Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 249 in total

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  1. Interface stress in socket/residual limb with transtibial prosthetic suspension systems during locomotion on slopes and stairs
    Eshraghi A, Abu Osman NA, Gholizadeh H, Ali S, Abas WA
    Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 2015 Jan;94(1):1-10.
    PMID: 24919079 DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000134
    This study aimed to compare the effects of different suspension methods on the interface stress inside the prosthetic sockets of transtibial amputees when negotiating ramps and stairs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  2. Fulltext Development and evaluation of new coupling system for lower limb prostheses with acoustic alarm system
    Eshraghi A, Osman NA, Gholizadeh H, Ahmadian J, Rahmati B, Abas WA
    Sci Rep, 2013;3:2270.
    PMID: 23881340 DOI: 10.1038/srep02270
    Individuals with lower limb amputation need a secure suspension system for their prosthetic devices. A new coupling system was developed that is capable of suspending the prosthesis. The system's safety is ensured through an acoustic alarm system. This article explains how the system works and provides an in vivo evaluation of the device with regard to pistoning during walking. The system was designed to be used with silicone liners and is based on the requirements of prosthetic suspension systems. Mechanical testing was performed using a universal testing machine. The pistoning during walking was measured using a motion analysis system. The new coupling device produced significantly less pistoning compared to a common suspension system (pin/lock). The safety alarm system would buzz if the suspension was going to fail. The new coupling system could securely suspend the prostheses in transtibial amputees and produced less vertical movement than the pin/lock system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  3. The effects of additional hollow cylinder coated to external fixator screws for treating pilon fracture: A biomechanical perspective
    Ramlee MH, Seng GH, Ros Felip A, Abdul Kadir MR
    Injury, 2021 Aug;52(8):2131-2141.
    PMID: 33745700 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2021.03.017
    An external fixator is a promising medical device that could provide optimum stability and reduce the rate of complications in treating bone fracture during intervention period. It is noted that the biomechanics behaviour of device can be altered by introducing more features such as material suitability and additional components. Therefore, this study was conducted via finite element method to investigate the effects of additional hollow cylinder coated with external fixator screws in treating Type III pilon fracture. Finite element models which have been validated with experimental data were used to simulate stresses at the pin-bone interface and relative micromovement at interfragmentary fractures during swing (70 N load) and stance phases (350 N load). All bones and external fixators were assigned with isotropic material properties while the cartilages were simulated with hyper-elastic. For the hollow cylinder, polyethylene was assigned due to its properties which are equivalent to the bone. From the results, it is found that stresses at the pin-bone interface for the coated screws were reduced to 54% as compared to the conventional fixator. For the micromovement, there was no difference between both models, whereby the value was 0.03 mm. The results supported previously published literature, in which high stresses are unavoidable at the interface, fortunately, those stresses did not exceed the ultimate strength of bone, which is safe for treating patients. In conclusion, if patients are allowed to bear weight bearing, the external fixator with coated screws is a more favourable option to be fixed into the bone to avoid complications at the interface.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  4. Mechanomyography and muscle function assessment: a review of current state and prospects
    Ibitoye MO, Hamzaid NA, Zuniga JM, Abdul Wahab AK
    Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 2014 Jun;29(6):691-704.
