Simple Movements Research Articles

Creating cartoons to represent habitual leg movements.

To describe the main movements associated with this benign behavioral state to characterize a possible clinical condition that can contribute to the differential diagnosis of RLS. Experienced sleep specialists, who primarily see RLS patients listed the most frequent movements people without RLS report while describing their suspected RLS. We first compiled a list of the lower-limb movements described by the specialists. Then, one of the authors (KC) carried out all movements of the list on camera to obtain a video footage. This footage was sent to one of the authors, EPC, who, alongside a group of students, drew graphic representations (cartoons) of the recorded movements. The panel of sleep experts described 13 leg movements commonly reported by their patients. The experts reported 11 simple movements and two combined movements. In this study we developed an instrument that allows us to oppose and distinguish a pathological condition (RLS) from a behavioral phenomenon. This state of behavioral leg fidgeting needs to be better characterized and may eventually be recognized as a clinical entity per se.

Can we measure perceptual-cognitive function during athletic movement? A framework for and reliability of a sports-related testing battery

ObjectivesPerceptual-cognitive function (PCF) has been linked to performance and injury risk. However, to date, research used digitalized or pen-and-paper-based PCF tests without major motor components. This study provides a rationale and a testing battery for the measurement of PCF during sports-related movement. DesignTest-Retest. SettingUniversity. ParticipantsThirteen healthy, active individuals (8 females, 27 ± 4 years). Main outcome measuresParticipants twice (5-min interval) completed six motor-cognitive tasks using a sensor-based system with LED lights. Four tests focussed on simple movements and relatively isolated PCF (reaction, choice-reaction, memory span, stop-signal), two represented more multifaceted and complex tasks (reactive agility, run-decide). Test-retest reliability was determined with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). ResultsAll tests, except for one sub-dimension of the stop-signal test (upper limb, error count), displayed at least sufficient or higher reproducibility (ICC>.5, p < .05): Test-retest reliability was moderate for one (stop-signal), moderate to high for three (reaction, choice-reaction, run-decide, memory span) and excellent for one (reactive agility) of the tasks. ConclusionsThe presented tests display moderate-to-high reliability and can be used in clinical and scientific settings. Future research should elucidate its predictive value regarding performance and injury as well as its association with the results of conventional PCF tests not incorporating movement.

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF AUTONOMOUS CART FOLLOWER FOR WHEELCHAIR USER

This paper focuses on kinematics of the cart follower and the system identification of propulsion system by using brushed DC motor. The cart follower uses Ackermann configuration as the steering system. The modeling of kinematics equation takes into account the instantaneous center of rotation (ICR), velocity of each tire, heading angle, and simple movement of the cart. The cart is propelled by transaxle brushed DC motor. It is important to approximate an accurate transfer function to represent the motor as the plant module is unavailable. The motor is simulated by using Arduino hardware package in MATLAB®. Rotary encoder is used to record the angular velocity of the shaft. MATLAB® code is created in order to calculate the linear velocity and tabulate the datasets. System Identification Toolbox determines the transfer function of the motor and its performance. The variables measured in experiment to identify the transfer function of the DC motor system are output angular velocity and input voltage. The parameters taken from the DC motor’s mathematical model are derived based on existing literatures. The graph of output velocity against time is plotted and the transfer function is estimated by using System Identification Toolbox in MATLAB®. From the results, it is demonstrated that the motor exhibits second order system.&#x0D; Keywords: Cart follower, wheel mobile robot, kinematics, system identification

