Academic literature on the topic 'Sensory and motor characteristics'

Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease. Congenital contractures are a heterogeneous group of various diseases with different etiology and pathogenesis. The article describes a family case of hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy caused by a mutation with 943GA (p Arg315Trp) in the TRPV4 gene (transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel 4, NM_021625. 4). The article presents the clinical and neurological characteristics of the patient, the results of genetic and neurophysiological examination of the patient and his parents, differential diagnosis of this disease.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and pathological correlations characterising each clinical subtype of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP).MethodsWe assessed 106 consecutive patients who had CIDP fulfilling the European Federation of Neurological Societies and Peripheral Nerve Society criteria and had been referred for sural nerve biopsy. Patients with anti-neurofascin 155, anti-contactin 1 and anti-LM1 antibodies were excluded.Results55 patients were classified as having typical CIDP. Regarding atypical CIDP, the multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor (MADSAM) (n=15), distal acquired demyelinating symmetric (DADS) (n=16) and pure sensory (n=15) forms were major subtypes, while the pure motor (n=4) and focal (n=1) forms were rare. Nerve conduction studies revealed that distal motor latencies and F-wave latencies were markedly prolonged in the typical CIDP group but relatively preserved in the MADSAM group. Motor conduction velocity was conspicuously slowed in the DADS group, and distal motor latencies were markedly prolonged in the pure sensory group. Sural nerve biopsy specimens from patients with MADSAM, DADS and pure sensory type tended to show extreme variation in myelinated fibre density among fascicles due to focal myelinated fibre loss or onion-bulb formation, whereas patients with typical CIDP tended to show mild fascicular variation. Epineurial lymphocytic infiltration was conspicuous in cases with marked fascicular variation in myelinated fibre density.ConclusionsPreferential involvement of distal and proximal segments and uniform pathological features in typical CIDP indicate a role of humoral factors at sites where the blood–nerve barrier is deficient. By contrast, focal lesions in MADSAM, DADS and pure sensory forms may share neuropathic mechanisms primarily affecting the nerve trunk.

Objectives To compare the neuroanatomical characteristics of the deep and superficial tissues at acupuncture point LI11 using a neural tracing technique, in order to examine the neural basis of potential differences between deep and superficial needling techniques. Methods In order to mimic the situations of the deep and superficial needling, the retrograde neural tracer Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate of cholera toxin subunit B (AF488-CTB) was injected into the muscle or subcutaneous tissue, respectively, at acupuncture point LI11 in eight rats (n=4 each). Three days following injection, the distribution of motor and sensory neurons labelled with AF488-CTB was examined in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) under a fluorescent microscope. Results For both types of injection, labelled motor and sensory neurons were distributed on the side ipsilateral to the injection in the spinal cord and DRG between spinal levels C5 and T1. The number of labelled motor neurons following intramuscular injection was significantly higher than subcutaneous injection. By contrast, the number of labelled sensory neurons following subcutaneous injection was significantly higher in number and extended over a greater number of spinal segments compared to intramuscular injection. Conclusions These data indicate that the motor and sensory innervation of muscle and subcutaneous tissue beneath LI11 differ, and suggest that acupuncture signals induced by deep and superficial needling stimulation may be transmitted through different neural pathways.

Background Small doses of bupivacaine may be a reasonable choice for spinal anesthesia for patients having ambulatory surgery. However, few dose-response data are available to guide the selection of reasonable doses of bupivacaine for different ambulatory procedures. Methods Eight volunteers per group were randomized to receive 3.75, 7.5, or 11.25 mg of 0.75% bupivacaine with 8.25% dextrose in a double-blind manner. Sensory block was assessed with pinprick, transcutaneous electrical stimulation equivalent to surgical incision at the ankle, knee, pubis, and umbilicus, and with duration of tolerance to pneumatic thigh tourniquet. Motor block at the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles was assessed with isometric force dynamometry. Times until recovery from spinal anesthesia were recorded. Dose-response relationships were determined by linear regressions. Mean (95% confidence intervals) for durations of sensory and motor block per milligram of bupivacaine administered were calculated from linear regressions. Results Significant dose-response relationships (P < 0.006) were determined for sensory block, motor block, and time until recovery (R from 0.6 to 0.9). Within the range of doses studied, each additional milligram of bupivacaine was associated with an increase in duration of tolerance to transcutaneous electrical stimulation of 10 (7 to 13) min, an increase in tolerance to tourniquet of 7 (2 to 11) min, an increase in duration of motor block of 8 (5 to 12) min, and an increase in time until recovery of 21 (17 to 25) min. Conclusions These dose-response data may guide the selection of reasonable doses of bupivacaine for various outpatient procedures, although individual responses vary.

