Distinct neural-mechanical efficiency of costal and crural diaphragm during hypercapnia

2019 ◽  
Vol 268 ◽  
pp. 103247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Tagliabue ◽  
Michael Ji ◽  
Jenny V. Suneby Jagers ◽  
Dan J. Zuege ◽  
John B. Kortbeek ◽  
...  
Actuators ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Jones ◽  
Jason Clark

This paper presents a structural geometry for increasing piezoelectric deformation, which is suitable for both micro- and macro-scale applications. New and versatile microstructure geometries for actuators can improve device performance, and piezoelectric designs benefit from a high-frequency response, power density, and efficiency, making them a viable choice for a variety of applications. Previous works have presented piezoelectric structures capable of this amplification, but few are well-suited to planar manufacturing. In addition to this manufacturing difficulty, a large number of designs cannot be chained into longer elements, preventing them from operating at the macro-scale. By optimizing for both modern manufacturing techniques and composability, this structure excels as an option for a variety of macro- and micro-applications. This paper presents an analytical compact model of a novel dual-bimorph piezoelectric structure, and shows that this compact model is within 2% of a computer-distributed element model. Furthermore it compares the actuator’s theoretical performance to that of a modern actuator, showing that this actuator trades mechanical efficiency for compactness and weight savings.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1781
Author(s):  
Manuel Lozano-García ◽  
Luis Estrada-Petrocelli ◽  
Abel Torres ◽  
Gerrard F. Rafferty ◽  
John Moxham ◽  
...  

This study aims to investigate noninvasive indices of neuromechanical coupling (NMC) and mechanical efficiency (MEff) of parasternal intercostal muscles. Gold standard assessment of diaphragm NMC requires using invasive techniques, limiting the utility of this procedure. Noninvasive NMC indices of parasternal intercostal muscles can be calculated using surface mechanomyography (sMMGpara) and electromyography (sEMGpara). However, the use of sMMGpara as an inspiratory muscle mechanical output measure, and the relationships between sMMGpara, sEMGpara, and simultaneous invasive and noninvasive pressure measurements have not previously been evaluated. sEMGpara, sMMGpara, and both invasive and noninvasive measurements of pressures were recorded in twelve healthy subjects during an inspiratory loading protocol. The ratios of sMMGpara to sEMGpara, which provided muscle-specific noninvasive NMC indices of parasternal intercostal muscles, showed nonsignificant changes with increasing load, since the relationships between sMMGpara and sEMGpara were linear (R2 = 0.85 (0.75–0.9)). The ratios of mouth pressure (Pmo) to sEMGpara and sMMGpara were also proposed as noninvasive indices of parasternal intercostal muscle NMC and MEff, respectively. These indices, similar to the analogous indices calculated using invasive transdiaphragmatic and esophageal pressures, showed nonsignificant changes during threshold loading, since the relationships between Pmo and both sEMGpara (R2 = 0.84 (0.77–0.93)) and sMMGpara (R2 = 0.89 (0.85–0.91)) were linear. The proposed noninvasive NMC and MEff indices of parasternal intercostal muscles may be of potential clinical value, particularly for the regular assessment of patients with disordered respiratory mechanics using noninvasive wearable and wireless devices.


Author(s):  
Yiqi Cheng ◽  
Xinhua Wang ◽  
Waheed Ur Rehman ◽  
Tao Sun ◽  
Hasan Shahzad ◽  
...  

