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This primer describes research on the development of motor behavior. We focus on infancy when basic action systems are acquired-posture, locomotion, manual actions, and facial actions-and we adopt a developmental systems perspective to understand the causes and consequences of developmental change. Experience facilitates improvements in motor behavior and infants accumulate immense amounts of varied everyday experience with all the basic action systems. At every point in development, perception guides behavior by providing feedback about the results of just prior movements and information about what to do next. Across development, new motor behaviors provide new inputs for perception. Thus, motor development opens up new opportunities for acquiring knowledge and acting on the world, instigating cascades of developmental changes in perceptual, cognitive, and social domains. This article is categorized under: Cognitive Biology > Cognitive Development Psychology > Motor Skill and Performance Neuroscience > Development.

BACKGROUND: Organized physical activity programs have been shown to provide wide benefits to participants, though there are relatively few studies examining the impact of these programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. This pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility and impact of an undergraduate-led dance intervention program for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. We evaluated the impact of the dance program on motor ability and social skills. METHODS: The study design was a waitlist control clinical trial in which participants were randomized to active and control groups. Eligible participants included male and female children and adolescents between the ages of 4 and 17 years with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The Motor Assessment Battery for Children Checklist and the Social Responsiveness Scale were used to assess change in motor and social skills, respectively. After gathering baseline data, the active group completed 1 h of online dance classes per week for 10 weeks, while the control group entered a 10-week waiting period. All participants then returned for a follow-up visit. Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects modeling adjusting for age and class attendance with subject random intercept. RESULTS: We recruited and randomized 43 participants with neurodevelopmental disabilities (mean age = 8.63, SD = 2.98), of which 30 participated in dance classes. The attendance rate was 82.6% for the active group and 61.7% for the control group. The active group demonstrated a significant improvement in motor skills in an unpredictable environment, as indicated on the Motor Assessment Battery for Children Checklist (n = 21, p = 0.05). We also observed positive trends in social skills that did not reach significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that it is feasible to develop and implement a fully digital dance intervention program for individuals with developmental disabilities. Further, we find that change in motor skills can be detected after just 10 h of low-intensity participation. However, a lack of significant change in social skills coupled with limitations in study implementation suggests further research is needed to determine the full impact of this dance program. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System: Protocol ID 20-001680-AM-00005, registered 17/2/2021 - Retrospectively Registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04762290 .

This primer describes research on the development of motor behavior. We focus on infancy when basic action systems are acquired—posture, locomotion, manual actions, and facial actions—and we adopt a developmental systems perspective to understand the causes and consequences of developmental change. Experience facilitates improvements in motor behavior and infants accumulate immense amounts of varied everyday experience with all the basic action systems. At every point in development, perception guides behavior by providing feedback about the results of just prior movements and information about what to do next. Across development, new motor behaviors provide new inputs for perception. Thus, motor development opens up new opportunities for acquiring knowledge and acting on the world, instigating cascades of developmental changes in perceptual, cognitive, and social domains. This article is categorized under:Cognitive Biology > Cognitive DevelopmentPsychology > Motor Skill and PerformanceNeuroscience > Development [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Evidence from neuroscience and behavioral research has indicated that language meaning is grounded in our motor–perceptual experiences of the world. However, the question of whether motor embodiment occurs at the sentence level in L2 (second language) comprehension has been raised. Furthermore, existing studies on motor embodiment in L2 have primarily focused on the lexical and phrasal levels, often providing conflicting and indeterminate results. Therefore, to address this gap, the present eye-tracking study aimed to explore the embodied mental representations formed during the reading comprehension of L2 action sentences. Specifically, it sought to identify the types of motor representations formed during L2 action sentence comprehension and the extent to which these representations are motor embodied. Methods: A total of 56 advanced L2 learners participated in a Sentence–Picture Verification Task, during which their response times (RTs) and eye movements were recorded. Each sentence–picture pair depicted an action that either matched or mismatched the action implied by the sentence. Data analysis focused on areas of interest around the body effectors. Results and discussion: RTs in the mismatch condition indicated an impeding effect. Furthermore, fixations on the body effector executing an action were longer in the mismatch condition, especially in late eye-movement measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a life‐limiting paediatric motor neuron disease characterised by lower motor neuron loss, skeletal muscle atrophy and respiratory failure, if untreated. Revolutionary treatments now extend patient survival. However, a limited understanding of the foundational neuropathology challenges the evaluation of therapeutic success. As opportunities to study treatment‐naïve tissue decrease, we have characterised spinal cord pathology in severe infantile SMA using gold‐standard techniques, providing a baseline to measure treatment success and therapeutic limitations. Methods: Detailed histological analysis, stereology and transmission electron microscopy were applied to post‐mortem spinal cord from severe infantile SMA patients to estimate neuron number at the end of life; characterise the morphology of ventral horn, lateral horn and Clarke's column neuron populations; assess cross‐sectional spinal cord area; and observe myelinated white matter tracts in the clinically relevant thoracic spinal cord. Results: Ventral horn neuron loss was substantial in all patients, even the youngest cases. The remaining ventral horn neurons were small with abnormal, occasionally chromatolytic morphology, indicating cellular damage. In addition to ventral horn pathology, Clarke's column sensory–associated neurons displayed morphological features of cellular injury, in contrast to the preserved sympathetic lateral horn neurons. Cellular changes were associated with aberrant development of grey and white matter structures that affected the overall dimensions of the spinal cord. Conclusions: We provide robust quantification of the neuronal deficit found at the end of life in SMA spinal cord. We question long‐accepted dogmas of SMA pathogenesis and shed new light on SMA neuropathology out with the ventral horn, which must be considered in future therapeutic design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gene FOXP2 is well established for a role in human speech and language; far less is known about FOXP1. However, this related gene has also been implicated in human language development as well as disorders associated with features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FOXP1 protein expression has also recently been identified in the cerebellum—a neural structure previously shown to express FOXP2 protein. The current study sought to elucidate the behavioral implications of a conditional knock‐out of Foxp1 using an En1‐Cre driver, which is active in the entirety of the cerebellum and a subset of neurons in the midbrain and spinal cord, in mice using a test battery including motor tasks associated with cerebellar dysfunction, as well as communicative and autistic‐relevant behaviors. Male and female mice with a conditional knock‐out (cKO, n = 31) and wildtype littermate controls (WT, n = 34) were assessed for gross and orofacial motor control, motor‐coordination learning, locomotion, social behavior, anxiety, auditory processing and expressive vocalizations. Overall results suggest Foxp1 plays a specific role in the development of communicative