Motor Components Research Articles

Моделирование потерь энергии в асинхронном электродвигателе

Special operating conditions of operating electric motors in the agro-industrial sector determine their high accident rate. The rapid introduction of frequency converters leads to the need to analyze the thermal state of electric machines in non-nominal and emergency operating modes and the development of relevant software simulation model of electric drive performance in various operating modes. The thermal computer model developed by the authors and based on the calculation of all losses in an electric machine makes it possible to analyze the aerodynamics of the machine and temperature conditions. As a result of the model implementation, the speeds and directions of air flows in the individual components of the electric motor are established in the Comsol software. It is noted that the air flow velocity changes dramatically from the beginning of the air channel to the end - from 14 m/s to 3 m/s. The multiphysics interface in the software product combines aerodynamic analysis and thermal research. The results of thermal analysis showed that under nominal operating conditions the maximum body temperature was 43 degrees, and the temperature of the stator winding front part was 112 degrees. Studies of the transient process of electric motor start-up showed uneven heating of the front and back parts of the stator winding, the temperature difference was 3 degrees. The obtained computer model will make it possible to establish the influence of losses in the machine, environmental conditions, constructive elements of the electric motor on the temperature of individual components of the research object. Change of operating conditions and regulation of the rotor speed can also be estimated by means of the obtained computer model. Determining a more heated part of the machine makes it possible to properly install the temperature sensors of the emergency protection devices.

Functionally integrated additive manufactured rotor components for torque-dense aircraft electric motors

In dealing with emissions targets worldwide, fundamental questions about the future arise for commercial aviation. The resulting consequences for aviation require efforts to make air traffic CO2 neutral. In this context, electrification is an important building block to enable the aviation industry to provide transport in the future with increasing traffic volumes. To achieve this goal, electric motors for flight operation must have a high power and torque density and operate as energy-efficiently as possible. The PM synchronous motors predominantly proposed for such applications have above average efficiencies but could provide higher peak powers if they could be thermally more loaded. In particular, the sensitive permanent magnets lose efficiency as the operating temperature of the electric motor increases, reducing the maximum possible torque of the motor. Since conventional rotor construction methods limit the design, additive manufacturing is used to develop a rotor design that allows the rotor magnets to be cooled in close range to their contours. In addition, by selective laser melting mechanical, thermal, and magnetic functions are integrated. A process for hybrid manufacturing of novel rotor topologies is proposed. For this purpose, the rather conventional rotor topology is replaced by an additive function-integrated component for a reference electric motor. By means of an FEM analysis, it was shown that the mechanical strength of the alternative fixation method is maintained. Using adequate design guidelines, the AM structural components were fabricated in aluminum and an iron-nickel alloy and the permanent magnets were secured on it using 1K-epoxy adhesive. CFD analysis was used to simulate the flow conditions and heat transfer to the coolant in the internal structures of the AM components. Finally, the effect of the integrated cooling function was verified with an experimental setup. The results show that the torque influencing factor of the magnetic induction can be increased.

Ring formation by Vibrio fusion protein composed of FliF and FliG, MS-ring and C-ring component of bacterial flagellar motor in membrane.

The marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus has a single flagellum as a locomotory organ at the cell pole, which is rotated by the Na+-motive force to swim in a liquid. The base of the flagella has a motor composed of a stator and rotor, which serves as a power engine to generate torque through the rotor-stator interaction coupled to Na+ influx through the stator channel. The MS-ring, which is embedded in the membrane at the base of the flagella as part of the rotor, is the initial structure required for flagellum assembly. It comprises 34 molecules of the two-transmembrane protein FliF. FliG, FliM, and FliN form a C-ring just below the MS-ring. FliG is an important rotor protein that interacts with the stator PomA and directly contributes to force generation. We previously found that FliG promotes MS-ring formation in E. coli. In the present study, we constructed a fliF-fliG fusion gene, which encodes an approximately 100 kDa protein, and the successful production of this protein effectively formed the MS-ring in E. coli cells. We observed fuzzy structures around the ring using either electron microscopy or high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM), suggesting that FliM and FliN are necessary for the formation of a stable ring structure. The HS-AFM movies revealed flexible movements at the FliG region.

