Preliminary Extracellular Vesicle Profiling in Drainage Fluid After Neck Dissection in OSCC.

Lymph node metastasis is related to poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and few studies have explored the relevance of postoperative drainage fluid (PDF) in metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized vesicles that can transfer oncogenic molecules to regulate tumorigenesis. However, the proteomic profile of postoperative drainage fluid-derived EVs (PDF-EVs) in OSCC has not been elucidated. Herein, we collected drainage fluid from OSCC patients after neck dissection to investigate the difference in PDF-EVs between patients with metastatic lymph nodes (the LN+ group) and nonmetastatic lymph nodes (the LN- group). The proteomic profile of PDF-EVs from the LN+ and LN- groups was compared using label-free liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry-based protein quantification. The results revealed that PDF-EVs were mainly derived from epithelial cells and immune cells. A total of 2,134 proteins in the PDF-EVs were identified, and 313 were differentially expressed between the LN+ and LN- groups. Metabolic proteins, such as EHD2 and CAVIN1, were expressed at higher levels in the LN+ group than in the LN- group, and the levels of EHD2 and CAVIN1 in the postoperative drainage fluid were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis. Our study revealed previously undocumented postoperative drainage fluid-associated proteins in patients with metastatic OSCC, providing a starting point for understanding their role in metastatic and nonmetastatic OSCC.

Evaluation of emissions and exposures at workplaces using desktop 3-dimensional printer.

There is a paucity of data on additive manufacturing process emissions and personal exposures in real-world workplaces. Hence, we evaluated atmospheres in four workplaces utilizing desktop "3-dimensional" (3-d) printers [fused filament fabrication (FFF) and sheer] for production, prototyping, or research. Airborne particle diameter and number concentration and total volatile organic compound concentrations were measured using real-time instruments. Airborne particles and volatile organic compounds were collected using time-integrated sampling techniques for off-line analysis. Personal exposures for metals and volatile organic compounds were measured in the breathing zone of operators. All 3-d printers that were monitored released ultrafine and fine particles and organic vapors into workplace air. Particle number-based emission rates (#/min) ranged from 9.4 × 109 to 4.4 × 1011 (n = 9samples) for FFF3-d printers and from 1.9 to 3.8 × 109 (n = 2 samples) for a sheer 3-d printer. The large variability in emission rate values reflected variability from the printers as well as differences in printer design, operating conditions, and feedstock materials among printers. A custom-built ventilated enclosure evaluated at one facility was capable of reducing particle number and total organic chemical concentrations by 99.7% and 53.2%, respectively. Carbonyl compounds were detected in room air; however, none were specifically attributed to the 3-d printing process. Personal exposure to metals (aluminum, iron) and 12 different organic chemicals were all below applicable NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit values, but results are not reflective of all possible exposure scenarios. More research is needed to understand 3-d printer emissions, exposures, and efficacy of engineering controls in occupational settings.

Particle and vapor emissions from vat polymerization desktop-scale 3-dimensional printers.

Little is known about emissions and exposure potential from vat polymerization additive manufacturing, a process that uses light-activated polymerization of a resin to build an object. Five vat polymerization printers (three stereolithography (SLA) and two digital light processing (DLP) were evaluated individually in a 12.85 m3 chamber. Aerosols (number, size) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) were measured using real-time monitors. Carbonyl vapors and particulate matter were collected for offline analysis using impingers and filters, respectively. During printing, particle emission yields (#/g printed) ranged from 1.3 ± 0.3 to 2.8 ± 2.6 x 108 (SLA printers) and from 3.3 ± 1.5 to 9.2 ± 3.0 x 108 (DLP printers). Yields for number of particles with sizes 5.6 to 560 nm (#/g printed) were 0.8 ± 0.1 to 2.1 ± 0.9 x 1010 and from 1.1 ± 0.3 to 4.0 ± 1.2 x 1010 for SLA and DLP printers, respectively. TVOC yield values (µg/g printed) ranged from 161 ± 47 to 322 ± 229 (SLA printers) and from 1281 ± 313 to 1931 ± 234 (DLP printers). Geometric mean mobility particle sizes were 41.1-45.1 nm for SLA printers and 15.3-28.8 nm for DLP printers. Mean particle and TVOC yields were statistically significantly higher and mean particle sizes were significantly smaller for DLP printers compared with SLA printers (p < 0.05). Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of individual particles qualitatively identified potential occupational carcinogens (chromium, nickel) as well as reactive metals implicated in generation of reactive oxygen species (iron, zinc). Lung deposition modeling indicates that about 15-37% of emitted particles would deposit in the pulmonary region (alveoli). Benzaldehyde (1.0-2.3 ppb) and acetone (0.7-18.0 ppb) were quantified in emissions from four of the printers and 4-oxopentanal (0.07 ppb) was detectable in the emissions from one printer. Vat polymerization printers emitted nanoscale particles that contained potential carcinogens, sensitizers, and reactive metals as well as carbonyl compound vapors. Differences in emissions between SLA and DLP printers indicate that the underlying technology is an important factor when considering exposure reduction strategies such as engineering controls.

