Selected Body Parts Research Articles

Organization of pontocerebellar projections to identified climbing fiber zones in the rat

The organization of pontocerebellar projections to the paravermis and hemisphere of the posterior cerebellum of the rat was studied in relation to the organization of climbing fibers. Small injections of cholera toxin subunit B were placed in the cerebellar cortex at locations predetermined by evoked climbing fiber potentials from selected body parts or based on coordinates. The injection site was characterized with respect to the zebrin pattern and by the distribution of retrogradely labeled neurons in the inferior olive. The following zones were studied: hindlimb-related zones C1 and C2 of lobule VIII; forelimb-related zones C1, C2, and D0/D1 of the paramedian lobule; and face-related zones A2 of the paramedian lobule and C2 and D0 of crus 2B. The results show that the distribution of pontine neurons is closely related to the climbing fiber somatotopy. Injections centered on face-related zones result in distribution of pontine neurons within the pontine core region. Forelimb regions surround this core, whereas hindlimb regions are mostly supplied by caudal pontine regions and by a single patch of more rostrally located neurons. This distribution fits well with published data on the somatotopy of the corticopontine projection from the rat primary somatosensory cortex. However, apart from differences in the participation of ipsilaterally projecting cells, the distribution of pontine neurons does not change significantly when the injection covers different zones of the same lobule such as C1 and C2 of lobule VIII; C1, C2, and D0/D1 of the paramedian lobule; A2 of the paramedian lobule; and C2 and D0 of crus 2B.

Acquisition of lethal doses of Beauveria bassiana conidia by western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, exposed to foliar spray residues of formulated and unformulated conidia

Secondary acquisition of Beauveria bassiana conidia was recorded on the whole bodies and selected body parts of second-instar nymphs and adult female western flower thrips exposed to foliar spray residues of three differently formulated conidial preparations, for 24 h. Conidia were formulated in emulsifiable oil or with clay (wettable powder), or were essentially unformulated conidia (technical grade powder suspended in water with a surfactant). Formulation had no significant effect on dose acquisition and no effect on virulence of acquired conidia. The mean nymphal LC 50/LD 50 was 116 conidia/mm 2 and 52 conidia/insect, respectively; the values for adults were 19 conidia/mm 2 and 5 conidia/insect. Greatest numbers of conidia were recorded on the legs and abdomens of nymphs and on the legs, wings, and thoraces of adults. As would be expected, numbers of conidia acquired increased with residue concentration (application rate). However, an inverse relationship was noted between acquisition rate (conidia acquired/total conidia applied) and residue concentration. The mechanism underlying this response was not determined. However, there was no indication that any body parts (e.g., tarsi) became saturated with spores, which suggests that either the thrips were repelled by the conidial residues or that as the concentrations of conidia on the substrate increased, conidia somehow became more difficult to acquire. Slopes of the LC probit regressions were lower than those of the LD regressions (mean 1.14 vs 1.78), suggesting that the low slopes often obtained in fungal pathogen assays could be partly an artifact of unequal rates of dose acquisition at low vs high application rates.

Optical modeling of extraoral defects

In order to reduce the stress caused to patients by conventional methods of modeling using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an optical modeling process has been developed for extraoral defects and body areas. The selected body part is digitized using optical 3-coordinate measuring technology, providing an extensive data record. This is adapted for further use by equalizing the point clouds to obtain a Computer Aided Design (CAD) model, which is converted to a physical model by means of a stereolithographic process. With this technology, the patient's physical and psychological stress may be reduced. This article describes a technique for optical modeling of an ocular prosthesis.

Personal identification method and apparatus using acoustic resonance analysis of body parts

An acoustic spectra personal identification system comprising acoustic signal generating means, acoustic transducer means and computer means including storage means, processor means and acoustic signal analysis means, whereby a data base may be generated and maintained that stores acoustic resonance spectrum information specific to selected body parts of known individuals, for comparison against newly captured acoustic resonance spectral information obtained from an identification subject and for determination whether said subject's acoustic spectra matches that of a data base participant.