Upper Limb Interactive Weightless Technology-Aided Intervention and Assessment Picks Out Motor Skills Improvement in Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Background: In Parkinson's disease, reaching movements are conditioned by motor planning and execution deficiency. Recently, rehabilitation, aided by high technological devices, was employed for Parkinson's disease.Objective: We aimed to (1) investigate the changes in the upper limb motor performances in a sample of a patient with Parkinson's disease after a weightless training, with a passive exoskeleton, in an augmented-feedback environment; (2) highlight differences by motor parameters (performance, speed, and movement accuracy) and by type of movement (simple or complex); and (3) evaluate movement improvements by UPDRS II–III.Methods: Observational pilot study. Twenty right-handed patients with Parkinson's disease, Hohen and Yahr 2, Mini Mental State Examination ≥24 were evaluated. All patients underwent 5 day/week sessions for 4 weeks, 30 min for each arm; the training was performed with 12 exercises (single and multi-joints, horizontal and vertical movements). All the patients were assessed by UPDRS II–III and the evaluation tests provided by the device's software: a simple movement, the vertical capture, and a complex movement, the horizontal capture. For each test, we analyzed reached target percentage, movement execution time, and accuracy.Results: After training, a significant improvement of accuracy and speed for simple movement on the dominant arm, of reached targets and speed for complex movement on both sides were shown. UPDRS II and III improved significantly after training.Conclusions: In our study, a motor training aided by a high technological device improves motor parameters and highlights differences between the type of movement (simple or complex) and movement parameters (speed and accuracy) in a sample of patients with Parkinson's disease.

The effects of single versus multiple training sessions on the motor learning of two Krav Maga strike techniques, in women.

BackgroundExperts of the Krav Maga (KM) self-defense system propose that KM techniques are based on simple body movements which are suggested to be learned rapidly and retained. This study investigated the acquisition, retention, and further improvement with additional training of two KM strike techniques among novice female practitioners: straight punch and defensive kick.MethodsSixteen healthy females (age: 23 ± 3.7 years) without any previous martial arts/self-defense experience volunteered to participate. All participants received an initial 30-min instruction session (AQ), taught by a certified KM instructor, where each technique was deconstructed into three checkpoints (defined as a component of the entire movement) for learning. Participants were divided into two groups, one of which received additional training. Several kinematic and kinetic measures were recorded at four timepoints: immediately before AQ, immediately after AQ, 5 days after AQ, and 12 days after AQ.ResultsResults suggest that both techniques were learned rapidly, as checkpoint performance was significantly improved after AQ. Kick velocity and impact force also increased significantly after AQ; however, these measures did not change after AQ for the punch technique. Additional training did not improve either punch or kick performance beyond that learned during AQ.ConclusionThe findings from this study suggest that a single training session may be sufficient to learn and retain KM strike techniques relatively permanently; and the acquisition of the kick technique may lead to concomitant improvements in kick velocity and impact force.

Improved Prosthetic Hand Control with Synchronous Use of Voice Recognition and Inertial Measurements

Voice control is one of the easiest means of interacting with machines, as no extra effort is required to generate a control signal. In addition, voice control is more intuitive than other control methods. Many studies use voice recognition to control medical devices and hand prostheses in real-time, but its use has some limitations. Furthermore, some studies take advantage of inertial measurement of the body organ to control the hand prostheses. By reviewing the advantages and limitations for each control method faces, a new synchronised control system proposed, that combines voice recognition and inertial measurement based on three combination strategies to render the prosthetic hand more dexterous, feasible, and easy to use. Five participants tested the control system based on the combination strategies to perform simple and complex prosthetic hand movements. The results showed that voice recognition had about 99% accuracy and rapid response time. Moreover, the inertial measurement control system improved the accuracy of the system, increased the degrees of freedom, and made the use of the prosthetic hand easier and more feasible.

Mutual interaction between motor cortex activation and pain in fibromyalgia: EEG-fNIRS study.

