@inproceedings{ChavezBermudezCruzCastanonRuchayetal.2022, author = {Chavez Bermudez, Victor Francisco and Cruz Castanon, Victor Fernando and Ruchay, Marco and Wollert, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Rapid prototyping framework for automation applications based on IO-Link}, series = {Tagungsband AALE 2022: Wissenstransfer im Spannungsfeld von Autonomisierung und Fachkr{\"a}ftemangel}, booktitle = {Tagungsband AALE 2022: Wissenstransfer im Spannungsfeld von Autonomisierung und Fachkr{\"a}ftemangel}, editor = {Leipzig, Hochschule f{\"u}r Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur}, address = {Leipzig}, isbn = {978-3-910103-00-9}, doi = {10.33968/2022.28}, pages = {8 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The development of protype applications with sensors and actuators in the automation industry requires tools that are independent of manufacturer, and are flexible enough to be modified or extended for any specific requirements. Currently, developing prototypes with industrial sensors and actuators is not straightforward. First of all, the exchange of information depends on the industrial protocol that these devices have. Second, a specific configuration and installation is done based on the hardware that is used, such as automation controllers or industrial gateways. This means that the development for a specific industrial protocol, highly depends on the hardware and the software that vendors provide. In this work we propose a rapid-prototyping framework based on Arduino to solve this problem. For this project we have focused to work with the IO-Link protocol. The framework consists of an Arduino shield that acts as the physical layer, and a software that implements the IO-Link Master protocol. The main advantage of such framework is that an application with industrial devices can be rapid-prototyped with ease as its vendor independent, open-source and can be ported easily to other Arduino compatible boards. In comparison, a typical approach requires proprietary hardware, is not easy to port to another system and is closed-source.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{UlmerMostafaWollert2022, author = {Ulmer, Jessica and Mostafa, Youssef and Wollert, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Digital Twin Academy: From Zero to Hero through individual learning experiences}, series = {Tagungsband AALE 2022: Wissenstransfer im Spannungsfeld von Autonomisierung und Fachkr{\"a}ftemangel}, booktitle = {Tagungsband AALE 2022: Wissenstransfer im Spannungsfeld von Autonomisierung und Fachkr{\"a}ftemangel}, isbn = {978-3-910103-00-9}, doi = {10.33968/2022.33}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:l189-qucosa2-776097}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Digital twins are seen as one of the key technologies of Industry 4.0. Although many research groups focus on digital twins and create meaningful outputs, the technology has not yet reached a broad application in the industry. The main reasons for this imbalance are the complexity of the topic, the lack of specialists, and the unawareness of the twin opportunities. The project "Digital Twin Academy" aims to overcome these barriers by focusing on three actions: Building a digital twin community for discussion and exchange, offering multi-stage training for various knowledge levels, and implementing realworld use cases for deeper insights and guidance. In this work, we focus on creating a flexible learning platform that allows the user to select a training path adjusted to personal knowledge and needs. Therefore, a mix of basic and advanced modules is created and expanded by individual feedback options. The usage of personas supports the selection of the appropriate modules.}, language = {en} } @article{KemptFreyerNagel2022, author = {Kempt, Hendrik and Freyer, Nils and Nagel, Saskia K.}, title = {Justice and the normative standards of explainability in healthcare}, series = {Philosophy \& Technology}, volume = {35}, journal = {Philosophy \& Technology}, number = {Article number: 100}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Berlin}, doi = {10.1007/s13347-022-00598-0}, pages = {1 -- 19}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Providing healthcare services frequently involves cognitively demanding tasks, including diagnoses and analyses as well as complex decisions about treatments and therapy. From a global perspective, ethically significant inequalities exist between regions where the expert knowledge required for these tasks is scarce or abundant. One possible strategy to diminish such inequalities and increase healthcare opportunities in expert-scarce settings is to provide healthcare solutions involving digital technologies that do not necessarily require the presence of a human expert, e.g., in the form of artificial intelligent decision-support systems (AI-DSS). Such algorithmic decision-making, however, is mostly developed in resource- and expert-abundant settings to support healthcare experts in their work. As a practical consequence, the normative standards and requirements for such algorithmic decision-making in healthcare require the technology to be at least as explainable as the decisions made by the experts themselves. The goal of providing healthcare in settings where resources and expertise are scarce might come with a normative pull to lower the normative standards of using digital technologies in order to provide at least some healthcare in the first place. We scrutinize this tendency to lower standards in particular settings from a normative perspective, distinguish between different types of absolute and relative, local and global standards of explainability, and conclude by defending an ambitious and practicable standard of local relative explainability.