The intelligent estimating of spinal column abnormalities by using artificial neural networks and characteristics vector extracted from image processing of reflective markers

Spinal column abnormities such as kyphosis and lordosis are the most common deformity that normally compare to the standard norms. To classify the subjects into the healthy and abnormal groups based on the angle values of the standard norms, the aim of this study was to use the artificial neural network method as a standard way for realizing the spinal column abnormalities. In this way, 40 male students (26 ± 2 years old, 72 ± 2.5 kg weight, and 169 ± 5.5 cm height) volunteered for this research. The lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis angles were analyzed using an image processing of 13 reflective markers set on the spines process of the thoracic and lumbar spine. Therefore, after analyzing the position of these markers, a characteristic vector was extracted from the lateral side of every subject. The artificial neural network was trained by using the characteristic vector extracted from the labeled image of that person to diagnose abnormalities. The results indicate that the high efficiency of this method as the CCR (train) and CCR (test) was about 96 and 93%, respectively. These results show that the neural network can be considered as a standard way to diagnose the spinal abnormalities. Moreover, the most important benefit of this method is the estimation of spinal column abnormalities without considering intermediate quantities, and also the standard norms of these intermediate quantities can be considered as a non-invasive method.Keywords: Abnormality, spinal column, kyphosis, lordosis, neural network, classificationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(4), pp. 419-42

Persistent Model Order Reduction for Complex Dynamical Systems Using Smooth Orthogonal Decomposition

Full-scale complex dynamic models are not effective for parametric studies due to the inherent constraints on available computational power and storage resources. A persistent reduced order model (ROM) that is robust, stable, and provides high-fidelity simulations for a relatively wide range of parameters and operating conditions can provide a solution to this problem. The fidelity of a new framework for persistent model order reduction of large and complex dynamical systems is investigated. The framework is validated using several numerical examples including a large linear system and two complex nonlinear systems with material and geometrical nonlinearities. While the framework is used for identifying the robust subspaces obtained from both proper and smooth orthogonal decompositions (POD and SOD, respectively), the results show that SOD outperforms POD in terms of stability, accuracy, and robustness

ELECTROMYOGERAPHIC WAVELET ANALYSIS OF LOWER EXTERMITY MUSCLES DURING SPRINT START AND TWO SUBSEQUNT STEPS

The aim of this study was to identify muscle fiber activity based on the wavelet technique during the sprint start. Also, the influence of age, gender and anthropometric parameters was investigated. Sixty young elite sprinters volunteered. Bilateral electromyographic activity was recorded from the Gastrocnemius medialis (GAS), Rectus femoris, Biceps femoris and Gluteus maximus (GLU). During all phases of sprint start, the rear and front GAS muscles showed significantly higher frequencies while the GLU muscles presented lower frequencies than any other muscles. No significant differences were observed between boys and girls, however, the results showed that the older sprinters, the ones with a higher percentage of thigh and calf circumference and skeletal muscle mass have a better capability to recruit more fast twitch fibers, for instance in the GAS

A MODELLING OF ELBOW FLEXION AND CALCULATION OF MUSCLE MOMENT AND THE REACTION FORCE ON ELBOW USING ADAMS SOFTWARE

In this research elbow flexion has been analysed and the moment of muscles and the reaction force exerted on the elbow is calculated in the range of motion. The moment of muscles indicate the performance of movement and the reaction force of the joint is believed to be one of the most important causes of damage, something which hasn’t been studied thoroughly enough in previous researches. To that end, we use ADAMS software which is one of the most powerful ones available in dynamics analyses. The results indicate that the maximum torque of the arm occurs at 96 degrees and it decreases in the beginning and the end of flexion. The reaction force of the elbow in the beginning of motion is at maximum amount and then decreases to 107 degrees, and from that point on it increases up to the end of the motion. These results indicate that the optimum range of elbow flexion occurs in the mid-range of flexion, approximately at 58-140 degrees

Effect of Building Rotation on Thermal Energy Reduction and Total Solar Gain in Tehran Residential Buildings

Decreasing energy consumption is the one of the most important subject. Besides, in any building design, one employs simple techniques such as orientation, shading of windows, color, and vegetation among others, to create comfortable conditions. Accordingly, Total thermal and solar gain and the effective factors on them should be investigated and optimized. The objective of this research was to find out the impact of rotation on total thermal and solar gain which can lead us to achieve less energy-use in Iran. The software used for this research was Grasshopper and Lady Bug and Honey bee plugins. The typical plan without any environment effects was simulated and effect of rotation on total thermal and solar gain was analyzed. The results showed that using south radiation can be helped to decline total thermal and energy consumption. However, solar gain for east and west radiation was in maximum level. Keywords: thermal energy, rotation, energy reduction, building simulation, residential buildin

Measuring internal brand equity in B2B service industries in Iran

In the business-to-business sector, employees are playing a pivotal role in the success of corporate brands. Thus, measuring the internal brand equity in service industries can significantly highlight the potential role of the workforce in internal and external brand performance. To this end, 105 service firms were examined and empirical data was provided by a sample of 533 industrial workers and 208 managers, which was then analyzed. The main conclusions of this research lead us to confirm the positive relationship between determinants of internal brand equity and its influence on building strong internal and external brand equity. Conclusions are drawn for management practice and future research.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

THE EFFECT OF GENDER AND ANTHROPOMETRICAL PARAMETERS ON DYNAMIC OF SPRINT START AMONG YOUNG ELITE SPRINTERS

The sprint start is a complex motor task characterized by large forces exerted in the horizontal direction and ability to generate these forces in a short time. The aim of this research was to study the starting block dynamics parameters during the sprint start. Moreover, gender and anthropometrical measurements as corrected thigh girth (CTG), corrected calf girth (CCG) and total body skeletal muscle mass (SMM) were used to evaluate their influence on the dynamic variables. The results presented a significant influence of age, gender and other anthropometrical parameters on block velocity, block acceleration, force and impulse, where the older boys displayed significantly higher block variable values than girls. Moreover, the maximum force exerted on the front and rear legs were the best predictor for the mean velocity of the sprinters

MUSCLE FIBRE RECRUITMENT IN SPRINT START AND DIFFERENT JUMPS IN ADOLESCENT SPRINT ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to identify muscle fibre recruitment pattern during sprint start and jump tests in adolescent sprint athletes. A possible influence of several anthropometric parameters on this recruitment pattern was investigated. Sixty adolescent sprint athletes performed a sprint start and several jump tests with bilateral EMG recording of four lower limb muscles. EMG-signals were resolved into time and frequency using wavelet analysis. Age and muscularity did not influence fibre recruitment. In sprint start only the front leg M. Rectus Femoris generated higher frequencies compared to the rear leg. Compared to all other muscles, significant higher frequencies were found in the M. Gastrocnemius medialis during all movements. These results may lead to a better understanding of the value of using jump tests for talent detection in sprint athletes