Experimental and clinical studies suggested an analgesic effect on chronic pain by motor cortex activation. The present study explored the complex mechanisms of interaction between motor and pain during performing the slow and fast finger tapping task alone and in concomitant with nociceptive laser stimulation. The participants were 38 patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and 21 healthy subjects. We used a simultaneous multimodal method of laser-evoked potentials and functional near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate metabolic and electrical changes during the finger tapping task and concomitant noxious laser stimulation. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy is a portable and optical method to detect cortical metabolic changes. Laser-evoked potentials are a suitable tool to study the nociceptive pathways function. We found a reduced tone of cortical motor areas in patients with FM compared to controls, especially during the fast finger tapping task. FM patients presented a slow motor performance in all the experimental conditions, requesting rapid movements. The amplitude of laser evoked potentials was different between patients and controls, in each experimental condition, as patients showed smaller evoked responses compared to controls. Concurrent phasic pain stimulation had a low effect on motor cortex metabolism in both groups nor motor activity changed laser evoked responses in a relevant way. There were no correlations between Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (FNIRS) and clinical features in FM patients. Our findings indicated that a low tone of motor cortex activation could be an intrinsic feature in FM and generate a scarce modulation on pain condition. A simple and repetitive movement such as that of the finger tapping task seems inefficacious in modulating cortical responses to pain both in patients and controls. The complex mechanisms of interaction between networks involved in pain control and motor function require further studies for the important role they play in structuring rehabilitation strategies.

The exploration of the spectrum of motor manifestations of anti-LGI1 encephalitis beyond FBDS

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to characterize the spectrum of motor events in patients with acute anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (anti-LGI1) encephalitis through video-electroencephalogram (VEEG) recordings. MethodWe collected data retrospectively from 16 patients diagnosed with anti-LGI1 encephalitis who had completed VEEG recording during hospitalization. ResultsVEEG monitoring lasted a median of 11.0 h (range 4.5∼20). Fourteen types of seizures were recorded in 9 patients (56.3 %). Eight of the 14 types of seizures demonstrated typical ictal EEG evolution (including 2 subclinical seizures), 3/14 demonstrated EEG electrodecremental events (EDE) at onset but without further evolution, and 3/14 could be only judged by analyzing semiology. FBDS was recorded in 6 patients (37.5 %), and all these attacks were followed by epileptic seizures. Simple hyperkinetic movements (HMs), such as jerk-like or twisting movements, were found in 8 (50 %) patients, and 6 of them had complex HMs, such as manipulating movements or mimics of daily activities, during sleep. Conclusions1. Atypical seizures, for instance, seizures without EEG evolution, are not rare but likely to be overlooked. 2. FBDS is closely linked with epileptic seizures, revealing FBDS to be a part of epileptic attacks. 3. HMs could expand the spectrum of motor manifestations, overlapping with sleep disorders. 4. The high prevalence of these motor events might be due to the disrupted cortical-subcortical network, which is critical in motor control and sleep.

On Guaranteed Result in Game Problems of Controlled Objects Approach

The problem of a guaranteed result in game problems of controlled objects approach is considered. For solving such problems a method is proposed associated with the construction of some scalar functions that qualitatively characterize the course of controlled objects approach and the effectiveness of decisions made. Such functions are called the resolving ones. The attractiveness of the method of resolving functions is that it allows you to use effectively the modern technique of multi-valued mappings and their selector in the justification of the game constructions and obtaining meaningful results on their basis. In all forms of the method of resolving functions the main principle is the accumulative one which is used in the current summation of the resolving function to assess the quality of the game of the first player up to a certain threshold value. In contrast to the main scheme of the mentioned method consideration is given to the case when the classical Pontryagin condition does not hold. In this situation instead of the Pontryagin selector, which does not exist, a certain shift function is considered, and with its help special multi-valued mappings are introduced. They generate upper and lower resolving functions of two types with the help of which the sufficient conditions for completing a game in a certain guaranteed time are formulated. The comparison of guaranteed times for different schemes of controlled objects approach is given. An illustrative example of controlled objects approach with simple movement is given in order to obtain explicitly the upper and lower resolving functions that makes it possible to conclude that the game can be terminated in a case when the Pontryagin condition does not hold.