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FreyerThewesMeinecke2023, author = {Freyer, Nils and Thewes, Dustin and Meinecke, Matthias}, title = {GUIDO: a hybrid approach to guideline discovery \& ordering from natural language texts}, series = {Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications DATA - Volume 1}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications DATA - Volume 1}, editor = {Gusikhin, Oleg and Hammoudi, Slimane and Cuzzocrea, Alfredo}, isbn = {978-989-758-664-4}, issn = {2184-285X}, doi = {10.5220/0012084400003541}, pages = {335 -- 342}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Extracting workflow nets from textual descriptions can be used to simplify guidelines or formalize textual descriptions of formal processes like business processes and algorithms. The task of manually extracting processes, however, requires domain expertise and effort. While automatic process model extraction is desirable, annotating texts with formalized process models is expensive. Therefore, there are only a few machine-learning-based extraction approaches. Rule-based approaches, in turn, require domain specificity to work well and can rarely distinguish relevant and irrelevant information in textual descriptions. In this paper, we present GUIDO, a hybrid approach to the process model extraction task that first, classifies sentences regarding their relevance to the process model, using a BERT-based sentence classifier, and second, extracts a process model from the sentences classified as relevant, using dependency parsing. The presented approach achieves significantly better resul ts than a pure rule-based approach. GUIDO achieves an average behavioral similarity score of 0.93. Still, in comparison to purely machine-learning-based approaches, the annotation costs stay low.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KloeserBuesgenKohletal.2023, author = {Kl{\"o}ser, Lars and B{\"u}sgen, Andr{\´e} and Kohl, Philipp and Kraft, Bodo and Z{\"u}ndorf, Albert}, title = {Explaining relation classification models with semantic extents}, series = {Deep Learning Theory and Applications}, booktitle = {Deep Learning Theory and Applications}, editor = {Conte, Donatello and Fred, Ana and Gusikhin, Oleg and Sansone, Carlo}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-031-39058-6 (Print)}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-031-39059-3_13}, pages = {189 -- 208}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In recent years, the development of large pretrained language models, such as BERT and GPT, significantly improved information extraction systems on various tasks, including relation classification. State-of-the-art systems are highly accurate on scientific benchmarks. A lack of explainability is currently a complicating factor in many real-world applications. Comprehensible systems are necessary to prevent biased, counterintuitive, or harmful decisions. We introduce semantic extents, a concept to analyze decision patterns for the relation classification task. Semantic extents are the most influential parts of texts concerning classification decisions. Our definition allows similar procedures to determine semantic extents for humans and models. We provide an annotation tool and a software framework to determine semantic extents for humans and models conveniently and reproducibly. Comparing both reveals that models tend to learn shortcut patterns from data. These patterns are hard to detect with current interpretability methods, such as input reductions. Our approach can help detect and eliminate spurious decision patterns during model development. Semantic extents can increase the reliability and security of natural language processing systems. Semantic extents are an essential step in enabling applications in critical areas like healthcare or finance. Moreover, our work opens new research directions for developing methods to explain deep learning models.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{GreinerJerominSitholeetal.2023, author = {Greiner, Lasse and Jeromin, G{\"u}nter Erich and Sithole, Patience and Petersen, Soenke}, title = {Preprint: Studies on the enzymatic reduction of levulinic acid using Chiralidon-R and Chiralidon-S}, series = {ChemRxiv}, journal = {ChemRxiv}, doi = {10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-jlvcv}, pages = {13 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The enzymatic reduction of levulinic acid by the chiral catalysts Chiralidon-R and Chiralidon-S which are commercially available superabsorbed alcohol dehydrogenases is described. The Chiralidon®-R/S reduces the levulinic acid to the (R,S)-4-hydroxy valeric acid and the (R)- or (S)- gamma-valerolactone.}, language = {en} } @article{ChengWollertChenetal.2023, author = {Cheng, Chi-Tsun and Wollert, J{\"o}rg and Chen, Xi and Fapojuwo, Abraham O.