EMG Map for Designing the Electrode Shape for Functional Electrical Therapy of Upper Extremities

Achieving the functional grasp by electrical stimulation using surface electrodes is a demanding task. The innervations of muscles come via ulnar, radial and median nerves. The anatomy of nerve branches connecting various muscles in the forearm differs significantly between individuals. We hypothesize that the anatomical differences between the paretic and nonparetic arms are minimal. Based on this assumption we developed a method where the differences of muscle activities (EMG) between the healthy and paretic arms recorded by the 24-contact electrode within an array define the target zones to be stimulated on the affected forearm. We used special electrode where magnetic contacts allow simple change of the stimulation pads. The examiner positions the magnetic contact on the pads where the EMG differences are maximal. The stimulator delivers asynchronous stimulation to the selected pads. We proved that the method is working in stroke patients by measuring joint angles and the grasping force. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.Biosystems and Biorobotics, Vol. 21This is the peer-reviewed version of the following article: Popović-Maneski, L., Topalović, I., 2019. EMG Map for Designing the Electrode Shape for Functional Electrical Therapy of Upper Extremities, in: Masia, L., Micera, S., Akay, M., Pons, J.L. (Eds.), Converging Clinical and Engineering Research on Neurorehabilitation III, Biosystems & Biorobotics. Springer International Publishing, pp. 1003–1007, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01845-0_20

Geometric origin of scaling in large traffic networks

Large scale traffic networks are an indispensable part of contemporary human mobility and international trade. Networks of airport travel or cargo ships movements are invaluable for the understanding of human mobility patterns\cite{Guimera2005}, epidemic spreading\cite{Colizza2006}, global trade\cite{Imo2006} and spread of invasive species\cite{Ruiz2000}. Universal features of such networks are necessary ingredients of their description and can point to important mechanisms of their formation. Different studies\cite{Barthelemy2010} point to the universal character of some of the exponents measured in such networks. Here we show that exponents which relate i) the strength of nodes to their degree and ii) weights of links to degrees of nodes that they connect have a geometric origin. We present a simple robust model which exhibits the observed power laws and relates exponents to the dimensionality of 2D space in which traffic networks are embedded. The model is studied both analytically and in simulations and the conditions which result with previously reported exponents are clearly explained. We show that the relation between weight strength and degree is $s(k)\sim k^{3/2}$, the relation between distance strength and degree is $s^d(k)\sim k^{3/2}$ and the relation between weight of link and degrees of linked nodes is $w_{ij}\sim(k_ik_j)^{1/2}$ on the plane 2D surface. We further analyse the influence of spherical geometry, relevant for the whole planet, on exact values of these exponents. Our model predicts that these exponents should be found in future studies of port networks and impose constraints on more refined models of port networks.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

Evidence for electron-phonon interaction in Fe1−x_{1-x}Mx_{x}Sb2_{2} (M=Co, Cr) single crystals

We have measured polarized Raman scattering spectra of the Fe$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$Sb$_{2}$ and Fe$_{1-x}$Cr$_{x}$Sb$_{2}$ (0$\leq x\leq$0.5) single crystals in the temperature range between 15 K and 300 K. The highest energy $B_{1g}$ symmetry mode shows significant line asymmetry due to phonon mode coupling width electronic background. The coupling constant achieves the highest value at about 40 K and after that it remains temperature independent. Origin of additional mode broadening is pure anharmonic. Below 40 K the coupling is drastically reduced, in agreement with transport properties measurements. Alloying of FeSb$_2$ with Co and Cr produces the B$_{1g}$ mode narrowing, i.e. weakening of the electron-phonon interaction. In the case of A$_{g}$ symmetry modes we have found a significant mode mixing

Population dynamics of the species Plantago major L. and Poa annua L. in a replacement series experiment

Population dynamics of the species Plantago major L. and Poa annua L., typical representatives of ruderal vegetation, was analyzed in a replacement series experiment. The analyzed species were sown in an area with meadow vegetation, where the vegetation present had been previously removed by a total herbicide and additionally by hoeing. The objective of the experiment was to monitor growth dynamics and the effect of intra- and inter-specific interaction of the species Plantago major and Poa annua in conditions of different sowing densities and proportions. The effects of intra- and inter-specific interference and the density-dependent responses were assessed on the basis of several parameters (natality, mortality, age structure, and measures of ontogenetic changes). Based on the study results, it can be concluded that the responses of the species in the experiment were different, which is explained by different adaptive mechanisms, i.e., strategies, in the specific environmental conditions. An effect of the density dependent response was present in both species in the replacement series experiment. The response was amplified by water deficit caused by intensive evapora­tion of the bare soil. No effect of inter-specific interference was observed at the given densities of the study species on the sample plots. An effect of intra-specific interference of the species Plantago major and Poa annua was observed in the guise of a density-negative response of the rate of ontogenetic changes and fecundity

BIOAKUMULACIJA LIPOSOLUBILNIH ONEČIŠĆIVAČA U VODENIM SUSTAVIMA

One of the major problems of water pollution is the capability of pollutants to concentrate in aquatic organisms. Bioaccumulation and bioconcentration of such chemicals in fish render it unsuitable for human consumption. Bioconcentration of water pollutants through algae, zooplankton and other organisms, can lead to their accumulation through food.chain, with the fish at the top of the pelagic food web. The occurrence of elevated residue levels of various xenobiotics with increasing trophic level has been demonstrated in a variety of aquatic environments and organisms. The increased bioconcentration occurs with increasing trophic level. The tendency of a chemical to bioconcentrate has been shown to be strongly related to its lipophilicity. Trophic.level differences in bioconcentration are due largely to increased lipid content and decreased chemical elimination efficiency of organisms occupying increasing trophic levels. The accumulation of pollutant is expressed as the bioconcentration factor (BCF), which is determined as the rate of its uptake to the organism and its elimination from it plus the organism growth rate. Chemical uptake efficiency from water, excretion rate, and chemical assimilation efficiency are variable as a function of the octanol.water partition coefficient (Kow).Jedan od najvećih problema onečišćenja vode raznim onečišćivačima jest u tome što se oni mogu koncentrirati u vodenim organizmima. Bioakumulacija i biokoncentracija onečišćivača u ribi čine takvu ribu nepogodnom za ljudsku prehranu. Biokoncentracija onečišćivača iz vode preko algi, zooplanktona i drugih organizama može dovesti do njihove akumulacije preko prehrambenog lanca, s ribom na vrhu pelagičkoga prehrambenog niza. Pojava povišene razine ksenobiotika uz povišenje trofične razine prisutna je u brojnim vodenim sustavima i organizmima koji žive u vodi. Tendencija neke kemijske tvari prema biokoncentraciji vrlo je usko vezana s njezinom lipofilnošću. Razlike trofičnih razina u biokoncentraciji posljedica su povećanog sadržaja lipida i smanjene sposobnosti kemijske eliminacije organizama viših trofičnih razina. Mogućnost nakupljanja polutanata u organizmu može se odrediti biokoncentracijskim faktorom (BCF), koji je odnos stupnja unosa i stupnja eliminacije određenoga spoja zbrojen sa stupnjem rasta organizma. Djelotvornost unosa kemijske supstancije iz vode, stupanj izlučivanja, te učinkovitost kemijske asimilacije ovise o kemijskom koeficijentu odnosa oktanola i vode (Kow)

The Crystallographic Data of Potassium-, Ammonium-,and Ruhidium-Oxo-his-Oxalato-his-Aquo-Niobates(V) Diand Trihydrates

The crystallographic data for K[NbO(C204)2 (H20h] · 3H20, NH4[NbO(C204)2 (H20)2] · 2H20, and Rb[NbO(C204)2 (H20)2] · 2H20 has been obtained by X-ray diffraction methods. On the basis of similar values of unit cell parameters and the same space group extinctions, an isostructural relationship has been found among dihydrates of Cs-salt (with known crystal structure from previous work2) and NH4- and Rb-salts, as well as between trihydrates of NHrsalt (with crystal structure3 solved previously too) and K-salt

The Crystallographic Data of Potassium-, Ammonium-,and Ruhidium-Oxo-his-Oxalato-his-Aquo-Niobates(V) Diand Trihydrates

The crystallographic data for K[NbO(C204)2 (H20h] · 3H20, NH4[NbO(C204)2 (H20)2] · 2H20, and Rb[NbO(C204)2 (H20)2] · 2H20 has been obtained by X-ray diffraction methods. On the basis of similar values of unit cell parameters and the same space group extinctions, an isostructural relationship has been found among dihydrates of Cs-salt (with known crystal structure from previous work2) and NH4- and Rb-salts, as well as between trihydrates of NHrsalt (with crystal structure3 solved previously too) and K-salt