Odnos tehnike čitanja i fine motorike kod učenika mlađeg školskog uzrasta

Introduction. The role of motor skills in reading seems counter-intuitive, and thus it has played a minor role in studies on predictors of reading skills. The results of some studies indicate that the connection between motor skills and reading is present and that it depends on the examined motor component. Objective. The aim of this research was to determine the relation between visuomotor coordination and visuomotor integration with reading skills in younger school-age students. Methods. The sample included 103 participants aged 9 to 11 years. A Likert-type scale with four descriptors covering the most common types of problems during reading was used to evaluate reading skills. Fine motor skills were assessed with the subtests of the Acadia Test of Developmental Abilities - Visuomotor Coordination and Sequencing and Figure Copying. Intelligence, working memory, and inhibitory control were selected as covariates. Intelligence was assessed by Raven's Progressive Matrices, working memory by the Digit Span Backward task, and inhibitory control by the Go/NoGo task. Results. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that visuomotor coordination and working memory are independent predictors of reading skills. Visuomotor coordination explains 5.2% of the variance after removing the influence of intelligence and basic executive functions. A statistically significant relationship between visuomotor integration and reading skills was not found, so visuomotor integration was not considered a predictor in further analysis. Conclusion. When considering the importance of fine motor skills, it is necessary to analyze its individual components, because the results of this, as well as previous studies, indicate that not all aspects of fine motor skills are equally important factors in the development of reading skills. In the context of preventing difficulties in learning to read, it would be desirable to apply activities that would stimulate the development of fine motor skills and working memory from preschool age.

Impulsivity and aggression in patients at risk for schizophrenia at the stage of remission after the first depressive episode

To study the phenomenon of impulsivity, its components and aggression in patients at risk for schizophrenia at the stage of remission after the first depressive episode. Forty-eight male patients (mean age 19.4±2.9 years) with the first depressive episode (ICD-10 F32.1, F32.2) with attenuated positive, negative and/or disorganized symptoms were examined. According to the severity of impulsivity, the patients were divided into the clinical group (n=26) with pathological impulsivity and the comparison group (n=27) without it. The control group consisted of 41 mentally healthy young men, students of higher education of 1-3 courses, (mean age 19.7±1.6 years). HDRS, SOPS, SANS, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) were used. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistica 12 software. The differences between the clinical group and the comparison group were determined by the total score of the subscale of general symptoms of SOPS at admission (53 [41.75; 56] and 45.5 [41.75; 51.25], respectively) (U=187.5; p=0.037) and at discharge (28 [19; 37] and 25 [17.75; 29.25] points respectively) (U=166.5; p=0.012), according to the total HDRS score at admission (35 [31; 38] and 29 [26; 34.25]) (U=191.0; p=0.046). In the clinical group, the motor component of impulsivity and the factor of general impulsivity on the BIS-11 correlated with the severity of aggression on the BPAQ (r=0.395, p<0.05 and r=0.635, p<0.05, respectively). Significant differences were revealed in the clinical group depending on the presence of negative symptoms on the corresponding SOPS subscale according to the total BPAQ score (p=0.01). Correlation analysis showed numerous connections: positive between the total aggressiveness score and the duration of depression (p<0.05), negative between the factors of self-control, consistency, attention, and total scores on the SANS and SOPS (p<0.05). We identify the differences in the structure of impulsivity in patients at risk of developing schizophrenia at the stage of remission after the first depressive state, the comparison group and the control group, as well as the relationship of impulsivity factors with individual clusters of psychopathological disorders.