Ventilation rates in recently constructed U.S. school classrooms.

Low ventilation rates (VRs) in schools have been associated with absenteeism, poorer academic performance, and teacher dissatisfaction. We measured VRs in 37 recently constructed or renovated and mechanically ventilated U.S. schools, including LEED and EnergyStar-certified buildings, using CO2 and the steady-state, build-up, decay, and transient mass balance methods. The transient mass balance method better matched conditions (specifically, changes in occupancy) and minimized biases seen in the other methods. During the school day, air change rates (ACRs) averaged 2.0±1.3 hour-1 , and only 22% of classrooms met recommended minimum ventilation rates. HVAC systems were shut off at the school day close, and ACRs dropped to 0.21±0.19 hour-1 . VRs did not differ by building type, although cost-cutting and comfort measures resulted in low VRs and potentially impaired IAQ. VRs were lower in schools that used unit ventilators or radiant heating, in smaller schools and in larger classrooms. The steady-state, build-up, and decay methods had significant limitations and biases, showing the need to confirm that these methods are appropriate. Findings highlight the need to increase VRs and to ensure that energy saving and comfort measures do not compromise ventilation and IAQ.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Lesioning When Treating Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: Clinical Results.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermal lesioning (RTL) and the impact of obesity when treating patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 consecutive patients were enrolled. The visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot-Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score, and plantar fascia thickness measured using US were recorded at baseline and at follow-up 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery under local anesthesia. RESULTS: 12 patients in the obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) group and 18 patients in the non-obese group. There were significant postoperative decreases in VAS scores and in fascial thickness, and an increase in the AOFAS scores (all p < 0.001). The obese group showed delayed pain and functional improvement within the first 3 months after the index procedure (p < 0.01). Significant pain reduction and functional improvement were apparent earlier (after 1 month, p < 0.001) in the non-obese group than in the obese group (after 3 months, p < 0.05). Fascia thickness was positively correlated with the VAS score and negatively correlated with the AOFAS score (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: US should be regarded as a useful objective tool to guide RTL and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. US-guided percutaneous RTL for recalcitrant PF is a minimally invasive treatment option that yields satisfactory results. Therefore, it should at least be considered before using more invasive procedures. Moreover, obesity leads to delayed improvement but does not affect overall outcome after 12 months. Plantar fascial thickness was correlated with VAS and AOFAS scores.

Biomechanics during exercise with a novel stairclimber.

The current study aimed to investigate the stair-climbing biomechanics related to the lower extremities when subjects used the novel designed stair-climber, which could provide opportunity for both sagittal and frontal movements. 12 volunteers were required to step while either keeping the trunk static (STATIC) or allowing the trunk to shift with weight bearing (SHIFT). A motion analysis system and the 6-axis force and torque sensor embedded in the pedal were used to collect data. Foot contact forces and joint moments were calculated to represent loading characteristics. The joint angle and corresponding moments at the terminal point of the stance phase were computed to serve as the indicator of safety. Significant differences were found in peak foot contact forces, knee extensor moment, and hip abductor moment. At the end of the stance phase, various directions of moment between conditions were found in the knee and the ankle. The knee valgus angle, hip abductor moment, and knee extensor moment were significantly greater in SHIFT than in STATIC. The various stepping strategies caused differences in joint loading characteristics; therefore, these findings need to be given greater consideration in the design of training protocols.

