Percutaneous sciatic nerve block with tramadol induces analgesia and motor blockade in two animal pain models

Local anesthetic efficacy of tramadol has been reported following intradermal application. Our aim was to investigate the effect of perineural tramadol as the sole analgesic in two pain models. Male Wistar rats (280-380 g; N = 5/group) were used in these experiments. A neurostimulation-guided sciatic nerve block was performed and 2% lidocaine or tramadol (1.25 and 5 mg) was perineurally injected in two different animal pain models. In the flinching behavior test, the number of flinches was evaluated and in the plantar incision model, mechanical and heat thresholds were measured. Motor effects of lidocaine and tramadol were quantified and a motor block score elaborated. Tramadol, 1.25 mg, completely blocked the first and reduced the second phase of the flinching behavior test. In the plantar incision model, tramadol (1.25 mg) increased both paw withdrawal latency in response to radiant heat (8.3 ± 1.1, 12.7 ± 1.8, 8.4 ± 0.8, and 11.1 ± 3.3 s) and mechanical threshold in response to von Frey filaments (459 ± 82.8, 447.5 ± 91.7, 320.1 ± 120, 126.43 ± 92.8 mN) at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min, respectively. Sham block or contralateral sciatic nerve block did not differ from perineural saline injection throughout the study in either model. The effect of tramadol was not antagonized by intraperitoneal naloxone. High dose tramadol (5 mg) blocked motor function as well as 2% lidocaine. In conclusion, tramadol blocks nociception and motor function in vivo similar to local anesthetics.

Influence of cueing on the preparation and execution of untrained and trained complex motor responses

This study investigated the influence of cueing on the performance of untrained and trained complex motor responses. Healthy adults responded to a visual target by performing four sequential movements (complex response) or a single movement (simple response) of their middle finger. A visual cue preceded the target by an interval of 300, 1000, or 2000 ms. In Experiment 1, the complex and simple responses were not previously trained. During the testing session, the complex response pattern varied on a trial-by-trial basis following the indication provided by the visual cue. In Experiment 2, the complex response and the simple response were extensively trained beforehand. During the testing session, the trained complex response pattern was performed in all trials. The latency of the untrained and trained complex responses decreased from the short to the medium and long cue-target intervals. The latency of the complex response was longer than that of the simple response, except in the case of the trained responses and the long cue-target interval. These results suggest that the preparation of untrained complex responses cannot be completed in advance, this being possible, however, for trained complex responses when enough time is available. The duration of the 1st submovement, 1st pause and 2nd submovement of the untrained and the trained complex responses increased from the short to the long cue-target interval, suggesting that there is an increase of online programming of the response possibly related to the degree of certainty about the moment of target appearance.

Physical exercise prevents motor disorders and striatal oxidative imbalance after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Stroke is the third most common cause of death worldwide, and most stroke survivors present some functional impairment. We assessed the striatal oxidative balance and motor alterations resulting from stroke in a rat model to investigate the neuroprotective role of physical exercise. Forty male Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups: a) control, b) ischemia, c) physical exercise, and d) physical exercise and ischemia. Physical exercise was conducted using a treadmill for 8 weeks. Ischemia-reperfusion surgery involved transient bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 30 min. Neuromotor performance (open-field and rotarod performance tests) and pain sensitivity were evaluated beginning at 24 h after the surgery. Rats were euthanized and the corpora striata was removed for assay of reactive oxygen species, lipoperoxidation activity, and antioxidant markers. Ischemia-reperfusion caused changes in motor activity. The ischemia-induced alterations observed in the open-field test were fully reversed, and those observed in the rotarod test were partially reversed, by physical exercise. Pain sensitivity was similar among all groups. Levels of reactive oxygen species and lipoperoxidation increased after ischemia; physical exercise decreased reactive oxygen species levels. None of the treatments altered the levels of antioxidant markers. In summary, ischemia-reperfusion resulted in motor impairment and altered striatal oxidative balance in this animal model, but those changes were moderated by physical exercise.