    PMID: 24856875 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2014.04.003
    Previous studies have explored to saturation the efficacy of the conventional signal (such as electromyogram) for muscle function assessment and found its clinical impact limited. Increasing demand for reliable muscle function assessment modalities continues to prompt further investigation into other complementary alternatives. Application of mechanomyographic signal to quantify muscle performance has been proposed due to its inherent mechanical nature and ability to assess muscle function non-invasively while preserving muscular neurophysiologic information. Mechanomyogram is gaining accelerated applications in evaluating the properties of muscle under voluntary and evoked muscle contraction with prospects in clinical practices. As a complementary modality and the mechanical counterpart to electromyogram; mechanomyogram has gained significant acceptance in analysis of isometric and dynamic muscle actions. Substantial studies have also documented the effectiveness of mechanomyographic signal to assess muscle performance but none involved comprehensive appraisal of the state of the art applications with highlights on the future prospect and potential integration into the clinical practices. Motivated by the dearth of such critical review, we assessed the literature to investigate its principle of acquisition, current applications, challenges and future directions. Based on our findings, the importance of rigorous scientific and clinical validation of the signal is highlighted. It is also evident that as a robust complement to electromyogram, mechanomyographic signal may possess unprecedented potentials and further investigation will be enlightening.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena/physiology
  5. Bioactivity and mechanical stability of Ti-6Al-4V implants superplastically embedded with hydroxyapatite in rats
    Mohd Khalid H, Jauhari I, Mohamad Wali HA, Abdulrazzaq Mahmod S
    Biomed Mater, 2017 01 25;12(1):015019.
    PMID: 28120816 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605X/aa4f8b
    In this in vivo study, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used to investigate the bioactivity as well as the microstructural and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V samples embedded with hydroxyapatite (HA) using two different coating methods-superplastic embedment (SPE) and superplastic deformation (SPD). The HA layer thickness for the SPE and SPD samples increased from 249.1  ±  0.6 nm to 874.8  ±  13.7 nm, and from 206.1  ±  5.8 nm to 1162.7  ±  7.9 nm respectively, after 12 weeks of implantation. The SPD sample exhibited much faster growth of newly formed HA compared to SPE. The growth of the newly formed HA was strongly dependent on the degree of HA crystallinity in the initial HA layer. After 12 weeks of implantation, the surface hardness value of the SPE and SPD samples decreased from 661  ±  0.4 HV to 586  ±  1.3 HV and from 585  ±  6.6 HV to 425  ±  86.9 HV respectively. The decrease in surface hardness values was due to the newly formed HA layer that was more porous than the initial HA layer. However, the values were still higher than the substrate surface hardness of 321  ±  28.8 HV. Wear test results suggest that the original HA layers for both samples were still strongly intact, and to a certain extent the newly grown HA layers also were strongly bound with the original HA layers. This study confirms the bioactivity and mechanical stability of the HA layer on both samples in vivo.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  6. The influence of ball-swing on the timing and coordination of a natural interceptive task
    Sarpeshkar V, Mann DL, Spratford W, Abernethy B
    Hum Mov Sci, 2017 Aug;54:82-100.
    PMID: 28410536 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2017.04.003
    Successful interception relies on the use of perceptual information to accurately guide an efficient movement strategy that allows performers to be placed at the right place at the right time. Although previous studies have highlighted the differences in the timing and coordination of movement that underpin interceptive expertise, very little is known about how these movement patterns are adapted when intercepting targets that follow a curvilinear flight-path. The aim of this study was to examine how curvilinear ball-trajectories influence movement patterns when intercepting a fast-moving target. Movement timing and coordination was examined when four groups of cricket batters, who differed in their skill level and/or age, hit targets that followed straight or curvilinear flight-paths. The results revealed that when compared to hitting straight trials, (i) mixing straight with curvilinear trials altered movement coordination and when the ball was hit, (ii) curvilinear trajectories reduced interceptive performance and significantly delayed the timing of all kinematic moments, but there were (iii) larger decrease in performance when the ball swung away from (rather than in towards) the performer. Movement coordination differed between skill but not age groups, suggesting that skill-appropriate movement patterns that are apparent in adults may have fully emerged by late adolescence.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  7. Effects of different implant-abutment connections on micromotion and stress distribution: prediction of microgap formation
    Saidin S, Abdul Kadir MR, Sulaiman E, Abu Kasim NH
    J Dent, 2012 Jun;40(6):467-74.
    PMID: 22366313 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2012.02.009
    The aim of this study was to analyse micromotion and stress distribution at the connections of implants and four types of abutments: internal hexagonal, internal octagonal, internal conical and trilobe.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  8. Finite element analysis of different surgical approaches in various occlusal loading locations for zygomatic implant placement for the treatment of atrophic maxillae
    Ishak MI, Abdul Kadir MR, Sulaiman E, Abu Kasim NH
    Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2012 Sep;41(9):1077-89.
    PMID: 22575179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2012.04.010
    The aim of this study was to compare two different types of surgical approaches, intrasinus and extramaxillary, for the placement of zygomatic implants to treat atrophic maxillae. A computational finite element simulation was used to analyze the strength of implant anchorage for both approaches in various occlusal loading locations. Three-dimensional models of the craniofacial structures surrounding a region of interest, soft tissue and framework were developed using computed tomography image datasets. The implants were modelled using computer-aided design software. The bone was assumed to be linear isotropic with a stiffness of 13.4 GPa, and the implants were assumed to be made of titanium with a stiffness of 110 GPa. Masseter forces of 300 N were applied at the zygomatic arch, and occlusal loads of 150 N were applied vertically onto the framework surface at different locations. The intrasinus approach demonstrated more satisfactory results and could be a viable treatment option. The extramaxillary approach could also be recommended as a reasonable treatment option, provided some improvements are made to address the cantilever effects seen with that approach.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  9. Fulltext Piezoelectric bimorphs' characteristics as in-socket sensors for transfemoral amputees
    El-Sayed AM, Hamzaid NA, Abu Osman NA
    Sensors (Basel), 2014;14(12):23724-41.
    PMID: 25513823 DOI: 10.3390/s141223724
    Alternative sensory systems for the development of prosthetic knees are being increasingly highlighted nowadays, due to the rapid advancements in the field of lower limb prosthetics. This study presents the use of piezoelectric bimorphs as in-socket sensors for transfemoral amputees. An Instron machine was used in the calibration procedure and the corresponding output data were further analyzed to determine the static and dynamic characteristics of the piezoelectric bimorph. The piezoelectric bimorph showed appropriate static operating range, repeatability, hysteresis, and frequency response for application in lower prosthesis, with a force range of 0-100 N. To further validate this finding, an experiment was conducted with a single transfemoral amputee subject to measure the stump/socket pressure using the piezoelectric bimorph embedded inside the socket. The results showed that a maximum interface pressure of about 27 kPa occurred at the anterior proximal site compared to the anterior distal and posterior sites, consistent with values published in other studies. This paper highlighted the capacity of piezoelectric bimorphs to perform as in-socket sensors for transfemoral amputees. However, further experiments are recommended to be conducted with different amputees with different socket types.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  10. Fulltext Technology efficacy in active prosthetic knees for transfemoral amputees: a quantitative evaluation
    El-Sayed AM, Hamzaid NA, Abu Osman NA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:297431.
    PMID: 25110727 DOI: 10.1155/2014/297431
    Several studies have presented technological ensembles of active knee systems for transfemoral prosthesis. Other studies have examined the amputees' gait performance while wearing a specific active prosthesis. This paper combined both insights, that is, a technical examination of the components used, with an evaluation of how these improved the gait of respective users. This study aims to offer a quantitative understanding of the potential enhancement derived from strategic integration of core elements in developing an effective device. The study systematically discussed the current technology in active transfemoral prosthesis with respect to its functional walking performance amongst above-knee amputee users, to evaluate the system's efficacy in producing close-to-normal user performance. The performances of its actuator, sensory system, and control technique that are incorporated in each reported system were evaluated separately and numerical comparisons were conducted based on the percentage of amputees' gait deviation from normal gait profile points. The results identified particular components that contributed closest to normal gait parameters. However, the conclusion is limitedly extendable due to the small number of studies. Thus, more clinical validation of the active prosthetic knee technology is needed to better understand the extent of contribution of each component to the most functional development.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  11. Effect of spatial inlet velocity profiles on the vortex formation pattern in a dilated left ventricle
    Chan BT, Lim E, Ong CW, Abu Osman NA
    Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin, 2015;18(1):90-6.
    PMID: 23521137 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2013.779683
    Despite the advancement of cardiac imaging technologies, these have traditionally been limited to global geometrical measurements. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has emerged as a reliable tool that provides flow field information and other variables essential for the assessment of the cardiac function. Extensive studies have shown that vortex formation and propagation during the filling phase acts as a promising indicator for the diagnosis of the cardiac health condition. Proper setting of the boundary conditions is crucial in a CFD study as they are important determinants, that affect the simulation results. In this article, the effect of different transmitral velocity profiles (parabolic and uniform profile) on the vortex formation patterns during diastole was studied in a ventricle with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The resulting vortex evolution pattern using the uniform inlet velocity profile agreed with that reported in the literature, which revealed an increase in thrombus risk in a ventricle with DCM. However the application of a parabolic velocity profile at the inlet yields a deviated vortical flow pattern and overestimates the propagation velocity of the vortex ring towards the apex of the ventricle. This study highlighted that uniform inlet velocity profile should be applied in the study of the filling dynamics in a left ventricle because it produces results closer to that observed experimentally.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  12. Orthoses versus gait retraining: Immediate response in improving physical performance measures in healthy and medial knee osteoarthritic adults
    Khan SJ, Khan SS, Usman J, Mokhtar AH, Abu Osman NA
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2020 Jul;234(7):749-757.
    PMID: 32459132 DOI: 10.1177/0954411920924525
    The conservative techniques of treating knee osteoarthritis (kOA) include wearing orthoses such as knee braces and laterally wedged insoles and applying gait modification techniques such as toe-in gait and toe-out gait. This study aimed at assessing the immediate effects of these techniques in improving physical function of healthy and kOA participants. Five Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) recommended performance-based tests were randomly applied to measure physical function: (1) 30-second chair stand test (30CST), (2) 40-m (4 × 10) fast-paced walk test (40FPW), (3) stair climb test (SCT), (4) timed up and go test (TUGT) and (5) 6-minute walk test (6MWT) during a single-visit on 20 healthy and 20 kOA patients (age: 59.5 ± 7.33 and 61.5 ± 8.63 years, BMI: 69.95 ± 9.86 and 70.45 ± 8.80 kg/m2). The interventions included natural gait, toe-out gait, toe-in gait, laterally wedged insoles and knee brace. Analysis was performed through repeated-measures ANOVA and independent sample t-test. 30CST and TUGT showed no significant differences for the five test conditions (p > 0.05). Toe-out showed profound effects via pairwise comparison in impairing the physical function while knee brace improved it during 40FPW, SCT and 6MWT. In general, all the tested conservative techniques except laterally wedged insoles had immediate effects on physical performance measures in both healthy and medial knee osteoarthritis participants. The valgus knee brace improved the parameters the most, while toe-out gait impaired them the most. Future studies can develop strategies for improving gait retraining methods on the basis of issues identified by this study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  13. Investigation of EMG parameter for transtibial prosthetic user with flexion and extension of the knee and normal walking gait: A preliminary study
    Sobh KNM, Abd Razak NA, Abu Osman NA
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2021 Apr;235(4):419-427.
    PMID: 33517847 DOI: 10.1177/0954411920985753
    Electromyography signal has been used widely as input for prosthetic's leg movements. C-Leg, for example, is among the prosthetics devices that use electromyography as the main input. The main challenge facing the industrial party is the position of the electromyography sensor as it is fixed inside the socket. The study aims to investigate the best positional parameter of electromyography for transtibial prosthetic users for the device to be effective in multiple movement activities and compare with normal human muscle's activities. DELSYS Trigno wireless electromyography instrument was used in this study to achieve this aim. Ten non-amputee subjects and two transtibial amputees were involved in this study. The surface electromyography signals were recorded from two anterior and posterior below the knee muscles and above the knee muscles, respectively: tibial anterior and gastrocnemius lateral head as well as rectus femoris and biceps femoris during two activities (flexion and extension of knee joint and gait cycle for normal walking). The result during flexion and extension activities for gastrocnemius lateral head and biceps femoris muscles was found to be more useful for the control subjects, while the tibial anterior and also gastrocnemius lateral head are more active for amputee subjects. Also, during normal walking activity for biceps femoris and gastrocnemius lateral head, it was more useful for the control subjects, while for transtibial amputee subject-1, the rectus femoris was the highest signal of the average normal walking activity (0.0001 V) compared to biceps femoris (0.00007 V), as for transtibial amputee subject-2, the biceps femoris was the highest signals of the average normal walking activity (0.0001 V) compared to rectus femoris (0.00004 V). So, it is difficult to rely entirely on the static positioning of the electromyography sensor within the socket as there is a possibility of the sensor to contact with inactive muscle, which will be a gap in the control, leading to a decrease in the functional efficiency of the powered prostheses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  14. Combined effects of knee brace, laterally wedged insoles, and toe-out gait on knee adduction moment and fall risk in moderate medial knee osteoarthritis patients
    Khan SJ, Khan SS, Usman J, Mokhtar AH, Abu Osman NA
    Prosthet Orthot Int, 2019 Apr;43(2):148-157.
    PMID: 30192706 DOI: 10.1177/0309364618796849
    BACKGROUND:: Knee osteoarthritis is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. There is a need of reducing knee joint load and to improve balance and physical function among knee osteoarthritis patients.

    OBJECTIVES:: To test the hypothesis that toe-out gait will reduce second peak knee adduction moment further and increase fall risk when combined with knee brace and laterally wedged insole in knee osteoarthritis patients.

    STUDY DESIGN:: Single visit study with repeated measures.

    METHODS:: First and second peak knee adduction moments, fall risk and comfort level. First and second peak knee adduction moments were determined from three-dimensional gait analysis, completed under six randomized conditions: (1) natural, (2) knee brace, (3) knee brace + toe-out gait, (4) laterally wedged insole, (5) laterally wedged insole + toe-out gait, and (6) knee brace + laterally wedged insole + toe-out gait. Fall risk was assessed by Biodex Balance System using three randomized stability settings: (1) static, (2) moderate dynamic setting (FR12), and (3) high dynamic setting (FR8).

    RESULTS:: The reduction in first peak knee adduction moment and second peak knee adduction moment was greatest (7.16% and 25.55%, respectively) when toe-out gait combine with knee brace and laterally wedged insole. Significant increase in fall risk was observed with knee brace + laterally wedged insole + toe-out gait (42.85%) at FR12. Similar significant balance reductions were found at FR8 condition for knee brace + toe-out gait (35.71%), laterally wedged insole + toe-out gait (28.57%), and knee brace + laterally wedged insole + toe-out gait (50%) as compared to natural. However, knee brace decreased fall risk at FR12 by 28.57%.

    CONCLUSION:: There is a synergistic effect of toe-out when combined with knee brace and laterally wedged insole concurrently in second peak knee adduction moment reduction but with a greater degree of fall risk. Simultaneous use of conservative treatments also decreases comfort level.

    CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients with mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis are usually prescribed conservative treatment techniques. This study will provide an insight whether or not a combination of these techniques have a synergistic effect in reducing knee joint load.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  15. Fulltext Effect of Lower Limb Muscle Fatigue on Fall Risk for Transfemoral Amputee: A Pilot Study
    Mohd Safee MK, Abu Osman NA
    Occup Ther Int, 2021;2021:4357473.
