TY - JOUR A1 - Pham, Phu Tinh A1 - Staat, Manfred T1 - FEM-based shakedown analysis of hardening structures JF - Asia Pacific journal on computational engineering N2 - This paper develops a new finite element method (FEM)-based upper bound algorithm for limit and shakedown analysis of hardening structures by a direct plasticity method. The hardening model is a simple two-surface model of plasticity with a fixed bounding surface. The initial yield surface can translate inside the bounding surface, and it is bounded by one of the two equivalent conditions: (1) it always stays inside the bounding surface or (2) its centre cannot move outside the back-stress surface. The algorithm gives an effective tool to analyze the problems with a very high number of degree of freedom. Our numerical results are very close to the analytical solutions and numerical solutions in literature. Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/2196-1166-1-4 SN - 2196-1166 (E-Journal) IS - 1 SP - Article No. 4 PB - SpringerOpen CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kolditz, Melanie A1 - Albin, Thivaharan A1 - Abel, Dirk A1 - Fasse, Alessandro A1 - Brüggemann, Gert-Peter A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Evaluation of foot position and orientation as manipulated variables to control external knee adduction moments in leg extension training JF - Computer methods and programs in biomedicine N2 - Background and Objective Effective leg extension training at a leg press requires high forces, which need to be controlled to avoid training-induced damage. In order to avoid high external knee adduction moments, which are one reason for unphysiological loadings on knee joint structures, both training movements and the whole reaction force vector need to be observed. In this study, the applicability of lateral and medial changes in foot orientation and position as possible manipulated variables to control external knee adduction moments is investigated. As secondary parameters both the medio-lateral position of the center of pressure and the frontal-plane orientation of the reaction force vector are analyzed. Methods Knee adduction moments are estimated using a dynamic model of the musculoskeletal system together with the measured reaction force vector and the motion of the subject by solving the inverse kinematic and dynamic problem. Six different foot conditions with varying positions and orientations of the foot in a static leg press are evaluated and compared to a neutral foot position. Results Both lateral and medial wedges under the foot and medial and lateral shifts of the foot can influence external knee adduction moments in the presented study with six healthy subjects. Different effects are observed with the varying conditions: the pose of the leg is changed and the direction and center of pressure of the reaction force vector is influenced. Each effect results in a different direction or center of pressure of the reaction force vector. Conclusions The results allow the conclusion that foot position and orientation can be used as manipulated variables in a control loop to actively control knee adduction moments in leg extension training. KW - External knee adduction moments KW - Manipulated variables KW - Inverse dynamic problem KW - Inverse kinematic problem KW - Musculoskeletal model Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpb.2016.09.005 SN - 0169-2607 N1 - Part of special issue: "SI: Personalised Models and System Identification" VL - 171 SP - 81 EP - 86 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Belavy, Daniel L. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Bruggemann, Gert-Peter A1 - Vergroesen, Pieter-Paul A. A1 - Dieen, Jaap H. van T1 - Can exercise positively influence the intervertebral disc? JF - Sports Medicine N2 - To better understand what kinds of sports and exercise could be beneficial for the intervertebral disc (IVD), we performed a review to synthesise the literature on IVD adaptation with loading and exercise. The state of the literature did not permit a systematic review; therefore, we performed a narrative review. The majority of the available data come from cell or whole-disc loading models and animal exercise models. However, some studies have examined the impact of specific sports on IVD degeneration in humans and acute exercise on disc size. Based on the data available in the literature, loading types that are likely beneficial to the IVD are dynamic, axial, at slow to moderate movement speeds, and of a magnitude experienced in walking and jogging. Static loading, torsional loading, flexion with compression, rapid loading, high-impact loading and explosive tasks are likely detrimental for the IVD. Reduced physical activity and disuse appear to be detrimental for the IVD. We also consider the impact of genetics and the likelihood of a ‘critical period’ for the effect of exercise in IVD development. The current review summarises the literature to increase awareness amongst exercise, rehabilitation and ergonomic professionals regarding IVD health and provides recommendations on future directions in research. KW - Intradiscal Pressure KW - Annulus Fibrosus KW - Disc Degeneration KW - Nucleus Pulposus KW - Intervertebral Disc Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0444-2 SN - 1179-2035 VL - 46 IS - 4 SP - 473 EP - 485 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yang, Peng-Fei A1 - Kriechbaumer, Andreas A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Sanno, Maximilian A1 - Ganse, Bergita A1 - Koy, Timmo A1 - Shang, Peng A1 - Brüggemann, Gert-Peter A1 - Müller, Lars Peter A1 - Rittweger, Jörn T1 - On the relationship between tibia torsional deformation and regional muscle contractions in habitual human exercises in vivo JF - Journal of Biomechanics Y1 - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.12.031 SN - 0021-9290 VL - 48 IS - 3 SP - 456 EP - 464 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Seynnes, O. R. A1 - Bojsen-Moller, J. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Arndt, A. A1 - Cronin, N. J. A1 - Finni, T. A1 - Magnusson, S. P. T1 - Ultrasound-based testing of tendon mechanical properties: a critical evaluation JF - Journal of Applied Physiology Y1 - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00849.2014 SN - 8750-7587 VL - 118 IS - 2 SP - 133 EP - 141 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Arampatzis, Adamantios T1 - Exercise-induced changes in triceps surae tendon stiffness and muscle strength affect running economy in humans JF - European Journal of Applied Physiology Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2585-4 SN - 1439-6327 VL - 113 IS - 6 SP - 1605 EP - 1615 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Karamanidis, Kiros A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Braunstein, Bjoern A1 - Catala, Maria Moreno A1 - Goldmann, Jan-Peter A1 - Brüggemann, Gert-Peter T1 - Lower leg musculoskeletal geometry and sprint performance JF - Gait and Posture N2 - The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sprint performance is related to lower leg musculoskeletal geometry within a homogeneous group of highly trained 100-m sprinters. Using a cluster analysis, eighteen male sprinters were divided into two groups based on their personal best (fast: N = 11, 10.30 ± 0.07 s; slow: N = 7, 10.70 ± 0.08 s). Calf muscular fascicle arrangement and Achilles tendon moment arms (calculated by the gradient of tendon excursion versus ankle joint angle) were analyzed for each athlete using ultrasonography. Achilles tendon moment arm, foot and ankle skeletal geometry, fascicle arrangement as well as the ratio of fascicle length to Achilles tendon moment arm showed no significant (p > 0.05) correlation with sprint performance, nor were there any differences in the analyzed musculoskeletal parameters between the fast and slow sprinter group. Our findings provide evidence that differences in sprint ability in world-class athletes are not a result of differences in the geometrical design of the lower leg even when considering both skeletal and muscular components. Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.03.009 SN - 0966-6362 VL - 34 IS - 1 SP - 138 EP - 141 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Arampatzis, Adamantios A1 - Peper, Andreas A1 - Bierbaum, Stefanie A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Plasticity of human Achilles tendon mechanical and morphological properties in response to cyclic strain JF - Journal of Biomechanics N2 - The purpose of the current study in combination with our previous published data (Arampatzis et al., 2007) was to examine the effects of a controlled modulation of strain magnitude and strain frequency applied to the Achilles tendon on the plasticity of tendon mechanical and morphological properties. Eleven male adults (23.9±2.2 yr) participated in the study. The participants exercised one leg at low magnitude tendon strain (2.97±0.47%), and the other leg at high tendon strain magnitude (4.72±1.08%) of similar frequency (0.5 Hz, 1 s loading, 1 s relaxation) and exercise volume (integral of the plantar flexion moment over time) for 14 weeks, 4 days per week, 5 sets per session. The exercise volume was similar to the intervention of our earlier study (0.17 Hz frequency; 3 s loading, 3 s relaxation) allowing a direct comparison of the results. Before and after the intervention ankle joint moment has been measured by a dynamometer, tendon–aponeurosis elongation by ultrasound and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon by magnet resonance images (MRI). We found a decrease in strain at a given tendon force, an increase in tendon–aponeurosis stiffness and tendon elastic modulus of the Achilles tendon only in the leg exercised at high strain magnitude. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the Achilles tendon did not show any statistically significant (P>0.05) differences to the pre-exercise values in both legs. The results indicate a superior improvement in tendon properties (stiffness, elastic modulus and CSA) at the low frequency (0.17 Hz) compared to the high strain frequency (0.5 Hz) protocol. These findings provide evidence that the strain magnitude applied to the Achilles tendon should exceed the value, which occurs during habitual activities to trigger adaptational effects and that higher tendon strain duration per contraction leads to superior tendon adaptational responses. Y1 - 2010 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.08.014 SN - 0021-9290 VL - 43 IS - 16 SP - 3073 EP - 3079 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Aggeloussis, Nickos A1 - Giannakou, Erasmia A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Arampatzis, Adamantios T1 - Reproducibility of fascicle length and pennation angle of gastrocnemius medialis in human gait in vivo JF - Gait and Posture N2 - The purpose of the current study was to examine the reproducibility of fascicle length and pennation angle of gastrocnemius medialis while human walking. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the reproducibility of fascicle length and pennation angle of gastrocnemius medialis in vivo during human gait. Twelve males performed 10 gait trials on a treadmill, in 2 separate days. B-mode ultrasonography, with the ultrasound probe firmly adjusted in the transverse and frontal planes using a special cast, was used to measure the fascicle length and the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM). A Vicon 624 system with three cameras operating at 120 Hz was also used to record the ankle and knee joint angles. The results showed that measurements of fascicle length and pennation angle showed high reproducibility during the gait cycle, both within the same day and between different days. Moreover, the root mean square differences between the repeated waveforms of both variables were very small, compared with their ranges (fascicle length: RMS = ∼3 mm, range: 38–63 mm; pennation angle: RMS = ∼1.5°, range: 22–32°). However, their reproducibility was lower compared to the joint angles. It was found that representative data