Estimation des réserves corporelles chez le dromadaire

La gestion des réserves corporelles par les herbivores est un moyen de répondre à la variabilité de la qualité et de l’accès aux ressources alimentaires. L’estimation de ces réserves représente un outil de pilotage pour les éleveurs. Chez le dromadaire, les données sur ces aspects sont quasi inexistantes. Le présent article a fait la synthèse de plusieurs travaux relatifs à des observations barymétriques permettant l’estimation du volume et du poids de la bosse, principale part des réserves adipeuses, l’estimation des relations entre les dimensions de la bosse et le poids de la carcasse et les relations entre le poids de la bosse et celui du gras périrénal. L’évaluation du nombre et de la taille des adipocytes permet de tester la pertinence de ces formes de stockage adipeux. Il existe notamment une relation positive entre la taille et le nombre des adipocytes de la bosse et ceux du gras périrénal. Les effets âge et sexe sont très marqués sur certains de ces critères. L’appréciation de quelques sites anatomiques a permis de construire une grille d’état corporel adaptée à l’espèce. Les résultats ont cependant montré que la bosse, du fait de la variabilité tant de son poids que de la taille des adipocytes, ne représentait pas un bon indicateur de l’état corporel.

Biomechanics of the serve in tennis. A biomedical perspective.

Epidemiological studies have indicated that the serve, arguably the most important facet of the game of tennis, is also the most likely stroke to cause injury, particularly to the elbow and back. A review of the kinematic and kinetic studies on the service action fails to clearly identify the reason(s) for these injuries. Data from these studies does, however, allow possible causes of injury to be postulated. Electromyographic data from the prime mover muscles involved in the serve have shown that muscle action was greater for beginners, whose muscles were active for longer periods than those of advanced players. Ground reaction forces associated with different serving techniques were small compared to those recorded from activities involving running or jumping. The potential to cause injury seems to be related to high internal forces (combination of muscle and joint reaction forces), particularly where these forces are associated with poor technique and high segment accelerations. These situations occur when the racket moves behind the body and the vertebral column is laterally flexed and hyperextended. The pronation of the forearm and the forces associated with the swing to the ball, the impact and the early follow through are also factors that have the potential to cause injury. The action of serving induces strains and pressures upon the body. A sensible approach to the number of serves, particularly when practising (overuse), appropriate physical preparation and a technique that does not introduce excessive forces to selected body parts (misuse) will greatly reduce the potential for injury from this activity.

Correlations Between Body Angles and Substrate Curvature in the Parasitoid Wasp Trichogramma Minutum: A Possible Mechanism of Host Radius Measurement

ABSTRACT The parasitoid wasps of the genus Trichogramma use the surface curvature of their insect egg hosts to set an upper limit to the number of progeny allocated to the host, as well as the duration of their host examination. In addition, host recognition and host acceptance are in part mediated by surface curvature. In this paper, the relationships between the positions of body parts of the wasp and surface curvature are examined in order to determine a possible mechanism for curvature detection by ‘the wasp. Wasps of different sizes were photographed in profile while examining glass bead models of different diameters. The positions of selected body parts were analysed using a digitizer and microcomputer. The height of the wasp above the model surface did not change with surface curvature. Furthermore, the angle of the head relative to the thorax was also constant over the range of models used. Only the scapal-head angle and flagellar-head angle changed significantly with surface curvature. A curvature detecting mechanism is proposed in which the wasp uses the scapal-head angle to measure the curvature of the surface. The body of the wasp is maintained at a preferred height and angle to the substrate, serving as a fixed platform from which curvature measurements are made. Additional features of this mechanism, as well as its correlation with morphological and behavioural findings, are discussed.

Functional variability of the lower extremity during the support phase of running

The purpose of the research was to determine the variability of selected parameters during the support phase of running between consecutive right footfalls, and the included left footfall, as well as to acquire additional descriptive data on lower extremity function. Eleven college aged male runners were filmed (200 fps) from the rear and side while running on a treadmill at 4.29--4.47 m/sec. The statistical analysis of the mean absolute differences for temporal events between the three footfalls resulted in no significant differences. An estimate of event variability was calculated to be the actual time +/- 0.0110 sec or the percentage +/- 4.98% at the 95% confidence interval. Comparisons between the absolute deviations of selected body part positions and/or orientations for the test conditions resulted in no statistically significant differences. Estimates of variability ranging from 1.78--4.08 deg were calculated. Even though no statistically significant differences were obtained, the magnitude of the variability obtained for the parameters evaluated would seem to indicate a need for calculating representative or average values if subtle differences in lower extremity function are to be detected.