systems, and phenotypic expression of disruptions may interact with sex. Robust motor deficits associated with Foxp1 protein loss may particularly affect vocalizations based on significant orofacial motor deficits in cKO subjects could also contribute to vocalization anomalies. In summary, the current study provides key insights into the role of Foxp1 in cerebellar function and associated behaviors in mice, with implications for an improved understanding of communicative and motor‐based neurodevelopmental disabilities in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reliability of electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial for the performance and safety of modern transportation systems. Electric motors are the driving force in EVs, and their maintenance is critical for efficient EV performance. The conventional fault detection methods for motors often struggle with accurately capturing complex spatiotemporal vibration patterns. This paper proposes a recurrent convolutional neural network (RCNN) for effective defect detection in motors, taking advantage of the advances in deep learning techniques. The proposed approach applies long short-term memory (LSTM) layers to capture the temporal dynamics essential for fault detection and convolutional neural network layers to mine local features from the segmented vibration data. This hybrid method helps the model to learn complicated representations and correlations within the data, leading to improved fault detection. Model development and testing are conducted using a sizable dataset that includes various kinds of motor defects under differing operational scenarios. The results demonstrate that, in terms of fault detection accuracy, the proposed RCNN-based strategy performs better than the traditional fault detection techniques. The performance of the model is assessed under varying vibration data noise levels to further guarantee its effectiveness in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dopamine's role as the principal neurotransmitter in motor functions has long been accepted. We broaden this conventional perspective by demonstrating the involvement of non-dopaminergic mechanisms. In mouse models of Parkinson's disease, we observed that L- DOPA elicited a substantial motor response even when its conversion to dopamine was blocked by inhibiting the enzyme aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). Remarkably, the motor activity response to L- DOPA in the presence of an AADC inhibitor (NSD1015) showed a delayed onset, yet greater intensity and longer duration, peaking at 7 h, compared to when L- DOPA was administered alone. This suggests an alternative pathway or mechanism, independent of dopamine signalling, mediating the motor functions. We sought to determine the metabolites associated with the pronounced hyperactivity observed, using comprehensive metabolomics analysis. Our results revealed that the peak in motor activity induced by NSD1015/ L- DOPA in Parkinson's disease mice is associated with a surge (20-fold) in brain levels of the tripeptide ophthalmic acid (also known as ophthalmate in its anionic form). Interestingly, we found that administering ophthalmate directly to the brain rescued motor deficits in Parkinson's disease mice in a dose-dependent manner. We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying ophthalmate's action and discovered, through radioligand binding and cAMP-luminescence assays, that ophthalmate binds to and activates the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Additionally, our findings demonstrated that a CaSR antagonist inhibits the motor-enhancing effects of ophthalmate, further solidifying the evidence that ophthalmate modulates motor functions through the activation of the CaSR. The discovery of ophthalmate as a novel regulator of motor function presents significant potential to transform our understanding of brain mechanisms of movement control and the therapeutic management of related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering is the property of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The mobile robot is widely used in many cleaning applications. This paper presents the design and implementation of a low-cost smart cleaner wheeled mobile robot for floor cleaning applications. The robot is capable of accurately navigating through various environments and avoiding obstacles. The paper focuses on three main points: interfacing the motion modeling equations with an Android application, designing a differential mobile robot with flexible mobility, and incorporating obstacle avoidance using an Ultrasonic sensor. The results demonstrate that the robot can move with high precision and flexibility, with minimal error. The maximum error on the complex (carpet) floor equals (±1.1500 cm) and it is greater than the maximum error on the flat floor which equals (±0.5800 cm). Additionally, the robot's affordability, priced at 28 $. The designed mobile robot is low cost, for this reason it accessible to anyone seeking a cleaning solution for both flat and rough (complex) floors, whether dry or wet. From these specifications of designed mobile robot, it considered better than related works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the application of AncorLam HR (Höganäs, Sweden), a soft magnetic composite material, in the stator core of an axial flux permanent magnet drive motor. Building on previous research that provided mechanical and thermal properties of the material, the focus is on analyzing how the manufacturing process affects the motor core's shape. A bulk prototype was created based on case 3, which demonstrated the least deviation in density and internal stress. The prototypes were produced under the conditions of SPM 7 and 90 °C, and a heat treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere for 1 h, resulting in an average density error of 0.54%, confirming process effectiveness. A microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on Sample 2, with the highest density, confirmed consistency between simulation and prototype trends. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed that the internal phase structure remained unchanged. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) identified the elimination of phosphorus (P) during molding, affecting the insulating layer, a critical factor for SMC materials. In motor simulations and actual measurements, the average torque was recorded as 37.7 N·m and 34.7 N·m at 1500 rpm and 27.7 N·m and 25.1 N·m at 2000 rpm, respectively. The torque comparison observed in the actual measurements compared to the simulation results indicates that the output loss increases in the actual measurements due to the deterioration of the insulation performance judged based on the microstructure evaluation. This study confirms the viability of using AncorLam HR in motor cores for electric vehicles and provides key data for improving the performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Beijing University of Technology is the property of Journal of Beijing University of Technology, Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research on electric wheel loaders (EWLs) has predominantly focused on battery management, hybrid technologies, and energy recovery. However, the influence of motor types and drivetrains on the drive performance of EWLs has received little attention in previous studies. This case study addresses this gap by examining different EWL configurations and analyzing the drive theory and force requirements by integrating classic vehicle theory with EWL-specific characteristics. The study compares an original EWL, equipped with Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSMs) on both the front and rear axles with identical transmission ratios of 22.85, to a modified EWL, which features a Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) on the front axle and a transmission ratio of 44.05. Walking and shoveling tests were conducted to evaluate performance. The walking test results reveal that, at motor speeds of 200 rpm, 400 rpm, and 600 rpm, energy consumption in R-drive mode is 68.56%, 71.88%, and 74.87% of that in F-drive mode when two PMSMs are used. When an SRM is applied with a transmission ratio of 44.05, these values shift to 73.90%, 70.35%, and 67.72%, respectively. This demonstrates that using the rear motor alone for driving under walking conditions can yield greater energy savings. The shoveling test results indicate that distributing torque according to wheel load reduces rear wheel slippage, and the SRM with a transmission ratio of 44.05 delivers sufficient drive force while operating within a high-efficiency speed range for the EWL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Sensory features are included in the diagnostic criteria of autism and atypical sensory responsiveness may produce “cascading effects” on later development. Similarly, autistic individuals often struggle with motor coordination and early delays in the motor domain appear to be linked to later development. However, the longitudinal interrelation between early sensory profiles