have to be derived by a wide number of gait trials (fascicle length ∼six trials, pennation angle more than 10 trials), to assure the reliability of the fascicle length and pennation angle in human gait. Y1 - 2010 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.08.249 SN - 0966-6362 VL - 31 IS - 1 SP - 73 EP - 77 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Arampatzis, Adamantios A1 - Karamanidis, Kiros A1 - Mademli, Lida A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Plasticity of the human tendon to short and long-term mechanical loading JF - Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews Y1 - 2009 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1097/JES.0b013e31819c2e1d SN - 1538-3008 VL - 37 IS - 2 SP - 66 EP - 72 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Albanna, Walid A1 - Lüke, Jan Niklas A1 - Schubert, Gerrit Alexander A1 - Dibué-Adjei, Maxine A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Hescheler, Jürgen A1 - Clusmann, Hans A1 - Steiger, Hans-Jakob A1 - Hänggi, Daniel A1 - Kamp, Marcel A. A1 - Schneider, Toni A1 - Neumaier, Felix T1 - Modulation of Ca v 2.3 channels by unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) – Candidate mechanism for UCB-induced neuromodulation and neurotoxicity JF - Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcn.2019.03.003 SN - 1044-7431 VL - 96 IS - 4 SP - 35 EP - 46 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Quittmann, Oliver J. A1 - Meskemper, Joshua A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Abel, Thomas A1 - Foitschik, Tina A1 - Strüder, Heiko K. T1 - Normalising surface EMG of ten upper-extremity muscles in handcycling: Manual resistance vs. sport-specific MVICs JF - Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology N2 - Muscular activity in terms of surface electromyography (sEMG) is usually normalised to maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs). This study aims to compare two different MVIC-modes in handcycling and examine the effect of moving average window-size. Twelve able-bodied male competitive triathletes performed ten MVICs against manual resistance and four sport-specific trials against fixed cranks. sEMG of ten muscles [M. trapezius (TD); M. pectoralis major (PM); M. deltoideus, Pars clavicularis (DA); M. deltoideus, Pars spinalis (DP); M. biceps brachii (BB); M. triceps brachii (TB); forearm flexors (FC); forearm extensors (EC); M. latissimus dorsi (LD) and M. rectus abdominis (RA)] was recorded and filtered using moving average window-sizes of 150, 200, 250 and 300 ms. Sport-specific MVICs were higher compared to manual resistance for TB, DA, DP and LD, whereas FC, TD, BB and RA demonstrated lower values. PM and EC demonstrated no significant difference between MVIC-modes. Moving average window-size had no effect on MVIC outcomes. MVIC-mode should be taken into account when normalised sEMG data are illustrated in handcycling. Sport-specific MVICs seem to be suitable for some muscles (TB, DA, DP and LD), but should be augmented by MVICs against manual/mechanical resistance for FC, TD, BB and RA. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102402 SN - 1050-6411 VL - 51 IS - Article 102402 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kopp, Alexander A1 - Schunck, Laura A1 - Gosau, Martin A1 - Smeets, Ralf A1 - Burg, Simon A1 - Fuest, Sandra A1 - Kröger, Nadja A1 - Zinser, Max A1 - Krohn, Sebastian A1 - Behbahani, Mehdi A1 - Köpf, Marius A1 - Lauts, Lisa A1 - Rutkowski, Rico T1 - Influence of the casting concentration on the mechanical and optical properties of Fa/CaCl2-derived silk fibroin membranes JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences N2 - In this study, we describe the manufacturing and characterization of silk fibroin membranes derived from the silkworm Bombyx mori. To date, the dissolution process used in this study has only been researched to a limited extent, although it entails various potential advantages, such as reduced expenses and the absence of toxic chemicals in comparison to other conventional techniques. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of different fibroin concentrations on the process output and resulting membrane properties. Casted membranes were thus characterized with regard to their mechanical, structural and optical assets via tensile testing, SEM, light microscopy and spectrophotometry. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using BrdU, XTT, and LDH assays, followed by live–dead staining. The formic acid (FA) dissolution method was proven to be suitable for the manufacturing of transparent and mechanically stable membranes. The fibroin concentration affects both thickness and transparency of the membranes. The membranes did not exhibit any signs of cytotoxicity. When compared to other current scientific and technical benchmarks, the manufactured membranes displayed promising potential for various biomedical applications. Further research is nevertheless necessary to improve reproducible manufacturing, including a more uniform thickness, less impurity and physiological pH within the membranes. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186704 SN - 1422-0067 N1 - Special issue: Optimization of Biomaterials for Reconstructive and Regenerative Medicine VL - 21 IS - 18 art. no. 6704 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Conzen, Catharina A1 - Albanna, Walid A1 - Weiss, Miriam A1 - Kürten, David A1 - Vilser, Walthard A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Zäske, Charlotte A1 - Clusmann, Hans A1 - Schubert, Gerrit Alexander T1 - Vasoconstriction and Impairment of Neurovascular Coupling after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: a Descriptive Analysis of Retinal Changes JF - Translational Stroke Research N2 - Impaired cerebral autoregulation and neurovascular coupling (NVC) contribute to delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Retinal vessel analysis (RVA) allows non-invasive assessment of vessel dimension and NVC hereby demonstrating a predictive value in the context of various