}, title = {Guest Editorial : Circuits and Systems for Industry X.0 Applications}, series = {IEEE Journal on Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems}, volume = {13}, journal = {IEEE Journal on Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems}, edition = {2}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York}, issn = {2156-3357 (Print)}, doi = {10.1109/JETCAS.2023.3278843}, pages = {457 -- 460}, year = {2023}, language = {en} } @article{OezsoyluAliaziziWagneretal.2024, author = {{\"O}zsoylu, Dua and Aliazizi, Fereshteh and Wagner, Patrick and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Template bacteria-free fabrication of surface imprinted polymer-based biosensor for E. coli detection using photolithographic mimics: Hacking bacterial adhesion}, series = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics}, volume = {261}, journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-4235 (eISSN)}, doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2024.116491}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {As one class of molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs), surface imprinted polymer (SIP)-based biosensors show great potential in direct whole-bacteria detection. Micro-contact imprinting, that involves stamping the template bacteria immobilized on a substrate into a pre-polymerized polymer matrix, is the most straightforward and prominent method to obtain SIP-based biosensors. However, the major drawbacks of the method arise from the requirement for fresh template bacteria and often non-reproducible bacteria distribution on the stamp substrate. Herein, we developed a positive master stamp containing photolithographic mimics of the template bacteria (E. coli) enabling reproducible fabrication of biomimetic SIP-based biosensors without the need for the "real" bacteria cells. By using atomic force and scanning electron microscopy imaging techniques, respectively, the E. coli-capturing ability of the SIP samples was tested, and compared with non-imprinted polymer (NIP)-based samples and control SIP samples, in which the cavity geometry does not match with E. coli cells. It was revealed that the presence of the biomimetic E. coli imprints with a specifically designed geometry increases the sensor E. coli-capturing ability by an "imprinting factor" of about 3. These findings show the importance of geometry-guided physical recognition in bacterial detection using SIP-based biosensors. In addition, this imprinting strategy was employed to interdigitated electrodes and QCM (quartz crystal microbalance) chips. E. coli detection performance of the sensors was demonstrated with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and QCM measurements with dissipation monitoring technique (QCM-D).}, language = {en} } @article{KetelhutBrueggeGoelletal.2020, author = {Ketelhut, Maike and Br{\"u}gge, G. M. and G{\"o}ll, Fabian and Braunstein, Bjoern and Albracht, Kirsten and Abel, Dirk}, title = {Adaptive iterative learning control of an industrial robot during neuromuscular training}, series = {IFAC PapersOnLine}, volume = {53}, journal = {IFAC PapersOnLine}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2405-8963}, doi = {10.1016/j.ifacol.2020.12.741}, pages = {16468 -- 16475}, year = {2020}, abstract = {To prevent the reduction of muscle mass and loss of strength coming along with the human aging process, regular training with e.g. a leg press is suitable. However, the risk of training-induced injuries requires the continuous monitoring and controlling of the forces applied to the musculoskeletal system as well as the velocity along the motion trajectory and the range of motion. In this paper, an adaptive norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm to minimize the knee joint loadings during the leg extension training with an industrial robot is proposed. The response of the algorithm is tested in simulation for patients with varus, normal and valgus alignment of the knee and compared to the results of a higher-order iterative learning control algorithm, a robust iterative learning control and a recently proposed conventional norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm. Although significant improvements in performance are made compared to the conventional norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm with a small learning factor, for the developed approach as well as the robust iterative learning control algorithm small steady state errors occur.}, language = {en} } @article{KetelhutKolditzGoelletal.2019, author = {Ketelhut, Maike and Kolditz, Melanie and G{\"o}ll, Fabian and Braunstein, Bjoern and Albracht, Kirsten and Abel, Dirk}, title = {Admittance control of an industrial robot during resistance training}, series = {IFAC-PapersOnLine}, volume = {52}, journal = {IFAC-PapersOnLine}, number = {19}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2405-8963}, doi = {10.1016/j.ifacol.2019.12.102}, pages = {223 -- 228}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Neuromuscular strength training of the leg extensor muscles plays an important role in the rehabilitation and prevention of age and wealth related diseases. In this paper, we focus on the design and implementation of a Cartesian admittance control scheme for isotonic training, i.e. leg extension and flexion against a predefined weight. For preliminary testing and validation of the designed algorithm an experimental research and development platform consisting of an industrial robot and a force plate mounted at its end-effector has been used. Linear, diagonal and arbitrary two-dimensional motion trajectories with different weights for the leg extension and flexion part are applied. The proposed algorithm is easily adaptable to trajectories consisting of arbitrary six-dimensional poses and allows the implementation of individualized trajectories.