Converter-Fed Induction Motor Losses: Determination With IEC Methods

Energy efficiency is an important topic when considering electric motor drives market. Although more efficient electric motor types are available, the induction motor remains as the most common industrial motor type. IEC methods for determining losses and efficiency of converter-fed induction motors were introduced recently with the release of technical specification IEC/TS 60034-2-3. Determining the induction motor losses with IEC/TS 60034-2-3 method 2-3-A and assessing the practical applicability of the method are the main interests of this study. The method 2-3-A introduces a specific test converter waveform to be used in the measurements. Differences between the induction motor losses with a test converter supply, and with a DTC converter supply are investigated. In the IEC methods, the tests are run at motor rated fundamental voltage, which, in practice, requires the frequency converter to be fed with a risen input voltage. In this study, the tests are run on both frequency converters with artificially risen converter input voltage, resulting in rated motor fundamental input voltage as required by IEC. For comparison, the tests are run with both converters on normal grid input voltage supply, which results in lower motor fundamental voltage and reduced flux level, but should be more relevant from practical point of view. According to IEC method 2-3-A, tests are run at rated motor load, and to ensure comparability of the results, the rated load is used in the grid-fed converter measurements, although motor is overloaded while producing the rated torque at reduced flux level. The IEC 2-3-A method requires also sinusoidal supply test results with IEC method 2-1-1B. Therefore, the induction motor losses with the recently updated IEC 60034-2-1 method 2-1-1B are determined at the motor rated voltage, but also at two lower motor voltages, which are according to the output fundamental voltages of the two network-supplied converters. The method 2-3-A was found to be complex to apply but the results were stable. According to the results, the method 2-3-A and the test converter supply are usable for comparing losses and efficiency of different induction motors at the operating point of rated voltage, rated frequency and rated load, but the measurements do not give any prediction of the motor losses at final application. One might therefore strongly criticize the method’s main principles. It seems, that the release of IEC 60034-2-3 as a technical specification instead of a final standard for now was justified, since the practical relevance of the main method is questionable.

Late-onset spinal motor neuronopathy- a new neuromuscular disease

The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical phenotype of late-onset spinal motor neuronopathy (LOSMoN), an adult-onset autosomal dominant lower motor neuron disorder identified first in two families in Eastern Finland, in order to clarify its genetic background. Motor neuron disorders (MNDs) are characterized by dysfunction and premature death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. MNDs can manifest at any age of the human lifespan, ranging from pre- or neonatal forms such as spinal muscular atrophy type I (SMA I) to those preferentially affecting the older age groups exemplified by sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). With a combination of genetic linkage analysis and genome sequencing using DNA from a total of 55 affected members of 17 families and a whole genome scan, we were able to show that LOSMoN is caused by the c.197G>T p.G66V mutation in the gene CHCHD10. This study showed that LOSMoN has very characteristic features that help to differentiate it from other more malignant forms of motor neuron disease, such as ALS, which was erroneously diagnosed in many patients in our cohort. Lack of fibrillations in the first dorsal interosseus muscle on EMG and extensive grouping of non-atrophic type IIA/2A fibers on muscle biopsy were shown to be common findings in LOSMoN, but rare or absent in ALS patients. The results of this study will help clinicians recognize the characteristic phenotype of LOSMoN disease and thus improve their diagnostic accuracy, and will also allow physicians to provide adequate genetic counseling for patients.

On site measurements of DC link electrolytic capacitor bank of frequency converter using constant DC magnetization of the motor

Preventive maintenance of frequency converters has been based on pre-planned replace-ment of wearing or ageing components. Exchange intervals follow component life-time expectations which are based on empirical knowledge or schedules defined by manufac-turer. However, the lifetime of a component can vary significantly, because drives are used in very different operating environments and applications. The main objective of the research was to provide information on methods, i.e. how in-verter's operating condition can be measured reliably under field conditions. At first, the research focused on critical components such as current transducers, IGBTs and DC link capacitor bank, because these aging have already been identified. Of these, the DC link capacitor measurement method was selected for closer examination. With this method, the total capacitance and its total series resistance can be measured. The suitability of the measuring procedure was estimated on the basis of practical measurements. The research was made by using so called triangulation method, including a literature review, simulations and practical measurements. Based on the results, the new measu-rement method seems suitable with some reservations to practical measurements. How-ever, the measuring method should be further developed in order to improve its reliability.

Control of multi-actuator system by an electrically driven hydraulic pump-motor

The awareness and concern of our environment together with legislation have set more and more tightening demands for energy efficiency of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). Integrated electro-hydraulic energy converter (IEHEC) has been developed in Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT). The elimination of resistance flow, and the recuperation of energy makes it very efficient alternative. The difficulties of IEHEC machine to step to the market has been the requirement of one IEHEC machine per one actuator. The idea is to switch IEHEC between two actuators of log crane using fast on/off valves. The control system architecture is introduced. The system has been simulated in co-simulation using two different software. The simulated responses of pump-controlled system is compared to the responses of the conventional valve-controlled system.

Motor Types Comparison Determining Efficiency in Pumping Systems

Pumping, fan and compressor systems consume most of the motor electricity power in both the industrial and services sectors. A variable speed drive brings relevant improvements in a fluid system leading to energy saving that further on can be translated into Mtons reduction of CO 2 emissions. Standards and regulations are being adopted for fluid handling systems to limit the less efficiency pumps out of the European market on the coming years and a greater potential in energy savings is dictated by the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) requirements for the whole pumping system and integrated pumps. Electric motors also have an International Efficiency (IE) classification in order to introduce higher efficiency motors into the market. In this thesis, the applicability of mid-size common electric motor types to industrial pumping system took place comparing the motor efficiency characteristics with each other and by analyzing the effect of motor dimensioning on the pumping system and its impact in the energy consumption.