neurovascular diseases. Using RVA as a translational approach, we aimed to assess the retinal vessels in patients with SAH. RVA was performed prospectively in 24 patients with acute SAH (group A: day 5–14), in 11 patients 3 months after ictus (group B: day 90 ± 35), and in 35 age-matched healthy controls (group C). Data was acquired using a Retinal Vessel Analyzer (Imedos Systems UG, Jena) for examination of retinal vessel dimension and NVC using flicker-light excitation. Diameter of retinal vessels—central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalent—was significantly reduced in the acute phase (p < 0.001) with gradual improvement in group B (p < 0.05). Arterial NVC of group A was significantly impaired with diminished dilatation (p < 0.001) and reduced area under the curve (p < 0.01) when compared to group C. Group B showed persistent prolonged latency of arterial dilation (p < 0.05). Venous NVC was significantly delayed after SAH compared to group C (A p < 0.001; B p < 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first clinical study to document retinal vasoconstriction and impairment of NVC in patients with SAH. Using non-invasive RVA as a translational approach, characteristic patterns of compromise were detected for the arterial and venous compartment of the neurovascular unit in a time-dependent fashion. Recruitment will continue to facilitate a correlation analysis with clinical course and outcome. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12975-017-0585-8 SN - 1868-601X IS - 9 SP - 284 EP - 293 PB - Springer Nature CY - Cham ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Brockhaus, Moritz K. A1 - Behbahani, Mehdi A1 - Muris, Farina A1 - Jansen, Sebastian V. A1 - Schmitz- Rode, Thomas A1 - Steinseifer, Ulrich A1 - Clauser, Johanna C. T1 - In vitro thrombogenicity testing of pulsatile mechanical circulatory support systems: Design and proof-of-concept JF - Artificial Organs N2 - Thrombogenic complications are a main issue in mechanical circulatory support (MCS). There is no validated in vitro method available to quantitatively assess the thrombogenic performance of pulsatile MCS devices under realistic hemodynamic conditions. The aim of this study is to propose a method to evaluate the thrombogenic potential of new designs without the use of complex in-vivo trials. This study presents a novel in vitro method for reproducible thrombogenicity testing of pulsatile MCS systems using low molecular weight heparinized porcine blood. Blood parameters are continuously measured with full blood thromboelastometry (ROTEM; EXTEM, FIBTEM and a custom-made analysis HEPNATEM). Thrombus formation is optically observed after four hours of testing. The results of three experiments are presented each with two parallel loops. The area of thrombus formation inside the MCS device was reproducible. The implantation of a filter inside the loop catches embolizing thrombi without a measurable increase of platelet activation, allowing conclusions of the place of origin of thrombi inside the device. EXTEM and FIBTEM parameters such as clotting velocity (α) and maximum clot firmness (MCF) show a total decrease by around 6% with a characteristic kink after 180 minutes. HEPNATEM α and MCF rise within the first 180 minutes indicate a continuously increasing activation level of coagulation. After 180 minutes, the consumption of clotting factors prevails, resulting in a decrease of α and MCF. With the designed mock loop and the presented protocol we are able to identify thrombogenic hot spots inside a pulsatile pump and characterize their thrombogenic potential. Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.14046 SN - 1525-1594 VL - 45 IS - 12 SP - 1513 EP - 1521 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Arampatzis, Adamantios A1 - Karamanidis, Kiros A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Adaptational responses of the human Achilles tendon by modulation of the applied cyclic strain magnitude JF - Journal of Experimental Biology Y1 - 2007 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.003814 SN - 0022-0949 VL - 210 IS - 15 SP - 2743 EP - 2753 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Arampatzis, Adamantios T1 - Influence of the mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon unit on force generation in runners with different running economy JF - Biological Cybernetics Y1 - 2006 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00422-006-0070-z SN - 1432-0770 VL - 95 IS - 1 SP - 87 EP - 96 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Heinke, Lars N. A1 - Knicker, Axel J. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Evaluation of passively induced shoulder stretch reflex using an isokinetic dynamometer in male overhead athletes JF - Isokinetics and Exercise Science N2 - BACKGROUND: Muscle stretch reflexes are widely considered to beneficially influence joint stability and power generation in the lower limbs. While in the upper limbs and especially in the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint such evidence is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the electromyographical response in the muscles crossing the shoulder of specifically trained overhead athletes to an anterior perturbation force. METHODS: Twenty healthy male participants performed six sets of different external shoulder rotation stretches on an isokinetic dynamometer over a range of amplitudes and muscle pre-activation moment levels. All stretches were applied with a dynamometer acceleration of 10,000∘/s2 and a velocity of 150∘/s. Electromyographical response was measured via sEMG. RESULTS: Consistent reflexes were not observed in all experimental conditions. The reflex latencies revealed a significant muscle main effect (F (2,228) = 99.31, p< 0.001; η2= 0.466; f= 0.934) and a pre-activation main effect (F (1,228) = 142.21, p< 0.001; η2= 0.384; f= 1.418). The stretch reflex amplitude yielded a significant pre-activation main effect (F (1,222) = 470.373, p< 0.001; η2= 0.679; f= 1.454). CONCLUSION: Short latency muscle reflexes showed a tendency to an anterior to posterior muscle recruitment whereby the main internal rotator muscles of the shoulder revealed the most consistent results. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3233/IES-184111 SN - 1878-5913 VL - 26 IS - 4 SP - 265 EP - 274 PB - IOS Press CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - THES A1 - Seifarth, Volker T1 - Ureteral tissue engineering : development of a bioreactor system and subsequent characterization of the generated biohybrids Y1 - 2015 N1 - Duisburg, Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Diss., 2015 PB - Universitätsbibliothek Duisburg-Essen CY - Duisburg ; Essen ER - TY - THES A1 - Oflaz, Hakan T1 - Entwicklung eines Prototypen zur Prognose von Frühgeburten : ein biomedizintechnischer Ansatz Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.4126/38m-004639208 N1 - Köln, Univ., Diss., 2012 PB - Deutsche Zentralbibliothek für Medizin CY - Köln ER - TY - THES A1 - Behbahani, Mehdi T1 - Modeling and Simulation of Shear-Dependent Platelet Reactions in Blood Vessels and Blood-Contacting Medical Devices Y1 - 2011 SN - 978-3-8439-0134-5 PB - Verlag Dr. Hut CY - München ER - TY - THES A1 - Kurulgan Demirci, Eylem T1 - The effect of rhAPC on contractile tension : an in-vitro sepsis model of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells T1 - Der Effekt von rhAPC auf die zelluläre Kontraktionskraft : ein In-vitro-Sepsismodell für Kardiomyozyten und Endothelzellen Y1 - 2012 N1 - Aachen, Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2012 ER - TY - THES A1 - Trzewik, Jürgen T1 - Experimental analysis of biaxial mechanical tension in cell monolayers and cultured three-dimensional tissues: the celldrum technology Y1 - 2007 N1 - Zugl.: Ilmenau, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2007 PB - Univeristätsverlg Ilmenau CY - Ilmenau ER - TY - THES A1 - Duong, Minh Tuan T1 - Hyperelastic modeling and soft-tissue growth integrated with the smoothed finite element method - SFEM Y1 - 2015 N1 - Aachen, Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2014 PB - RWTH Aachen University ER - TY - THES A1 - Pham, Phu Tinh T1 - Upper bound limit and shakedown analysis of elastic-plastic bounded linearly kinematic hardening structures Y1 - 2011 N1 - Aachen, Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2011 PB - RWTH Aachen University CY - Aachen ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Quittmann, Oliver J. A1 - Abel, Thomas A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Meskemper, Joshua A1 - Foitschik, Tina A1 - Strüder, Heiko K. T1 - Biomechanics of handcycling propulsion in a 30-min continuous load test at lactate threshold: Kinetics, kinematics, and muscular activity in able-bodied participants JF - European Journal of Applied Physiology N2 - Purpose This study aims to investigate the biomechanics of handcycling during a continuous load trial (CLT) to assess the mechanisms underlying fatigue in upper body exercise. Methods Twelve able-bodied triathletes performed a 30-min CLT at a power output corresponding to lactate threshold in a racing recumbent handcycle mounted on a stationary ergometer. During the CLT, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), tangential crank kinetics, 3D joint kinematics, and muscular activity of ten muscles of the upper extremity and trunk were examined using motion capturing and surface electromyography. Results During the CLT, spontaneously chosen cadence and RPE increased, whereas crank torque decreased. Rotational work was higher during the pull phase. Peripheral RPE was higher compared to central RPE. Joint range of motion decreased for elbow-flexion and radial-duction. Integrated EMG (iEMG) increased in the forearm flexors, forearm extensors, and M. deltoideus (Pars spinalis). An earlier onset of activation was found for M. deltoideus (Pars clavicularis), M. pectoralis major, M. rectus abdominis, M. biceps brachii, and the forearm flexors. Conclusion Fatigue-related alterations seem to apply analogously in handcycling and cycling. The most distal muscles are responsible for force transmission on the cranks and might thus suffer most from neuromuscular fatigue. The findings indicate that peripheral fatigue (at similar lactate values) is higher in handcycling compared to leg cycling, at least for inexperienced participants. An increase in cadence might delay peripheral fatigue by a reduced vascular occlusion. We assume that the gap between peripheral and central fatigue can be reduced by sport-specific endurance training. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04373-x SN - 1439-6327 IS - 120 SP - 1403 EP - 1415 PB - Springer CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Pohle-Fröhlich, Regina A1 - Dalitz, Christoph A1 - Richter, Charlotte A1 - Hahnen, Tobias A1 - Stäudle, Benjamin A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Estimation of muscle fascicle orientation in ultrasonic images T2 - Proceedings of the 15th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications - Volume 5 N2 - We compare four different algorithms for automatically estimating the muscle fascicle angle from ultrasonic images: the vesselness filter, the Radon transform, the projection profile method and the gray level cooccurence matrix (GLCM). The algorithm results are compared to ground truth data generated by three different experts on 425 image frames from two videos recorded during different types of motion. The best agreement with the ground truth data was achieved by a combination of pre-processing with a vesselness filter and measuring the angle with the projection profile method. The robustness of the estimation is increased by applying the algorithms to subregions with high gradients and performing a LOESS fit through these estimates. Y1 - 2020 SN - 978-989-758-402-2 U6 - https://doi.org/10.5220/0008933900790086 N1 - 15th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications VISAPP 2020, Valletta, Malta SP - 79 EP - 86 PB - SciTePress CY - Setúbal, Portugal ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Attar, Mandana