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KetelhutGoellBraunsteinetal.2019, author = {Ketelhut, Maike and G{\"o}ll, Fabian and Braunstein, Bjoern and Albracht, Kirsten and Abel, Dirk}, title = {Iterative learning control of an industrial robot for neuromuscular training}, series = {2019 IEEE Conference on Control Technology and Applications}, booktitle = {2019 IEEE Conference on Control Technology and Applications}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York}, isbn = {978-1-7281-2767-5 (ePub)}, doi = {10.1109/CCTA.2019.8920659}, pages = {7 Seiten}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Effective training requires high muscle forces potentially leading to training-induced injuries. Thus, continuous monitoring and controlling of the loadings applied to the musculoskeletal system along the motion trajectory is required. In this paper, a norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm for the robot-assisted training is developed. The algorithm aims at minimizing the external knee joint moment, which is commonly used to quantify the loading of the medial compartment. To estimate the external knee joint moment, a musculoskeletal lower extremity model is implemented in OpenSim and coupled with a model of an industrial robot and a force plate mounted at its end-effector. The algorithm is tested in simulation for patients with varus, normal and valgus alignment of the knee. The results show that the algorithm is able to minimize the external knee joint moment in all three cases and converges after less than seven iterations.}, language = {en} } @misc{BlottnerHastermannMuckeltetal.2019, author = {Blottner, Dieter and Hastermann, Maria and Muckelt, Paul and Albracht, Kirsten and Schoenrock, Britt and Salanova, Michele and Warner, Martin and Gunga, Hans-Christian and Stokes, Maria}, title = {MYOTONES - Inflight muscle health status monitoring during long-duration space missions onboard the International Space Station: a single case study}, series = {IAC Papers Archive}, journal = {IAC Papers Archive}, publisher = {Pergamon}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {00741795}, pages = {2 Seiten}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The MYOTONES experiment is the first to monitor changes in the basic biomechanical properties (tone, elasticity and stiffness) of the resting human myofascial system due to microgravity with a oninvasive, portable device on board the ISS. The MyotonPRO device applies several brief mechanical stimuli to the surface of the skin, and the natural oscillation signals of the tissue beneath are detected and computed by the MyotonPRO. Thus, an objective, quick and easy determination of the state of the underlying tissue is possible. Two preflight, four inflight and four post flight measurements were performed on a male astronaut using the same 10 measurement points (MP) for each session. MPs were located on the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, M. soleus, M. gastrocnemius, M. multifidus, M. splenius capitis, M. deltoideus anterior, M. rectus femoris, infrapatellar tendon, M. tibialis anterior. Subcutaneous tissues thickness above the MPs was measured using ultrasound imaging. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of lower limb muscles and functional tests were also performed pre- and postflight. Our first measurements on board the ISS confirmed increased tone and stiffness of the lumbar multifidus muscle, an important trunk stabilizer, dysfunction of which is known to be associated with back pain. Furthermore, reduced tone and stiffness of Achilles tendon and plantar fascia were observed inflight vs. preflight, confirming previous findings from terrestrial analog studies and parabolic flights. Unexpectedly, the deltoid showed negative inflight changes in tone and stiffness, and increased elasticity, suggesting a potential risk of muscle atrophy in longer spaceflight that should be addressed by adequate inflight countermeasure protocols. Most values from limb and back MPS showed deflected patterns (in either directions) from inflight shortly after the re-entry phase on the landing day and one week later. Most parameter values then normalized to baseline after 3 weeks likely due to 1G re-adaptation and possible outcome of the reconditioning protocol. No major changes in subcutaneous tissues thickness above the MPs were found inflight vs preflight, suggesting no bias (i.e., fluid shift, extreme tissue thickening or loss). Pre- and postflight MRI and functional tests showed negligible changes in calf muscle size, power and force, which is likely due to training effects from current inflight exercise protocols. The MYOTONES experiment is currently ongoing to collect data from further crew members. The potential impact of this research is to better understand the effects of microgravity and countermeasures over the time course of an ISS mission cycle. This will enable exercise countermeasures to be tailored}, language = {en} } @article{BruksleChwallekKrastina2023, author = {Bruksle, Ieva and Chwallek, Constanze and Krastina, Anzelika}, title = {Strengthening sustainability in entrepreneurship education - implications for shifting entrepreneurial thinking towards