Characteristics Of Motor Research Articles

Function of Bi-Articular Femoral Muscles During the Transition from Sitting to Standing Up

As the elderly population increases, independent living for the aged has become essential for extending a healthy life expectancy, and this requires the maintenance of mobility for daily activities, such as standing up and walking. Among these, standing up, a series of movements involved in getting out of a chair or bed, is the starting point of daily activities. Therefore, it is important to clarify the factors that contribute to accomplishing the transition from sitting to standing up. This study attempted to clarify the relationship between motor characteristics and the mechanism of muscle activity involved in the change from sitting to standing up. Specifically, we focused on the activity of the bi-articular muscles involved in the two joints simultaneously rather than joint torque that is the conventional standard for evaluating motion. We probed the mechanistic characteristics of bi-articular muscle activity as well as the main muscles that function during normal standing up motion, namely a natural standing up movement where the trunk is not vertically restricted, using electromyographic analysis, theoretical analysis using a link model based on the muscle arrangement of the lower limb, and experimental analysis using an actual model that reproduces the functions of these muscles to define the muscular activities of the thigh muscles.

Permanent Magnet Installation Optimization of Outer Rotor PMSM Depending on Adding Auxiliary Teeth

To reduce the influence of the permanent magnet (PM) installation error on the electromagnetic characteristics of the outer rotor permanent magnet synchronous motor (OPMSM), the rotor structure of the OPMSM is optimized in this paper. The optimization method of adding auxiliary teeth on the surface of the rotor core is studied, and the influence of different auxiliary teeth heights on the electromagnetic performance of OPMSM is analyzed. It is found that adding auxiliary teeth with suitable height can greatly reduce the installation error of the PM, increase the mechanical stability of the motor, and ensure that the electromagnetic characteristics of the motor remain at a good level. Firstly, the topology and parameters of the motor proposed in this paper are introduced and analyzed. Secondly, the influence of PM installation error on the electromagnetic performance of the motor is analyzed based on the finite element method (FEM), and the necessity of eliminating PM installation error is demonstrated. Then, the parametric scanning method is used to analyze the influence of auxiliary teeth height change on the electromagnetic performance of the motor, and the selection standard of the optimal auxiliary teeth height is determined. By comparing and analyzing OPMSM with different sizes and different pole–slot ratios, the universality of the conclusions is demonstrated.

Design and Multi-Objective Optimization for Improving Torque Performance of a Permanent Magnet-Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Motor

Permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motors (PMA-SynRMs) are widely used in various industries as a relatively inexpensive and high-performance energy conversion device. The model proposed in this article relies on a magnetic pole-biased permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor with a magnetic focusing effect. Two types of models with Halbach array and magnetic focusing effect have been proposed, which increase excitation and make the internal magnetic circuit of the rotor more saturated, thereby achieving higher electromagnetic torque. Through finite element simulation analysis and verification, the motor characteristics of the basic and proposed permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor were calculated, including the air gap flux density and back electromotive force (EMF) in no-load analysis, as well as the average torque, torque ripple, and efficiency in load analysis. In addition, multi-objective optimization was also conducted on the rotor topology structure of proposed model two, using the uniform Latin hypercube sampling method to uniformly sample the data samples and the Pearson correlation coefficients to perform a sensitivity analysis on the data. The pilOPT multi-objective autonomous optimization algorithm was used to perform multi-objective autonomous optimization on parameters with high correlation, and the best-found solution based on the Pareto front was selected. Compared with proposed model two, the average torque of the optimized model increased by 18.14%, the efficiency increased by 1.05% and the torque ripple decreased by 5.22%. Finally, the anti-demagnetization performance of the optimized model’s permanent magnet was analyzed.

