Movement Distance Research Articles

Assessing intra- and interfraction motion and its dosimetric impacts on cervical cancer adaptive radiotherapy based on 1.5T MR-Linac

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to quantify the intra- and interfraction motion of the target volume and organs at risk (OARs) during adaptive radiotherapy (ART) for uterine cervical cancer (UCC) using MR-Linac and to identify appropriate UCC target volume margins for adapt-to-shape (ATS) and adapt-to-position (ATP) workflows. Then, the dosimetric differences caused by motion were analyzed.MethodsThirty-two UCC patients were included. Magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained before and after each treatment. The maximum and average shifts in the centroid of the target volume and OARs along the anterior/posterior (A/P: Y axes), cranial/caudal (Cr/C: Z axes), and right/left (R/L: X axes) directions were analyzed through image contours. The bladder wall deformation in six directions and the differences in the volume of the organs were also analyzed. Additionally, the motion of the upper, middle and lower rectum was quantified. The correlation between OAR displacement/deformation and target volume displacement was evaluated. The planning CT dose distribution was mapped to the MR image to generate a plan based on the new anatomy, and the dosimetric differences caused by motion were analyzed.ResultsFor intrafraction motion, the clinical tumor volume (CTV) range of motion along the XYZ axes was within 5 mm; for interfraction motion, the range of motion along the X axis was within 5 mm, and the maximum distances of motion along the Y axis and Z axis were 7.45 and 6.59 mm, respectively. Additionally, deformation of the superior and anterior walls of the bladder was most noticeable. The largest magnitude of motion was observed in the upper segment of the rectum. Posterior bladder wall displacement was correlated with rectal and CTV centroid Y-axis displacement (r = 0.63, r = 0.50, P < 0.05). Compared with the interfractional plan, a significant decrease in the planning target volume (PTV) D98 (7.5 Gy, 7.54 Gy) was observed. However, there were no significant differences within the intrafraction.ConclusionDuring ART for UCC patients using MR-Linac, we recommend an ATS workflow using isotropic PTV margins of 5 mm based on intrafraction motion. Based on interfraction motion, the recommended ATP workflow uses anisotropic PTV margins of 5 mm in the R/L direction, 8 mm in the A/P direction, and 7 mm in the Cr/C direction to compensate for dosimetric errors due to motion.

Histomorphometric analysis of external apical root resorption using L-loops and different intrusive forces

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to conduct a histomorphometric analysis on the impact of varying intrusive forces on external apical root resorption (EARR) in rat molars, using an L-loop was employed to apply intrusion forces, artificially inducing EARR in the maxillary left first molar (M1) of rats. Materials and methods The L-loop was bent on a plaster rat model using stainless steel round wires with diameters of 0.014 and 0.016 inches. Using a universal test force measuring device, L-loops were calibrated to 4 N/mm and 6 N/mm for the 0.014-inch and 0.016-inch diameter stainless steel round wires, respectively. Fifteen-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were used and divided into the control (no loop) and experimental (0.014 and 0.016) groups (n = 5 for each group). The L-loop was attached to the left maxillary molar, applying an intrusive force to M1. After 15 days, the rats were euthanized. Maxillary bones were analysed using micro-computed tomography (μCT), evaluating M1 intrusive distance of vertical tooth movement and counting the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells on the surface of the mesial root apex and alveolar bone. Results The L-loop groups exhibited significantly increased M1 intrusive distance and TRAP-positive cell counts compared to controls. Specifically, the 0.016 group demonstrated greater M1 intrusive distance and more TRAP-positive cells than the 0.014 group. The M1 intrusive distance and TRAP-positive cells increased when intrusive forces were applied using L-loops of different diameters. Conclusion Greater intrusive forces enhance TRAP-positive cell activity, influencing EARR and vertical tooth movement.