sustainability at universities}, series = {ACTA PROSPERITATIS}, volume = {14}, journal = {ACTA PROSPERITATIS}, number = {1}, publisher = {Sciendo}, issn = {1691-6077}, doi = {10.37804/1691-6077-2023-14-37-48}, pages = {37 -- 48}, year = {2023}, abstract = {By developing innovative solutions to social and environmental problems, sustainable ventures carry greatpotential. Entrepreneurship which focuses especially on new venture creation can be developed through education anduniversities, in particular, are called upon to provide an impetus for social change. But social innovations are associatedwith certain hurdles, which are related to the multi-dimensionality, i.e. the tension between creating social,environmental and economic value and dealing with a multiplicity of stakeholders. The already complex field ofentrepreneurship education has to face these challenges. This paper, therefore, aims to identify starting points for theintegration of sustainability into entrepreneurship education. To pursue this goal experiences from three differentproject initiatives between the partner universities: Lapland University of Applied Sciences, FH Aachen University ofApplied Sciences and Turiba University are reflected and findings are systematically condensed into recommendationsfor education on sustainable entrepreneurship.}, language = {en} } @article{WerkhausenCroninAlbrachtetal.2019, author = {Werkhausen, Amelie and Cronin, Neil J. and Albracht, Kirsten and Paulsen, G{\o}ran and Larsen, Askild V. and Bojsen-M{\o}ller, Jens and Seynnes, Olivier R.}, title = {Training-induced increase in Achilles tendon stiffness affects tendon strain pattern during running}, series = {PeerJ}, journal = {PeerJ}, publisher = {Peer}, address = {London}, issn = {21678359}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.6764}, pages = {18 Seiten}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background During the stance phase of running, the elasticity of the Achilles tendon enables the utilisation of elastic energy and allows beneficial contractile conditions for the triceps surae muscles. However, the effect of changes in tendon mechanical properties induced by chronic loading is still poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that a training-induced increase in Achilles tendon stiffness would result in reduced tendon strain during the stance phase of running, which would reduce fascicle strains in the triceps surae muscles, particularly in the mono-articular soleus. Methods Eleven subjects were assigned to a training group performing isometric singleleg plantarflexion contractions three times per week for ten weeks, and another ten subjects formed a control group. Before and after the training period, Achilles tendon stiffness was estimated, and muscle-tendon mechanics were assessed during running at preferred speed using ultrasonography, kinematics and kinetics. Results Achilles tendon stiffness increased by 18\% (P <0:01) in the training group, but the associated reduction in strain seen during isometric contractions was not statistically significant. Tendon elongation during the stance phase of running was similar after training, but tendon recoil was reduced by 30\% (P <0:01), while estimated tendon force remained unchanged. Neither gastrocnemius medialis nor soleus fascicle shortening during stance was affected by training. Discussion These results show that a training-induced increase in Achilles tendon stiffness altered tendon behaviour during running. Despite training-induced changes in tendon mechanical properties and recoil behaviour, the data suggest that fascicle shortening patterns were preserved for the running speed that we examined. The asymmetrical changes in tendon strain patterns supports the notion that simple inseries models do not fully explain the mechanical output of the muscle-tendon unit during a complex task like running.}, language = {en} } @article{KetelhutGoellBraunsteinetal.2018, author = {Ketelhut, Maike and G{\"o}ll, Fabian and Braunstein, Bj{\"o}rn and Albracht, Kirsten and Abel, Dirk}, title = {Comparison of different training algorithms for the leg extension training with an industrial robot}, series = {Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering}, volume = {4}, journal = {Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering}, number = {1}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2364-5504}, doi = {10.1515/cdbme-2018-0005}, pages = {17 -- 20}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In the past, different training scenarios have been developed and implemented on robotic research platforms, but no systematic analysis and comparison have been done so far. This paper deals with the comparison of an isokinematic (motion with constant velocity) and an isotonic (motion against constant weight) training algorithm. Both algorithms are designed for a robotic research platform consisting of a 3D force plate and a high payload industrial robot, which allows leg extension training with arbitrary six-dimensional motion trajectories. In the isokinematic as well as the isotonic training algorithm, individual paths are defined i n C artesian s pace by sufficient s upport p oses. I n t he i sotonic t raining s cenario, the trajectory is adapted to the measured force as the robot should only move along the trajectory as long as the force applied by the user exceeds a minimum threshold. In the isotonic training scenario however, the robot's acceleration is a function of the force applied by the user. To validate these findings, a simulative experiment with a simple linear trajectory is performed. For this purpose, the same force path is applied in both training scenarios. The results illustrate that the algorithms differ in the force dependent trajectory adaption.