Hossein Zadeh A1 - Merk, Hans F. A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Wurpts, Gerda A1 - Röseler, Stefani A1 - Moll-Slodowy, Silke A1 - Plange, Johann A1 - Baron, Jens Malte A1 - Balakirski, Galina T1 - The CD63 basophil activation test as a diagnostic tool for assessing autoimmunity in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria JF - European Journal of Dermatology Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2019.3680 VL - 29 IS - 6 SP - 614 EP - 618 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Azat, Seitkhan A1 - Kerimkulova, Almagul R. A1 - Mansurov, Zulkhair A. A1 - Adekenov, Sergazy A1 - Artmann, Gerhard T1 - The Use of Fusicoccin as Anticancer Compound T2 - Carbon Nanomaterials in Biomedicine and the Environment N2 - The problem of creation and use of sorption materials is of current interest for the practice of the modern medicine and agriculture. Practical importance is production of a biostimulant using a carbon sorbent for a significant increase in productivity, which is very relevant for the regions of Kazakhstan. It is known that a plant phytohormone—fusicoccin—in nanogram concentrations transforms cancer cells to the state of apoptosis. In this regard, there is a scientific practical interest in the development of a highly efficient method for producing fusicoccin from extract of germinated wheat seeds. According to the results of computer modeling, cleaning composite components of fusicoccin using microporous carbon adsorbents not suitable as the size of the molecule of fusicoccin more than micropores and the optimum pore size for purification of constituents of fusicoccin was determined by computer simulation. Y1 - 2020 SN - 978-0-429-42864-7 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429428647-8 SP - 149 EP - 172 PB - Jenny Stanford Publishing CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mandekar, Swati A1 - Holland, Abigail A1 - Thielen, Moritz A1 - Behbahani, Mehdi A1 - Melnykowycz, Mark T1 - Advancing towards Ubiquitous EEG, Correlation of In-Ear EEG with Forehead EEG JF - Sensors N2 - Wearable EEG has gained popularity in recent years driven by promising uses outside of clinics and research. The ubiquitous application of continuous EEG requires unobtrusive form-factors that are easily acceptable by the end-users. In this progression, wearable EEG systems have been moving from full scalp to forehead and recently to the ear. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that emerging ear-EEG provides similar impedance and signal properties as established forehead EEG. EEG data using eyes-open and closed alpha paradigm were acquired from ten healthy subjects using generic earpieces fitted with three custom-made electrodes and a forehead electrode (at Fpx) after impedance analysis. Inter-subject variability in in-ear electrode impedance ranged from 20 kΩ to 25 kΩ at 10 Hz. Signal quality was comparable with an SNR of 6 for in-ear and 8 for forehead electrodes. Alpha attenuation was significant during the eyes-open condition in all in-ear electrodes, and it followed the structure of power spectral density plots of forehead electrodes, with the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.92 between in-ear locations ELE (Left Ear Superior) and ERE (Right Ear Superior) and forehead locations, Fp1 and Fp2, respectively. The results indicate that in-ear EEG is an unobtrusive alternative in terms of impedance, signal properties and information content to established forehead EEG. KW - in-ear EEG KW - correlation KW - forehead EEG KW - impedance spectroscopy KW - biopotential electrodes Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/s22041568 SN - 1424-8220 VL - 22 IS - 4 SP - 1 EP - 19 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Niedermeyer, Angela A1 - Zhou, Bei A1 - Dursun, Gözde A1 - Temiz Artmann, Aysegül A1 - Markert, Bernd T1 - An examination of tissue engineered scaffolds in a bioreactor JF - Proceedings in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics PAMM N2 - Replacement tissues, designed to fill in articular cartilage defects, should exhibit the same properties as the native material. The aim of this study is to foster the understanding of, firstly, the mechanical behavior of the material itself and, secondly, the influence of cultivation parameters on cell seeded implants as well as on cell migration into acellular implants. In this study, acellular cartilage replacement material is theoretically, numerically and experimentally investigated regarding its viscoelastic properties, where a phenomenological model for practical applications is developed. Furthermore, remodeling and cell migration are investigated. Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/pamm.201610038 SN - 1617-7061 N1 - Joint Annual Meeting of DMV and GAMM 2016, 87th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics (GAMM) and Deutsche Mathematiker-Vereinigung (DMV), Braunschweig, DE, Mar 7-11, 2016 VL - 16 IS - 1 SP - 99 EP - 100 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tran, Linda A1 - Mottaghy, K. A1 - Arlt-Körfer, Sabine A1 - Waluga, Christian A1 - Behbahani, Mehdi T1 - An experimental study of shear-dependent human platelet adhesion and underlying protein-binding mechanisms in a cylindrical Couette system JF - Biomedizinische Technik Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1515/bmt-2015-0034 SN - 0013-5585 VL - 62 IS - 4 SP - 383 EP - 392 PB - De Gruyter CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Albanna, Walid A1 - Lueke, Jan Niklas A1 - Sjapic, Volha A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Hescheler, Jürgen A1 - Clusmann, Hans A1 - Sjapic, Sergej A1 - Alpdogan, Serdan A1 - Schneider, Toni A1 - Schubert, Gerrit Alexander A1 - Neumaier, Felix T1 - Electroretinographic Assessment of Inner Retinal Signaling in the Isolated and Superfused Murine Retina JF - Current Eye Research Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1080/02713683.2017.1339807 SN - 1460-2202 IS - Article in press SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Taylor & Francis CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Hauser, Christine A1 - Ortner, Marion A1 - Muggenthaler, Claudia A1 - Diehl-Schmid, Janine A1 - Angermann, Susanne A1 - Hapfelmeier, Alexander A1 - Schmaderer, Christoph A1 - Grimmer, Timo T1 - Altered neurovascular coupling as measured by optical imaging: a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease JF - Scientific Reports Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-13349-5 SN - 2045-2322 N1 - Article 12906 VL - 7 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Springer Nature CY - Cham ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Werkhausen, Amelie A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Cronin, Neil J. A1 - Meier, Rahel A1 - Mojsen-Moeller, Jens A1 - Seynnes, Olivier R. T1 - Modulation of muscle-tendon interaction in the human triceps surae during an energy dissipation task JF - Journal of Experimental Biology Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.164111 SN - 0022-0949 VL - 220 IS - 22 SP - 4141 EP - 4149 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lapitan, Denis G. A1 - Rogatkin, Dmitrii A. A1 - Persheyev, Sydulla K. A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin T1 - False spectra formation in the differential two-channel scheme of the laser Doppler flowmeter JF - Biomedizinische Technik N2 - Noise in the differential two-channel scheme of a classic laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) instrument was studied. Formation of false spectral components in the output signal due to beating of electrical signals in the differential amplifier was found out. The improved block-diagram of the flowmeter was developed allowing to reduce the noise. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1515/bmt-2017-0060 SN - 0013-5585 VL - 63 IS - 4 SP - 439 EP - 444 PB - De Gruyter CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Albanna, Walid A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Lüke, Jan Niklas A1 - Alpdogan, Serdar A1 - Conzen, Catharina A1 - Lindauer, Ute A1 - Clusmann, Hans A1 - Hescheler, Jürgen A1 - Vilser, Walthard A1 - Schneider, Toni A1 - Schubert, Gerrit Alexander T1 - Non-invasive evaluation of neurovascular coupling in the murine retina by dynamic retinal vessel analysis JF - Plos one N2 - Background Impairment of neurovascular coupling (NVC) was recently reported in the context of subarachnoid hemorrhage and may correlate with disease severity and outcome. However, previous techniques to evaluate NVC required invasive procedures. Retinal vessels may represent an alternative option for non-invasive assessment of NVC. Methods A prototype of an adapted retinal vessel analyzer was used to assess retinal vessel diameter in mice. Dynamic vessel analysis (DVA) included an application of monochromatic flicker light impulses in predefined frequencies for evaluating NVC. All retinae were harvested after DVA and electroretinograms were performed. Results A total of 104 retinal scans were conducted in 21 male mice (90 scans). Quantitative arterial recordings were feasible only in a minority of animals, showing an emphasized reaction to flicker light impulses (8 mice; 14 scans). A characteristic venous response to flicker light, however, could observed in the majority of animals. Repeated measurements resulted in a significant decrease of baseline venous diameter (7 mice; 7 scans, p < 0.05). Ex-vivo electroretinograms, performed after in-vivo DVA, demonstrated a significant reduction of transretinal signaling in animals with repeated DVA (n = 6, p < 0.001). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first non-invasive study assessing murine retinal vessel response to flicker light with characteristic changes in NVC. The imaging system can be used for basic research and enables the investigation of retinal vessel dimension and function in control mice and genetically modified animals. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204689 VL - 13 IS - 10 PB - PLOS CY - San Francisco ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Balakirski, Galina A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Pauly, Karolin J. A1 - Krings, Laura K. A1 - Rübben, Albert A1 - Baron, Jens M. A1 - Schmitt, Laurenz T1 - Surgical Site Infections After Dermatologic Surgery in Immunocompromised Patients: A Single-Center Experience JF - Dermatologic Surgery N2 - BACKGROUND Immunosuppression is often considered as an indication for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent surgical site infections (SSI) while performing skin surgery. However, the data on the risk of developing SSI after dermatologic surgery in immunosuppressed patients are limited. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen in Aachen, Germany, who underwent hospitalization for a dermatologic surgery between June 2016 and January 2017 (6 months), were followed up after surgery until completion of the wound healing process. The follow-up addressed the occurrence of SSI and the need for systemic antibiotics after the operative procedure. Immunocompromised patients were compared with immunocompetent patients. The investigation was conducted as a retrospective analysis of patient records. RESULTS The authors performed 284 dermatologic surgeries in 177 patients. Nineteen percent (54/284) of the skin surgery was performed on immunocompromised patients. The most common indications for surgical treatment were nonmelanoma skin cancer and malignant melanomas. Surgical site infections occurred in 6.7% (19/284) of the cases. In 95% (18/19), systemic antibiotic treatment was needed. Twenty-one percent of all SSI (4/19) were seen in immunosuppressed patients. CONCLUSION According to the authors' data, immunosuppression does not represent a significant risk factor for SSI after dermatologic surgery. However, larger prospective studies are needed to make specific recommendations on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis while performing skin surgery in these patients. The available data on complications