Inferring long‐distance movements of insects using combined hydrogen isotope and genetic analyses: A case study of the African edible bush‐cricket

Abstract The degree to which individuals within populations vary in whether, how far and what direction they disperse is central in order to understand many foundational questions in ecological entomology, including factors determining population and invasion dynamics, species' ability to respond to climate change or when designing conservation strategies for threatened species. This study combined stable hydrogen isotope analysis of nymphal and adult wing chitin with population genetic analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene to understand long‐distance movements of African edible bush cricket (Ruspolia differens) in East Africa. Results revealed that at most 77% of non‐swarming adults and 85% swarming adults originated locally, that is, within a range of a few hundred kilometres. In contrast, non‐local adults captured in Uganda likely originated from Ethiopia, Kenya or South Sudan based on the H isotopic evidence. Genetic analysis revealed 150 COI haplotypes with no significant differentiation among geographic source regions and no evidence of genetic isolation by movement distance. The observed frequent long‐distance movements, together with the historical records, which indicate that the swarm movements can be irregular in their direction, suggest that the movements represent nomadism rather than regular long‐distance migration. Our results thus provide a valuable case study of what characterizes nomadic movements in insects, which have been one of the outstanding open questions in movement ecology of animals.

A novel multi-modal model to assist the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder using eye-tracking data.

Timely and accurate detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is essential for early intervention and improved patient outcomes. This study aims to harness the power of machine learning (ML) techniques to improve ASD detection by incorporating temporal eye-tracking data. We developed a novel ML model to leverage eye scan paths, sequences of distances of eye movement, and a sequence of fixation durations, enhancing the temporal aspect of the analysis for more effective ASD identification. We utilized a dataset of eye-tracking data without augmentation to train our ML model, which consists of a CNN-GRU-ANN architecture. The model was trained using gaze maps, the sequences of distances between eye fixations, and durations of fixations and saccades. Additionally, we employed a validation dataset to assess the model's performance and compare it with other works. Our ML model demonstrated superior performance in ASD detection compared to the VGG-16 model. By incorporating temporal information from eye-tracking data, our model achieved higher accuracy, precision, and recall. The novel addition of sequence-based features allowed our model to effectively distinguish between ASD and typically developing individuals, achieving an impressive precision value of 93.10% on the validation dataset. This study presents an ML-based approach to ASD detection by utilizing machine learning techniques and incorporating temporal eye-tracking data. Our findings highlight the potential of temporal analysis for improved ASD detection and provide a promising direction for further advancements in the field of eye-tracking-based diagnosis and intervention for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Pyramid floating solar still with enhanced condensation surfaces operating under actual weather conditions

The potential solution offered by floating solar still (FSS) to water scarcity confronts challenges associated with condensate droplet loss and structural instability under oceanic and swaying condition. A novel pyramid FSS with reduced wettability surfaces (silicon nano-coated) was proposed, utilizing central symmetry structure of pyramid to reinforce the stability and adopting nano-coated surfaces to enhance the condensation. A 4-day outdoor experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance. The highest yield of nano-coated FSS was 1.017 kg/m2/d under an accumulated irradiation of 15.166 MJ/m2/d, which was 16.76% higher than that of uncoated FSS. Furthermore, the yield of nano-coated FSS was 0.949 kg/m2/d in the river experiment, showing a significant improvement. Next, the enhancement of nano-coated surface on droplet collection was numerically analyzed, showing that the condensation droplets could retain their complete shape until detachment. In contrast, the detachment process on the uncoated surface involved a separation of neck, leaving a residue of liquid behind. Quantitative analysis showed longer movement distances and faster travel velocities for droplets on the nano-coated surface, and these two improvements could facilitate condensate collection. Furthermore, the cost analysis reveals a CPL of 0.129 $/L for the proposed FSS, suggesting its affordability for off-grid communities.

Evaluation of Clinical Benefits of IoT Device Solutions in Operating Rooms

To explore device solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance the efficiency of daytime operating rooms and process management in inpatient departments, and to address the issues of frequent and lengthy movements by anesthesiologists and circulating nurses. The study aims to evaluate the impact on surgical patients, determine the benefits of the proposed plan, reduce the duration of surgery for patients, and increase medical staff satisfaction. A comparative experiment was conducted between operating rooms with the implementation of IoT device solutions and those without. Quantitative data recorded were empirically analyzed using the t test. The operating room utilizing the IoT solution experienced a reduction in the number and distance of movements by anesthesiologists and circulating nurses, as well as in the time required for surgical documentation, resulting in higher satisfaction levels. The use of the IoT plan in the operating room can improve operational efficiency, reduce documentation time, and enhance the work efficiency of anesthesiologists and circulating nurses through real-time data-driven decision-making.