Tango classes in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS): Impact on motor and non-motor functions

BackgroundWhile music-based therapy (MBT) has been shown to improve motor and non-motor features in multiple sclerosis (MS), benefits of tango have never been assessed. ObjectiveTo evaluate the benefits of tango classes on quality of life (QoL), mood, fatigue, gait, balance, perception of cognitive disorder and sexuality in people with MS. Methods7 participants (age 41.14 ± 14.27 years, disease duration 14.14 ± 7.6 years) and respective partners undertook one-hour weekly classes for 20 weeks. Participants had early-stage MS (EDSS<3.5). They were assessed for mood (ZUNG rating scale; Beck Depression Inventory -II); balance (Berg Balance Test; Tinetti scale), cognition (MS Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire), SD (Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and QoL (36-Item Short Form Survey). ResultsGroup comparison of pre-post change scores showed a general improvement in all the outcome measures, which was significant in mood, SD, cognition and QoL. Discussions and conclusionTango classes provides benefits to pwMS, especially on non-motor symptoms. Follow-up assessment is required to confirm the durability of these effects.

Do clutterers really speak fast?

Objectives: This study aims to determine whether there is a difference between the speech and articulation rates of people with cluttering (PWC) and controls. Patients and Methods: The descriptive study included 11 PWC (4 males, 7 females; mean age: 36±11 years; range, 23 to 52 years) and 11 controls (4 males, 7 females; mean age: 35.5±10.7 years; range, 22 to 50 years) between February 2023 and May 2023. Three hundred syllables of speech samples were recorded and analyzed using two different rates of speech techniques. Normal disfluencies and pauses were included in the measurements of speech rate, but these linguistic elements were excluded from global time in the calculation of articulation rate. The ratios of 300 syllables to time were compared between the PWC and control groups. Results: According to the descriptive results, the standard deviations of the PWC in both rate assessments were higher. A significant difference was found between the two groups in the speech rate (p=0.001) and articulation rate (p&lt;0.001). The PWC talked about 1.5 syllables per second faster than typical speakers. Conclusion: The objective measurements showed that PWC were mostly rapid speakers. Speech rates of PWC should be addressed as a therapy goal, but there is a need for further studies to examine the speech motor characteristics of PWC.

A GAN based PID controller for highly adaptive control of a pneumatic-artificial-muscle driven antagonistic joint

Upper limb prostheses are commonly propelled by pneumatic artificial muscles organized in an antagonistic arrangement. Nonetheless, the control of upper limb prostheses under changing/unknown situations is difficult and necessary for a variety of real-world applications. Adaptive control, learning-based control, and robust control have been studied to deal with such challenges. However, their adaptability is insufficient for prostheses used in daily life, which are exposed to variable task levels, user motor characteristics, and prosthetic features. This paper introduces a highly adaptive controller for the first time based on Generative Adversarial Nets and proportional–integral–derivative controller (G-PID controller). G-PID controller comprises a generator for generating compensation actions to enhance PID responsiveness when controlling the unknown/changing system. Moreover, it incorporates a discriminator that receives responses from both a user-preselected reference system and the compensated changing/unknown system, and simultaneously determines the source of these responses. Through continuous updates, the compensator modifies the response of unknown/changing system to align with the reference system, thereby facilitating adaptive control. The G-PID controller’s effectiveness is evaluated through 1-degree of freedom (DoF) joint and 2-DoF shoulder prostheses in simulation experiments, and further validated in prototype experiments focusing on online learning for unknown and time-varying payload. The results demonstrate its ability to deal with diverse types of unknowns/changes, marking a significant advancement towards incorporating prostheses seamlessly into daily life.

The Application of Goal Attainment Scaling in Cervical Dystonia - An Exploratory Observational Pilot Study.

Due to its heterogeneous manifestation an individualized approach to reach therapeutic goals in cervical dystonia (CD) is advantageous. The aim of the current study was to adapt goal attainment scaling (GAS) to drive the management of CD. 38 patients with CD, regularly treated with botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), were involved in the current exploratory observational pilot study. GAS, including domains of motor, pain, disability, and psychiatric features, was applied to set up individualized goals with the calculation of initial GAS T-scores. Following at least 4 BoNT injection cycles, patients were reassessed whether they reached the pre-set goals. The initial GAS T-scores (median: 36.9, range: 22.8-40) significantly improved (P < 0.001) to the end of the study (the median of final GAS T-scores: 50, range: 25.5-63.6). The applicability of GAS in CD patients was confirmed, but further large-scale studies are needed refining this innovative approach.