}, language = {en} } @article{StaeudleSeynnesLapsetal.2022, author = {St{\"a}udle, Benjamin and Seynnes, Olivier and Laps, Guido and Br{\"u}ggemann, Gert-Peter and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Altered gastrocnemius contractile behavior in former achilles tendon rupture patients during walking}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2022.792576}, pages = {12 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) remains associated with functional limitations years after injury. Architectural remodeling of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle is typically observed in the affected leg and may compensate force deficits caused by a longer tendon. Yet patients seem to retain functional limitations during—low-force—walking gait. To explore the potential limits imposed by the remodeled GM muscle-tendon unit (MTU) on walking gait, we examined the contractile behavior of muscle fascicles during the stance phase. In a cross-sectional design, we studied nine former patients (males; age: 45 ± 9 years; height: 180 ± 7 cm; weight: 83 ± 6 kg) with a history of complete unilateral ATR, approximately 4 years post-surgery. Using ultrasonography, GM tendon morphology, muscle architecture at rest, and fascicular behavior were assessed during walking at 1.5 m⋅s-1 on a treadmill. Walking patterns were recorded with a motion capture system. The unaffected leg served as control. Lower limbs kinematics were largely similar between legs during walking. Typical features of ATR-related MTU remodeling were observed during the stance sub-phases corresponding to series elastic element (SEE) lengthening (energy storage) and SEE shortening (energy release), with shorter GM fascicles (36 and 36\%, respectively) and greater pennation angles (8° and 12°, respectively). However, relative to the optimal fascicle length for force production, fascicles operated at comparable length in both legs. Similarly, when expressed relative to optimal fascicle length, fascicle contraction velocity was not different between sides, except at the time-point of peak series elastic element (SEE) length, where it was 39 ± 49\% lower in the affected leg. Concomitantly, fascicles rotation during contraction was greater in the affected leg during the whole stance-phase, and architectural gear ratios (AGR) was larger during SEE lengthening. Under the present testing conditions, former ATR patients had recovered a relatively symmetrical walking gait pattern. Differences in seen AGR seem to accommodate the profound changes in MTU architecture, limiting the required fascicle shortening velocity. Overall, the contractile behavior of the GM fascicles does not restrict length- or velocity-dependent force potentials during this locomotor task.}, language = {en} } @article{QuittmannAbelAlbrachtetal.2022, author = {Quittmann, Oliver J. and Abel, Thomas and Albracht, Kirsten and Str{\"u}der, Heiko K.}, title = {Biomechanics of all-out handcycling exercise: kinetics, kinematics and muscular activity of a 15-s sprint test in able-bodied participants}, series = {Sports Biomechanics}, volume = {21}, journal = {Sports Biomechanics}, number = {10}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {London}, issn = {1752-6116 (Onlineausgabe)}, doi = {10.1080/14763141.2020.1745266}, pages = {1200 -- 1223}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This study aims to quantify the kinematics, kinetics and muscular activity of all-out handcycling exercise and examine their alterations during the course of a 15-s sprint test. Twelve able-bodied competitive triathletes performed a 15-s all-out sprint test in a recumbent racing handcycle that was attached to an ergometer. During the sprint test, tangential crank kinetics, 3D joint kinematics and muscular activity of 10 muscles of the upper extremity and trunk were examined using a power metre, motion capturing and surface electromyography (sEMG), respectively. Parameters were compared between revolution one (R1), revolution two (R2), the average of revolution 3 to 13 (R3) and the average of the remaining revolutions (R4). Shoulder abduction and internal-rotation increased, whereas maximal shoulder retroversion decreased during the sprint. Except for the wrist angles, angular velocity increased for every joint of the upper extremity. Several muscles demonstrated an increase in muscular activation, an earlier onset of muscular activation in crank cycle and an increased range of activation. During the course of a 15-s all-out sprint test in handcycling, the shoulder muscles and the muscles associated to the push phase demonstrate indications for short-duration fatigue. These findings are helpful to prevent injuries and improve performance in all-out handcycling.