Satellite telemetry reveals complex mixed movement strategies in ibis and spoonbills of Australia: implications for water and wetland management.

Waterbird population and species diversity maintenance are important outcomes of wetland conservation management, but knowledge gaps regarding waterbird movements affect our ability to understand and predict waterbird responses to management at appropriate scales. Movement tracking using satellite telemetry is now allowing us to fill these knowledge gaps for highly mobile waterbirds at continental scales, including in remote areas for which data have been historically difficult to acquire. We used GPS satellite telemetry to track the movements of 122 individuals of three species of ibis and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) in Australia from 2016 to 2023. We analysed movement distances, residency periods and areas, and foraging-site fidelity. From this we derived implications for water and wetland management for waterbird conservation. This is the first multi-year movement tracking data for ibis and spoonbills in Australia, with some individuals tracked continuously for more than five years including from natal site to first breeding attempt. Tracking revealed both inter- and intra-specific variability in movement strategies, including residency, nomadism, and migration, with individuals switching between these behaviours. During periods of residency, areas used and distances travelled to forage were highly variable and differed significantly between species. Sixty-five percent of identified residency areas were not associated with wetlands formally listed nationally or internationally as important. Tracking the movements of waterbirds provides context for coordinated allocation of management resources, such as provision of environmental water at appropriate places and times for maximum conservation benefit. This study highlights the geographic scales over which these birds function and shows how variable waterbird movements are. This illustrates the need to consider the full life cycle of these birds when making management decisions and evaluating management impacts. Increased knowledge of the spatio-temporal interactions of waterbirds with their resource needs over complete life cycles will continue to be essential for informing management aimed at increasing waterbird numbers and maintaining long-term diversity.

Sex differences in the role of AKAP12 in behavioral function of middle-aged mice

A-kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12) is a key scaffolding protein that regulates cellular signaling by anchoring protein kinase A (PKA) and other signaling molecules. While recent studies suggest an important role for AKAP12 in the brain, including cognitive functions, its role in middle-aged mice and potential sex differences are not fully understood. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of AKAP12 on cognitive and exploratory behavior in middle-aged mice, focusing on sex differences. Cognitive function was assessed using the spontaneous Y-maze test and the novel object recognition test (NORT). No significant sex differences in cognitive function were found in middle-aged C57BL/6J mice; however, female mice showed greater exploratory behavior during the NORT. In addition, both middle-aged male and female Akap12 knockout (KO) mice performed similarly to wild-type (WT) mice in the Y-maze test, but had lower discrimination indices in the NORT, suggesting a potential role for AKAP12 in short-term memory. Notably, exploratory behavior was suppressed in female Akap12 KO mice compared to WT mice, whereas male Akap12 KO mice did not show this effect. There were no significant differences in movement distance and velocity during the Y-maze test and NORT between WT and KO mice of either sex. These results indicate that AKAP12 affects cognitive function and exploratory behavior in middle-aged mice and that these effects differ between sexes.

Effects of Black Rice Anthocyanin Extract on Depression-Like Behavior in Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model Mice

Objective: To investigate the effects of black rice anthocyanins extract (BSE) on depression-like behavior in mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Methods: A total of 30 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into Control group, model group (CUMS) and black rice anthocyanin extract group (300 mg/kg). Except the blank group, all mice were treated with CUMS to induce depression. After 21 days of intragastric administration, the behavioral changes of the mice were analyzed by body weight, sucrose preference test, open field test, and water maze test. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT). Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the pathological changes of neurons in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions. Cell apoptosis in hippocampus was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dutP Nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Results: Compared with the model group, the brown-rice anthocyanin treatment group showed significantly increased sucrose preference, increased horizontal movement distance and vertical standing times in the open field test, decreased escape latency in the water maze test, increased residence time in the target quadrant and the number of crossing the platform, and alleviated the damage of hippocampal neurons. Plasma ACTH, CORT, and CRH levels were decreased, and apoptosis rates in the hippocampus were decreased. Conclusion: Black rice anthocyanins have a significant antidepressant effect possibly by regulating the function of HPA axis.

