy of current and evolving therapeutic strategies, targeting myelination of the CNS.     

Leap-dynamics: efficient sampling of conformational space of proteins and peptides in solution

A molecular simulation scheme, called Leap-dynamics, that provides efficient sampling of protein conformational space in solution is presented. The scheme is a combined approach using a fast sampling method, imposing conformational 'leaps' to force the system over energy barriers, and molecular dynamics (MD) for refinement. The presence of solvent is approximated by a potential of mean force depending on the solvent accessible surface area. The method has been successfully applied to N-acetyl-L-alanine-N-methylamide (alanine dipeptide), sampling experimentally observed conformations inaccessible to MD alone under the chosen conditions. The method predicts correctly the increased partial flexibility of the mutant Y35G compared to native bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. In particular, the improvement over MD consists of the detection of conformational flexibility that corresponds closely to slow motions identified by nuclear magnetic resonance techniques.     

Segmental Kinematic Coupling of the Human Spinal Column during Locomotion

As one of the most important daily motor activities, human locomotion has been investigated intensively in recent decades. The locomotor functions and mechanics of human lower limbs have become relatively well understood. However, so far our understanding of the motions and functional contributions of the human spine during locomotion is still very poor and simultaneous in-vivo limb and spinal column motion data are scarce. The objective of this study is to investigate the delicate in-vivo kinematic coupling between different functional regions of the human spinal column during locomotion as a stepping stone to explore the locomotor function of the human spine complex. A novel infrared reflective marker cluster system was constrncted using stereophotogrammetry techniques to record the 3D in-vivo geometric shape of the spinal column and the segmental position and orientation of each functional spinal region simultaneously. Gait measurements of normal walking were conducted. The preliminary results show that the spinal column shape changes periodically in the frontal plane during locomotion. The segmental motions of different spinal functional regions appear to be strongly coupled, indicating some synergistic strategy may be employed by the human spinal column to facilitate locomotion. In contrast to traditional medical imaging-based methods, the proposed technique can be used to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the spinal column, hence providing more insight into the functional biomechanics of the human spine.     

旅游开发对景观边缘植物溢出效应的影响

人类活动导致的景观改变能形成大量的生境缀块和边缘结构,对植物扩散产生重要影响。以植物个体运动生态学——种子扩散模式作为分类依据,对兴凯湖自然保护区游憩带与非游憩带、交通廊道与非交通廊道中动物扩散物种、风扩散物种、无助力扩散物种(包括重力扩散、弹射扩散等短距离扩散的物种)以及全部物种的边缘溢出效应分别进行对比分析。结果显示,游憩带动物扩散物种和全部物种的边缘溢出效应均明显弱于非游憩带;而风扩散物种在游憩带和非游憩带均有大量溢出;无助力扩散物种在这两个实验区的溢出效应均不明显。交通廊道中动物扩散物种的溢出效应显著弱于非交通廊道,但风扩散物种却明显强于非交通廊道;无助力扩散物种在两种廊道类型中同样只有少量溢出,且距离相对较短;总体溢出效应并未发现显著差异。这些结果表明,旅游开发对植物运动生态学产生了影响,最终导致了溢出效应的改变。     

基于直线电机连续-步进运动的快速光声显微成像系统

报道了一种利用直线电机连续-步进的扫描方式进行光声显微成像的系统,该系统在运动时走弓字型路线,其中直线电机在X轴方向上连续运动,在Y轴方向上以步进的方式运动,采集卡只在X轴电机运动的过程中连续采集。该成像系统较之前振镜扫描的方式扫描的范围更大,可达到厘米尺度范围内的生物组织光声成像;较之前的步进电机逐点扫描的方式扫描速度明显提高。同时本文采用电机带动光和超声换能器一同扫描的方式,较光和超声换能器不动电机带动样品扫描的方式更灵活。另外利用包埋碳丝的模拟样品和在体小鼠耳朵血管来验证系统的成像能力。实验结果表明,这种快速光声显微成像方法及其系统可以实现在体组织的高分辨率成像,有望成为一种无创、实时的光声显微镜应用于生物医学当中。     

When should we expect early bursts of trait evolution in comparative data? Predictions from an evolutionary food web model

Conceptual models of adaptive radiation predict that competitive interactions among species will result in an early burst of speciation and trait evolution followed by a slowdown in diversification rates. Empirical studies often show early accumulation of lineages in phylogenetic trees, but usually fail to detect early bursts of phenotypic evolution. We use an evolutionary simulation model to assemble food webs through adaptive radiation, and examine patterns in the resulting phylogenetic trees and species' traits (body size and trophic position). We find that when foraging trade-offs result in food webs where all species occupy integer trophic levels, lineage diversity and trait disparity are concentrated early in the tree, consistent with the early burst model. In contrast, in food webs in which many omnivorous species feed at multiple trophic levels, high levels of turnover of species' identities and traits tend to eliminate the early burst signal. These results suggest testable predictions about how the niche structure of ecological communities may be reflected by macroevolutionary patterns.     