Dynamic Parameter Identification of a Novel Motion-Mode-Changing Quasi-Omnidirectional Mobile Platform

In process automation of logistic systems autonomous mobile platforms play an important role with high demands on flexibility and maneuverability. Limited space can be a restriction for non-omnidirectional vehicles. In this paper a quasi-omnidirectional platform is considered which can switch between four different motion-modes: wheel alignment in a standstill, a car-like steered longitudinal motion, lateral motion and pure rotation. With the requirement of carrying heavy payloads, feed-forward control becomes an important part of the control concept. This paper presents an approach for parameter identification of this motion-mode-changing system. The equations of motion are formulated using a redundantly parameterized model, which is linear in inertia and friction parameters. For each motion-mode a kinematic model is used for elimination of the constraint forces. Not all parameters can be identified in every configuration.The main idea is to use a combination of simple vehicle movements in the parameter identification process. The identified dynamic parameters are then validated using a more complex movement where all parameters are needed and a configuration which has not been used for identification. Experimental results for a prototype are shown.

Clear aligner therapy––Narrative review

Clear aligners are gaining more popularity, as most patients, especially adults, dislike the appearance of fixed appliances. In 1997, Align Technology© (Santa Clara, CA) released the Invisalign® system. The company used both computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to produce its orthodontic appliances. This technology, which allows for multiple tooth movements from a single impression, introduced the clear aligner as it is now known. At the beginning, the Invisalign® system was used to treat simple tooth movement. However, as it developed, the manufacturer began using attachments and intermaxillary elastics to obtain different movements, so Invisalign® became a viable alternative to fixed appliances. Different aligner systems similar to Invisalign®, such as ClearCorrect, etc., became available on the market, and they use the same principle to obtain the desired results. This review investigated the indications and contraindications of clear aligner therapy (CAT), including its efficiency and limitations; patient comfort and acceptance; and periodontal health, root resorption, and stability. In conclusion, CAT has been improved over the last 18 years and is still being improved. The treatment results depend on the clinician’s own experience, case selection, and patient adherence. The clinician should be clear about the advantages and disadvantages of CAT, and the patient should be made aware that he/she should wear the appliance for 22–23h/day and only remove it while eating. The limitations of this study are lack of comparison between available CAT systems, the types and mechanics of movement produced by different types of attachments, and the cost.

Development of the Laboratory Work: “Modeling of a Mobile Robot on Mecanum Wheels Kinematics”

The basis of any mobile robot is the chassis of a structure. The chassis is a set of parts that provide the mechanical energy transfer from the engines to the engine active elements, combined with the drives in a functional structural subsystem. The chassis and the applied propulsion determine both the mobile robot design appearance and its functional capabilities, the main of which is the ability to move in given conditions. Omnicycle movement is used in modern robotics to get additional maneuverability of the device in combination with increasing the efficiency of using a limited level of energy. Such systems allow for omnidirectional movement by applying an individual torque to the drive of each wheel. The main advantage of the kinematics of such robots is the fact that the complex movement of the entire system can easily be divided into simple rotational and translational movements. This article discusses the design features and the mecanum wheel kinematics. We solve direct and inverse kinematics problems for a four-wheeled mobile robot with this type of propellers on a flat surface. Based on the got dependencies, we built a mathematical model in the Matlab Simulink environment using an additional Mobile Robotics Simulation Toolbox package. Using the obtained model, we developed the simplest trajectory elements and synthesized algorithms for managing the mobile platform. Also, we analyzed the results got during a series of computer tests.

A salamander that chews using complex, three-dimensional mandible movements.

Most non-mammal tetrapods have a hinge-like jaw operation restricted to vertical opening and closing movements. Many mammal jaw joints, by contrast, operate in more complex, three-dimensional (3D) ways, involving not only vertical but also propalinal (rostro-caudal) and transverse (lateral) movements. Data on intraoral food processing in lissamphibians and sauropsids has prompted a generally accepted view that these groups mostly swallow food unreduced, and that in those cases where lissamphibians and sauropsids chew, they mostly use simple vertical jaw movements for food processing. The exception to this generally accepted view is the occurrence of some propalinal chewing in sauropsids. We combined 3D kinematics and morphological analyses from biplanar high-speed video fluoroscopy and micro-computed tomography to determine how the paedomorphic salamander Siren intermedia treats captured food. We discovered not only that S. intermedia uses intraoral food processing but also that the elaborated morphology of its jaw joint facilitates mandibular motions in all three planes, resulting in complex 3D chewing. Thus, our data challenge the commonly held view that complex 3D chewing movements are exclusive to mammals, by suggesting that such mechanisms might have evolved early in the tetrapod evolution.

The lever rounding mechanisms

Mechanisms with complex movement of a curved executive organ rounding around a fixed set line, in the simplest case – direct line or circular arc – can be combined with guiding mechanisms in the analysis and synthesis tasks, if one assumes the center of curvature of the generator of the executive organ to be a guiding point. Moreover, the length of the rounding segment and the parameters of deviation can be also defined through the parameters of the guiding mechanism, whereby sliding in a reciprocal rounding depends on the generator’s curve radius. Unlike the less applied guiding mechanisms lever rounding mechanisms can find a broad application as executive organs in pressure-shaping machines (e.g. forging, molding, cutting, chipping, clamping and compacting), stepping and finned-type propelling devices and other unique mechanisms with a common feature of indifference of the structure and integration of qualities that are non-compatible at a simple movement of an executive organ.

Basic Gymnastics Exercise Intervention To Improve Some Fundamental Movement Skills For Children With Simple Movement Difficulties

Basic Gymnastics Exercise Intervention To Improve Some Fundamental Movement Skills For Children With Simple Movement Difficulties

Non-resonant and low-frequency triboelectric-electromagnetic hybridized nanogenerator for vibration energy

As the age of the internet of everything begins, the demand for various sensors to communicate with each other is soaring. As the lifeblood of the sensing system, reliable energy supply is the key consideration. Environmental mechanical energy harvesting has been a key technology for self-powering sensing system, which can convert mechanical energy into electric energy. Here, we present a non-resonant triboelectric-electromagnetic hybridized nanogenerator, which can scavenge low-frequency vibration energy from environmental vibration. In the device a rotating gyro is used as a core component. An embedded magnet and four coils arranged evenly around at the bottom of the shell form an electromagnetic generator (EMG), and a piece of triboelectric film pasted on the outer surface of the gyro together with a bottom electrode constitutes a triboelectric nanogenerator, (TENG). With the design of rotating gyro, a high sensitive energy capture can be realized under low frequency and irregular vibration. Under the rotation and revolution of the gyro, the triboelectric and electromagnetic energy will be generated. Through theoretical analysis and software simulation, the working principle of the device is expounded. Based on a linear motor platform, the influences of oscillation frequency and amplitude are systematically studied, and the maximum power of 0.084 mW under a loading resistance of 20 MΩ and 4.61 mW under 800 Ω are obtained at a driving frequency of 2 Hz by the TENG and EMG, respectively. The energy conversion efficiency of the system is 0.45%. Moreover, by placing the devices on the legs and arms of the human body respectively, the ability of the hybridized nanogenerator to capture the simple movement energy of the human body is further verified. After that, a self-powering pedometer module is successfully integrated with the energy storage unit. Under the excitation provided by running a body, the hybridized nanogenerator can provide a 20-s pedometer normal operation after charging a capacitance of 100 μF to 3.2 V. This research not only provides a new idea for the efficient acquisition of vibration energy, but also has potential applications in the energy supply of self-powered sensors.