Brain lesion characteristics (timing, location, and extent) and the type of corticospinal tract (CST) wiring have been proposed as determinants of upper limb (UL) motor function in unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP), yet an investigation of the relative combined impact of these factors on both motor and sensory functions is still lacking. Here, we first investigated whether structural brain lesion characteristics could predict the underlying CST wiring and we explored the role of CST wiring and brain lesion characteristics to predict UL motor and sensory functions in uCP. Fifty-two participants with uCP (mean age (SD): 11 y and 3 m (3 y and 10 m)) underwent a single-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation session to determine CST wiring between the motor cortex and the more affected hand (n=17 contralateral, n=19 ipsilateral, and n=16 bilateral) and an MRI to determine lesion timing (n=34 periventricular (PV) lesion, n=18 corticosubcortical (CSC) lesion), location, and extent. Lesion location and extent were evaluated with a semiquantitative scale. A standardized protocol included UL motor (grip strength, unimanual capacity, and bimanual performance) and sensory measures. A combination of lesion locations (damage to the PLIC and frontal lobe) significantly contributed to differentiate between the CST wiring groups, reclassifying the participants in their original group with 57% of accuracy. Motor and sensory functions were influenced by each of the investigated neurological factors. However, multiple regression analyses showed that motor function was predicted by the CST wiring (more preserved in individuals with contralateral CST (p<0.01)), lesion extent, and damage to the basal ganglia and thalamus. Sensory function was predicted by the combination of a large and later lesion and an ipsilateral or bilateral CST wiring, which led to increased sensory deficits (p<0.05). These novel insights contribute to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of UL function and may be useful to delineate individualized treatment strategies.

Il existe actuellement peu de données sur l’apport du numérique dans le développement du langage chez des enfants porteurs de trouble du spectre autistique (TSA). Une recherche-action visant à évaluer l’évolution du langage et des particularités sensorielles et motrices est menée auprès de 20 enfants âgés entre 6 et 16 ans pendant 24 mois. La tablette numérique proposée en accompagnement individuel hebdomadaire a eu un effet positif sur le développement du langage et a participé à améliorer les comportements adaptatifs au quotidien des enfants. La proposition d’ateliers numériques sur la base de 4 curriculum numériques construits sur un modèle de type « bottom up” c'est-à-dire ciblant les apprentissages de la phonologie vers le lexique, la sémantique, la syntaxe et la pragmatique favorise la progression langagière et développementale des enfants. Les résultats vont dans le sens d’une corrélation positive entre une progression du langage et l’évolution des comportements adaptatifs au quotidien, et d’un apport bénéfique et significatif du numérique dans les accompagnements cognitifs des enfants avec TSA
There is currently little data on the contribution of digital technology to language development in children with ASD. A research study was conducted over the course of 24 months among 20 children aged between 6 and 16 years to evaluate the language evolution and the sensory and motor characteristics. The digital tablet offered as a weekly individual intervention had a positive effect on language development and helped improve adaptive behaviors on a daily basis. The proposal for digital workshops based on 4 digital educational curriculum following on a bottom-up model, i.e. targeting the learning of phonology to vocabulary, semantics, syntax and pragmatics, promotes the linguistic and developmental progression of children. These results support a positive correlation between a progression of language and the evolution of adaptive behaviors in everyday life and in favor of a beneficial and significant contribution of digital in the cognitive interventions for children with ASD

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2002.
Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 195-205). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

A recent trend in evolutionary robotics and artificial life research is to maximize self-organization in the design of robotic systems, in particular using artificial evolutionary techniques, in order to reduce the human designer bias. This dissertation presents experiments in competitive co-evolutionary robotics that integrate and extend previous work on competitive co-evolution of neural robot controllers in a predator-prey scenario with work on the ‘co-evolution’ of robot morphology and control systems. The focus here is on a systematic investigation of tradeoffs and interdependencies between morphological parameters and behavioral strategies through a series of predator-prey experiments in which increasingly many aspects are subject to self-organization through competitive co-evolution. The results show that there is a strong interdependency between morphological parameters and behavioral strategies evolved, and that the competitive co-evolutionary process was able to find a balance between and within these two aspects. It is therefore concluded that competitive co-evolution has great potential as a method for the automatic design of robotic systems.