Analysis of the influence of winding phase shift on the comprehensive performance of multi-mode operation characteristics of dual-winding permanent magnet synchronous motor

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate the electromagnetic properties of dual-winding permanent magnet synchronous motors with various winding phase shift angles, both under normal and fault-tolerant operating conditions. Initially, an analysis of the phase shift angle for the dual-winding motor windings is conducted, followed by the design of three distinct configurations with different phase shift angles for a 12-slot 10-pole motor. Subsequently, in the second section, a finite element model is developed to represent both healthy and faulty states of the 12-slot 10-pole dual-winding permanent magnet synchronous motor with varying phase shift angles. The third part of the study involves comparing and analysing the electromagnetic characteristics of the motor under different winding phase shift angles in healthy conditions. The fourth section delves into the comparison and analysis of the electromagnetic properties of motor faults across different winding phase shift angles. Finally, conclusions are drawn based on the analysis and summary of the electromagnetic characteristics of motor faults and health conditions across various winding phase shift angles.

ОЦЕНКА ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИОННЫХ СВОЙСТВ ВЕЗДЕХОДНОГО ТРАНСПОРТНОГО СРЕДСТВА, РАБОТАЮЩЕГО НА ВОДОРОДЕ

The paper considers the reasons for the creation of an all-terrain vehicle powered by hydrogen, using a fuel cell electric power generator as a power unit. The design of the RUSAK K-8 FCEV all-terrain vehicle, characteristics of traction electric motors, traction batteries and inverters are presented. The features of calculating the indicators of traction and speed properties of vehicles running on hydrogen are considered. The introduction of overload coefficients for current and voltage is proposed. The results of calculations of acceleration time and path indicators, indicators of the maximum 30-minute driving speed with and without the entered coefficients are presented. A comparative analysis of the obtained results is carried out. It is proposed to use the parameter of the 30-minute maximum speed as a criterion for choosing the energy intensity of traction batteries or the volumes of hydrogen cylinders.

Optimization of Ultrasonic Motor Control Based on NARX Neural Network

Abstract Compared with traditional motors, ultrasonic motors have the advantages of small size and no noise and are widely used in modern technological fields. This article proposes a neural network-based ultrasonic motor control method and optimizes it to address the difficulty of controlling ultrasonic motors. Firstly, the principle and equivalent circuit of ultrasonic motors are studied, and a phase-shifted PWM method suitable for driving ultrasonic motors is proposed. Secondly, to meet the nonlinear characteristics of ultrasonic motors, a NARX neural network that can be used for nonlinear systems is adopted for optimization control. Finally, an experimental platform was built for the experiment, and the results showed that the proposed H-bridge driving circuit has a wide input voltage range. After using the NARX neural network, the output voltage of the H-bridge circuit is more stable, which can provide a stable driving voltage for the ultrasonic motor. It can provide a certain reference value for the application of ultrasonic motors in modern technology.

Speed control of PM brushless DC motor using sensorless hybrid controller

In most industrial processes, rising productivity necessitates increased demand on electrical motors in order to minimize costs and improve drive system efficiency. The sensorless technique is preferred. Brushless DC (BLDC) motors compete with a wide range of different motor types in the motion control industry. The nonlinearity of BLDC motor characteristics is challenging to manage with a traditional proportional integral derivative (PID) controller. The PID controller's fuzzy logic allowed it to tune itself while operating online. Hybrid approaches outperform stand-alone algorithms because they can overcome their weaknesses without losing their advantage. The purpose of this study is to present a fuzzy PI+D controller that is simulated over a wide range of reference speeds, loads, and parameter variations. This paper presents a model of a sensorless BLDC motor with a speed controller. The responses of the rotor speed, electromagnetic torque, stator back electromotive force (EMF), and stator currents are effectively monitored. The findings from the simulation indicate that the hybrid controller presented in this study exhibits resilience to rapid load torque and parameter fluctuation. Furthermore, it demonstrates superior dynamic performance and exhibits notable enhancements in speed tracking and system stability. The performance of the system is enhanced through the utilization of the proposed hybrid intelligent controller.