Influence of misalignment of connection of electrical machine shafts on the nature of electric power of the induction motor

Purpose. To identify the vibration power components caused by misalignment of electrical machine shafts in the instantaneous power of the induction motor. Methodology. The power components of the induction motor are analytically determined taking into account the power caused by torque vibrations on the shaft. Based on this, using the methods of mathematical modelling in the visual programming environment, the known model of a three-phase induction motor with a short-circuited rotor has been made. In addition, elements and connections are introduced which realize the formation of the moment caused by the imbalance of rotating masses. Using Fourier transform of the electric power of the induction motor, we determine its discrete spectrum. Experimental research is conducted on the electric power of the induction motor with a short-circuited rotor, in similar model conditions, on laboratory equipment. With the use of a virtual device synthesized in the LabVIEW package, the wavelet analysis of stator electric power of the motor of laboratory electrotechnical complex is performed. Findings. Differential equations of the induction motor with a short-circuited rotor in abc coordinate system are obtained, which reflect the distribution of instantaneous power in the machine taking into account the vibration moment. As a result of modelling according to the specified equations of the induction machine, in the conditions of full symmetry of parameters of the scheme and the mode with eccentricity of rotating masses, low-frequency vibrations of electric power of a stator with frequency of 25 Hz have been found. Similar results were obtained as a result of wavelet analysis of the electric power of an induction motor of a laboratory electrotechnical complex. Originality. Rationality of use of instantaneous electrical power of induction motor stator for detection of vibration caused by misalignment between its shaft and the shaft of another machine has been substantiated, which allows detecting vibration without complex methods of measuring vibration displacement and its derivatives. Practical value. Detecting vibration by measuring the electrical parameters of the stator circuit of the induction motor and determining the vibrations of its instantaneous power without the use of specialized equipment significantly simplify the procedure of vibration diagnostics at its early stages.

Changes of c-Fos expression and NADPH-d activity in claustrum induced by chronic muscle inflammation in cat (a preliminary study)

An investigation of the central mechanisms underlying muscle inflammation and musculoskeletal pain is an important step to find means for the prevention or treatment of muscle inflammation. One of the insufficiently studied brain structures involved in the transmission of nociceptive information is the claustrum (CL). Therefore, the aim of the study was to reveal changes in the patterns of Fos-immunoreactivity and NADPH-diaphoreactivity in the nucleus claustrum (CL) and additionally in the ventral putamen (Pu) during chronic inflammation of m. gastrocnemius-soleus in cat, induced by intramuscular injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). Immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques were used to detect Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) and NADPH-diaphorase reactive (NADPH-dr) neurons within studied structures. It was revealed that nine days after CFA-induced muscle inflammation the level of Fos-immunoreactivity and NADPH-d reactivity within the CL and in the ventral part of Pu increased two-fold in comparison with the control. Because the CL is reciprocally connected with many structures of the brain cortex and subcortical structures, all these structures can be pathways of transmission of nociceptive information, nevertheless, it can be assume that the central amygdala nucleus may make the main nociceptive contribution to the activation of neurons within the CL. It is known that CL is mutually related to Pu, but it was not possible to assess their mutual influence in this study. The results of the study of the Fos-ir neurons distribution in CL and Pu under conditions of long-term muscles inflammation indicate the active involvement of the mentioned structures in the formation of adaptive reactions. The increase in the number of neurons with NADPH-d reactivity in CL and Pu indicates that NO-signals play a significant role in the formation and amplification of the response to painful impulses from inflamed muscles. In addition, further research is needed to accurately identify all possible nociceptive inputs to the CL and to separate the emotional, motor, auditory, and visual components that may accompany nociceptive processes.