and motor features on later socio‐communicative skills remains to be defined. This study aimed to investigate whether sensory sensitivity impacts fine motor abilities and vice versa from 12 to 18 months of age and to examine how sensory‐motor interplay would be associated with later autistic traits at 24–36 months of age. The sample included 118 infant siblings of autistic children recruited at 12 months of age. Sensory sensitivity and eye–hand coordination were assessed at 12 and 18 months of age and autistic traits were evaluated at 24–36 months of age. Cross‐lagged panel analysis revealed significant within‐domain effects for sensory sensitivity and eye–hand coordination from 12 to 18 months. Furthermore, a significant association between these two domains on later autistic traits was found. In analyzing the longitudinal bidirectional relationship, we found that lower eye–hand coordination skills at 12 months predicted later sensory sensitivity at 18 months, and in turn, social communication skills at 24–36 months. The present study offers new empirical evidence supporting the potential clinical value of including sensory and motor measures besides social communication skills within early autism surveillance programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurs in 1.5 per 1000 live births, leaving affected children with long-term motor and cognitive deficits. Few animal models of HIE incorporate maternal immune activation (MIA) despite the significant risk MIA poses to HIE incidence and diagnosis. Our non-invasive model of HIE pairs late gestation MIA with postnatal hypoxia. HIE pups exhibited a trend toward smaller overall brain size and delays in the ontogeny of several developmental milestones. In adulthood, HIE animals had reduced strength and gait deficits, but no difference in speed. Surprisingly, HIE animals performed better on the rotarod, an assessment of motor coordination. There was significant upregulation of inflammatory genes in microglia 24 h after hypoxia. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) revealed two microglia subclusters of interest following HIE. Pseudobulk analysis revealed increased microglia motility gene expression and upregulation of epigenetic machinery and neurodevelopmental genes in macrophages following HIE. No sex differences were found in any measures. These results support a two-hit noninvasive model pairing MIA and hypoxia as a model for HIE in humans. This model results in a milder phenotype compared to established HIE models; however, HIE is a clinically heterogeneous injury resulting in a variety of outcomes in humans. The pathways identified in our model of HIE may reveal novel targets for therapy for neonates with HIE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-driven diagnostic methods are beneficial for fault diagnosis in driving motors. However, insufficient monitoring data during actual diagnosis limit their application. Although various methods have been proposed, they have limitations. This paper proposes a data transfer generation method based on the distribution difference metric and residual cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (Res-CycleGAN) to overcome these limitations. First, a data layer is designed to select the most similar data from other similar datasets. Then, a Res-CycleGAN-based model layer that can generate high-quality target fault data by utilizing fault features from the selected most similar data is constructed. Finally, a strategy layer for the diagnostic model is proposed to make rational use of different fault data. The proposed method is verified using a motor dataset from a mechanical fault simulation (MFS) platform. A set of comprehensive verification experiments is designed for each layer. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is highly effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper combines self-organizing mapping (SOM) and a long short-term memory network (SOM-LSTM) to construct an audio-based motor-fault diagnosis system for identifying the operating states of a rotary motor. This paper first uses an audio signal collector to measure the motor sound signal data, uses fast Fourier transform (FFT) to convert the actual measured sound–time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal, and normalizes and calibrates the frequency-domain signal to ensure the consistency and accuracy of the signal. Secondly, the SOM is used to further analyze the characterized frequency-domain waveforms in order to reveal the intrinsic structure and pattern of the data. The LSTM network is used to process the secondary data generated via SOM. Dimensional data aggregation and the prediction of sequence data in long-term dependencies accurately identify different operating states and possible abnormal patterns. This paper also uses the experimental design of the Taguchi method to optimize the parameters of SOM-LSTM in order to increase the execution efficiency of fault diagnosis. Finally, the fault diagnosis system is applied to the real-time monitoring of the motor operation, the work of identifying the motor-fault type is performed, and tests under different loads and environments are attempted to evaluate its feasibility. The completion of this paper provides a diagnostic strategy that can be followed when it comes to motor faults. Through this fault diagnosis system, abnormal conditions in motor equipment can be detected, which can help with preventive maintenance, make work more efficient and save a lot of time and costs, and improve the industry's ability to monitor motor operation information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Motor difficulties are common in many, but not all, autistic individuals. These difficulties can co-occur with other problems, such as delays in language, intellectual, and adaptive functioning. Biological mechanisms underpinning such difficulties are less well understood. Poor motor skills tend to be more common in individuals carrying highly penetrant rare genetic mutations. Such mechanisms may have downstream consequences of altering neurophysiological excitation-inhibition balance and lead to enhanced behavioral motor noise. Methods: This study combined publicly available and in-house datasets of autistic (n = 156), typically-developing (TD, n = 149), and developmental coordination disorder (DCD, n = 23) children (age 3–16 years). Autism motor subtypes were identified based on patterns of motor abilities measured from the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition. Stability-based relative clustering validation was used to identify autism motor subtypes and evaluate generalization accuracy in held-out data. Autism motor subtypes were tested for differences in motor noise, operationalized as the degree of dissimilarity between repeated motor kinematic trajectories recorded during a simple reach-to-drop task. Results: Relatively 'high' (n = 87) versus 'low' (n = 69) autism motor subtypes could be detected and which generalize with 89% accuracy in held-out data. The relatively 'low' subtype was lower in general intellectual ability and older at age of independent walking, but did not differ in age at first words or autistic traits or symptomatology. Motor noise was considerably higher in the 'low' subtype compared to 'high' (Cohen's d = 0.77) or TD children (Cohen's d = 0.85), but similar between autism 'high' and TD children (Cohen's d = 0.08). Enhanced motor noise in the 'low' subtype was also most pronounced during the feedforward phase of reaching actions. Limitations: The sample size of this work is limited. Future work in larger samples along with independent replication is important. Motor noise was measured only on one specific motor task. Thus, a more comprehensive assessment of motor noise on many other motor tasks is needed. Conclusions: Autism can be split into at least two discrete motor subtypes that are characterized by differing levels of motor noise. This suggests that autism motor subtypes may be underpinned by different biological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the functional connectivity of ten sub-regions within the premotor and supplementary motor areas (Right and Left Premotor 6d1, 6d2, 6d3, and Right and Left pre-Supplementary Motor (presma) and SMA). Using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the objective was to understand the neurophysiological integrative characteristics of these regions by examining their connectivity with eight distinct functional brain networks. While previous studies have largely treated these areas as homogeneous entities, there is a significant gap in our understanding of the specific roles and connectivity profiles of their distinct sub-regions. The goal was to uncover the roles of these regions beyond conventional motor functions, contributing to a more holistic understanding of brain functioning. Methods: The study involved 198 healthy volunteers, with the primary methodology being functional connectivity analysis using advanced MRI techniques. Ten sub-regions within the premotor and supplementary motor areas served as seed regions, and their connectivity