Control system of the electric drive of a robot with a dc motor

Problem. Robotics and flexible production systems are the most important technical basis for the intensification of production. The use of robotic systems is expanding every year. This paper considers a two-circuit servo control system using the example of a DC motor current and speed control system and examines the functional diagram of the third circuit, a digital angle control system. Using the Matlab + SIMULINK software package, the servo drive and the digital system for controlling the angular position of the robot manipulator were modelled. Goal. As a result of the analysis, the purpose of the study was highlighted: the development of a digital system for adjusting the angular position of the manipulator, improve the quality of its positioning. Tasks: to study work management systems; to study the drives of robots; to get a mathematical model of an electric motor; to develop a machine diagram of a digital electric drive; to synthesize a three-loop robot positioning control system. Methodology. The research problems should be solved by methods of analysis and synthesis of automatic control systems. Results. In the work, a three-circuit control system of the electric drive of a robot with a direct current motor was developed. Thus, as a result of modeling the operation of a digital electric drive with three control circuits for current, speed and positioning, an aperiodic transient process was provided with quality indicators. Originality. Thus, the results of simulation of the two-loop servo control system showed that the dynamic characteristics of the electric motor in terms of current and speed of rotation, which meet the requirements of the task, are provided by the PI controller in the current control circuit and the PID controller in the speed control circuit. Thus, as a result of modeling the operation of a digital electric drive with three control circuits for current, speed and positioning, an aperiodic transient process was provided with quality indicators. Practical value. The following results were obtained during the research: the best control law for the current circuit is the proportional-integral (PI) law; the best control law for the speed contour is the proportional-integral-differential (PID) law; the best control law for a digital positioning control loop is the proportional (P) law.

Block diagram analysis of speed time characteristics of a simple DC motor and modeling of a PID controller in fuzzy systems engineering

Block diagram analysis of speed time characteristics of a simple DC motor and modeling of a PID controller in fuzzy systems engineering

Optimal shape design to improve torque characteristics of interior permanent magnet synchronous motor for small electric vehicles

Optimal shape design to improve torque characteristics of interior permanent magnet synchronous motor for small electric vehicles

Defining the Quantitative Criteria for Two Basketball Shooting Techniques

For basketball technique elements to become stable and automated, the technique must be executed correctly from the initial stages of the learning process. The jump shot is considered the most crucial shooting action, equally effective in various on-court situations. Ideal techniques may not unconditionally be the best for every player because they differ in motor and morphological characteristics. One of the shooting methods is shot with one hand from the spot, which, in terms of complexity and required motor abilities, is at a lower level of demand when compared to the jump shot. The first aim of this research is to define the kinematic pattern of the jump shot and the shot with one hand from the spot and determine if there are differences between them. The second aim is to establish whether there is a significant difference in the level of motor skills between the two groups. The participant sample consists of 29 junior basketball players. They were divided into two groups: G1 = players who perform the shot with one hand from the spot (N = 14); G2 = players who execute the jump shot (N = 15). MANOVA was used to determine the differences in observed kinematic parameters between the group and in the measured tests assessing motor abilities. The kinematic parameters of the upper extremities, the parameters of the basketball player’s take-off, and the angle of the ball’s impact were analyzed. It was determined that the kinematic pattern of these two shooting techniques significantly differs (F = 12.86, p = 0.00). There was a statistically significant difference between the group of participants performing the jump shot and the group performing the one-handed chest shot from the spot (F = 5.51, p = 0.00) in motor ability tests. The group that performed the jump shot showed significantly better results in three of the five measured tests (PLANK, MED_THR, POL_BACK). Shooting with one hand from the spot is a technically correct shooting method recommended to be performed until the player possesses a certain level of motor skills that enables proper execution of the jump shot.