Theoretical model construction and static performance analysis of multi-leaf journal foil bearings

Abstract Multi-leaf journal foil bearing (MLJFB) structures are complex, making performance prediction challenging, and the accurate prediction of gas film thickness and pressure distributions is crucial. In this study, COMSOL finite-element software was used to establish an initial foil assembly and structural deformation simulation model for an MLJFB with bump foils. Using MATLAB, a compressible gas lubrication model was established and solved using the finite volume method (FVM). Real-time data transfer between COMSOL and MATLAB enabled a fully coupled fluid-structure interaction simulation. This model meticulously accounts for the pre-tension force in the multi-leaf bearing assembly, contact friction between adjacent foils, and the interaction between the top foil and gas film pressure. The effects of journal movement distance, direction, and top foil overlapping ratio on the bearing capacity as well as the effects of different external load directions on the journal equilibrium position were analyzed based on this model. The results indicate that increasing the top foil overlapping ratio enhances the bearing capacity of the MLJFB. Furthermore, compared to the direction of the top foil overlap position, external loads applied in the direction of the top foil midpoint are more beneficial for bearing operational stability.

The Temporal Changes in Ankle Joint Pathology, Pain and Secondary Osteoporosis in Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rats.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a synovial inflammation-associated autoimmune disease with secondary osteoporosis. Pain is the most important symptom of RA, and some patients with well-controlled inflammation may still experience pain. To explore the relationship and dynamic changes between synovial inflammation and pain and bone destruction in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model rats, and to choose a better time window for drug treatment. The CIA model rats were constructed for 1, 2, 3, and 4-week groups. The changes were observed by joint swelling and behavioral assessment. The paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PWT) was used for pain assessment. The micro-CT was used to assess joint injury and bone destruction. The biomechanics were performed to evaluate tension and compression test. The histological staining was used to observe ankle joint pathology. The immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to estimate the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and c-fos. The results showed that the degree of joint swelling, synovial hyperplasia, and inflammatory response were alleviated to varying extents over time. However, there were no significant changes in bone destruction, osteoclasts, or the maximum load of compression and tension. It showed secondary osteoporosis from the first week of the CIA model with no significant changes during the course of the experiment. There was no significant improvement in the PWT, and the expression of CGRP and c-fos was significantly increased over time, indicating hyperalgesia aggravation. Additionally, the result showed that repeated open-field tests might reduce the total distance of spontaneous movement. The results suggested that the pain and joint inflammation might not be synchronized, possibly related to post-inflammatory hyperalgesia. CIA model could be used for the study of pain, also relatively stable and suitable for the study of RA with secondary osteoporosis.

Study of Collaborative Space in Rebar Tying Robotic Systems

Abstract In the process of rebar tying operations conducted by multiple robots, the flexibility and operability of the robot’s end effector directly influence the overall performance of the rebar tying system. This reflects the crucial role of the coordinated working capability of multiple robots in the trajectory planning of the rebar tying system. Utilizing an eight degrees of freedom rebar tying system composed of two collaborative robots and a truss structure, the D-H (Denavit-Hartenberg) dynamic model for each robotic arm is established. The working area of the system is ascertained via Monte Carlo methods. Flexibility and operability are adopted as metrics to evaluate the system’s performance, subsequently leading to the formulation of a mathematical model for assessing the system’s flexibility. MATLAB is employed to delineate the robotic working range and simulate analysis of flexibility and operability when operating on the rebar tying plane, yielding an intuitive distribution of system flexibility. By analysing the distribution of flexibility and operability across the working plane at varying robot spacing intervals, an optimal robot movement distance can be determined. This ensures that during operational tasks, the rebar tying system not only possesses a larger total working area but also maintains a high level of flexibility and operability within the collaborative region, thereby fulfilling the objective of enhancing workspace utilization and improving rebar tying efficiency.