with eight distinct brain regional functional networks, including the Sensorimotor, Dorsal Attention, Language, Frontoparietal, Default Mode, Cerebellar, Visual, and Salience networks, was investigated. This approach allowed for the exploration of synchronized activity between these critical brain areas, shedding light on their integrated functioning and relationships with other brain networks. Results: The study revealed a nuanced landscape of functional connectivity for the premotor and supplementary motor areas with the main functional brain networks. Despite their high functional connectedness within the motor network, these regions displayed diverse functional integrations with other networks. There was moderate connectivity with the Sensorimotor and Dorsal Attention networks, highlighting their roles in motor execution and attentional processes. However, connectivity with the Language, Frontoparietal, Default Mode, Cerebellar, Visual, and Salience networks was generally low, indicating a primary focus on motor-related tasks. Conclusions: This study emphasized the multifaceted roles of the sub-regions of the premotor and supplementary motor areas. Beyond their crucial involvement in motor functions, these regions exhibited varied functional integrations with different brain networks. The observed disparities, especially in the Sensorimotor and Dorsal Attention networks, indicated a nuanced and specialized involvement of these regions in diverse cognitive functions. By delineating the specific connectivity profiles of these sub-regions, this study addresses the existing knowledge gap and suggests unique and distinct roles for each brain area in sophisticated cognitive tasks beyond their conventional motor functions. The results suggested unique and distinct roles for each brain area in sophisticated cognitive tasks beyond their conventional motor functions. This study underscores the importance of considering the broader neurophysiological landscape to comprehend the intricate roles of these brain areas, contributing to ongoing efforts in unravelling the complexities of brain function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Methods: The aim of the study is to Comparison of onset of motor and sensory block between levobupivacaine and levobupivacaine with dexmedetomidine in infraumbilical surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. In the operating room, appropriate equipment for airway management and emergency drugs were kept ready. The horizontal position of the operating table was checked. Patients were shifted to the operating room and positioned. Results: We found 56% Male in Group L whereas 68% in Group LD, 44% Female in Group L & 32% Group LD. ASA Grade 1 72% in Group L & 60% in Group LD with P (0.021). We found maximum side effect in Hypotension 32% whereas 24% in Bradycardia in Group LD with P (0.037). Conclusion: We concluded that the supplementation of Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to 0.5% levobupivacaine in infraumbilical surgeries under spinal anaesthesia produces longer duration of sensory and motor block but takes slightly more time to attain complete motor block as compared to Buprenorphine. Dexmedetomidine also provides an additional benefit of providing conscious sedation with fewer side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor deficits appear prior to psychosis onset, provide insight into vulnerability as well as mechanisms that give rise to emerging illness, and are predictive of conversion. However, to date, the extant literature has often targeted a complex abnormality (e.g., gesture dysfunction, dyskinesia), or a single fundamental domain (e.g., accuracy) but rarely provided critical information about several of the individual components that make up more complex behaviors (or deficits). This preliminary study applies a novel implicit motor task to assess domains of motor accuracy, speed, recognition, and precision in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-p). Sixty participants (29 CHR-p; 31 healthy volunteers) completed clinical symptom interviews and a novel Serial Interception Sequence Learning (SISL) task that assessed implicit motor sequence accuracy, speed, precision, and explicit sequence recognition. These metrics were examined in multilevel models that enabled the examination of overall effects and changes in motor domains over blocks of trials and by positive/negative symptom severity. Implicit motor sequence accuracy, speed, and explicit sequence recognition were not detected as impacted in CHR-p. When compared to healthy controls, individuals at CHR-p were less precise in motor responses both overall (d = 0.91) and particularly in early blocks which normalized over later blocks. Within the CHR-p group, these effects were related to positive symptom levels (t = − 2.22, p = 0.036), such that individuals with higher symptom levels did not improve in motor precision over time (r's = 0.01–0.05, p's > 0.54). CHR-p individuals showed preliminary evidence of motor precision deficits but no other motor domain deficits, particularly in early performance that normalized with practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CTNNB1 syndrome is a rare monogenetic disorder caused by CTNNB1 de novo pathogenic heterozygous loss-of-function variants that result in cognitive and motor disabilities. Treatment is currently lacking; our study addresses this critical need. CTNNB1 encodes β-catenin which is essential for normal brain function via its dual roles in cadherin-based synaptic adhesion complexes and canonical Wnt signal transduction. We have generated a Ctnnb1 germline heterozygous mouse line that displays cognitive and motor deficits, resembling key features of CTNNB1 syndrome in humans. Compared with wild-type littermates, Ctnnb1 heterozygous mice also exhibit decreases in brain β-catenin, β-catenin association with N-cadherin, Wnt target gene expression, and Na/K ATPases, key regulators of changes in ion gradients during high activity. Consistently, hippocampal neuron functional properties and excitability are altered. Most important, we identify a highly selective inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3α,β that significantly normalizes the phenotypes to closely meet wild-type littermate levels. Our data provide new insights into brain molecular and functional changes, and the first evidence for an efficacious treatment with therapeutic potential for individuals with CTNNB1 syndrome. Synopsis: CTNNB1 Syndrome is characterized by intellectual and motor disabilities caused by heterozygous loss-of-function pathogenic variants. As the first evidence for a corrective treatment, Ctnnb1 + /- mouse phenotypes resemble the human disorder and are significantly normalized with inhibition of GSK3α,β. Ctnnb1 heterozygous mice display cognitive and motor phenotypes resembling key features of human CTNNB1 Syndrome. Ctnnb1 heterozygous mice show molecular and functional changes consistent with the behavioral deficits. Treatment with a highly selective, small molecule GSK3α,β inhibitor corrects the behavioral, functional, and molecular changes in symptomatic heterozygous mice. CTNNB1 Syndrome is characterized by intellectual and motor disabilities caused by heterozygous loss-of-function pathogenic variants. As the first evidence for a corrective treatment, Ctnnb1 + /- mouse phenotypes resemble the human disorder and are significantly normalized with inhibition of GSK3α,β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes; so, a nerve conduction study (NCS) is conducted to detect the type of neuropathy that is present. To discuss the NCS findings in diabetic patients. An observational study was conducted in the Physiology Department of AIIMS, Bhopal, in collaboration with the Medicine Department of the Institute. Seventy-two diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients were examined using NCS (Nihon Kohden Neuropack XI Machine). Microsoft Excel was utilized for data compilation and result analysis. Based on NCS, 94% of patients were abnormal, and 6% were normal. Of abnormal patients, 89% had asymmetrical involvement, and 5% had symmetrical involvement. About 74% had mixed neuropathy, 11% had motor neuropathy, and 10% had sensory neuropathy. Mixed involvement was seen in 60% of patients and axonal involvement in 35% of patients, and 5% were normal. Lower limb involvement was seen predominately. The most common bilaterally involved motor nerve was the peroneal nerve, seen in 49% of cases, whereas the most common bilaterally involved sensory nerve was the sural nerve involved in 59% of cases. The left tibial nerve was the most common unilaterally involved motor nerve seen in 32% of cases, and the left sural nerve was the most common sensory nerve involved in 54% of cases. Asymmetric sensorimotor involvement with mixed involvement (axonal + demyelinating) was seen in diabetic patients. Peroneal and sural nerves were the most common bilaterally involved motor and sensory nerves, respectively. Similarly, the left tibial and left sural nerves were the most common unilaterally affected motor and sensory nerves, respectively.