Effect of motor, non-motor clinical features including sleep quality, and prescription pattern on adherence to antiparkinsonian medications in Parkinson’s disease

Objectives: Adherence to antiparkinsonian medications (APMs) may significantly influence Parkinson’s disease (PD) outcome. The present study assesses the role of motor and non-motor features, and prescription patterns on adherence. Materials and Methods: This observational and cross-sectional study included 50 PD patients taking APMs for ≥24 months. Demographic data, PD characteristics, treatment, and follow-up history were collected. Patients following up at least once in six months were considered as regular, else were labeled irregular. Montreal cognitive assessment, patient health questionnaire-4, Pittsburgh sleep quality (SQ) index, Epworth sleepiness scale, global quality of life (GQOL) scale, and Morisky Green Levine medication adherence scale (MGL-MAS) were used to evaluate cognition, depressive and anxiety features, SQ, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), quality of life (QOL), and APMs adherence, respectively. Results: Nearly half (46%) of the PD patients reported high adherence (MGL-MAS = 0). Most of the clinical characteristics were comparable between those with medium/low and high adherence, except for a larger proportion of patients in the medium/low adherence group belonging to Hoehn–Yahr stage &gt;2 (P = 0.02). A comparable proportion of patients in both groups reported poor SQ (P = 0.52) and EDS (P = 0.32). In comparison to the high adherence group, a significantly lower median GQOL score was observed in the medium/low adherence group (median [interquartile range] = 65 [50–70] vs. 80 [70–85]; P &lt; 0.001). The APMs prescription and follow-up patterns were comparable between both groups. Conclusion: More than half the PD patients reported medium-to-low adherence. While motor severity and depressive symptoms were associated with medium-to-low adherence, poor SQ was comparable in both groups. Those with medium-to-low adherence reported poor QOL.

Skull Density Ratio as Arm-Allocation Parameter for a Controlled Focused Ultrasound Trial in Parkinson's Disease.

MR-guided focused ultrasound (FUS) thermoablation is an established therapy for movement disorders. FUS candidates must meet a predefined threshold of skull density ratio (SDR), a parameter that accounts for the efficiency in reaching ablative temperatures. Randomized sham-controlled trials to provide definitive therapeutic evidence employ pure randomization of subjects into active treatment or control arms. The latter design has several general limitations. To demonstrate that SDR values are not associated with clinically and demographically relevant variables in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This in turn would allow using SDR as an arm-allocation parameter, separating patients who will receive active FUS treatment and best medical management treatment (BMT). We studied a cohort of 215 PD patients who were candidates for FUS subthalamotomy to determine if the SDR was correlated with demographic or clinical variables that could introduce bias for group allocation in a controlled trial. SDR was unassociated with age, gender, and clinical motor features nor with levodopa daily dose in our cohort of PD patients. A negative association with age was found for the female subgroup. Our results show that in a PD population considered for FUS subthalamotomy treatment, the SDR may be a valid group-allocation parameter. This could be considered as the basis for a controlled study comparing FUS subthalamotomy vs BMT.

Language impairment in sporadic and familial (type 8) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A comparative study.

Language is frequently affected in patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS), with reduced performance in naming, syntactic comprehension, grammatical expression, and orthographic processing. However, the language profile of patients with familial type 8 ALS (ALS8), linked to p.P56S VAPB mutation, remains unclear. We investigated language in patients with ALS8 by examining their auditory comprehension and verbal production. We included three groups of participants: (1) patients with sALS (n = 20), (2) patients with familial ALS8 (n = 22), and (3) healthy controls (n = 21). The groups were matched for age, sex, and education level. All participants underwent a comprehensive language battery, including the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, the reduced Token test, letter fluency, categorical fluency (animals), word definition from the Cambridge Semantic Memory Research Battery, and a narrative discourse analysis. Participants also were evaluated using Addenbrooke's Cognitive Exam-Revised Version, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised. Compared to controls, sALS and ALS8 patients had impaired performance on oral (syntactic and phonological processing) comprehension and inappropriate discourse cohesion. sALS and ALS8 did not differ in any language measure. There was no correlation between language scores and functional and psychiatric scales. ALS8 patients exhibit language deficits that are independent of motor features. These findings are consistent with the current evidence suggesting that ALS8 has prominent non-motor features.

