Lateralized Deficits in Motor, Sensory, and Olfactory Domains in Dementia

Background: There exist functional deficits in motor, sensory, and olfactory abilities in dementias. Measures of these deficits have been discussed as potential clinical markers. Objective: We measured the deficit of motor, sensory, and olfactory functions on both the left and right body side, to study potential body lateralizations. Methods: This IRB-approved study (N = 84) performed left/right clinical tests of gross motor (dynamometer test), sensory (Von Frey test), and olfactory (peppermint oil test) ability. The Mini-Mental Status Exam was administered to determine level of dementia; medical and laboratory data were collected. Results: Sensory and olfactory deficits lateralized to the left side of the body, while motor deficits lateralized to the right side. We found clinical correlates of motor lateralization: female, depression, MMSE <15, and diabetes. While clinical correlates of sensory lateralization: use of psychotherapeutic agent, age ≥85, MMSE <15, and male. Lastly, clinical correlates of olfactory lateralization: age <85, number of medications >10, and male. Conclusion: These lateralized deficits in body function can act as early clinical markers for improved diagnosis and treatment. Future research should identify correlates and corresponding therapies to strengthen at-risk areas.

Mechanical Decoupling Algorithm Applied to Electric Drive Test Bed

New approach and analysis are proposed in this paper to enhance the steady and rapidity of the electric drive test bed. Based on a basic drive motor dynamometer system (DMDS) test bed, detailed mathematical model and process control are established and analyzed. Relative gain array (RGA) method and diagonal matrix method are used to analyze the mechanical coupling caused by mechanical connection on the DMDS test bed, and the structure and algorithm of dynamic decoupling are proposed. Simulation and experiment all indicate that the designed decoupling method can efficiently improve the control accuracy and response speed.

Stabilization of the Mechanical Dynamics of a Road Load Simulator Using Classical Control Techniques

The open-loop transfer function of a complex hydrostatic pump-motor dynamometer system was derived from an analysis of the dynamics of the individual components. Many system components exhibit non-linearities; however, internal feedback mechanisms contribute to linearization of sub-systems. The resulting model, which was in good agreement with the system's open-loop performance, was used to predict the behaviour of the closed-loop system, this indicated that the system would be unstable. Classical control theory was used to analyse the performance of a number of stabilizing control strategies, with root locus plots, Bode diagrams and Nichols charts being used to assess the resultant performance. A lead compensation, designed as a differential controller, combined with a bi-linear gain was predicted to provide acceptable speed control. The performance of the system with this controller installed was found to satisfy the design requirements of speed of response, limited overshoot and zero steady-state error.