C-Reactive Protein Is Associated with Physical Fitness in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background: Physical fitness (PF) is an expression of the physiological functioning of multiple body components. PF is an important prognostic factor in terms of cardiovascular mortality, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality. PF has been related to some biomarkers in the general population but not in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Purpose: To evaluate the effects of PF on biomarkers potentially related to physical activity (PA) in a sample of BCS. Methods: Cross-sectional study. A total of 84 BCS (mean age 54) who had finished their treatment were recruited. Different components of PF were evaluated, namely body composition (anthropometry), cardiorespiratory fitness (one-mile walk test), muscular (handgrip and sit-to-stand timed test), and motor (gait speed) components. Sexual hormones, inflammation, and insulin resistance biomarkers were measured. Results: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) was associated with every component of physical fitness: cardiorespiratory fitness (p-value = 0.002), muscular (sit-to-stand timed test, p-value = 0.002) and motor (gait speed, p-value = 0.004) components, and body composition (body mass index, p-value = 0.003; waist, p-value < 0.000; and waist-to-hip index, p-value = 0.012). CRP also was associated with “poor physical condition,” a constructed variable that encompasses all components of physical fitness (p-value < 0.001). Insulin was associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and gait speed (p-values = 0.002 and 0.024, respectively). Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 was negatively associated with waist perimeter and waist-to-hip ratio. Conclusions: CRP can also be considered an indicator of poor PF in BCS. Implications for cancer survivors: in case of elevation of CRP indicating cardiovascular risk, health professionals should recommend lifestyle changes to improve BCS physical condition.

Late-onset sensory-motor axonal neuropathy, a novel SLC12A6-related phenotype.

We describe five families from different regions in Norway with a late-onset autosomal-dominant hereditary polyneuropathy sharing a heterozygous variant in the SLC12A6 gene. Mutations in the same gene have previously been described in infants with autosomal-recessive hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with corpus callosum agenesis and mental retardation (Andermann syndrome), and in a few case reports describing dominantly acting de novo mutations, most of them with onset in childhood. The phenotypes in our families demonstrated heterogeneity. Some of our patients only had subtle to moderate symptoms and some individuals even no complaints. None had CNS manifestations. Clinical and neurophysiological evaluations revealed a predominant sensory axonal polyneuropathy with slight to moderate motor components. In all 10 patients the identical SLC12A6 missense variant, NM_001365088.1 c.1655G>A p.(Gly552Asp), was identified. For functional characterization, the mutant potassium chloride cotransporter 3 was modelled in Xenopus oocytes. This revealed a significant reduction in potassium influx for the p.(Gly552Asp) substitution. Our findings further expand the spectrum of SLC12A6 disease, from biallelic hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with corpus callosum agenesis and mental retardation and monoallelic early-onset hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy caused by de novo mutations, to late-onset autosomal-dominant axonal neuropathy with predominant sensory deficits.

Analisis Triple Helix Peran Stakeholder Dalam Meningkatkan Penggunaan Motor Listrik Di Indonesia

In this modern era, the use of electric vehicles is not a new thing. The grand strategy of energy national (GSEN) has fourteen strategic programs to be implemented, one of them is increasing the use of battery- electric vehicles motorized, in order to reduce the imports of fuel oil (BBM) and LPG as well as equitable electrification in Indonesia. This program needs to support by cooperation and role contribution from participants (stakeholders). This study was conducted to determine the role of stakeholders to increasing the use of electric motors in Indonesia using a triple helix methode. The data collection was carried out through interviews and documentation studies. The analyze data was use miles and hubberman. The results showed that based on the triple helix analysis, there were 3 stakeholders involved to increasing the use of electric motors in Indonesia. There were universities, industry and government. The universities have a role in conducting research and development for electric motor products, this can be done through final project research or providing research grants the development electric motors topic. The industry has a role in producing electric motors, for example Gesit Companies which produces electric motors, and also raw materials industry and spare part industry as well as component of electric motors. The government has a role in regulations through policies of equitable electrification motor vehicles in Indonesia. One of them is from the Minister of Transportation Regulation (Permenhub) Number 65 of 2020 concerning the conversion of fuel motorcycles into battery-electric motorcycles.