Staged Bilateral MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Subthalamotomy for Parkinson Disease

Unilateral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided focused ultrasound subthalamotomy (FUS-STN) improves cardinal motor features among patients with asymmetrical Parkinson disease (PD). The feasibility of bilateral FUS-STN is as yet unexplored. To assess the safety and effectiveness of staged bilateral FUS-STN to treat PD. This prospective, open-label, case series study was conducted between June 18, 2019, and November 7, 2023, at HM-CINAC, Puerta del Sur University Hospital, Madrid, Spain, and included 6 patients with PD who had been treated with unilateral FUS-STN contralateral to their most affected body side and whose parkinsonism on the untreated side had progressed and was not optimally controlled with medication. Staged bilateral FUS-STN. Primary outcomes were assessed 6 months after the second treatment and included safety (incidence and severity of adverse events after second treatment) and effectiveness in terms of motor change (measured with the Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III [MDS-UPDRS III]) in the off-medication state (ie, after at least 12 hours of antiparkinsonian drug withdrawal) compared with baseline (ie, prior to the first side ablation). Secondary outcomes included motor change in patients in the on-medication state (ie, after usual antiparkinsonian medication intake), motor complications (measured with the MDS-UPDRS IV), daily living activities (measured with the MDS-UPDRS I-II), quality of life (measured with the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire), change in dopaminergic treatment, patient's global impression of change (measured with the Global Impression of Change [PGI-C] scale), and long-term (24-month) follow-up. Of 45 patients previously treated with unilateral FUS-STN, 7 were lost to follow-up, and 4 were excluded due to adverse events. Of the remaining 34 patients, 6 (median age at first FUS-STN, 52.6 years [IQR, 49.0-57.3 years]; 3 women [50%]) experienced progression of parkinsonism on the untreated body side and were included. At the time of the first FUS-STN, patients' median duration of disease was 5.7 years (IQR, 4.7-7.3 years). The median time between procedures was 3.2 years (IQR, 1.9-3.5 years). After the second FUS-STN, 4 patients presented with contralateral choreic dyskinesia, which resolved by 3 months. Four patients developed speech disturbances, which gradually improved but remained in a mild form for 2 patients at 6 months; 1 patient experienced mild imbalance and dysphagia during the first week after treatment, which subsided by 3 months. No behavioral or cognitive disturbances were found on neuropsychological testing. For patients in the off-medication state, MDS-UPDRS III scores improved by 52.6% between baseline and 6 months after the second FUS-STN (from 37.5 [IQR, 34.2-40.0] to 20.5 [IQR, 8.7-24.0]; median difference, 23.0 [95% CI, 7.0-33.7]; P = .03). The second treated side improved by 64.3% (MDS-UPDRS III score, 17.0 [IQR, 16.0-19.5] prior to the second treatment vs 5.5 [IQR, 3.0-10.2]; median difference, 9.5 [95% CI, 3.2-17.7]; P = .02). After the second procedure, all self-reported PGI-C scores were positive. Findings of this pilot study suggest that staged bilateral FUS-STN was safe and effective for the treatment of PD, although mild but persistent speech-related adverse events were observed among a small number of patients.

Dynamic Testing of a Hybrid-Propellant Water-Breathing Ram Rocket in Underwater Cruise Conditions

High-speed submerged marine vehicles, such as torpedoes, traveling at velocities of an order of 100 m/s and above, require powerful propulsion to overcome the tremendous hydrodynamic drag. This paper aims to investigate a marine hybrid-propellant water-breathing ram rocket (marine ramjet or ducted rocket) under various underwater cruise conditions. At high underwater cruise speeds, the ram rocket outperforms regular rocket motors, substantially increasing its specific impulse and thrust. This investigation utilized a unique test facility capable of dynamically testing the marine ramjet. Over 20 dynamic experiments have been conducted, revealing the submerged motor characteristics at different cruise speeds, water-to-propellant mass ratios, and oxidizer-to-fuel mass ratios, thereby creating a performance map of the marine ramjet. The results were compared with static firing data and theoretical calculations, showing a good agreement with standard specific impulse improvement of about 55% compared to a regular hybrid rocket, reaching a maximum value of 380 s. The significant increase in performance demonstrates the potential of the water-breathing ramjet for propelling high-speed underwater vehicles.