Radiobiological and dosimetric analysis of daily megavoltage CT registration on adaptive radiotherapy with Helical Tomotherapy.

Pre-treatment patient repositioning in highly conformal image-guided radiation therapy modalities is a prerequisite for reducing setup uncertainties. In Helical Tomotherapy (HT) treatment, a megavoltage CT (MVCT) image is usually acquired to evaluate daily changes in the patient's internal anatomy and setup position. This MVCT image is subsequently compared to the kilovoltage CT (kVCT) study that was used for dosimetric planning, by applying a registration process. This study aims at investigating the expected effect of patient setup correction using the Hi-Art tomotherapy system by employing radiobiological measures such as the biologically effective uniform dose (D) and the complication-free tumor control probability (P(+)). A new module of the Tomotherapy software (TomoTherapy, Inc, Madison, WI) called Planned Adaptive is employed in this study. In this process the delivered dose can be calculated by using the sinogram for each delivered fraction and the registered MVCT image set that corresponds to the patient's position and anatomical distribution for that fraction. In this study, patients treated for lung, pancreas and prostate carcinomas are evaluated by this method. For each cancer type, a Helical Tomotherapy plan was developed. In each cancer case, two dose distributions were calculated using the MVCT image sets before and after the patient setup correction. The fractional dose distributions were added and renormalized to the total number of fractions planned. The dosimetric and radiobiological differences of the dose distributions with and without patient setup correction were calculated. By using common statistical measures of the dose distributions and the P(+) and D concepts and plotting the tissue response probabilities vs. D a more comprehensive comparison was performed based on radiobiological measures. For the lung cancer case, at the clinically prescribed dose levels of the dose distributions, with and without patient setup correction, the complication-free tumor control probabilities, P(+) are 48.5% and 48.9% for a D(ITV) of 53.3 Gy. The respective total control probabilities, P(B) are 56.3% and 56.5%, whereas the corresponding total complication probabilities, P(I) are 7.9% and 7.5%. For the pancreas cancer case, at the prescribed dose levels of the two dose distributions, the P(+) values are 53.7% and 45.7% for a D(ITV) of 54.7 Gy and 53.8 Gy, respectively. The respective P(B) values are 53.7% and 45.8%, whereas the corresponding P(I) values are ~0.0% and 0.1%. For the prostate cancer case, at the prescribed dose levels of the two dose distributions, the P(+) values are 10.9% for a D(ITV) of 75.2 Gy and 11.9% for a D(ITV) of 75.4 Gy, respectively. The respective P(B) values are 14.5% and 15.3%, whereas the corresponding P(I) values are 3.6% and 3.4%. Our analysis showed that the very good daily patient setup and dose delivery were very close to the intended ones. With the exception of the pancreas cancer case, the deviations observed between the dose distributions with and without patient setup correction were within ±2% in terms of P(+). In the radiobiologically optimized dose distributions, the role of patient setup correction using MVCT images could appear to be more important than in the cases of dosimetrically optimized treatment plans were the individual tissue radiosensitivities are not precisely considered.

Model-based segmentation of flexor tendons from magnetic resonance images of finger joints.

Trigger finger is a common hand disease, causing swelling, painful popping and clicking in moving the affected finger joint. To better evaluate patients with trigger finger, segmentation of flexor tendons from magnetic resonance (MR) images of finger joints, which can offer detailed structural information of tendons to clinicians, is essential. This paper presents a novel model-based method with three stages for automatically segmenting the flexor tendons. In the first stage, a set of tendon contour models (TCMs) is initialized from the most proximal cross-sectional image via two-step ellipse estimation. Each of the TCMs is then propagated to its distally adjacent image by affine registration. The propagation is sequentially performed along the proximal-distal direction until the most distal image is reached, as the second stage of segmentation. The TCMs on each cross-sectional image are refined in the last stage with the snake deformation. MR volumes of three subjects were used to validate the segmentation accuracy. Compared with the manual results, our method showed good accuracy with small average margins of errors (within 0.5 mm) and large overlapping ratio (dice similarity coefficient above 0.8). Overall, the proposed method has great potential for morphological change assessment of flexor tendons and pulley-tendon system modeling for image guided surgery.