Abstract Background Motor difficulties are common in many, but not all, autistic individuals. These difficulties can co-occur with other problems, such as delays in language, intellectual, and adaptive functioning. Biological mechanisms underpinning such difficulties are less well understood. Poor motor skills tend to be more common in individuals carrying highly penetrant rare genetic mutations. Such mechanisms may have downstream consequences of altering neurophysiological excitation-inhibition balance and lead to enhanced behavioral motor noise. Methods This study combined publicly available and in-house datasets of autistic (n = 156), typically-developing (TD, n = 149), and developmental coordination disorder (DCD, n = 23) children (age 3–16 years). Autism motor subtypes were identified based on patterns of motor abilities measured from the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition. Stability-based relative clustering validation was used to identify autism motor subtypes and evaluate generalization accuracy in held-out data. Autism motor subtypes were tested for differences in motor noise, operationalized as the degree of dissimilarity between repeated motor kinematic trajectories recorded during a simple reach-to-drop task. Results Relatively ‘high’ (n = 87) versus ‘low’ (n = 69) autism motor subtypes could be detected and which generalize with 89% accuracy in held-out data. The relatively ‘low’ subtype was lower in general intellectual ability and older at age of independent walking, but did not differ in age at first words or autistic traits or symptomatology. Motor noise was considerably higher in the ‘low’ subtype compared to ‘high’ (Cohen’s d = 0.77) or TD children (Cohen’s d = 0.85), but similar between autism ‘high’ and TD children (Cohen’s d = 0.08). Enhanced motor noise in the ‘low’ subtype was also most pronounced during the feedforward phase of reaching actions. Limitations The sample size of this work is limited. Future work in larger samples along with independent replication is important. Motor noise was measured only on one specific motor task. Thus, a more comprehensive assessment of motor noise on many other motor tasks is needed. Conclusions Autism can be split into at least two discrete motor subtypes that are characterized by differing levels of motor noise. This suggests that autism motor subtypes may be underpinned by different biological mechanisms.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the convergent validity of the Motor domain (MOT) of PediaTracTM v3.0, an online developmental tracking instrument based on caregiver reports, with fine and gross motor domains (ASQ-FM and ASQ-GM) of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) in infants between 2- and 9 months of age. Participants were caregivers of 571 infants born term or preterm (gestational age <37 weeks) enrolled in a multi-site psychometric study of PediaTracTM. Findings revealed significant correlations between MOT and ASQ-3 scores at 2, 4, 6, and 9 months across time periods, term-preterm status, and biological sex. A significantly higher percentage of infants born preterm, compared with those born at term, was identified as a moderate or high risk on both the ASQ-3 and PediaTrac. Future investigations are warranted to further examine the psychometric properties of the MOT domain, including sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research aims to study the factors contributing to Long COVID and its effects on motor and cognitive brain regions using population surveys and brain imaging. The goal is to provide new insights into the neurological effects of the illness and establish a basis for addressing neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Long COVID. Study 1 used a cross-sectional design to collect data on demographic characteristics and factors related to Long COVID symptoms in 551 participants. In Study 2, subjects with Long COVID and SARS-CoV-2 uninfected individuals underwent fNIRS monitoring while performing various tasks. Study 1 found that gender, age, BMI, Days since the first SARS-CoV-2 infection, and Symptoms at first onset influenced Long COVID performance. Study 2 demonstrated that individuals in the SARS-CoV-2 uninfected group exhibited greater activation of cognitive function-related brain regions than those in the Long COVID group while performing a level walking task. Furthermore, individuals in the Long COVID group without functional impairment displayed higher activation of brain regions associated with motor function during a weight-bearing walking task than those with functional impairment. Among individuals with Long COVID, those with mild symptoms at onset exhibited increased activation of brain regions linked to motor and cognitive function relative to those with moderate symptoms at onset. Individuals with Long COVID exhibited decreased activation in brain regions associated with cognitive and motor function compared to SARS-CoV-2 uninfected individuals. Moreover, those with more severe initial symptoms or functional impairment displayed heightened inhibition in these brain regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract CTNNB1 syndrome is a rare monogenetic disorder caused by CTNNB1 de novo pathogenic heterozygous loss-of-function variants that result in cognitive and motor disabilities. Treatment is currently lacking; our study addresses this critical need. CTNNB1 encodes β-catenin which is essential for normal brain function via its dual roles in cadherin-based synaptic adhesion complexes and canonical Wnt signal transduction. We have generated a Ctnnb1 germline heterozygous mouse line that displays cognitive and motor deficits, resembling key features of CTNNB1 syndrome in humans. Compared with wild-type littermates, Ctnnb1 heterozygous mice also exhibit decreases in brain β-catenin, β-catenin association with N-cadherin, Wnt target gene expression, and Na/K ATPases, key regulators of changes in ion gradients during high activity. Consistently, hippocampal neuron functional properties and excitability are altered. Most important, we identify a highly selective inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3α,β that significantly normalizes the phenotypes to closely meet wild-type littermate levels. Our data provide new insights into brain molecular and functional changes, and the first evidence for an efficacious treatment with therapeutic potential for individuals with CTNNB1 syndrome.

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent and preventable diseases worldwide and impulsivity, a psychological trait characterized by making quick decisions without forethought, has been suggested as a key feature for health-related conditions. However, there have been no studies examining the relationships between impulsivity and the incidence of type 2 diabetes and our aim was to assess the prospective association between trait impulsivity and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Methods A prospective observational study design was conducted between May 2014 and February 2023 within the NutriNet-Santé cohort. A web-based platform was used to collect data from the French adult population, with voluntary enrollment and participation. Of the 157,591 adults (≥ 18 years old) participating in the NutriNet-Santé study when impulsivity was assessed, 109,214 participants were excluded due to prevalent type 1 or 2 diabetes or missing data for impulsivity or follow-up data for type 2 diabetes. Trait impulsivity, and the attention, motor, and non-planning subfactors, were assessed at baseline using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11. Incident type 2 diabetes was ascertained through follow-up. Medical information was reviewed by NutriNet-Santé physician experts to ascertain incident diabetes cases based on the ICD-10. Cox regression models, using hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (HR [95% CI]), were performed to evaluate associations between impulsivity per 1 standard deviation increment and type 2 diabetes risk, adjusting by recognized confounders. Results Of the 48,377 individuals studied (women 77.6%; age at baseline = 50.6 year ± 14.5 years), 556 individuals developed type 2 diabetes over a median follow-up of 7.78 (IQR: 3.97–8.49) years. Baseline impulsivity was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes incidence (HR = 1.10 [1.02, 1.20]). The motor impulsivity subfactor was positively associated with type 2 diabetes risk (HR = 1.14 [1.04, 1.24]), whereas no associations were found for attention and non-planning impulsivity subfactors. Conclusions Trait impulsivity was associated with an increased type 2 diabetes risk, mainly driven by the motor impulsivity subfactor. If these results are replicated in other populations and settings, trait impulsivity may become an important psychological risk factor to be considered in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Cohort registration Name of registry: The NutriNet-Santé Study. A Web-based Prospective Cohort Study of the Relationship Between Nutrition and Health and of Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Status Predictors. Cohort registration number: NCT03335644. Date of registration: October 11, 2017. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03335644