[Travaux au niveau du 79 boulevard de Magenta, pilonneuse The New Way Motor Co de Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A., entrepreneur M. Bancel, 83 rue Petit] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 58604

[Travaux au niveau du 79 boulevard de Magenta, pilonneuse The New Way Motor Co de Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A., entrepreneur M. Bancel, 83 rue Petit] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 58608

Pilonneuse The New Way Motor Co de Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A., entrepreneur M. Bancel, 83 rue Petit [Travaux au niveau du 79 boulevard de Magenta] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 58609

The effect of motor-encoding activities on memory and performance in a grade one reading program

This study examined the effectiveness of motor-encoding activities on memory and performance of students in a Grade One reading program. There were two experiments in the study. Experiment 1 replicated a study by Eli Saltz and David Dixon (1982). The effect of motoric enactment (Le., pretend play) of sentences on memory for the sentences was investigated. Forty Grade One students performed a "memory-for-sentences" technique, devised by Saltz and Dixon. Only the experimental group used motoric enactment of the sentences. Although quantitative findings revealed no significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental group versus the control group, aspects of the experimental design could have affected the results. It was suggested that Saltz and Dixon's study could be replicated again, with more attention given to variables such as population size, nature of the test sentences, subjects' previous educational experience and conditions related to the testing environment. The second experiment was an application of Saltz and Dixon's theory that motoric imagery should facilitate memory for sentences. The intent was to apply this theory to Grade One students' ability to remember words from their reading program. An experimental gym program was developed using kinesthetic activities to reinforce the skills of the classroom reading program. The same subject group was used in Experiment 2. It was hypothesized that the subjects who experienced the experimental gym program would show greater signs of progress in reading ability, as evidenced by their scores on Form G of the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test--Revised. The data from the WRM--R were analyzed with a 3-way split-plot analysis of variance in which group (experimental vs. control) and sex were the between subjects variables and test-time (pre-test vs. post-test) was the within-subjects variable. Findings revealed the following: (a) both groups made substantial gains over time on the visual-auditory learning sub-test and the triple action of group x sex x time also was significant; (b) children in the experimental and control groups performed similarly on both the pre- and post-test of the letter identification test; (c) time was the only significant effect on subjects' performance on the word identification task; (d) work attack scores showed marked improvement in performance over time for both the experimenta+ and control groups; (e) passage comprehension scores indicated an improvement in performance for both groups over time. Similar to Experiment 1, it is suggested that several modifications in the experimental design could produce significant results. These factors are addressed with suggestions for further research in the area of active learning; more specifically, the effect of motor-encoding activities on memory and academic performance of children.

The influence of physical activity behaviour on the relationship between motor proficiency and body composition in children

There is an emerging awareness that children with poor motor abilities are at particular risk for overweight. This cross-sectional study examined the influence of physical activity behaviour on the relationship between motor proficiency and body composition. Participants were 1287 (646 males, 641 females) Grade 6 students in the Physical Health Activity Study project. Height, weight, waist girth, and motor proficiency (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Performance BOTMP-SF) were assessed. Physical activity behaviours were also evaluated with a multifaceted approach and reported for school-based, non-school based physical activity, free-time play, and sedentary activities (Participation Questionnaire), and leisure time exercise (Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire GS). Overweight was defined by BMI scores: boys :::20.6-21.2 and <25.1-26.0; girls: ::: 20.7-21.7and <25.4-26.7 and obesity was defined as: boys:::: 25.1-26.0; girls: :::25.4-26.7. Children were classified as case group (CG,::; 10% on BOTMP-SF), borderline case group (BC, > 10% to ::; 20% on BOTMP-SF) or non-case group. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) uncovered a significant difference in overweight and obesity between the case group and non-case group. Normal-weight children reported higher participation in organized school-sports (intra-mural and inter-school teams). The CG reported significantly lower participation in school sports teams and lower GS results, with a trend towards lower participation in all active pursuits. They also reported a significantly higher duration of television watching and book reading. There were no significant differences between motor proficiency groups by gender, age, nonschool sports, or free-time activity. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that the case group was 10.9 times more likely to be overweight/obese than their peers. No single aspect of physical activity was able to explain the difference in odds ratios for the motor proficiency groups. However, for the entire cohort, children who participated in more organized school sports were less likely to be overweight/obese. These findings confirm that children with low motor proficiency are at significant risk of developing overweight. It is evident that these children have generally attenuated activity levels and heightened levels of sedentary pursuits. School-based activities appear particularly limited, and are the one area where children have near autonomy in their decision to pursue active opportunities. The promotion of school-based programs, specifically intramural sports may be an important aspect in increasing children's overall activity levels. It is also essential to consider the needs of those children with low motor proficiency when designing activity promotion programs. Future research should further explore motor proficiency and overweight/obesity.