}, language = {en} } @article{RichterBraunsteinStaeudleetal.2021, author = {Richter, Charlotte and Braunstein, Bj{\"o}rn and St{\"a}udle, Benjamin and Attias, Julia and S{\"u}ss, Alexander and Weber, Tobias and Mileva, Katya N. and Rittweger, J{\"o}rn and Green, David A. and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior during running differs between simulated Lunar and Martian gravities}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, journal = {Scientific reports}, number = {Article number: 22555}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-00527-9}, pages = {13 Seiten}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The international partnership of space agencies has agreed to proceed forward to the Moon sustainably. Activities on the Lunar surface (0.16 g) will allow crewmembers to advance the exploration skills needed when expanding human presence to Mars (0.38 g). Whilst data from actual hypogravity activities are limited to the Apollo missions, simulation studies have indicated that ground reaction forces, mechanical work, muscle activation, and joint angles decrease with declining gravity level. However, these alterations in locomotion biomechanics do not necessarily scale to the gravity level, the reduction in gastrocnemius medialis activation even appears to level off around 0.2 g, while muscle activation pattern remains similar. Thus, it is difficult to predict whether gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior during running on Moon will basically be the same as on Mars. Therefore, this study investigated lower limb joint kinematics and gastrocnemius medialis behavior during running at 1 g, simulated Martian gravity, and simulated Lunar gravity on the vertical treadmill facility. The results indicate that hypogravity-induced alterations in joint kinematics and contractile behavior still persist between simulated running on the Moon and Mars. This contrasts with the concept of a ceiling effect and should be carefully considered when evaluating exercise prescriptions and the transferability of locomotion practiced in Lunar gravity to Martian gravity.}, language = {en} } @article{WerkhausenWillwacherAlbracht2021, author = {Werkhausen, Amelie and Willwacher, Steffen and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Medial gastrocnemius muscle fascicles shorten throughout stance during sprint acceleration}, series = {Scandinavian Journal of Medicine \& Science in Sports}, volume = {31}, journal = {Scandinavian Journal of Medicine \& Science in Sports}, number = {7}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0905-7188 (Druckausgabe)}, doi = {10.1111/sms.13956}, pages = {1471 -- 1480}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The compliant nature of distal limb muscle-tendon units is traditionally considered suboptimal in explosive movements when positive joint work is required. However, during accelerative running, ankle joint net mechanical work is positive. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how plantar flexor muscle-tendon behavior is modulated during fast accelerations. Eleven female sprinters performed maximum sprint accelerations from starting blocks, while gastrocnemius muscle fascicle lengths were estimated using ultrasonography. We combined motion analysis and ground reaction force measurements to assess lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics, and to estimate gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit length during the first two acceleration steps. Outcome variables were resampled to the stance phase and averaged across three to five trials. Relevant scalars were extracted and analyzed using one-sample and two-sample t-tests, and vector trajectories were compared using statistical parametric mapping. We found that an uncoupling of muscle fascicle behavior from muscle-tendon unit behavior is effectively used to produce net positive mechanical work at the joint during maximum sprint acceleration. Muscle fascicles shortened throughout the first and second steps, while shortening occurred earlier during the first step, where negative joint work was lower compared with the second step. Elastic strain energy may be stored during dorsiflexion after touchdown since fascicles did not lengthen at the same time to dissipate energy. Thus, net positive work generation is accommodated by the reuse of elastic strain energy along with positive gastrocnemius fascicle work. Our results show a mechanism of how muscles with high in-series compliance can contribute to net positive joint work.}, language = {en} } @article{MontiWaldvogelRitzmannetal.2021, author = {Monti, Elena and Waldvogel, Janice and Ritzmann, Ramona and Freyler, Kathrin and Albracht, Kirsten and Helm, Michael and De Cesare, Niccol{\`o} and Pavan, Piero and Reggiani, Carlo and Gollhofer, Albert and Narici, Marco Vincenzo}, title = {Muscle in variable gravity: "I do not know where I am, but I know what to do"}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2021.714655}, pages = {19 Seiten}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Performing tasks, such as running and jumping, requires activation of the agonist and antagonist muscles before (motor unit pre-activation) and during movement performance (Santello and Mcdonagh, 1998). A well-timed and regulated muscle activation elicits a stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) response, naturally occurring in bouncing movements (Ishikawa and Komi, 2004; Taube et al., 2012). By definition, the SSC describes the stretching of a pre-activated muscle-tendon complex immediately followed by a muscle shortening in the concentric push-off phase (Komi, 1984). Given the importance of SSC actions for human movement, it is not surprising that many studies investigated the biomechanics of this phenomenon; in