Implementing the IIoT concept in industry involves the development and implementation of online systems monitoring the technical state of electromechanical equipment. This is achieved through the use of digital twins and digital shadows (object state observers). The tasks of mastering new rolling profiles and optimizing plate mill rolling programs require improved methods for calculating equivalent motor currents and torques. Known methods are generally based on calculations using smoothed load diagrams, which are assumed to be identical for the upper and lower main drive (UMD and LMD) rolls. These methods do not consider the differences in actual loads (currents or torques) in steady rolling states. Experiments performed on the 5000 plate mill have shown that due to speed mismatches, the UMD and LMD torques differ three times or more. This causes overheating of the more heavily loaded motor, insulation life reduction, and premature failure. Therefore, the problem of developing and implementing techniques for monitoring the load and thermal regimes of motors using digital observers is relevant. The paper's contribution is the first justification of the concept of object-oriented digital shadows. They are developed for specific classes of industrial units using open-source software. This research justifies a methodology for assessing motor load and temperature by processing arrays of motor currents or torques generated during rolling. An equivalent load observer and a temperature observer were proposed and implemented using Matlab-Simulink resources. The algorithm was implemented on the mill 5000 and tuned using an earlier-developed virtual commissioning methodology with digital twins. Thermal regimes were studied, proving that torque alignment ensures equal motor temperatures. The proposed considerations contribute to the development of the theory and practice for creating digital systems to monitor the technical condition of electromechanical and mechatronic systems and implementing the Industry 4.0 concept at industrial enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent and preventable diseases worldwide and impulsivity, a psychological trait characterized by making quick decisions without forethought, has been suggested as a key feature for health-related conditions. However, there have been no studies examining the relationships between impulsivity and the incidence of type 2 diabetes and our aim was to assess the prospective association between trait impulsivity and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Methods: A prospective observational study design was conducted between May 2014 and February 2023 within the NutriNet-Santé cohort. A web-based platform was used to collect data from the French adult population, with voluntary enrollment and participation. Of the 157,591 adults (≥ 18 years old) participating in the NutriNet-Santé study when impulsivity was assessed, 109,214 participants were excluded due to prevalent type 1 or 2 diabetes or missing data for impulsivity or follow-up data for type 2 diabetes. Trait impulsivity, and the attention, motor, and non-planning subfactors, were assessed at baseline using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11. Incident type 2 diabetes was ascertained through follow-up. Medical information was reviewed by NutriNet-Santé physician experts to ascertain incident diabetes cases based on the ICD-10. Cox regression models, using hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (HR [95% CI]), were performed to evaluate associations between impulsivity per 1 standard deviation increment and type 2 diabetes risk, adjusting by recognized confounders. Results: Of the 48,377 individuals studied (women 77.6%; age at baseline = 50.6 year ± 14.5 years), 556 individuals developed type 2 diabetes over a median follow-up of 7.78 (IQR: 3.97–8.49) years. Baseline impulsivity was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes incidence (HR = 1.10 [1.02, 1.20]). The motor impulsivity subfactor was positively associated with type 2 diabetes risk (HR = 1.14 [1.04, 1.24]), whereas no associations were found for attention and non-planning impulsivity subfactors. Conclusions: Trait impulsivity was associated with an increased type 2 diabetes risk, mainly driven by the motor impulsivity subfactor. If these results are replicated in other populations and settings, trait impulsivity may become an important psychological risk factor to be considered in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Cohort registration: Name of registry: The NutriNet-Santé Study. A Web-based Prospective Cohort Study of the Relationship Between Nutrition and Health and of Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Status Predictors. Cohort registration number: NCT03335644. Date of registration: October 11, 2017. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03335644 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a paradox of neurological rehabilitation that, in an era in which preclinical models have produced significant advances in our mechanistic understanding of neural plasticity, there is inadequate support for many therapies recommended for use in clinical practice. When the goal is to estimate the probability that a specific form of therapy will have a positive clinical effect, the integration of mechanistic knowledge (concerning ‘the structure or way of working of the parts in a natural system’) may improve the quality of inference. This is illustrated by analysis of three contemporary approaches to the rehabilitation of lateralized dysfunction affecting people living with stroke: constraint‐induced movement therapy; mental practice; and mirror therapy. Damage to ‘cross‐road’ regions of the structural (white matter) brain connectome generates deficits that span multiple domains (motor, language, attention and verbal/spatial memory). The structural integrity of these regions determines not only the initial functional status, but also the response to therapy. As structural disconnection constrains the recovery of functional capability, ‘disconnectome’ modelling provides a basis for personalized prognosis and precision rehabilitation. It is now feasible to refer a lesion delineated using a standard clinical scan to a (dis)connectivity atlas derived from the brains of other stroke survivors. As the individual disconnection pattern thus obtained suggests the functional domains most likely be compromised, a therapeutic regimen can be tailored accordingly. Stroke is a complex disorder that burdens individuals with distinct constellations of brain damage. Mechanistic knowledge is indispensable when seeking to ameliorate the behavioural impairments to which such damage gives rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The balance between comprehensive intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) for both upper and lower limbs while ensuring the reliability of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) is paramount in motor area surgery. It is commonly difficult to obtain good simultaneous stimulation of both upper and lower limbs. A series of factors can bias MEP accuracy, and inappropriate stimulation intensity can result in unreliable monitoring. The presented IONM technique is based on the concurrent use of both transcranial and cortical strip electrodes to facilitate simultaneous monitoring of both upper and lower limbs at optimized stimulation intensities to increase IONM accuracy during motor area surgery. Ten nonconsecutive motor area tumors were studied. Good visualization of both limbs was observed in the series at a low amperage (1.2 mA from the strip electrode and 165.3 mA from the transcranial electrode). Our analysis confirms concordance between the IONM data and postoperative outcomes. An MEP reduction >20% and >50% correlated with postoperative modified Rankin scale score changes without false-negative IONM findings. The technique was demonstrated to be accurate in providing a good simultaneous neurophysiological evaluation of both upper and lower limbs with an optimized and stimulation amplitude. The technique results in a low encumbrance of electrodes in the surgical field. Our results have confirmed the "proof of concept," its reliability and feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Going down a slide, dancing to music, and pushing someone on a tire swing are more than simply "play activities" or a means to staying physically fit. Engagement in motor play provides important opportunities for preschoolers to develop a variety of skills, including gross motor, social, communication, and cognitive skills. However, during the past several years, since the identification of the COVID-19 virus, no guidelines have been available to ensure that gross motor content is addressed while simultaneously meeting the educational needs of preschoolers with and without disabilities during virtual learning. The purpose of this study was to understand the benefits and challenges that 26 preschool teachers faced as they attempted to embed motor play into their curriculum during virtual learning. All teachers worked in inclusive preschool settings and interviews were conducted between March-June 2021. Constant comparative analysis and emergent coding were used to interpret the data. Findings revealed that school readiness skills were the primary focus of virtual learning. Teachers indicated that motor play can help expand students' pre-academic skills, be fun and motivating for children, and help students be more focused and attentive. Some logistical barriers (e.g., technology, limited physical spaces, limited resources) need to be addressed in order to successfully teach motor play in a virtual format. Study findings suggest policies and guidelines need to be established to provide young children with high quality and accessible virtual instruction. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During neurogenesis, growing axons must navigate through the complex extracellular environment and make correct synaptic connections for the proper functioning of neural circuits. The mechanisms underlying the formation of functional neural networks are still only partially understood. Results: Here we analyzed the role of a novel gene si:ch73‐364h19.1/drish in the neural and vascular development of zebrafish embryos. We show that drish mRNA is expressed broadly and dynamically in multiple cell types including neural, glial, retinal progenitor and vascular endothelial cells throughout the early stages of embryonic development. To study Drish function during embryogenesis, we generated drish genetic mutant using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. drish loss‐of‐function mutant larvae displayed defects in early retinal ganglion cell, optic nerve and the retinal inner nuclear layer formation, as well as ectopic motor axon branching. In addition, drish mutant adults exhibited deficient retinal outer nuclear layer and showed defective light response and locomotory behavior. However, vascular patterning and blood circulation were not significantly affected. Conclusions: Together, these data demonstrate important roles of zebrafish drish in the retinal ganglion cell, optic nerve and interneuron development and in spinal motor axon branching. Key Findings: si:ch73‐364h19.1 / drish gene encodes a putative transmembrane protein, which is expressed in neural, glial and vascular endothelial cells in zebrafish embryos.Drish zebrafish mutants show defects in retinal ganglion cell differentiation.Drish mutants exhibit defective branching of motor axons.Drish mutant larvae and adults display reduced swimming activity, a defective light response and deficient prey capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the rotor radial displacement identification accuracy of a bearingless induction motor (BIM) in displacement sensorless control, a displacement sensorless control strategy based on modified high-frequency signal injection is proposed. Firstly, a BIM flux linkage equation is analyzed, and by integrating the principle of the conventional high-frequency signal injection method, a self-detection model for the BIM rotor radial displacement is established. Secondly, a cascade notch filter and a low-pass filter are used in the signal demodulation process of the modified high-frequency signal injection. This strategy enables the DC component relevant to rotor displacement to be extracted from the high-frequency current，and obtains the rotor radial displacement equations. Finally, compared with the conventional high-frequency signal injection control, the proposed BIM displacement sensorless control system based on the modified high-frequency signal injection has higher displacement identification accuracy under different operation conditions, such as no-load, sudden load, and radial displacement mutation, as shown in simulation and experimental results. Overall, the motor performs well in terms of speed and suspension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the motor fault diagnosis facing the long-tailed distribution data, characterized by a multitude of fault types with limited data per category and the healthy state with massive data. This skewed distribution makes the traditional diagnostic models fail to identify less frequent faults. To this end, we introduce a novel fault diagnosis model, named Transformer- and gated-recurrent unit (GRU)-based network (TransGRU), to improve the diagnosis accuracy with the long-tailed distribution data. The TransGRU has two main modules, i.e. the feature extraction module and the correction module. The former is based on the Informer encoder with ProbSparse self-attention to extract features from the long-range multi-sensor data. The latter employs the GRU network addressing the long-tail effect by adjusting the diagnosis results via the gate mechanism. Besides, we informatively design an adaptive-conditional loss (ACL) function for the long-tailed fault diagnosis by integrating the properties of focal loss, class-tailored weights, and confusion weights. ACL concentrates on challenging classifications while balancing the representation and significance of various fault modes. Validation on experimental motor data confirms the capability of our TransGRU in identifying a wide range of fault types with limited fault data compared with the Transformer and state-of-the-art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spinal anesthesia is the most popular regional anesthesia technique for lower limb and lower abdominal surgery. Bupivacaine 0.5% heavy is commonly used for intrathecal use. New long-acting local anesthetic agents such as ropivacaine have claimed benefits of reduced cardiac toxicity on overdose and more specific effects on sensory rather than motor nerve fibers. The use of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine is not much studied. With this background, we studied intrathecal ropivacaine hyperbaric 0.75% against intrathecal bupivacaine hyperbaric 0.5% for lower abdominal and lower limb surgery. Aims and Objectives: To note the effectiveness of intrathecal ropivacaine and bupivacaine on characteristics of subarachnoid block such as sensory block, motor block, hemodynamic parameters, and complications if any. Materials and Methods: We randomized patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries and lower limb orthopedic surgeries under spinal anesthesia into two groups so as to receive intrathecal either ropivacaine 0.75% hyperbaric (3 mL) or bupivacaine 0.5% hyperbaric (3mL) and noted study parameters. Results: Time of sensory block onset (P=0.0005), peak sensory level (P=0.0029), and onset of L1 bromage-3 motor block (P=1.27E--08) was significantly delayed in the ropivacaine group as compared to bupivacaine group. However, maximum sensory level achieved (T6), time required for two-segment sensory regressions (P=0.1162), and time of onset of pain (P=0.1162) were comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Intrathecal ropivacaine 0.75% hyperbaric produced slow onset sensory and motor block than 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with comparable cephalic spread and duration of sensory block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bearing is the property of Bearing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bearing is the property of Bearing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Electrification of vehicles intensifies their cooling demands due to the requirements of maintaining electronics/electrical systems below their maximum temperature threshold. In this paper, passive cooling approaches based on heat pipes have been considered for the thermal management of electric vehicle (EV) traction systems including battery, inverter, and motor. For the battery, a heat pipe base plate is used to provide high heat removal (180 W per module) and better thermal uniformity (<5°C) for the battery modules in a pack while downsizing the liquid cold plate system. In the case of Inverter, two phase cooling system based on heat pipes was designed to handle hot spots arising from high heat flux (~100 W/cm)–for liquid cooling and provide location independence and a dedicated cooling approach-for air cooling. For EV motors, heat pipe-based systems are explored for stator and rotor cooling. The paper also provides a glimpse of development on high-performance microchannel-based cold plate technologies based on parallel fins and multi-layer 3D stacked structures. Specifically, this work extends the concept of hybridization of two-phase technology based on heat pipes with single-phase technology, predominately based on liquid cooling, to extend performance, functionalities, and operational regime of cooling solutions for components of EV drive trains. In summary, heat pipes will help to improve and extend the overall reliability, performance, and safety of air and liquid cooling systems in electric vehicles. Graphic Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friction stir welding (FSW) is defined as a solid-state welding method that is required to be accurate, especially for its motion. This requirement can be satisfied by implementing an accurate controller. The aim of this research was to develop an accurate control system based on a fuzzy-proportional integral derivative (PID) controller for parallel manipulator FSW robots. In order to achieve a higher accuracy in motion control, the tuning optimisation process for a fuzzy-PID controller was conducted using a genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO). The optimisation algorithms were applied to simultaneously tune the fuzzy rules and output of the membership function from the fuzzy inference system (FIS). The PID controller was designed and tuned using a MATLAB® PID Tuner to obtain the desired response. It was then developed into a fuzzy-PID controller with Sugeno type-1 FIS with 2 inputs and 1 output. The tuning optimisation of the fuzzy-PID controller using GA and PSO was performed to achieve the global minimum integral absolute error (IAE) of the angular velocity. MATLAB® Simulink® was employed to test and simulate the controllers for three motors in the FSW robot model. The IAE values of the PID controller implemented for each motor were 0.03644, 0.04893, and 0.04893. The IAEs of the implemented fuzzy-PID-GA (output and rules) controller were 2.061, 2.048, and 2.048; of the implemented fuzzy-PID-GA (output) controller were 0.03768, 0.05059, and 0.05059; of the fuzzy-PID-PSO (output and rules) controller were 0.01886, 0.0253, and 0.02533; and of the fuzzy-PID-PSO (output) controller were 0.03767, 0.05059, and 0.05059. Therefore, the fuzzy-PID-PSO (output and rules) controller gave the most accurate results and outperformed the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript introduces a hybrid technique designed to enhance the simultaneous energy management (EM) of slow and fast-charge electric vehicles (EVs) within a smart parking lot. The proposed hybrid method combines the Archerfish Hunting Optimizer (AHO) and the Tree Hierarchical Deep Convolutional Neural Network (THDCNN), collectively referred to as the AHO-THDCNN technique. The primary objective of the AHO-THDCNN method is