The neural connections between the vestibular, visual, proprioceptive and voluntary inputs are essential for the control of neck posture and movements. One mechanism how this is achieved is by vestibulo-spinal reflexes, such as vestibulo-collic reflex (VCR), and cervico-collic reflexes (CCR). The main role of these reflexes is to stabilize the head either in space or relative to the trunk, respectively. The VCR stabilises the head in space while the CCR tends to re-align the head on the trunk. These two reflexes can work synergistically or an-tagonistically according to context and movement goals. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the sensory-motor control of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the nature of the functional interactions between the vestibular system and neck muscles in healthy participants and in patients with bilateral vestibular loss. Specifically, the experiments performed were designed to a) investigate how head control is organised in healthy subjects and b) to examine how this functional interaction is modulated in patients with vestibular dysfunction. Firstly, a novel head-restraint paradigm is used in order to attempt to isolate a neck stretch reflex in the SCM muscle. Using this paradigm, the activation of the vestibular system is minimised. This permits differentiation between vestibular and neck muscles reflexes. Forehead skull taps and tendon taps were used to differentiate between vestibular-mediated response and stretch responses and vestibularless patients were also included to aid with assessing the contribution of stretch reflexes to head control. Secondly, the sensory-motor organization of the induced responses by tendon tap was investigated following vestibular caloric stimulation to see if it was modulated by vestibular input. Finally, in order to assess cortical aspects of neck control the cortico-spinal excitability of the sternomastoid muscle have been assessed, with non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation), and visual stimulation (rotating disc) in healthy participants. To be able to better understand visual processing of the latter (motion visual stimuli).In the final part of the thesis the effects of visual motion stimulation on the excitability of the visual cortex, both in areas V1 and V5 were investigated. Applying tendon taps of the left sterno-mastoid (SM) relatively long latencies (32msec) EMG responses have been recorded from the ipsilateral and contralateral SCM muscles in con-tracted and relaxed conditions in both healthy and bilateral vestibular failure subjects (BVF). These latencies (32ms) indicating a long loop, possibly via the cortex or subcortical struc-tures would suggest a long loop reflex. These long loop responses are not modulated applying caloric vestibular stimulation and suggest that although the vestibular system is activated, the neural pathway between the vestibular system and the motor cortex is not activated by the tap since this is purely a spinal reflex. In addition the physiological mechanisms of head neck control are significantly influenced by the visual cues. Visual-vestibular and proprioceptive loops are probably involved in head-neck sensory motor control.

Over the last decades, robotic devices for neurorehabilitation have been developed with the aim of providing better and faster improvement of motor performance. These devices are being used to help patients repeat movements and (re)learn different dynamic tasks. Over the years, these devices have become bigger and more complex, so as to provide the end user with a more realistic and sophisticated stimuli while still allowing the experimenter to have control over the interaction forces that can potentially shape the motor behaviour. However, experimental results have shown no clear advantage of these complex devices over simpler versions. In this context, this thesis investigates sensory-motor processes of human interaction, which can help us understand the main issues for rehabilitation devices and how to overcome the limitations of simple devices to train particular motor behaviours. Conventional neurorehabilitation of motor function relies on haptic interaction between the patient and physiotherapist. However, how humans deal with human-human interactions is largely unknown, and has been little studied. In this regard, experiments of the first section of the thesis investigate the mechanisms of interaction during human-human collaborative tasks. It goes from identifying the different strategies that dyads can take to proposing methods to measure and understand redundancy and synchrony in haptic interactions. It also shows that one can shape the interaction between partners by modifying only the visual information provided to each agent. Learning a novel skill requires integration of different sensory modalities, in particular vision and proprioception. Hence, one can expect that learning will depend on the mechanical characteristics of the device. For instance, a device with limited degrees of freedom will reduce the amount of information about the environment, modify the dynamics of the task and prevent certain error-based corrections. To investigate this, the second section of the thesis examines whether the lack of proprioceptive feedback that is created due to mechanical constraints or haptic guidance can be substituted with visual information. Psychophysical experiments with healthy subjects and some preliminary experiments with stroke patients presented in this thesis support the idea that by incorporating task-relevant visual feedback into simple devices, one could deliver effective neurorehabilitation protocols. The contributions of the thesis are not limited to the role of visual feedback to shape motor behaviour, but also advance our understanding on the mechanisms of learning and human-human interaction.