Jar-opening challenges. Part 2: estimating the force-generating capacity of thumb muscles in healthy young adults during jar-opening tasks.

This study discusses the force-generating capacity of thumb muscles during jar-opening tasks using two grip patterns: the power grip and the precision grip. This study develops a three-dimensional biomechanical model of the thumb to predict muscle forces in jar-opening activities based on external forces measured by a custom-designed jar device. Ten healthy subjects participated in the study. Each participant turned a jar lid of 66 mm diameter counterclockwise with maximal effort and preferred speed using both grip patterns. The average normal and tangential forces applied by the thumb to the jar lid show that the normal force is the primary contributive force for opening a jar. This normal force is approximately three times the tangential force. Muscular force-generating capacity measurements show that the major active muscles during a jar-opening activity for both grips include the flexor pollicis longus, flexor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis brevis, adductor pollicis, and opponens pollicis. The total muscle force ratios for the precision grip and power grip with respect to externally applied forces are 5.6 and 4.7 respectively. These ratios indicate that the power grip pattern produces less muscle force per unit of external applied load. The technique proposed in this study provides a proper apparatus and model for measuring three-dimensional loads and estimating the force-generating capacity of each muscle and tendon of the thumb during jar-opening tasks.

Assessing four-dimensional radiotherapy planning and respiratory motion-induced dose difference based on biologically effective uniform dose.

Four-dimensional (4D) radiotherapy is considered as a feasible and ideal solution to accommodate intra-fractional respiratory motion during conformal radiation therapy. With explicit inclusion of the temporal changes in anatomy during the imaging, planning, and delivery of radiotherapy, 4D treatment planning in principle provides better dose conformity. However, the clinical benefits of developing 4D treatment plans in terms of tumor control rate and normal tissue complication probability as compared to other treatment plans based on CT images of a fixed respiratory phase remains mostly unproven. The aim of our study is to comprehensively evaluate 4D treatment planning for nine lung tumor cases with both physical and biological measures using biologically effective uniform dose (D =) together with complication-free tumor control probability, P+. Based on the examined lung cancer patients and PTV margin applied, we found similar but not identical curves of DVH, and slightly different mean doses in tumor (up to 1.5%) and normal tissue in all cases when comparing 4D, P0%, and P50% plans. When it comes to biological evaluations, we did not observe definitively PTV size dependence in P+ among these nine lung cancer patients with various sizes of PTV. Moreover, it is not necessary that 4D plans would have better target coverage or higher P+ as compared to a fixed phase IMRT plan. However, on the contrary to significant deviations in P+ (up to 14.7%) observed if delivering the IMRT plan made at end-inhalation incorrectly at end-exhalation phase, we estimated the overall P+, PB, and PI for 4D composite plans that have accounted for intra-fractional respiratory motion.

Effects of age and gender on the movement workspace of the trapeziometacarpal joint.

While researchers have suggested that joint mobility would probably be affected by age and gender, research findings often present discrepancies. Little research has been performed on the factors which effect mobility of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint. The purpose of this study was to address the effects of age and gender on the ranges of motion of the normal TMC joint. Eighty normal subjects divided into four age groups participated in this study. The TMC joint motions were recorded using an electromagnetic tracking system. In order to achieve a maximal range of TMC joint motion which was defined as the maximal workspace, each subject was asked to perform actively maximal circumduction, flexion-extension, and abduction-adduction of the TMC joint. Numerical and statistical methods were used to compute the TMC workspace and to detect significant differences. A workspace-to-length ratio was determined as an index to examine the effects of the age and gender on the joint mobility. The results demonstrated that age and gender had significant influences on the TMC workspace among the groups studied. The understanding of TMC joint mobility under different age and gender conditions is achieved through this study. The findings can be used to report clinical measures in the determination of the extent of impairment of osteoarthritis as well as the outcomes between pre- and post-surgical (or non-surgical) interventions.