to reduce costs and alleviate the strain on the electrical grid. The THDCNN, a neural network model, plays a crucial role in forecasting valuable data by learning from and recognizing patterns within the training input-data samples. The AHO Approach is responsible for effectively managing the distribution of resources and addressing the energy requirements of both slow- and fast-charging EVs. The performance of the AHO-THDCNN approach is rigorously evaluated using the MATLAB software and compared with different existing approaches. The proposed method reaches its maximum energy level of 260 KW at 18 h, outperforming other existing methods in the comparison. In the proposed method, the efficiency is about 97% which is much better than the all other existing methods. This paper showcases the success of the AHO-THDCNN technique in achieving cost reduction and effective energy power management. It introduces an improvement strategy that modifies the existing algorithm for more efficient EM in smart parking lots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study systematically investigates the impact of the material properties of soft magnetic composites (SMCs) on the powder metallurgy forming process. It proposes a suitable material selection process for various motor types and shapes and determines the optimal forming conditions for each SMC material. This study employed the Taguchi design method to identify key control factors such as powder type, forming temperature, and forming speed, and analyzed their effects on relative density. Simulation results indicated that AncorLam HR exhibited superior properties compared with AncorLam and Fe-6.5wt.%Si. The optimal conditions determined through signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculations were AncorLam HR at 60 °C and five cycles per minute (CPMs). Validation through simulation and SEM analysis confirmed improved density uniformity and reduced defects in products formed under optimal conditions. Final prototype testing demonstrated that the selected conditions achieved the target density with minimal variance, enhancing the mechanical properties and performance of the motors. These results suggest that the appropriate application of SMC materials can significantly enhance motor efficiency and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodevelopmental outcomes for preschool-age children in the United States with in utero Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure have not yet been reported. We performed a case-control study to assess whether children exposed in utero to ZIKV have abnormal neurodevelopment at age 4–5 years compared to unexposed controls. Thirteen ZIKV-exposed cases that did not have microcephaly or other specific features of congenital Zika syndrome and 12 controls were evaluated between ages 4–5 years. Child neurodevelopment was assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA), and Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). Caregivers answered questions on the child's medical history and family demographics. Cases and controls were evaluated at mean (SD) ages 4.9 (0.3) and 4.8 (0.4) years, respectively. Caregivers reported more behavior and mood problems in cases than controls. MABC scores showed more gross and fine motor coordination difficulties among cases than controls. Controls trended towards higher performance on concepts underlying school readiness on BSRA. Three cases had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or global developmental delay. Continued follow-up through school age for children with prenatal ZIKV exposure is needed to understand the impact of in utero ZIKV exposure on motor coordination, cognition, executive function, and academic achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency and working performance of the motor and controller system in micro-electric vehicles depends mainly on its thermal performance, which is contingent upon effective and active cooling. The working temperature of the motor and controller may be too high during operation, which properly causes motor power reduction or motor breakdowns. Therefore, it is crucial to design a good cooling channel for better cooling the integrated motor and controller system. This work proposes an integrated cooling channel of motor and controller, and the fluid-solid coupling analysis is applied for analyzing the velocity, pressure distributions of the cooling channel, and temperature distributions of motor solid components. Meanwhile, the collaborative optimization method based on the multi-island genetic algorithm (MIGA) is used to attain optimal design parameters of the integrated cooling channel of the motor and controller for obtaining a better cooling channel design with lower flow resistance and lower winding temperatures. Results show that the original cooling channel's flow resistance and maximum winding temperature are 31.87 kPa and 120.04°C, respectively. The flow resistance and winding temperature are pretty significant. After optimization, the local vortex flow and zero velocity area in optimal cooling channel design are improved, the coolant flow velocity becomes more uniform, and the flow resistance is significantly reduced. The flow resistance and maximum winding temperature of the optimal cooling channel design are 12.5 kPa and 116.76°C, respectively, which are decreased compared with the original cooling channel structure, with a decrease of 39.4% and 2.7%, respectively. The research findings in this work can provide theoretical reference for solid components temperature evaluation of motor and give valuable data to cooling performance evaluation and optimization of integrated cooling channel for motor and controller system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Motor-cognitive learning is crucial for achieving and maintaining wellbeing. Exergames can effectively facilitate this type of learning due to their inherent qualities of exertion and game-related disciplines. These qualities can create effectiveness, enjoyment, and meaning in the lives of individuals. To address these aspects equally, the design process for exergame interventions needs to be interdisciplinary from the beginning. Objective: This paper aims to (1) enhance an exergame design process model for interdisciplinary co-creation (CIEM) by an Extended Reflection part (CIEMER). Furthermore, it aims to (2) show a formal process for making the abstract model applicable. In doing so, (3) this paper will also derive methods for conducting the process in an academic seminar. Methods: The study employed the CIEMER to conduct a 2-month academic seminar with 20 students. The seminar consisted of a 3-day intensive workshop, a 6-week work phase, and a 1-week testing phase, creating four Extended Reality prototypes. We used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the model, including feedback interviews with external experts, internal surveys, and written reflections from student designers. Results: Four motor-cognitive learning prototypes in Extended Reality were created using the CIEMER. External expert evaluations highlighted the prototypes' alignment with effective, enjoyable, and meaningful objectives and potential efficacy while noting shortcomings in discipline-specific theoretical application. Internal feedback from students, collected via surveys and reflections, consistently showed positive outcomes in interdisciplinary collaboration and learning, underscoring the importance of an integrated approach in achieving project goals. Conclusion: The formal process within CIEMER effectively yielded four promising prototypes, demonstrating its sufficiency. Students positively acknowledged the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration, finding it supportive and competenceenhancing. Additionally, the Extended Reflections enabled rapid and targeted iterations, streamlining the reflection of the current state and Creation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual tasks (DTs) combining walking with a cognitive task can cause various levels of cognitive–motor interference, depending on which brain resources are recruited in each case. However, the brain activation and functional connectivity underlying cognitive–motor interferences remain to be elucidated. Therefore, this study investigated the neural correlation during different DT conditions in 40 healthy young adults (mean age: 27.53 years, 28 women). The DTs included walking during subtraction or N‐Back tasks. Cognitive–motor interference was calculated, and brain activation and functional connectivity were analysed. Portable functional near‐infrared spectroscopy was utilized to monitor haemodynamics in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), motor cortex and parietal cortex during each task. Walking interference (decrease in walking speed during DT) was greater than cognitive interference (decrease in cognitive performance during DT), regardless of the type of task. Brain activation in the bilateral PFC and parietal cortex was greater for walking during subtraction than for standing subtraction. Furthermore, brain activation was higher in the bilateral motor and parietal and PFCs for walking during subtraction than for walking alone, but only increased in the PFC for walking during N‐Back. Coherence between the bilateral lateral PFC and between the left lateral PFC and left motor cortex was significantly greater for walking during 2‐Back than for walking. The PFC, a critical brain region for organizing cognitive and motor functions, played a crucial role in integrating information coming from multiple brain networks required for completing DTs. Therefore, the PFC could be a potential target for the modulation and improvement of cognitive–motor functions during neurorehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]