after dermatologic surgery have improved over the past years. Particularly, additional risk factors have been identified for surgical site infections (SSI). Purulent surgical sites, older age, involvement of head, neck, and acral regions, and also the involvement of less experienced surgeons have been reported to increase the risk of the SSI after dermatologic surgeries.1 In general, the incidence of SSI after skin surgery is considered to be low.1,2 However, antibiotics in dermatologic surgeries, especially in the perioperative setting, seem to be overused,3,4 particularly regarding developing antibiotic resistances and side effects. Immunosuppression has been recommended to be taken into consideration as an additional indication for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent SSI after skin surgery in special cases.5,6 However, these recommendations do not specify the exact dermatologic surgeries, and were not specifically developed for dermatologic surgery patients and treatments, but adopted from other surgical fields.6 According to the survey conducted on American College of Mohs Surgery members in 2012, 13% to 29% of the surgeons administered antibiotic prophylaxis to immunocompromised patients to prevent SSI while performing dermatologic surgery on noninfected skin,3 although this was not recommended by Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Advisory Statement. Indeed, the data on the risk of developing SSI after dermatologic surgery in immunosuppressed patients are limited. However, it is possible that due to the insufficient evidence on the risk of SSI occurrence in this patient group, dermatologic surgeons tend to overuse perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. To make specific recommendations on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in immunosuppressed patients in the field of skin surgery, more information about the incidence of SSI after dermatologic surgery in these patients is needed. The aim of this study was to fill this data gap by investigating whether there is an increased risk of SSI after skin surgery in immunocompromised patients compared with immunocompetent patients. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000001615 IS - 44 (12) SP - 1525 EP - 1536 PB - Wolters Kluwer ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rittweger, Jörn A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Flück, Martin A1 - Ruoss, Severin A1 - Brocca, Lorenza A1 - Longa, Emanuela A1 - Moriggi, Manuela A1 - Seynnes, Olivier A1 - Di Giulio, Irene A1 - Tenori, Leonardo A1 - Vignoli, Alessia A1 - Capri, Miriam A1 - Gelfi, Cecilia A1 - Luchinat, Claudio A1 - Franceschi, Claudio A1 - Bottinelli, Roberto A1 - Cerretelli, Paolo A1 - Narici, Marco T1 - Sarcolab pilot study into skeletal muscle’s adaptation to longterm spaceflight JF - npj Microgravity Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-018-0052-1 SN - 2373-8065 VL - 4 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Nature Portfolio ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Werkhausen, Amelie A1 - Cronin, Neil J. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Bojsen-Møller, Jens A1 - Seynnes, Olivier R. T1 - Distinct muscle-tendon interaction during running at different speeds and in different loading conditions JF - Journal of Applied Physiology Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00710.2018 SN - 1522-1601 VL - 127 IS - 1 SP - 246 EP - 253 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Capri, Miriam A1 - Morsiani, Cristina A1 - Santoro, Aurelia A1 - Moriggi, Manuela A1 - Conte, Maria A1 - Martucci, Morena A1 - Bellavista, Elena A1 - Fabbri, Cristina A1 - Giampieri, Enrico A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Flück, Martin A1 - Ruoss, Severin A1 - Brocca, Lorenza A1 - Canepari, Monica A1 - Longa, Emanuela A1 - Giulio, Irene Di A1 - Bottinelli, Roberto A1 - Cerretelli, Paolo A1 - Salvioli, Stefano A1 - Gelfi, Cecilia A1 - Franceschi, Claudio A1 - Narici, Marco A1 - Rittweger, Jörn T1 - Recovery from 6-month spaceflight at the International Space Station: muscle-related stress into a proinflammatory setting JF - The FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201801625R VL - 33 IS - 4 SP - 5168 EP - 5180 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Quittmann, Oliver J. A1 - Abel, Thomas A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Strüder, Heiko K. T1 - Reliability of muscular activation patterns and their alterations during incremental handcycling in able-bodied participants JF - Sports Biomechanics Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2019.1593496 SN - 1752-6116 IS - Article in press PB - Taylor & Francis CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kopp, Alexander A1 - Schmeets, Ralf A1 - Gosau, Martin A1 - Friedrich, Reinhard E. A1 - Fuest, Sandra A1 - Behbahani, Mehdi A1 - Barbeck, Mike A1 - Rutkowski, Rico A1 - Burg, Simon A1 - Kluwe, Lan A1 - Henningsen, Anders T1 - Production and Characterization of Porous Fibroin Scaffolds for Regenerative Medical Application JF - In Vivo Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.21873/invivo.11536 SN - 1791-7549 VL - 33 IS - 3 SP - 757 EP - 762 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kodomskoi, Leonid A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Schröder, Andreas A1 - Weiss, Michael A1 - Hille, Konrad T1 - Suture-Probe Canaloplasty as an Alternative to Canaloplasty using the iTrack™ Microcatheter JF - Journal of Glaucoma Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1097/IJG.0000000000001321 SN - 1057-0829 IS - Epub ahead of print PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins CY - Philadelphia ER - TY - THES A1 - Geenen, Eva-Maria T1 - Studies of Epstein-Barr virus EBNA2 and its interactions with host cell factors T1 - Etude de la protéine EBNA2 du virus Epstein-Barr et ses interactions avec les facteurs de la cellule hôte Y1 - 2013 N1 - Thesis PB - Université de Grenoble CY - Grenoble ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Heinke, Lars N. A1 - