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Kinematic Parameters (kinematic + parameter)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	63%

Selected Abstracts

CASA Assessment of Kinematic Parameters of Ram Spermatozoa and their Relationship to Migration Efficiency in Ruminant Cervical Mucus

REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 4 2008
I Robayo
Contents Sperm motility is an indicator of male fertility because of its importance for sperm migration through the female genital tract and for gamete interaction at fertilization. This study analyses the relationship between computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) motility patterns and sperm migration of rams in ruminant cervical mucus. In experiment 1, spermatozoa extended with sperm analysis medium (SAM) and seminal plasma were compared in terms of motility. In experiment 2, 56 semen samples were collected either with artificial vagina (AV) or electroejaculator to be compared in terms of motility performance. In experiment 3, 104 ejaculates collected by AV from 26 males were analysed via the CASA system to characterize their motility patterns. In experiment 4, ejaculates from pairs of rams (20 rams in total) were simultaneously assessed for mucus migration (ovine, caprine, bovine) and motility patterns to evaluate the correlations between both parameters. Semen collected by AV and extended in SAM allows the most reliable assessment for sperm motility. Ram spermatozoa move fast and follow a linear trajectory compared with other ruminants. Continuous line velocity (VCL) and average path velocity (VAP) are the only sperm kinematic parameters that presented significant positive correlations with the ability to migrate in sheep cervical mucus (p < 0.05). Continuous line velocity, VAP, straight line velocity and linearity are highly significantly related with migration efficiency in goat cervical mucus (p < 0.01) and only lateral head displacement is negatively related to sperm migration in bovine cervical mucus (p < 0.05). These results suggest that specific kinematic parameters confer the ability of spermatozoa to colonize and migrate through epithelial mucus with different rheological properties. [source]

OC2 Seasonality Affects on Sperm Motility Kinematic Parameters of Murciano-Granadina Bucks

REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 2006
D Abdelwahab
Four Murciano-Granadina (M-G) bucks were used to study the effect of season (autumn and spring) on semen motility kinematic parameters. Ejaculates (n = 31/season) were collected twice weekly with an artificial vagina and diluted with Tris-based extender (1 : 10). Average path velocity (VAP) and linearity (LIN) were evaluated using a Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA system). A FASTCLUS procedure was applied to separate spermatozoa into subpopulations based on their motility characteristics. The mean values of both motility kinematic parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in spring than in autumn. Four different motile sperm subpopulations (SP) were identified. In autumn, SP 1 (with a frequency of 17.1%) showed a VAP of 41.5 ,m/s and a LIN of 38.3%. SP 2 (37.2%) a VAP of 70.2 ,m/s and a LIN of 46.1% SP 3 (19.1%) a VAP of 93.3 ,m/s and a LIN of 31.6%. Finally, SP 4 (26.6%) a VAP of 111.8 ,m/s and a LIN of 67.2%. In spring, SP 1 (21.1%) a VAP of 46.3 ,m/s and a LIN of 50.1%. SP 2 (39.6%) a VAP of 77.0 ,m/s and a LIN of 68.6%. SP 3 (17%) a VAP of 87.8 ,m/s and a LIN of 40.2%. Finally, SP 4 (22.3%) a VAP of 112.3 ,m/s and a LIN of 70.4%. In conclusion, the season of ejaculate collection has a significant effect on sperm motility kinematic parameters of M-G bucks. [source]

A position/force control for a robot finger with soft tip and uncertain kinematics

JOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 3 2002
Zoe Doulgeri
We consider the position and force regulation problem for a soft tip robot finger in contact with a rigid surface under kinematic and dynamic parametric uncertainties. The reproducing force is assumed to be related to the displacement through a nonlinear function whose characteristics are unknown, but both the actual displacement and force can be directly measured. Kinematic uncertainties concern the rigid surface orientation and the contact point location. Kinematic parameters involved in the contact point location concern the length from the last joint to the contact point and the rest of the link lengths in the general case. An adaptive controller with a composite update parameter law is proposed, and the asymptotic stability of the force and estimated position errors under dynamic and kinematic uncertainties is shown for the planar case. Simulation results for a three-degrees-of-freedom planar robotic finger are presented. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

The Mixing Efficiency of an Eccentric-Disc Kneading Zone in Intermeshing Co- and Counter-Rotating Twin-Screw Extruders

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 3 2004
H. Brod
Abstract The distributive mixing efficiency of a twin-screw extruder kneading zone consisting of eccentric disc elements was measured using an online video technique. Both co- and counter-rotation were examined. Viscous Newtonian silicone oil was used as model liquid and black iron oxide pigment served as tracer substance. Under isoviscous, creeping flow and non-diffusive conditions and for a fixed flow rate ratio of the colored and uncolored feed streams, the intensity of segregation S is only a function of the kinematic parameter , (the ratio of the imposed extruder throughput and the throughput at zero axial pressure gradient). The measured dependency of S on , is in qualitative agreement with the results of Pawlowski for a single screw extruder. The data was also plotted against the dimensionless speed of rotation, i.e. the product of the screw speed and the average residence time within the mixing section. This brings the abscissa ranges for mixers with different conveying capacity closer together, and differences in mixing efficiency between the tested configurations can be better interpreted. The energetic efficiency of the mixers investigated is compared by applying the concept of specific action. This helps to decide which mixer geometry and operating conditions produce a given homogeneity with the lowest amount of work done by viscous forces. [source]

Kinematic optimal design of a paramill: A multi-SP device

JOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 6 2004
Jun-Ho Lee
In this paper, a manipulability analysis of a new parallel-type rolling mill, named "paramill," in its conceptual design stage is investigated. The paramill considered uses two Stewart platforms (SPs) in opposite directions for the generation of 6 degree-of-freedom motions of individual work-rolls. The objective of this new approach is to pursue an integrated control of the strip thickness, strip shape, pair-crossing angle, uniform wear of the rolls, and tension of the strip. The forward/inverse kinematics problems are formulated. Two main kinematic parameters, the size of the base and the acute angle made by two neighboring joints for a given size of the work-roll, have been determined in the way that the force and moment transmission from the actuators to the work-rolls is maximized. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

Surface EMG of jaw-elevator muscles and chewing pattern in complete denture wearers

JOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 12 2005
M. G. PIANCINO
summary, The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptation process of masticatory patterns to a new complete denture in edentulous subjects. For this purpose, muscle activity and kinematic parameters of the chewing pattern were simultaneously assessed in seven patients with complete maxillary and mandibular denture. The patients were analysed (i) with the old denture, (ii) with the new denture at the delivery, (iii) after 1 month and (iv) after 3 months from the delivery of the new denture. Surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from the masseter and temporalis anterior muscles of both sides and jaw movements were tracked measuring the motion of a tiny magnet attached at the lower inter-incisor point. The subjects were asked to chew a bolus on the right and left side. At the delivery of the new denture, peak EMG amplitude of the masseter of the side of the bolus was lower than with the old denture and the masseters of the two sides showed the same intensity of EMG activity, contrary to the case with the old denture. EMG amplitude and asymmetry of the two masseter activities returned as with the old denture in 3 months. The EMG activity in the temporalis anterior was larger with the old denture than in the other conditions. The chewing cycle width and lateral excursion decreased at the delivery of the new denture and recovered after 3 months. [source]

Tyrphostin-A47 inhibitable tyrosine phosphorylation of flagellar proteins is associated with distinct alteration of motility pattern in hamster spermatozoa

MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2006
Daniel Mariappa
Abstract To acquire fertilizing potential, mammalian spermatozoa must undergo capacitation and acrosome reaction. Our earlier work showed that pentoxifylline (0.45 mM), a sperm motility stimulant, induced an early onset of hamster sperm capacitation associated with tyrosine phosphorylation of 45,80 kDa proteins, localized to the mid-piece of the sperm tail. To assess the role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in sperm capacitation, we used tyrphostin-A47 (TP-47), a specific protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The dose-dependent (0.1,0.5 mM) inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation by TP-47 was associated with inhibition of hyperactivated motility and 0.5 mM TP-47-treated spermatozoa exhibited a distinct circular motility pattern. This was accompanied by hypo-tyrosine phosphorylation of 45,60 kDa proteins, localized to the principal piece of the intact-sperm and the outer dense fiber-like structures in detergent treated-sperm. Sperm kinematic analysis (by CASA) of spermatozoa, exhibiting circular motility (at 1st hr), showed lower values of straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity and average path velocity, compared to untreated controls. Other TP-47 analogues, tyrphostin-AG1478 and -AG1296, had no effect either on kinematic parameters or sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation. These studies indicate that TP-47-induced circular motility of spermatozoa is compound-specific and that the tyrosine phosphorylation status of 45,60 kDa flagellum-localized proteins could be key regulators of sperm flagellar bending pattern, associated with the hyperactivation of hamster spermatozoa. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Kinematic study of whole body center of mass position during gait in Parkinson's disease patients with and without festination,

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 6 2010
Marcelo Merello MD
Abstract Gait festination (FE) can cause serious disability in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. It is argued that the center of pressure position (COP) and body center of mass (COM) are possibly implicated in FE pathogenesis. The relationship between them remains unclear. The goal of this study was to determine spatiotemporal relationships between COM and COP in PD and to explore whether FE arises as a consequence of lack of physiological link between COP and COM during step stride. Twenty patients with idiopathic PD, in OFF state and 17-age-matched control subjects completed a 10-m walking protocol. PD patients were divided in two groups: those with FE and those without (NF). COM position, excursion, and its relationship with COP, as well as other kinematic parameters were analyzed. COM displacement along the horizontal and vertical plane was significantly lower in FE patients as was the maximum position on the movement direction axis compared with controls or NF patients. Significant difference in minimal COM position in FE patients was also observed. The percentage of stride time during which COM was situated ahead of COP along the movement axis in FE patients was significantly greater than for controls or NF patients. This would seem to indicate that FE patients are constantly attempting to align COP to COM, causing FE. The explanation might be that FE arises as a postural strategy to align COP within the area of COM displacement. Findings illustrate a putative role for postural strategies in the treatment of FE. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society [source]

Effect of external cueing on gait in Huntington's disease

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 10 2008
Arnaud Delval MD
Abstract In Huntington's disease (HD) patients, gait is characterized by a timing disorder with marked intraindividual variability in temporal gait parameters (caused by the presence of both hyperkinetic and hypokinetic features). We sought to determine the influence of use of a metronome on gait parameters in patients simultaneously performing motor or cognitive tasks that required attentional resources. The objective is to evaluate the influence of rhythmic cues on gait interference during self-regulated walking and a dual task paradigm in HD. Fifteen HD patients and 15 paired controls were asked to walk and simultaneously perform another motor task (carrying a tray with four full glasses) or a cognitive task (counting backwards). We evaluated the effect of a metronome (set at 100% and 120% of the subject's self-determined cadence) in three different task conditions (gait alone, gait + motor task, gait + cognitive task). The use of auditory cues during free gait and dual tasks did not improve kinematic parameters in HD patients, in contrast to the situation for control subjects (improvement in gait speed and cadence but not stride length when the metronome was set at 120% in all conditions). HD patients have difficulty in synchronizing their footsteps with a metronome, mainly due to attentional deficits. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society [source]