Development of a three-degrees-of-freedom moveable platform for providing postural perturbations.

The purpose of this study was to design and develop a three-degrees-of-freedom moveable platform to provide postural perturbations for balance assessment and training. The platform consists of three motion mechanisms, which can provide forward-backward translation, upward-downward tilt, and clockwise-counterclockwise rotation. This platform can move in any of its degrees of freedom separately or simultaneously. The precision and accuracy of the platform movement were examined by calculating the standard deviations in repeated trials and comparing the real amplitude and velocity of the movement with the preset values. All the standard deviations in repeated trials were small in that the variation coefficients were less than 2 per cent, except that in the highest-velocity test, and all the mean differences were less than 1 mm for translational and 1 degree for tilt or rotational perturbations. The results demonstrated that the platform is a reliable and valid instrument for providing postural perturbations. The preliminary investigation of the kinematic postural responses to translational and tilt perturbation showed that this platform is a useful apparatus for balance research. Potential applications of this platform include investigation of the postural responses to yaw rotation or any combination of its degrees of freedom and studying the effects of perturbation-based balance-training programmes provided by this platform.

Jar-opening challenges. Part 1: an apparatus for assessing hand and finger torques and forces in a jar-opening activity.

A simulated jar apparatus was developed to record hand kinetics and torque contribution of a digit during jar-opening activities. The design of the apparatus, namely a jar body and a lid, is similar to a commercial jam jar that is regularly seen in daily living. One six-axis force-torque transducer and a torque cell were mounted inside the jar lid to detect the external force exerted from the digit and fixed on to the jar body to record the overall torque generated by the hand and wrist respectively. The applications of the apparatus were used to test the twisting torque of the hand and to measure the applied forces of the digit, which are both important factors in opening a jar. The contribution of each digit relative to the total twisting torque of the hand could be obtained via the apparatus. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the repeated measurements of the obtained forces and moments for different counterweights was approximately 0.96-1.00, which indicates that the reliability of the measured components of the apparatus is high. The high coefficient of determination (r2 > 0.99) indicates high accuracy of prediction of the measured values with respect to the expected loads. The validation outcomes support the design rationale and actual body part of the simulated jar. In addition, understanding the contribution of a single digit in opening a jar was also achieved via the apparatus and model.

Effects of passivation treatments on titanium alloy with nanometric scale roughness and induced changes in fibroblast initial adhesion evaluated by a cytodetacher.

Passivation treatments of titanium alloy alter not only its nanosurface characteristics of oxides and ion release but also surface roughness (Ra), and wettability as well, where nanosurface characteristics of oxides include chemistries of oxides, amphoteric-OH groups adsorbed on oxides, and oxide thickness. Consequently, the passivation treatment affects the alloy's cyto-comparability. In this study, we polish specimens to achieve nanometric scale roughness. In addition, treatment effects are evaluated for surface topology, roughness, wettability, and responses of fibroblasts consisting of MTT assay, initial adhesion strength, and morphology. The initial adhesion strength is measured using a cyto-detacher that achieves nano-Newton resolution. Results reveal that (1) the treatment effects on the percentage of Ti--OH basic groups and wettability are nearly collinear; (2) the Ra of passivated Ti-6Al-4V ranges from 1.9 to 7.4 nm; (3) the initial adhesion strength of fibroblast ranges from 58 to 143 nN, and it is negatively correlated to the Ra; (4) the passivation results in distinguishable morphologies, which further substantiate the negative correlation between cell initial adhesion force and Ra; and (5) our results fall short of confirming previous reports that found positively charged functional groups promoting fibroblast attachment and spread. Potential causes of the inconsistency are addressed.

Effects of nano-surface properties on initial osteoblast adhesion and Ca/P adsorption ability for titanium alloys.

Titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V), while subjected to high temperature surface treatment, experience altered nano-surface characteristics. The effects of such surface treatments are examined, including the initial adhesion force experienced by osteoblasts, the Ca/P adsorption capability, and the nano-surface properties, including the amounts of amphoteric Ti-OH groups, surface topography, and surface roughness. The initial adhesion force is considered a quantitative indicator of cyto-compatibility in vitro. Previously, a cyto-detacher was applied in a pioneer attempt measuring the initial adhesion force of fibroblasts on a metal surface. Presently, the cyto-detacher is further applied to evaluate the initial adhesion force of osteoblasts. Results reveal that (1) titanium alloys subjected to heat treatment could promote the adsorption capability of Ca and P; (2) titanium alloys subjected to heat treatment could have higher initial osteoblast adhesion forces; (3) the adhesion strength of osteoblasts, ranging from 38.5 to 58.9 nN (nanonewtons), appears stronger for rougher surfaces. It is concluded that the heat treatment could have impacted the biocompatibility in terms of the initial osteoblast adhesion force and Ca/P adsorption capability.

Effect of bilateral reaching on affected arm motor control in stroke--with and without loading on unaffected arm.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of bilateral reaching, with/without inertial loading on the unaffected arm, on hemiparetic arm motor control in stroke. METHODS: Twenty unilateral stroke patients were recruited. A three-dimensional optical motion capture system was used to measure the movement trajectory of the hemiparetic arm while performing three tasks: affected limb reaching forward; two-limb reaching forward; and two-limb reaching forward with inertia loading of 25% upper limb weight on the unaffected limb, respectively. Kinematical parameters were utilized to quantify the reaching performance of the affected arm. RESULTS: No matter whether loading was applied on the unaffected arm or not, the bilateral reaching task did not significantly facilitate smoother and faster movement. Furthermore, during bilateral reaching task with/without loading on the unaffected arm, stroke patients showed slower movement, lower maximal movement velocity, feedback control dominant and discontinuous movements in the affected arm than the same task with unilateral reaching. Subjects showed the greatest active upper extremity range of motion in proximal joints during the bilateral reaching task without unaffected arm loading. The amount of trunk movement also increased during bilateral reaching either with or without loading on the unaffected arm. Patients with moderate upper extremity motor impairment performed more discontinuous movements and less active elbow range of motion during bilateral reaching tasks; however, those with mild upper extremity motor impairment performed smoother movements and demonstrated greater active elbow range of motion during bilateral reaching tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral reaching tasks with/without loading on the unaffected arm could be considered as adding challenges during motor control training. Training with bilateral arm movements may be considered as a treatment strategy, and can be incorporated in stroke rehabilitation to facilitate greater arm active movement and improve motor control performance in the affected arm.

Movement of finger joints induced by synergistic wrist motion.

BACKGROUND: An experiment has recently been conducted to evaluate and compare the differences in tendon excursions between the flexor digitorum profundus and superficialis using three mobilization techniques. No previous studies deal with the total joint excursions with constant tendon length. The purpose of this study was to investigate the coordinated motion between the finger and wrist joints resulting from passive tension of the muscles while performing synergistic wrist motion. METHODS: The relative joint positions of the hand and wrist were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system with external retroreflective markers 2 mm in diameter placed on the dorsal surface of the hand. Fifty normal subjects, with a 1:1 gender ration, ranging in age from 20 to 40 years, and with no previous history of upper extremity injury, were recruited for the experiment. FINDINGS: The relationships of synergistic motion between the wrist and finger joints due to passive tension in the muscles were approximately linear. The ranges of wrist motion averaged 60 degrees extension and 60 degrees flexion. Moving the wrist from flexion into extension induced synergistic finger joint motion as follows: the distal interphalangeal joint angles changed from an average of 12 degrees of flexion to 31 degrees; proximal-interphalangeal joint angles changed from 19 degrees to 70 degrees; and metacarpal phalangeal joints changed from 27 degrees to 63 degrees of flexion. INTERPRETATION: The relationships of synergistic motion between the wrist and finger joints were systematically documented. Such a relationship could be considered in optimizing the design of dynamic splints used for rehabilitation in post-surgical tendon repair, as well as providing useful information about potential diagnoses of problems with the integrity of the flexor and extensor mechanisms.