A Study on the Drift Characteristics of the Yellow Sea Using the Finite Element Model

This study investigates the drift characteristics of the Yellow Sea using a finite element model. A tidal model of the Yellow Sea was constructed, and its accuracy was verified by comparing the calculated tide levels and tidal current results with observed data. Six points with distinct tidal characteristics were selected across different areas of the Yellow Sea, and the drift paths due to tidal currents were analyzed. Additionally, the drift paths under the influence of increasing wind, in combination with tidal currents, were examined. At the point where a north-south reciprocating current occurs, the particle movement distance increases when a southwesterly wind blows, compared to the influence of the currents alone. On the other hand, at the point characterized by a counterclockwise elliptical current, the drift distance either increases or decreases depending on the location. The relationship between wind and water depth was analyzed, revealing that the shallower the water depth, the greater the wind's influence, leading to increased particle movement.

Does robotic surgical assistant (ROSA) functionally aligned TKA lead to higher satisfaction than conventional mechanically aligned TKA: A propensity-matched pair analysis

ObjectivesTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the established treatment for severe knee osteoarthritis, with robotic-assisted TKA (rTKA) proposed to enhance surgical precision and potentially improve outcomes. This study investigates whether functionally-aligned rTKA using the ROSA Knee System results in superior functional outcomes and patient satisfaction compared to conventional mechanically aligned TKA (mTKA). MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, propensity-score matched cohort study including 154 patients (46 rTKA, 108 mTKA) who underwent primary TKA by a single surgeon from October 2020 to October 2023. Functionally-aligned (FA) rTKA was performed using the ROSA Knee System. Patients were assessed using the Short-Form 36 (SF36), Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS), Knee Society Function Score (KSFS), and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Immediate postoperative outcomes such as pain at rest and movement, ambulation distance, and range of motion were measured. Statistical analysis evaluated results at a 95 % confidence interval, with significance at P < 0.05. ResultsNo significant differences were observed in immediate postoperative pain at rest (P = 0.988), pain during movement (P = 0.634), ambulation distance (P = 0.243), and range of motion (P = 0.752) between the groups. At 6 months, there were no significant differences between rTKA and mTKA in achieving the minimal clinically important difference for SF36 (P = 0.996), KSKS (P = 0.150), KSFS (P = 0.091), and OKS (P = 0.949). No significant differences were noted for satisfaction levels (P = 0.315) and fulfilled expectations (P = 0.557) between both groups. ConclusionsAt 6 months postoperatively, FA rTKA demonstrated equivalent outcomes and satisfaction levels compared to mTKA. Future research should focus on examining longer-term follow-up outcomes, quantifying gap balance in MA mTKA to allow direct comparison with rTKA and studying alternative personalised alignment rTKA strategies to enhance patient outcomes.

Variation in diurnal and nocturnal movements distances revealed in wintering dabbling ducks in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley

Movement of waterfowl during winter is central to resource acquisition and mortality avoidance, despite the imminent risk to survival and overall fitness induced by hunting disturbance and energy expenditure. Weather and other environmental conditions may influence movement by altering resource needs, in which ducks must balance the trade‐offs of resource acquisition and risk management. We compared how environmental factors influenced total daily diurnal and nocturnal movement distances of three dabbling duck species wintering in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. We estimated total daily diurnal and nocturnal movement distances of green‐winged teal (Anas crecca; n = 51), American wigeon (Mareca americana; n = 38), and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos; n = 31) using backpack transmitters during the winter period of February–November 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. We used linear mixed effects models to model the influence of weather, hunt season, day of season, and sex on total diurnal and nocturnal movement distances by species. Green‐winged teal moved 7.7% further during the nocturnal period (x̅ = 3.38 km; SE = 0.32; p &lt; 0.001) than during the diurnal period (x̅ = 3.13 km SE = 0.10), while American wigeon and mallards moved 36.6% (x̅ = 4.95 km; SE = 0.20; p &lt; 0.001) and 28.1% (x̅ = 4.39 km; SE = 0.23; p &lt; 0.001) further during the diurnal period than the nocturnal period (x̅ = 3.42 km, SE = 0.28 and x̅ = 3.31 km, SE = 0.22), respectively. Fine‐scale movement distances during the diurnal period were weakly associated with environmental covariates for all species. Conversely, moon illumination influenced nocturnal movement distances for all species. Nightly movement distances of mallards increased by 2.1 times from new to full moon during the hunting season. Conversely, there were no changes in nocturnal movement distance during pre‐hunt and post‐hunt periods when hunting disturbance was absent. In the face of intensifying environmental pressures on movement patterns in dabbling duck populations, this research demonstrates a behavioral response to moon illumination as a mechanism for moving about the landscape for resource acquisition in the presence of human disturbances that induce risk, such as hunting.