    PMID: 34707468 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4357473
    Muscle fatigue is a decline in muscle maximum force during contraction and can influence the fall risk among people. This study is aimed at identifying the effect of fatigue on prospective fall risk in transfemoral amputees (TFA). Fourteen subjects were involved in this study with TFA (34.7 ± 8.1 yrs, n = 7) and normal subjects (31.1 ± 7.4 yrs, n = 7). Fatigue of lower limb muscles was induced with the fatigue protocol. Subjects were tested prefatigue and postfatigue using the standardized fall risk assessment. All results were calculated and compared between pre- and postfatigue to identify fatigue's effect on both groups of subjects. The results showed that the fall risk increased significantly during pre- and postfatigue for TFA (p = 0.018), while there were no significant differences in normal subjects (p = 0.149). Meanwhile, the fall risk between TFA and normal subjects for prefatigue (p = 0.082) and postfatigue (p = 0.084) also showed no significant differences. The percentage (%) of increased fall risk for TFA was 19.2% compared to normal subjects only 16.7%. However, 61.4% increased of % fall risk in TFA after fatigue by using the baseline of the normal subject as the normalized % of fall risk. The increasing fall risks for TFA after fatigue are three times higher than the potential fall risk in normal subjects. The result indicates that they need to perform more precautions while prolonging lower limb activities. These results showed the implications of fatigue that can increase the fall risk due to muscle fatigue from repetitive and prolonged activities. Therefore, rehabilitation programs can be done very safely and precisely so that therapists can pursue fitness without aggravating existing injuries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  16. Fulltext The relationship between carrying activity and low back pain: a critical review of biomechanics studies
    Hanif Farhan, M. R., White, P. J, Warner, M., Adam, J. E.
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2015;13(2):1-10.
    MyJurnal
    The aim of this review was to systematically explore the underlying musculoskeletal biomechanical mechanisms of carrying and to describe its potential relationship with low back pain. This literature review was carried out using AMED, CINAHL, Compendex and MEDLINE electronic databases. Articles published from 2004 to 2012 were selected for consideration. Articles were considered if at least one measurement of kinetics, kinematics or other related musculoskeletal parameters related to biomechanics were included within the study. After combining the main keywords, 677 papers were identified. However, only 10 studies met all the inclusion criteria. Age, body mass index, gender and level of physical activity were identified as the factors that may influence the biomechanics of carrying activity. Carrying a loaded backpack was reported leading to posterior pelvic tilt, reduced lumbar lordosis, but increased cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and trunk forward lean. Furthermore, while carrying bilaterally, lumbo-pelvic coordination was also reported to be more in-phase, as well as reduced coordination variability in transverse plane. Future studies investigating the biomechanics of a standardized carrying activity for clinical test are recommended.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  17. Extraction of dynamic features from hand drawn data for the identification of children with handwriting difficulty
    Khalid PI, Yunus J, Adnan R
    Res Dev Disabil, 2010 Jan-Feb;31(1):256-62.
    PMID: 19854613 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2009.09.009
    Studies have shown that differences between children with and without handwriting difficulties lie not only in the written product (static data) but also in dynamic data of handwriting process. Since writing system varies among countries and individuals, this study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using quantitative outcome measures of children's drawing to identify children who are at risk of handwriting difficulties. A sample of 143 first graders of a normal primary school was investigated regarding their handwriting ability. The children were divided into two groups: test and control. Ten children from test group and 40 children from control group were individually tested for their Visual Motor Integration skills. Analysis on dynamic data indicated significant differences between the two groups in temporal and spatial measures of the drawing task performance. Thus, kinematic analysis of children's drawing is feasible to provide performance characteristic of handwriting ability, supporting its use in screening for handwriting difficulty.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  18. Fulltext Kinematics of mouthbrooding in Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae)
    Van Wassenbergh S, Joris I, Desclée M, Liew HJ, De Boeck G, Adriaens D, et al.
    J Exp Biol, 2016 05 15;219(Pt 10):1535-41.
    PMID: 27207955 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.131631
    Many species from several different families of fishes perform mouthbrooding, where one of the sexes protects and ventilates the eggs inside the mouth cavity. This ventilation behaviour differs from gill ventilation outside the brooding period, as the normal, small-amplitude suction-pump respiration cycles are alternated with actions including near-simultaneous closed-mouth protrusions and high-amplitude depressions of the hyoid. The latter is called churning, referring to its hypothetical function in moving around and repositioning the eggs by a presumed hydrodynamic effect of the marked shifts in volume along the mouth cavity. We tested the hypothesis that churning causes the eggs located posteriorly in the mouth cavity to move anteriorly away from the gill entrance. This would prevent or clear accumulations of brood at the branchial basket, which would otherwise hinder breathing by the parent. Dual-view videos of female Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) during mouthbrooding showed that churning involves a posterior-to-anterior wave of expansion and compression of the head volume. Flow visualisation with polyethylene microspheres revealed a significant inflow of water entering the gill slits at the zone above the pectoral fin base, followed by a predominantly ventral outflow passing the ventrolaterally flapping branchiostegal membranes. X-ray videos indicated that particularly the brood located close to the gills is moved anteriorly during churning. These data suggest that, in addition to mixing of the brood to aid its oxygenation, an important function of the anterior flow through the gills and buccal cavity during churning is to prevent clogging of the eggs near the gills.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  19. Fulltext Minimum number of inertial measurement units needed to identify significant variations in walk patterns of overweight individuals walking on irregular surfaces
    Sikandar T, Rabbi MF, Ghazali KH, Altwijri O, Almijalli M, Ahamed NU
    Sci Rep, 2023 Sep 27;13(1):16177.
    PMID: 37758958 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43428-9
    Gait data collection from overweight individuals walking on irregular surfaces is a challenging task that can be addressed using inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. However, it is unclear how many IMUs are needed, particularly when body attachment locations are not standardized. In this study, we analysed data collected from six body locations, including the torso, upper and lower limbs, to determine which locations exhibit significant variation across different real-world irregular surfaces. We then used deep learning method to verify whether the IMU data recorded from the identified body locations could classify walk patterns across the surfaces. Our results revealed two combinations of body locations, including the thigh and shank (i.e., the left and right shank, and the right thigh and right shank), from which IMU data should be collected to accurately classify walking patterns over real-world irregular surfaces (with classification accuracies of 97.24 and 95.87%, respectively). Our findings suggest that the identified numbers and locations of IMUs could potentially reduce the amount of data recorded and processed to develop a fall prevention system for overweight individuals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
  20. Fulltext Exoskeleton robot control for synchronous walking assistance in repetitive manual handling works based on dual unscented Kalman filter
    Sado F, Yap HJ, Ghazilla RAR, Ahmad N
    PLoS One, 2018;13(7):e0200193.
    PMID: 30001415 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200193
    Prolong walking is a notable risk factor for work-related lower-limb disorders (WRLLD) in industries such as agriculture, construction, service profession, healthcare and retail works. It is one of the common causes of lower limb fatigue or muscular exhaustion leading to poor balance and fall. Exoskeleton technology is seen as a modern strategy to assist worker's in these professions to minimize or eliminate the risk of WRLLDs. Exoskeleton has potentials to benefit workers in prolong walking (amongst others) by augmenting their strength, increasing their endurance, and minimizing high muscular activation, resulting in overall work efficiency and productivity. Controlling exoskeleton to achieve this purpose for able-bodied personnel without impeding their natural movement is, however, challenging. In this study, we propose a control strategy that integrates a Dual Unscented Kalman Filter (DUKF) for trajectory generation/prediction of the spatio-temporal features of human walking (i.e. joint position, and velocity, and acceleration) and an impedance cum supervisory controller to enable the exoskeleton to follow this trajectory to synchronize with the human walking. Experiment is conducted with four subjects carrying a load and walking at their normal speed- a typical scenario in industries. EMG signals taken at two muscles: Right Vastus Intermedius (on the thigh) and Right Gastrocnemius (on the calf) indicated reduction in muscular activation during the experiment. The results also show the ability of the control system to predict spatio-temporal features of the pilots' walking and to enable the exoskeleton to move in concert with the pilot.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena
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