Freeform Surface Graded Optimization of Deformable Mirrors in Integrated Zoom and Image Stabilization System Through Vectorial Ray Tracing and Image Point Freezing Method

Integrated zoom and image stabilization system based on deformable mirrors (DMs) has advantages of miniaturization, rapid response and low energy consumption. Integrating the two capabilities on one DM-based imaging system poses considerable challenges. First, limited DM stroke will result in limited changeable aberration correction value for zoom and image stabilization. Second, the DM-based off-axis imaging system suffers a simple relative movement between optical axis and objects caused by carrier vibration may result in complicated optical system aberrations. To address these challenges, a reasonable assignment of the changeable aberration correction value for zoom and image stabilization is needed. Image stabilization and aberration correction in DM-based off-axis imaging system, should be considered when translation or rotation occurs. To troubleshoot the assignment issues of the correcting aberrations, we propose a graded optimization method which comprises two steps. To troubleshoot the image stabilization and aberration correction issues, we introduce vectorial ray tracing method and image point freezing principle to transform the aberration correction problem into an optimization problem of image coordinates. With the proposed method, we construct practical integrated freeform surfaces of DMs for a space camera with three mirrors. The sagittal heights of designed DM surface profiles are limited within their available stroke.

Forming tile shapes with simple robots

Motivated by the problem of manipulating nanoscale materials, we investigate the problem of reconfiguring a set of tiles into certain shapes by robots with limited computational capabilities. As a first step towards developing a general framework for these problems, we consider the problem of rearranging a connected set of hexagonal tiles by a single deterministic finite automaton. After investigating some limitations of a single-robot system, we show that a feasible approach to build a particular shape is to first rearrange the tiles into an intermediate structure by performing very simple tile movements. We introduce three types of such intermediate structures, each having certain advantages and disadvantages. Each of these structures can be built in asymptotically optimal $$O(n^2)$$ rounds, where n is the number of tiles. As a proof of concept, we give an algorithm for reconfiguring a set of tiles into an equilateral triangle through one of the intermediate structures. Finally, we experimentally show that the algorithm for building the simplest of the three intermediate structures can be modified to be executed by multiple robots in a distributed manner, achieving an almost linear speedup in the case where the number of robots is reasonably small, and explain how the algorithm can be used to construct a triangle distributedly.

Efficient Prediction Methods With Enhanced Spatial-Temporal Correlation for HEVC

The state-of-the-art high efficiency video coding (HEVC) standard provides a significant improvement relative to H.264/AVC, with almost 50% bitrate reduction. However, there are still requirements to further improve the coding performance of HEVC. In this paper, we reveal some problems in both intra and inter prediction by giving detailed observations, and solve them by further exploring spatial and temporal correlations. First, it is noteworthy that large boundary distortions in intra prediction blocks arise from the simplistic extrapolation operation with partial reference samples. To reduce these boundary distortions, we propose an enhanced prediction boundary filtering method based on generalized Gaussian distribution functions, and extend this method to merge prediction. Second, we combine intra and inter prediction to create a novel prediction method, in which spatial and temporal correlations are simultaneously considered. In addition, the existing merge mode can only provide accurate prediction results for simple movements, owing to the lack of motion estimation. To improve the flexibility, we optimize the existing merge mode by intensifying the temporal correlation with a simple motion search process. The experimental results show that the proposed methods achieve consistent bitrate savings, 1.3% for all intra, 1.5% for random access, 2.5% (up to 4.2%) for low delay P, and 1.2% for low delay B configuration. The encoding time only rises by 70% - 80%, and the decoding time increases negligibly.

МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ НАПРЯЖЕНИЙ, ДЕЙСТВУЮЩИХ ПРИ РАЗРУШЕНИИ ПОРОДЫ В ДРОБИЛКАХ С УЧЕТОМ КОНТАКТНОГО ТРЕНИЯ

Приведены исследования распределения напряжений, действующих при разрушении крепких материалов в зоне контакта с бронеплитами в щековых дробилках со сложным движением щеки и с конусами в конусных дробилках. Проанализировано влияние направления сил контактного трения при сжатии на эффективность разрушения горной массы. Разработана математическая модель для определения напряженного состояния породы. Показана возможность управления режимами нагружения для повышения эффективности процесса дробления.