The Attachment of Juvenile Mussels via Byssus Weakened by Contaminated Polyethylene Fibers.

In the process of mussel farming, the rope for attachment is indispensable, as it provides a stable attachment environment for mussel seedlings, directly affecting their survival rate and growth quality. The objective of this study is to examine the contamination of ropes, composed of polyethylene fibers, by heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) after three years of deployment and to assess its influence on the attachment and locomotion behaviors of juvenile mussels. Utilizing a laboratory simulation of the seedling wrapping process, a comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the number of juvenile mussels attached and their movement distances when exposed to contaminated old ropes versus uncontaminated new ropes. The findings indicated that the old ropes markedly diminished the attachment rate of juvenile mussels and heightened their movement distances. In particular, juvenile mussels utilizing old ropes exhibited a final attachment rate of 15.0% and an average movement distance of 0.86 cm, whereas those using new ropes achieved a final attachment rate of 96.7% with an average movement distance of 0.26 cm. Further inspection found that heavy metals and PAHs were present in the old rope, among which the concentrations of Zn (17.127 μg/g) and Pb (22.905 μg/g) in heavy metals were high, and the concentrations of Phe (5.53 μg/kg), Fla (6.35 μg/kg), and Pyr (5.17 μg/kg) in PAHs exceeded the detection limits, which were the main source of pollution. This research underscores the potential risk that heavy metal and PAHs contamination pose to the health of juvenile mussels and the profitability of aquaculture, emphasizing the critical need for the regular replacement of clean ropes.

Behavioral changes of transgenic mice carrying Adrb1-A187V mutation with short sleep duration under different dietary conditions

To observe the effects of restricted and high-fat diets on behavioral changes of wild-type (Adrb1+/+) and transgenic mice carrying Adrb1-A187V mutation (Adrb1+/m) with short sleep durations. Adrb1+/+ and Adrb1+/m C57BL/6 mice were randomized into normal chow group (25 Adrb1+/+ and 26 Adrb1+/m mice for behavioral monitoring), odor retention fasting group (17 Adrb1+/+ and 19 Adrb1+/m mice for behavioral monitoring; 6 Adrb1+/+ mice and 6 Adrb1+/m mice for EEG/EMG monitoring), absolute fasting group (6 Adrb1+/+ and 4-5 Adrb1+/m mice for behavioral monitoring; 6 Adrb1+/+ and 6 Adrb1+/m mice for EEG/EMG monitoring), and high-fat diet group (6 Adrb1+/+ and 7 Adrb1+/m mice for behavioral monitoring; 6 Adrb1+/+ and 6 Adrb1+/m mice for EEG/EMG monitoring). Electrodes for EEG and muscle activity monitoring were implanted on the skulls of the mice. After 24 h of odor retention fasting, absolute fasting, or high-fat feeding, the mice were observed for behavioral changes adapted to diet changes. In odor retention fasting experiment, Adrb1+/m mice exhibited more stable fluctuations of activities with mildly reduced movement and prolonged sleep duration, indicating enhanced starvation resistance. In absolute fasting experiment, Adrb1+/m mice showed significantly increased nighttime water intake, improved rhythmicity in water intake (frequent intakes in small amounts), and increased duration of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). In the high-fat diet experiment, Adrb1+/m mice showed higher levels of activity with increased instances of nighttime rearing, longer movement distances, and increased rapid eye movement sleep during daytime. Adrb1+/m mice can quickly respond to environmental changes and under restricted dietary conditions, they can conserve energy by increasing sleep to maintain energy homeostasis but show higher levels of activity under high-fat dietary conditions.

Revealing the different levels of action monitoring in visuomotor transformation task: Evidence from decomposition of cortical potentials.

This study investigates the cortical correlates of motor response control and monitoring, using the Theory of Event Coding (TEC)as a framework to investigate signals related to low-level sensory processing of motor reafference and high-level response monitoring, including verification of response outcomes with the internal model. We used a visuomotor paradigm with two targets at different distances from the participant. For the recorded movement-related cortical potentials (MRCPs), we analyzed their different components and assessed the movement phases during which they are active. Residual iteration decomposition (RIDE) and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) were used for this analysis. Using RIDE, we separated MRCPs into signals related to different parallel processes of visuomotor transformation: stimulus processing (S-cluster), motor response preparation and execution (R-cluster), and intermediate processes (C-cluster). We revealed sequential activation in the R-cluster, with execution-related negative components and positive contralateral peaks reflecting reafference processing. We also identified the motor post-imperative negative variation within the R-cluster, highlighting the response outcome evaluation process included in the action file. Our findings extend the understanding of C-cluster signals, typically associated with stimulus-response mapping, by demonstrating C-activation from the preparatory stages through to response termination, highlighting its participation in action monitoring. In addition, we highlighted the ability of MVPA to identify movement-related attribute encoding: where statistical analysis showed independence of stimulus processing activity from movement distance, MVPA revealed distance-related differences in the S-cluster within a time window aligned with the lateralized readiness potential (LRP). This highlights the importance of integrating RIDE and MVPA to uncover the intricate neural dynamics of motor control, sensory integration, and response monitoring.

Validating the Definition of Lumbar Instability-A Cross-Sectional Study with 420 Healthy Volunteers.

Background/Objectives: Low back pain is thought to be caused by lumbar instability. To date, multiple definitions of radiological lumbar instability have been used without verifying the "normal range" of the lumbar segmental mobility. Ideally, normative data for lumbar mobility in healthy individuals are required to establish an acceptable threshold for lumbar instability. This study aims to elucidate (i) the prevalence of so-called radiological lumbar instability at each lumbar spine level in conventional criteria and (ii) a practical radiological threshold for lumbar instability in healthy individuals. Methods: Participants completed a questionnaire and underwent standard active dynamic radiography of the lumbar spine in the standing position. Intervertebral range of motion (IROM) and sagittal translation distance (ΔST) were measured at each intervertebral level. Nachemson's criteria of radiological lumbar instability were applied. Results: This study involved four hundred and twenty participants (249 males and 171 females); 76% (320/420) met the criteria for radiological lumbar instability. The definition of lumbar instability based on IROM and ΔST was achieved by 0.2% and 1.7% of participants at the L5-sacrum (L5-S) level, respectively. Conclusions: The normative data of lumbar mobility were obtained from a large number of participants who had less LBP-related ADL disability. The widely accepted criteria for lumbar instability were not applicable except for the L5-S level. Further studies of lumbar mobility, including patients with severe LBP, might prove the relationship between hypermobility of the lumbar spine and LBP.

Effects of end-effector robotic arm reach training with functional electrical stimulation for chronic stroke survivors

ABSTRACT Background Upper-extremity dysfunction significantly affects dependence in the daily lives of stroke survivors, limiting their participation in the social environment and reducing their quality of life. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of end-effector robotic arm reach training (RAT) with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on upper-limb motor recovery in chronic stroke survivors. Methods In this single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 28 chronic stroke survivors were randomized to receive RAT-with-FES and RAT-without-FES for 40 min/day, three times per week over a 4-week period, and the data of 26 participants were used in the final analysis. Upper-limb motor recovery was measured using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and kinematics (movement time, speed, and distance) during reaching movements toward targets placed in three directions (ipsilateral, median, and contralateral sides) were measured using a robotic arm. Results The upper-limb motor recovery (FMA and kinematics) improvement for the within-group comparisons tended to be greater in the RAT-with-FES group than in the RAT-without-FES group. However, in the between-group comparison, no significant differences were found in FMA, and significant differences were observed only for 2 distance parameters of kinematic factors: total (23.0% vs. 1.7%) and straight total (25.5% vs. 2.6%) distance on the ipsilateral side (p < 0.05). Conclusions This study was unable to clearly reveal the positive effects of electrical stimulation combined with robotic arm training. However, we believe that it provides basic data that furthers our understanding of the role of hybrid neuroprostheses in stroke rehabilitation and the factors determining successful treatment.