scholarly journals Postural perturbation induced by electrical stimulation; A new approach to examine the mechanism of falling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behdad Tahayori ◽  
Bahman Tahayori ◽  
Alireza Mehdizadeh ◽  
David M. Koceja

AbstractBackgroundFalling is a major cause of disability and death among elderly people. Therefore, a clear understanding of fall mechanism is necessary for providing preventative and treatment methods. Several fall simulation protocols have been introduced to study lost of balance in a laboratory setting.New MethodWe have explained and examined a new method to induce a sudden perturbation on standing posture to provide an insight into the mechanism of falling. The method comprises eliciting an H-reflex protocol while subjects are standing which produces a contraction in soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. We have also defined analytical techniques to provide biomarkers of balance control during perturbation. The method is easy to implement and interpret. The H-reflex or M-wave can be elicited unilaterally or bilaterally causing a forward or sideway perturbation. The vector analysis and the Equilibrium Point calculations defined here can quantify the amplitude, direction, and evolution of the perturbation.ResultsWe tested this method on a group of healthy individuals and observed clear patterns of loss of balance due to stimulation. Direction and magnitude of deviation was manifested through the reconstructed vectors, with bilateral stimulation causing the largest perturbation.Comparison and conclusionThe resultant plantarflexion torque is reminiscent of tripping over an obstacle and triggers corrective reactions to restore balance. Therefore, it is more similar to an internal perturbation. Mechanical perturbations to the torso cause a displacement in center of mass (COM) and trigger a cascade of mechanisms. Our method, does not trigger the perturbation by the displacement of COM initially and therefore, triggers fewer mechanisms for regaining balance.

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (9-11) ◽  
pp. 2345-2348 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. N. Haas

A new method for the quantitative analysis of multiple toxicity data is described and illustrated using a data set on metal exposure to copepods. Positive interactions are observed for Ni-Pb and Pb-Cr, with weak negative interactions observed for Ni-Cr.


Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 726
Author(s):  
Lamya A. Baharith ◽  
Wedad H. Aljuhani

This article presents a new method for generating distributions. This method combines two techniques—the transformed—transformer and alpha power transformation approaches—allowing for tremendous flexibility in the resulting distributions. The new approach is applied to introduce the alpha power Weibull—exponential distribution. The density of this distribution can take asymmetric and near-symmetric shapes. Various asymmetric shapes, such as decreasing, increasing, L-shaped, near-symmetrical, and right-skewed shapes, are observed for the related failure rate function, making it more tractable for many modeling applications. Some significant mathematical features of the suggested distribution are determined. Estimates of the unknown parameters of the proposed distribution are obtained using the maximum likelihood method. Furthermore, some numerical studies were carried out, in order to evaluate the estimation performance. Three practical datasets are considered to analyze the usefulness and flexibility of the introduced distribution. The proposed alpha power Weibull–exponential distribution can outperform other well-known distributions, showing its great adaptability in the context of real data analysis.


Author(s):  
Yung-Sheng Chen ◽  
Shi Zhou ◽  
Zachary J. Crowley-McHattan ◽  
Pedro Bezerra ◽  
Wei-Chin Tseng ◽  
...  

This study examined the acute effects of stretch tensions of kinesiology taping (KT) on the soleus (SOL), medial (MG), and lateral (LG) gastrocnemius Hoffmann-reflex (H-reflex) modulation in physically active healthy adults. A cross-over within-subject design was used in this study. Twelve physically active collegiate students voluntarily participated in the study (age = 21.3 ± 1.2 years; height = 175.6 ± 7.1 cm; body weight = 69.9 ± 7.1 kg). A standard Y-shape of KT technique was applied to the calf muscles. The KT was controlled in three tension intensities in a randomised order: paper-off, 50%, and 100% of maximal stretch tension of the tape. The peak-to-peak amplitude of maximal M-wave (Mmax) and H-reflex (Hmax) responses in the SOL, MG, and LG muscles were assessed before taping (pre-taping), taping, and after taping (post-taping) phases in the lying prone position. The results demonstrated significantly larger LG Hmax responses in the pre-taping condition than those in the post-taping condition during paper-off KT (p = 0.002). Moreover, the ΔHmax/Mmax of pre- and post-taping in the SOL muscle was significantly larger during 50%KT tension than that of paper-off (p = 0.046). In conclusion, the stretch tension of KT contributes minor influence on the spinal motoneuron excitability in the triceps surae during rest.