Injury and neurodegenerative conditions of the spinal cord can lead to paralysis and loss of sensation. Cell therapeutic approaches can restore sensory innervation of the spinal cord following injury and protect spinal cord cells from degeneration. This thesis primarily focuses on the restoration of deaffarented sensory fibres following injury to the dorsal root and spinal cord. These injuries lead to the formation of a non-permissive glial scar that prevents sensory axons from reinnervating spinal cord targets. It takes advantage of a dorsal root injury model that closely mimics spinal root avulsion injuries occurring in humans. In the first part of the thesis, three different neural progenitor types from human or murine sources are tested for their regenerative properties following their transplantation to the site of dorsal root avulsion injury. In the second part, the ability of murine neural progenitors to protect spinal motor neurons from a neurodegenerative process is tested. In the first original research article, I show that human embryonic stem cell derived neural progenitors are able to restore sensorimotor functions, mediated by the formation of a tissue bridge that allows ingrowth of sensory axons into the spinal cord. In the second research article, I present that murine boundary cap neural crest stem cells, a special type of neural progenitor that governs the entry of sensory axons into the spinal cord during development, are unable to form a permissive tissue bridge. This is possibly caused by the contribution of transplant derived ingrowth non-permissive glial cells. In the third research article, I show that human neural progenitors derived from foetal sources are capable of stimulating sensory ingrowth and that they ameliorate the glial scar. When this approach is combined with the delivery of sensory outgrowth stimulating neurotrophic factors, these cells fail to form a permissive tissue bridge and fail to modify the glial scar. In the final research article, murine boundary cap neural crest stem cells are shown to protect motor neurons, which harbor an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causing mutation, from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a pathological component of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in human patients. Taken together, this thesis provides first evidence that sensory regeneration following a spinal root avulsion injury can be achieved by transplantation of human neural progenitors. In addition, it introduces murine boundary cap neural crest stem cells as interesting candidates for the cell therapeutic treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

This study examined the relationship between neuropsychological constructs of sensory-motor functioning and cognitive ability constructs in the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) (Carroll, 1993) theory. Two studies were conducted For the first study, the Dean-Woodcock Sensory Motor Battery (SMB) (Dean & Woodcock, 1999) was administered to 800 individuals. A factor analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis were used to investigate and develop a factor structure of the SMB. Results from this study suggest sensory and motor tests significantly share common variance and a hierarchical, multifactorial model that included a higher-order factor of both sensory and motor tests best fit the data. The second study examined the SMB model, developed in the first study, in relation to the CHC (Cattell-Horn-Carroll) model of cognitive abilities, as measured by the Woodcock-Johnson Revised Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-R) (McGrew, Werder, & Woodcock, 1991). For this study, the SMB and the WJ-R was administered to 411 individuals. A confirmatory model was tested that included the higher-order factor of the SMB as a broad ability within the CHC model. Results from this analysis suggest the higher order factor of the SMB does have a significant relationship with overall measures of cognitive ability of a similar level to other broad abilities in the CHC model, and significantly improves the fit of CHC model. These results support Roberts, Pallier, and Goffs (1999) argument for the inclusion of an additional broad ability in the CHC taxonomy that represents sensory and motor functioning. Additionally, this study provides empirical support for the utility of including neuropsychological tests of sensory and motor functioning in a comprehensive assessment of cognitive abilities (Dean & Woodcock, 1999). The implications for neuropsychological and psychometric assessment are discussed.
Department of Educational Psychology

Abstract This paper presents the quantitative results of improving the uniformity of the flow field within the test section of a constant cross section, closed-loop water channel. Tomographic Particle Image Velocimetry (TomoPIV) and four flowrate sensors are used to determine the mean velocity and velocity fluctuations at two motor frequencies: 7.5 Hz and 10 Hz (an approximate free stream flow velocity of 0.11 m/s and 0.18 m/s, respectively). The flow field velocity determined by the flowrate sensors showed great agreements with the TomoPIV results. For instance, at the 10 Hz water channel motor frequency, the flowrate sensors and TomoPIV obtained velocity ranges of 0.191–0.202 m/s and 0.185–0.21 m/s, respectively. In order to reduce the flow speed variations within the studied TomoPIV measurement volume, improvements were implemented on the water channel to include an adjustable screen and deflector to the first set of turning vanes downstream from the water channel motor. The modification improved the 7.5 Hz motor frequency measured flow velocity from 0.16–0.172 m/s to 0.106–0.108 m/s resulting in a final variation of flow speed within the measurement volume reduced to 1%.