Frequency spectral characteristics of standing balance in children and young adults.

Past research has shown that spectral frequency characteristics of a balance control system may be useful for early detection of minor changes in the system. Since there is a lack of information regarding the frequency spectrum of children's balance control system, this study was undertaken to investigate and compare the spectral frequency characteristics of standing balance control between children and young adults under altered sensory environments. Seventeen children (9 females, 8 males, mean age 7.8+/-0.9 years) and the same number of female and male young adults (mean age 21.1+/-1.3 years) were tested for standing balance under six sensory conditions. These conditions were created by crossing the three levels of the visual factor (open eye, closed eye, sway-referenced vision) with the two levels of the somatosensory factor (fixed foot support, compliant foot support). The median spectral frequencies of the shear forces in the anterior-posterior (A/P) and the medial-lateral (M/L) directions were used as dependent variables. The results showed that children had higher median spectral frequency of the A/P shear force than young adults and this difference was not affected by the somatosensory factor. The median spectral frequency in the M/L direction was not different between the groups. The higher rate of body mass vibration of children in the A/P direction implies that children may not have fully developed the ankle strategy for maintaining standing balance, but nonetheless have developed the same efficiency of using vision for their reference of standing balance.

A 2-D model of wheelchair propulsion.

PURPOSE: To illustrate the potential benefits of kinetic and kinematic models in the exploration of biomechanical studies as illustrated using a simple 2-D static optimization model of wheelchair propulsion. METHOD: A four-bar linkage analysis was used to determine sagittal plane motion through the range of wheelchair propulsion. Using anthropometric measures of wheelchair users, this analysis determined the angles of shoulder and elbow flexion/extension at a given point in the propulsion cycle. Maximal strength inputs for the model were collected from isokinetic measurements of shoulder and elbow moments. The torque inputs were given as functions of sagittal plane joint angles. Through selection of appropriate model performance criteria, optimization techniques determined shoulder and elbow torque contributions throughout the propulsion cycle. Variations in the model parameters of anterior-posterior (AP) seat position and handrim size went used to show potential of model to evaluate wheelchair configuration using the performance criteria of propulsive moment (Mo) and efficiency as defined by fractional effective force (FEF). RESULTS: The model was able to predict the magnitude and direction of force applied to the handrim from shoulder and elbow moments. These joint moments may be examined along with the generated wheelchair axle propulsion moment. While the model showed no significant changes in either Mo or FEF for AP seat changes, an increase in handrim size was shown to increase FEF. CONCLUSIONS: This model was able to simulate wheelchair propulsion and allow for performance analyses. The open nature of the model allowed for tweaking of the kinematic inputs to examine the sensitivity of such factors as seat position and handrim size in wheelchair propulsion. Strength inputs to the model may also be altered to study the potential effects of strength training or muscle weakness.

The validity of using a video-based motion analysis system for measuring maximal area of fingertip motion and angular variation.

The aim of the study was to verify the application of a three-dimensional video motion analysis system to evaluate maximal fingertip motion area and angular variation of the hand by comparison and correlation with videofluoroscopic analysis. Eight normal subjects were recruited in this study. The maximal motion area of the fingertip and the angles of the metacarpal phalangeal (MP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints in performing five sequential postures for functional evaluation of the hand were measured using a video motion analysis system and a fluoroscopy system respectively. The results indicated that the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the calculated maximal fingertip motion area between the two methods was 0.9597. The ICC for total active motion (TAM) measurements of three finger joints was 0.940 between the surface and bony landmarks by fluoroscopy, 0.952 between the surface landmarks from fluoroscopy and motion analysis, and 0.927 between the bony landmark from fluoroscopy and surface markers from motion analysis. The ICC for angular measurements between three different paired assessments was 0.9650, 0.8896 and 0.8799 for the MP, PIP and DIP joints respectively. The results indicate that motion analysis is a practical method for assessing impairment of the hand.