1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Fraley ◽  
T. J. Hoffman ◽  
P. N. Stevens

A new approach in the use of Monte Carlo to solve heat conduction problems is developed using a transport equation approximation to the heat conduction equation. A variety of problems is analyzed with this method and their solutions are compared to those obtained with analytical techniques. This Monte Carlo approach appears to be limited to the calculation of temperatures at specific points rather than temperature distributions. The method is applicable to the solution of multimedia problems with no inherent limitations as to the geometric complexity of the problem.


2021 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
pp. 105322
Author(s):  
Nicola A. Maffiuletti ◽  
Rosa Visscher ◽  
Alessandra De Col ◽  
Alessandro Sartorio
Keyword(s):  
H Reflex ◽  

1992 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eiji Yanagisawa ◽  
Ken Yanagisawa ◽  
Jay B. Horowitz ◽  
Lawrence J. Mambrino

A new approach to microlaryngeal surgery using a specially designed video microlaryngoscope with a rigid endoscopic telescope and an attached video camera was introduced by Kantor et al in 1990. The ability to video document and perform surgery of the larynx by viewing a high-resolution television image was demonstrated. This method was recommended over the standard microscopic technique for increased visibility with greater depth of field, unimpeded instrument access, instant documentation, and superior teaching value. The authors tried this new method and the standard microscopic technique at the same sitting on a series of patients. This paper will compare these two different techniques and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Although the new method has many advantages, the standard microscopic technique remains as a valuable method in laryngeal surgery.


2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 1269-1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
RIC Chris Francis ◽  
Steven E Campana

In 1985, Boehlert (Fish. Bull. 83: 103–117) suggested that fish age could be estimated from otolith measurements. Since that time, a number of inferential techniques have been proposed and tested in a range of species. A review of these techniques shows that all are subject to at least one of four types of bias. In addition, they all focus on assigning ages to individual fish, whereas the estimation of population parameters (particularly proportions at age) is usually the goal. We propose a new flexible method of inference based on mixture analysis, which avoids these biases and makes better use of the data. We argue that the most appropriate technique for evaluating the performance of these methods is a cost–benefit analysis that compares the cost of the estimated ages with that of the traditional annulus count method. A simulation experiment is used to illustrate both the new method and the cost–benefit analysis.


2000 ◽  
Vol 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Detchprohm ◽  
M. Yano ◽  
R. Nakamura ◽  
S. Sano ◽  
S. Mochiduki ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe have developed a new method to prepare low-dislocation-density GaN by using periodically grooved substrates in a conventional MOVPE growth technique. This new approach was demonstrated for GaN grown on periodically grooved α-Al2O3(0001), 6H-SiC(0001)Si and Si(111) substrates. Dislocation densities were 2×107 cm−2 in low-dislocation-density area.


Author(s):  
Joseph G. Haubrich

This Economic Commentary explains a relatively new method of uncovering inflation expectations, real interest rates, and an inflation-risk premium. It provides estimates of expected inflation from one month to 30 years, an estimate of the inflation-risk premium, and a measure of real interest rates, particularly a short (one-month) rate, which is not readily available from the TIPS market. Calculations using the method suggest that longer-term inflation expectations remain near historic lows. Furthermore, the inflation-risk premium is also low, which in the model means that inflation is not expected to deviate far from expectations.


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