Joint torque feedback is useful in serial manipulator control algorithms for contact control, collision detection, performance analysis, etc. For example, the predicted torque can be compared to the measured torque so the system can respond to unexpected or unmodeled physical inputs. The input current to the joint motors can be used to estimate the input torque if the motor parameters are well-understood. However, in a closed commercial system, the motor parameters are often proprietary or unknown. Also, systems that sense or estimate motor torques instead of the joint torques require compensation for gear train losses. In this work, we propose a method for mapping the measured motor current to the joint torque on a serial manipulator without joint torque sensors, thus advancing the potential to implement torque feedback algorithms such as collision detection on any industrial robot with joint position and motor current feedback. This new torque estimating technique (as opposed to using Newton-Euler dynamics) allows for sensing of external forces in collision detection applications for a position controlled robot. The method requires knowledge of the robot link centers of mass, masses, and inertias and that the motor currents and joint positions can be measured. The joint torques due to gravity, inertia, and Coriolis are estimated by the Newton-Euler method using the system geometry, link masses, and the measured joint positions. A method for estimating friction losses using only the current and the predicted joint torque is demonstrated. The measured current, less estimated friction, is then mapped to the joint torque. The validity of the black box joint torque estimating model was demonstrated using two Motoman SIA-5D manipulators with a 3rd party controller provided by Agile Planet. The joints of the robot were moved through a variety of test motions with known joint torque characteristics (as calculated using Newton-Euler dynamics). Estimated joint torques are similar to the calculated torque. Physical significance of the torque is validated by comparing the estimated torque to the calculated torque generated by a known force. The feasibility of the estimated torque error to force detection is discussed in terms of improving the safety and deployment options for industrial robotic systems.

Abstract External sensor-less cutting force estimation using a load-side disturbance observer (LDOB) has potential to estimate the cutting force with high accuracy in both feed and cross-feed directions. However, the accuracy of its low frequency components in feed direction decrease due to effect of the friction and heat of a ball-screw-driven stage. In this study, DC and AC components of the cutting force is estimated by different methods; friction-compensated motor thrust force and LDOB, and the cutting force was estimated in real time by hybridizing them. In particular, regarding the friction model, the dynamic and static characteristics of the friction force in each axis (X, Y, Z) were identified from the idling test results. In addition to the model that depends on the velocity, the characteristics of the friction that depend on the position was also identified and considered when compensating for the motor thrust force. Then, a simple moving average filter with an appropriate window length is applied to the cutting force by LDOB and motor thrust force, and the DC component error of LDOB is corrected by that of motor thrust force. The validity of the proposed method was evaluated through end-milling tests. The experimental results showed that estimation accuracy of cutting force using the proposed method can be greatly improved in feed directions. On the other hand, in cross-feed direction, the cutting estimation was performed using the conventional LDOB.

All over the world, several dozen million people suffer from the effects of post-polio, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, etc. and could benefit from the advances in robotic devices for rehabilitation. Thus, for modern society, an important and vital problem of designing systems for rehabilitation of human physical working ability appears. The temporary or permanent loss of human motor functions can be compensated by means of various rehabilitation devices. They can be simple mechanical systems for orthoses, which duplicate the functions of human extremities supplying with rigidity and bearing capacity or more complex mechatronic rehabilitation devices with higher level of control. We attempt to cover all of the major developments in these areas, focusing particularly on the development of the different concepts and their functional characteristics. The robotic devices with several structures are classified, taking into account the actuation systems, the neuromuscular stimulations, and the structural schemes. It is showed that the problems concerning the design of rehabilitation devices are complex and involve many questions in the sphere of biomedicine, mechanics, robot technology, electromechanics and optimal control. This paper provides a design overview of hardware, actuation, sensory, and control systems for most of the devices that have been described in the literature, and it ends with a discussion of the major advances that have been made and should be yet overcome.