A Triboelectric Generator Based on Checker‐Like Interdigital Electrodes with a Sandwiched PET Thin Film for Harvesting Sliding Energy in All Directions

A triboelectric generator based on checker‐like interdigital electrodes (TEGC) with a sandwiched polyethylene terephthalate (PET) thin film that can convert translation kinetic energy in all directions to electricity is reported. The design of the sandwiched PET thin film can effectively avoid direct wear between metal electrodes and sliding panel. The mechanism of the TEGC is described in detail. The performance of the TEGC in different sliding directions is studied, indicating a maximum output power density of 1.9 W m^‐2 and open‐circuit voltage of 210 V achieved in the X or Y sliding direction. The TEGC is used to charge a 110 μF commercial capacitor to 5 V in 35 s and light up two light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) connected with the capacitor simultaneously. The TEGC based mouse pad and sliding panel are fabricated to harvest mouse operation energy to light up LEDs connected in antiparallel when the computer mouse operates a game. The TEGC has advantages of being flexible, light weight, durable, cost effective, and portable by folding or rolling into a small part. This work presents a significant progress toward the structure design of triboelectric generator for its practical applications.     

超声引导下隐神经联合IPACK阻滞对老年全膝关节置换术患者应激反应、炎性细胞因子及膝关节活动度的影响

摘要 目的：探讨超声引导下隐神经联合腘动脉与膝关节后囊间隙（IPACK）阻滞对老年全膝关节置换术（TKA）患者应激反应、炎性细胞因子及膝关节活动度的影响。方法：根据随机数字表法,将无锡市中医医院2021年3月~2022年9月期间收治的102例初次行TKA的老年患者分为观察组（超声引导下隐神经联合IPACK阻滞镇痛处理）和对照组（超声引导下隐神经镇痛处理）,每组各51例。对比两组疼痛情况、炎性细胞因子、应激反应指标、不良反应发生率、膝关节活动度。结果：观察组术后6 h、术后12 h、术后24 h视觉模拟评分法（VAS）评分低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组术后48 h肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素（IL）-6、IL-1β、β-淀粉样蛋白（Aβ）低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组术后48 h血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）、皮质醇（COR）低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组术后24 h、术后48 h膝关节活动度大于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：超声引导下隐神经联合IPACK阻滞用于TKA患者,具有较好的镇痛效果,可减轻应激反应,抑制炎性细胞因子过度分泌,改善膝关节活动度,麻醉效果较好。     

指掌骨骨折合并软组织损伤的微型锁定钢板皮外固定应用效果及对关节活动度的影响

摘要 目的：探讨指掌骨骨折合并软组织损伤的微型锁定钢板皮外固定的应用效果及对关节活动度的影响。方法：选取我院2015年7月到2020年7月共收治的80例指掌骨骨折合并软组织损伤的患者作为研究对象,将其随机分为观察组与对照组,各40例。对照组应用克氏针、微型螺钉、肌腱缝线或拉力螺钉进行内固定,观察组在对照组基础上联合应用微型锁定钢板皮外固定,并针对患者合并软组织损伤情况应用石膏外固定。对比两组患者的骨折愈合时间、围术期指标、Jamar握力、TAM、DASH评分、术后不良反应情况以及生活质量。结果：观察组手术时间高于对照组,骨折愈合时间和住院时间较对照组低（P＜0.05）;观察组患者的DASH评分明显低于对照组,TAM与Jamar握力明显高于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组术后并发症发生率较对照组低（P＜0.05）;术后1个月两组患者生活质量评分均升高,高于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论：对指掌骨骨折合并软组织损伤的患者在常规克氏针内固定的基础上,应用微型锁定钢板皮外固定,再进行石膏固定,手术步骤、手术时间虽增加,但更有利于患者术后骨折愈合,减少术后并发症的发生,减少住院时间,促进患者出院后关节功能恢复,提高生活质量,值得临床应用推广。