Analisis Troublehooting Starter Motor terus berputar saat putaran APU Engine mencapai 50% rpm

Airplanes are a universal means of transportation, with planes, we don't have to worry about the time when we want to go anywhere because with airplane transportation we can go anywhere in an efficient and short time. In this day and age, aircraft technology is very advanced. The aircraft component itself consists of several components, namely the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). The APU functions to supply pneumatic and electrical energy for aircraft, where the electrical functions for electricity on the aircraft while pneumatic functions for engine starting, hydraulic pressure, air conditioning and others.&#x0D; This research method is descriptive research consisting of drafting, data collection, data processing and report preparation. In this step there are more stages which will later serve to get a conclusion in the study. Basically the trouble that often occurs when the APU starting process is on the starter motor component, Troubleshoot that often occurs in the starter motor component, namely the starter motor will continue to rotate when it reaches 50% rpm rotation caused by a starter motor problem, starter relay problem and electronical speed switch problem. Therefore, we must immediately repair or replace these components according to the aircraft maintenance manual so that the aircraft remains airworthy.&#x0D;

Dual tasking paradigm in clinical stages of early Alzheimer’s disease

AbstractBackgroundIn Alzheimer’s disease (AD) both motor and cognitive domains are impaired [1‐2]. However, these domains are usually assessed independently and even when performing dual‐task (DT) paradigms, the cognitive‐motor interaction (CMI) is not taken into account, which may lead to misinterpretation of the patient’s global state. To date, there are no precise markers to detect subtle signs of pre‐clinical neurodegeneration or to accurately monitor disease progression.MethodWe have evaluated the motor and cognitive components of a DT paradigm concurrently (Figure 1) with the aim to identify a sensitive marker of early AD. Fifty participants, aged 60 to 80 years, were included in the study and distributed across four cohorts of early AD [3]: 1) amyloid negative, cognitively healthy participants (control group), 2) amyloid positive pre‐symptomatic AD, 3) Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to AD and 4) mild AD. Two inertial gait measurement units (IMUs) (Physilog, GaitUp S.A.) were attached to each foot and a small wearable microphone (Wireless GO, RØDE) was used to record counting. Both timing [4] and gait features were extracted from raw data. Correct response rate (CRR) and gait speed were used to evaluate the CMI based on Plummer’s classification system [5]. Moreover two‐way ANOVA was carried out to evaluate the effect of cohort and cognitive load conditions on the CMI.ResultOur results show that there is a significant drop in both cognitive and motor performance while performing DT and that this drop is more pronounced with increased disease severity and as we increase the cognitive load of the task (Figure 2). Moreover, CMI shows a cognitive‐priority trade‐off in all cohorts (better/stable counting performance while walking becomes slower). However, when the cognition load is increased, in particular in more severe stages of disease, this shifts towards a mutual interference effect, i.e. where both counting performance declines and walking slows down (Figure 3).ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first feasibility study assessing the CMI at preclinical and early clinical stages of AD. Our preliminary results suggest that the DT paradigm is a sensitive method to detect early signs of neurodegeneration and monitor AD progression.

Acute Effects of High Intensity Dual Task Training on Cognitive Workload in Young Adults

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> Dual tasking (DT) is necessary for daily living and requires intact cognitive and motor system functions. The cognitive workload is the combined mental and physical effort in response to the cognitive demand and time constraints of a task. The aim was to evaluate the short-term effects of high-intensity DT training on cognitive workload. <h3>Design</h3> Participants completed one session of high-intensity DT training. The training involved 6 bouts of 6 minutes of DT treadmill walking. <h3>Setting</h3> Laboratory for Advanced Rehabilitation Research in Simulation (LARRS), G042 of Olathe Pavilion at the University of Kansas Medical Center. <h3>Participants</h3> 40 healthy young adults with age = mean (Sd), 23.7 (1.4), 24 females (60%), The motor component of the DT program consisted of walking at 80% of self-selected overground speed and obstacle crossing on a virtual reality treadmill. <h3>Interventions</h3> The training involved 6 bouts of 6 minutes of DT treadmill walking. The motor component of the DT program consisted of walking at 80% of self-selected overground speed and obstacle crossing on a virtual reality treadmill. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> The cognitive component consisted of working memory (2-back test). The cognitive workload was administered through self-report (NASA-TLX) and pupillometry (Index of Cognitive Activity; greater cognitive workload indexed by pupil dilation). <h3>Results</h3> Repeated Measures ANOVA showed significant improvements in walking speed, percentages of obstacles crossed, and the number of hits on the 2-back (p< 0.05). NASA-TLX scores decreased across training sessions, with the most significant changes observed in the first three bouts (p< 0.05). No changes in pupillary responses were observed. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Highly intense DT training on virtual reality treadmill training leads to decreased self-reported cognitive workload and improvements in motor and cognitive performance. Further studies should include more sessions of DT training to investigate whether short-term improvements in DT performance stem from decreased cognitive workload to attend to the tasks. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> Maryam Sadeghi, Joan Augustyn, Alexis Bieker, Erin Holtmeier, Kari Skinner, Jacob Sosnoff, Jeffrey Hausdorff, Hannes Devos

Descending pathways from the superior colliculus mediating autonomic and respiratory effects associated with orienting behaviour.

The ability to discriminate competing external stimuli and initiate contextually appropriate behaviours is a key brain function. Neurons in the deep superior colliculus (dSC) integrate multisensory inputs and activate descending projections to premotor pathways responsible for orienting, attention and defence, behaviours which involve adjustments to respiratory and cardiovascular parameters. However, the neural pathways that subserve the physiological components of orienting are poorly understood. We report that orienting responses to optogenetic dSC stimulation are accompanied by short-latency autonomic, respiratory and electroencephalographic effects in awake rats, closely mimicking those evoked by naturalistic alerting stimuli. Physiological responses were not accompanied by detectable aversion or fear, and persisted under urethane anaesthesia, indicating independence from emotional stress. Anterograde and trans-synaptic viral tracing identified a monosynaptic pathway that links the dSC to spinally projecting neurons in the medullary gigantocellular reticular nucleus (GiA), a key hub for the coordination of orienting and locomotor behaviours. In urethane-anaesthetized animals, sympathoexcitatory and cardiovascular, but not respiratory, responses to dSC stimulation were replicated by optogenetic stimulation of the dSC-GiA terminals, suggesting a likely role for this pathway in mediating the autonomic components of dSC-mediated responses. Similarly, extracellular recordings from putative GiA sympathetic premotor neurons confirmed short-latency excitatory inputs from the dSC. This pathway represents a likely substrate for autonomic components of orienting responses that are mediated by dSC neurons and suggests a mechanism through which physiological and motor components of orienting behaviours may be integrated without the involvement of higher centres that mediate affective components of defensive responses. KEY POINTS: Neurons in the deep superior colliculus (dSC) integrate multimodal sensory signals to elicit context-dependent innate behaviours that are accompanied by stereotypical cardiovascular and respiratory activities. The pathways responsible for mediating the physiological components of colliculus-mediated orienting behaviours are unknown. We show that optogenetic dSC stimulation evokes transient orienting, respiratory and autonomic effects in awake rats which persist under urethane anaesthesia. Anterograde tracing from the dSC identified projections to spinally projecting neurons in the medullary gigantocellular reticular nucleus (GiA). Stimulation of this pathway recapitulated autonomic effects evoked by stimulation of dSC neurons. Electrophysiological recordings from putative GiA sympathetic premotor neurons confirmed short latency excitatory input from dSC neurons. This disynaptic dSC-GiA-spinal sympathoexcitatory pathway may underlie autonomic adjustments to salient environmental cues independent of input from higher centres.

An independent, external validation and component analysis of the Surviving Penetrating Injury to the Brain score for civilian cranial gunshot injuries.

The Surviving Penetrating Injury to the Brain (SPIN) score utilizes clinical variables to estimate in-hospital and 6-month mortality for patients with civilian cranial gunshot wounds (cGSWs) and demonstrated good discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.880) in an initial validation study. The goal of this study was to provide an external, independent validation of the SPIN score for in-hospital and 6-month mortality. To accomplish this, the authors retrospectively reviewed 6 years of data from their institutional trauma registry. Variables used to determine SPIN score were collected, including sex, transfer status, injury motive, pupillary reactivity, motor component of the Glasgow Coma Scale (mGCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and international normalized ratio (INR) at admission. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified variables associated with mortality. The authors compared AUC between models by using a nonparametric test for equality. Of the 108 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 101 had all SPIN score components available. The SPIN model had an AUC of 0.962. The AUC for continuous mGCS score alone (0.932) did not differ significantly from the AUC for the full SPIN model (p = 0.26). The AUC for continuous mGCS score (0.932) was significantly higher compared to categorical mGCS score (0.891, p = 0.005). Use of only mGCS score resulted in fewer exclusions due to missing data. No additional variable included in the predictive model alongside continuous mGCS score was a significant predictor of inpatient mortality, 6-month mortality, or increased model discrimination. Given these findings, continuous 6-point mGCS score may be sufficient as a generalizable predictor of inpatient and 6-month mortality in patients with cGSW, demonstrating excellent discrimination and reduced bias due to missing data.

Clarification of Factors Determining Discharge Destination Among Elderly Patients After Stroke With Low Levels of Independence in Activities of Daily Living: A Retrospective Study

To determine factors influencing discharge destination of elderly patients after stroke with low levels of independence in activities of daily living (ADL). Cross-sectional study. A community-based public hospital in a rural area in Japan. A total of 67 patients with low daily function among 205 elderly patients with stroke screened for eligibility (N=67). Not applicable. Motor component of functional independence measure (M-FIM) at discharge and discharge destination-home or long-term care facility (LCF). Among the 205 eligible patients, 147 were discharged home and 58 were discharged to LCFs. Patients with an M-FIM score of ≤30 at discharge were defined as patients deemed difficult to discharge home because of low independence levels in ADL. Of the 147 patients discharged home, 24 (16.3%) had M-FIM scores of ≤30. Of the 58 patients discharged to LCFs, 43 (74.1%) had M-FIM scores of ≤30. Patients with an M-FIM score of ≤30 at discharge significantly tended to be discharged home if they obtained oral intake vs tube feeding as a nutritional method (P=.047) and higher cognitive component of FIM scores at discharge (P=.002). All six patients who lived alone among patients with an M-FIM score of ≤30 were discharged to LCFs. Two patients on tube feeding were discharged home. Nutritional method, cognitive function at discharge, and the prestroke living situation with or without household caregivers are important factors of discharge among elderly patients after stroke with low independence levels in ADL. However, only a small number of severely disabled patients were successfully discharged home.

Clinical case of Tourette syndrome with self-harm

Kornelija Galinauskaitė1, Dalius Klimavičius1 1Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, Kaunas, Lithuania Abstract Introduction: Tourette’s syndrome is characterized by characteristic involuntary movements, tics, with both motor and background components. Tourette’s syndrome usually begins around the age of 5-7 and worsens during puberty. Tics are repetitive, slightly stereotypical involuntary movements of the eyes, face […]

Influence of Traction Motor Components on Thermal Characteristics of Traction Motor Bearings

The operating temperature and thermal stress play key roles in overall performance of a cylindrical roller bearing used in high-speed train traction motor. The cylindrical roller bearing studied in this paper is in the housing of the traction motor. Due to the heating of each component of the traction motor, a thermal environment is formed in the housing that changes the temperature and stress of the traction motor bearing. In this paper, a thermal-mechanical coupled model of bearing considering the stator, rotor, and shaft was established to study the temperature and thermal stress of traction motor bearing. Experiments were conducted on a service high-speed train to validate the proposed bearing thermal analysis model, meanwhile, the temperature of the measurement point was revised by the theory of heat transfer. The revised experiment results show that the established thermal-mechanical coupled model is reasonable and effective. The results show that the heating of the stator and rotor of the traction motor has a great influence on the temperature and stress of the cylindrical roller bearing of the traction motor. When the heating of the stator and rotor is considered, the temperature of inner ring near the traction motor is higher than that of far away from the traction motor, and the overall temperature of each component of the bearing also increases. As for the stress, when the traction motor stator and rotor is considered, the maximum stress increases by 66.9%. Therefore, the heating of the stator of the traction motor must be considered when the thermal characteristics analysis and reliability analysis are carried out on the cylindrical roller bearing.

Motor symptoms in genetic frontotemporal dementia: developing a new module for clinical rating scales

ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal method of adding motor features to a clinical rating scale for frontotemporal dementia (FTD).MethodsEight hundred and thirty-two participants from the international multicentre Genetic FTD Initiative (GENFI) study were recruited: 522 mutation carriers (with C9orf72, GRN and MAPT mutations) and 310 mutation-negative controls. A standardised clinical questionnaire was used to assess eight motor symptoms (dysarthria, dysphagia, tremor, slowness, weakness, gait disorder, falls and functional difficulties using hands). Frequency and severity of each motor symptom was assessed, and a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify how the different motor symptoms loaded together. Finally, addition of a motor component to the CDR® plus NACC FTLD was investigated (CDR® plus NACC FTLD-M).Results24.3% of mutation carriers had motor symptoms (31.7% C9orf72, 18.8% GRN, 19.3% MAPT) compared to 6.8% of controls. Slowness and gait disorder were the commonest in all genetic groups while tremor and falls were the least frequent. Symptom severity scores were similar to equivalent physical motor examination scores. PCA revealed that all motor symptoms loaded together so a single additional motor component was added to the CDR® plus NACC FTLD to form the CDR® plus NACC FTLD-M. Individual global scores were more severe with the CDR® plus NACC FTLD-M, and no patients with a clinically diagnosed motor disorder (ALS/FTD-ALS or parkinsonism) were classified anymore as asymptomatic (unlike the CDR® plus NACC FTLD alone).ConclusionsMotor features are present in mutation carriers at all disease stages across all three genetic groups. Inclusion of motor symptoms in a rating scale that can be used in future clinical trials will not only ensure a more accurate severity measure is recorded but that a wider spectrum of FTD phenotypes can be included in the same trial.

A system for transposon mutagenesis of Bartonella bacilliformis

Bartonella bacilliformis is the etiologic agent of Carrión's disease in South America. Lack of a system for random mutagenesis has significantly hampered research on the pathogen's molecular biology. Here, we describe a transposon (Tn)-based mutagenesis strategy for B. bacilliformis using pSAM_Rl; a Tn-mariner delivery vector originally constructed for members of the Rhizobiaceae family. Following electroporation of the vector, five candidate mutant strains were selected based on aberrant colony morphologies, and four mutations confirmed and identified using arbitrarily-primed PCR coupled with Sanger sequencing. One mutant strain, 4B2, was found to have a disrupted flgI gene, encoding the P-ring component of the flagellar motor. We therefore investigated the flgI strain's motility phenotype in a novel motility medium and found that insertional mutagenesis produced a non-motile mutant. Taken as a whole, the results show that: 1) pSAM_R1 is a practical Tn delivery vector for B. bacilliformis, 2) the plasmid can be used to create random Tn mariner mutants, 3) arbitrarily-primed PCR coupled with Sanger sequencing is a rapid and simple method for identifying and locating mutations generated by this Tn, and 4) in silico-predicted mutant phenotypes can be verified in vitro following mutagenesis. This system of Tn mutagenesis and mutation identification provides a novel and straightforward approach to investigate the molecular biology of B. bacilliformis.