particular, drop jumps (DJs) represent a good paradigm to study muscle fascicle and tendon behavior in ballistic movements involving the SSC. Within a DJ, three main phases [pre-activation, braking, and push-off (PO; Komi, 2000)] have been recognized and extensively studied in common and challenging conditions, such as changes in load, falling height, or simulated hypo-gravity (Avela et al., 1994; Arampatzis et al., 2001; Fukashiro et al., 2005; Ishikawa et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007; Ritzmann et al., 2016; Helm et al., 2020). These studies show that the timing and amount of triceps-surae muscle-tendon unit pre-activation in DJs are differentially regulated based on the load applied to the muscle, being optimal in normal "Earth" gravity conditions (Avela et al., 1994), but decreased in simulated hypo-gravity, hyper-gravity (Avela et al., 1994; Ritzmann et al., 2016), or unknown conditions (i.e., unknown falling heights; Helm et al., 2020). Some authors indicated that, when falling from heights different from the optimal one [defined as the drop height giving a maximum DJ performance indicated as peak ground reaction force (GRF) or jump high], electromyographic (EMG) activity of the plantar flexors increases from lower than optimal to higher than optimal heights (Ishikawa and Komi, 2004; Sousa et al., 2007). These findings highlight the ability of the central nervous system to regulate the timing and amount of pre-activation according to different jumping conditions, thus regulating muscle fascicle length, tendon and joint stiffness as well as position, in order to safely land on the ground and quickly re-bounce. Similarly, to pre-activation, also in the braking phase, the plantar flexors are differentially regulated. In optimal height (i.e., load) jumping conditions, gastrocnemius medialis (GM) fascicles shorten at early ground contact (possibly due to the intervention of the stretch reflex; Gollhofer et al., 1992) and behave quasi-isometrically in the late braking phase, enabling tendon elongation, and storage of elastic energy (Gollhofer et al., 1992; Fukashiro et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007). When increasing the falling height (augmenting the impact GRF), the quasi-isometric behavior of fascicles disappears, and fast fascicle lengthening occurs (Ishikawa et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007). In the third and last PO phase, fascicles shorten and the tendon releases the elastic energy previously stored. Bobbert et al. (1987) reported no influence of jumping height on the work done and on the net vertical impulse assessed during PO; this observation suggests that, despite an optimal DJ performance might be achieved only in specific conditions (falling heights, loads), the central nervous system seems to be able to regulate muscle behavior in order to effectively perform the required task also in challenging situations. Although the regulation of triceps-surae muscle-tendon unit in DJs has been extensively investigated, very few studies focused on sarcomeres behavior during the performance of this SSC movement (Kurokawa et al., 2003; Fukashiro et al., 2005, 2006). Sarcomeres represent muscle contractile units and are known to express different amounts of force depending on their length (Gordon et al., 1966; Walker and Schrodt, 1974); thus, understanding the time course of their responses during DJs is fundamental to gain further insights into muscle force-generating capacity. In vivo measurement of sarcomere length in humans has been so far been performed only in static positions and under highly controlled experimental conditions (Llewellyn et al., 2008; Sanchez et al., 2015). Instead, human sarcomere length estimation (achieved by dividing GM measured fascicle length for a fixed sarcomere number) in dynamic contractions provided an indirect measure of sarcomere operating range during squat jump, countermovement jump, and DJ (Fukashiro et al., 2005, 2006; Kurokawa et al., 2003). The results of these studies showed that sarcomeres operate in the ascending limb of their length-tension (L-T) relationship in all types of jumps, and particularly so in DJ. However, most of the available observations on sarcomere and muscle fascicle behavior were made in condition of constant gravity. Thus, in order to understand how sarcomere and muscle fascicle length are regulated in variable gravity conditions, we performed experiments in a parabolic flight, involving variable gravity levels, ranging from about zero-g to about double the Earth's gravity (1 g; Waldvogel et al., 2021). Specifically, the aims of the present study were as follows: 1. To investigate the ability of the neuromuscular system in regulating fascicle length in response to conditions of variable gravity. 2. To estimate sarcomere operative length in the different DJ phases, in order to calculate its theoretical force production and its possible modulation in conditions of variable gravity. We hypothesized that muscle fascicles would be differentially regulated in different gravity conditions compared to 1 g, particularly in anticipation of landing and re-bouncing in unknown gravity levels. In addition, we hypothesized that sarcomeres would operate in the upper part of the ascending limb of their L-T relationship, possibly lengthening during the braking phase (especially in hyper-gravity) while operating quasi-isometrically in 1 g.}, language = {en} }