This study presents a novel cylindrical vane pump based on the traditional working principle. The efficiency of the cylindrical vane pump was verified by experimental validation and numerical analysis. Numerical analysis, such as kinematics analysis, was performed in Pro/Mechanism and unsteady flow-field analysis was performed using ANSYS FLUENT. The stator surface equations were derived using the geometric theory of the applied spatial triangulation function. A three-dimensional model of the cylindrical vane pump was established with the help of MATLAB and Pro/E. The kinematic analysis helped in developing kinematic equations for cylindrical vane pumps and proved the effectiveness of the structural design. The maximum inaccuracy error of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was 5.7% compared with the experimental results, and the CFD results show that the structure of the pump was reasonable. An experimental test bench was developed, and the results were in excellent agreement with the numerical results of CFD. The experimental results show that the cylindrical vane pump satisfied the three-element design of a positive-displacement pump and the trend of changes in efficiency was the same for all types of efficiency under different operating conditions. Furthermore, the volumetric efficiency presented a nonlinear positive correlation with increased rotational velocity, the mechanical efficiency showed a nonlinear negative correlation, and the total efficiency first increased and then decreased. When the rotational velocity was 1.33[Formula: see text] and the discharge pressure was 0.68[Formula: see text], the total efficiency reached its maximum value.


1997 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 1607-1615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles M. Tipton ◽  
Lisa A. Sebastian

Tipton, Charles M., and Lisa A. Sebastian. Dobutamine as a countermeasure for reduced exercise performance of rats exposed to simulated microgravity. J. Appl. Physiol. 82(5): 1607–1615, 1997.—Post-spaceflight results and findings from humans and rodents after conditions of bed rest or simulated microgravity indicate maximum exercise performance is significantly compromised. However, the chronic administration of dobutamine (a synthetic adrenomimetic) to humans in relevant experiments improves exercise performance by mechanisms that prevent the decline in peak O2 consumption (V˙o 2 peak) and reduce the concentration of lactic acid measured in the blood. Although dobutamine restores maximumV˙o 2values in animals participating in simulated microgravity studies, it is unknown whether injections of this α1-, β1-, and β2-adrenoceptor agonist in rats will enhance exercise performance. To investigate this, adult male rats were assigned to three experimental groups: caged control receiving saline; head-down, tail-suspended (HDS) receiving saline (HDS-S); and an HDS group receiving dobutamine hydrochloride injections (1.8 mg/kg twice daily per rat). Treadmill tests were performed before suspension, at 14 days, and after 21 days.V˙o 2 peak, run time, and the rate of rise in colonic temperature (heating index) were evaluated after 14 days, whereas at 21 days, hemodynamic responses (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and double product) were determined during submaximal exercise with blood pH, blood gases, and lactic acid concentration values obtained during maximal exercise. In contrast to the results for the HDS-S rats, dobutamine administration did restore V˙o 2 peakand “normalized” lactic acid concentrations during maximal exercise. However, daily injections were unable to enhance exercise performance aspects associated with treadmill run time, the mechanical efficiency of running, the heating index, or the retention of muscle and body mass. These simulated microgravity findings suggest that dobutamine’s potential value as a countermeasure for postflight maximal performance or for egress emergencies is limited and that other countermeasures must be considered.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 707-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Capostagno ◽  
Michael I. Lambert ◽  
Robert P. Lamberts

Finding the optimal balance between high training loads and recovery is a constant challenge for cyclists and their coaches. Monitoring improvements in performance and levels of fatigue is recommended to correctly adjust training to ensure optimal adaptation. However, many performance tests require a maximal or exhaustive effort, which reduces their real-world application. The purpose of this review was to investigate the development and use of submaximal cycling tests that can be used to predict and monitor cycling performance and training status. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, and 3 separate submaximal cycling tests were identified from within those 12. Submaximal variables including gross mechanical efficiency, oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate, lactate, predicted time to exhaustion (pTE), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), power output, and heart-rate recovery (HRR) were the components of the 3 tests. pTE, submaximal power output, RPE, and HRR appear to have the most value for monitoring improvements in performance and indicate a state of fatigue. This literature review shows that several submaximal cycle tests have been developed over the last decade with the aim to predict, monitor, and optimize cycling performance. To be able to conduct a submaximal test on a regular basis, the test needs to be short in duration and as noninvasive as possible. In addition, a test should capture multiple variables and use multivariate analyses to interpret the submaximal outcomes correctly and alter training prescription if needed.


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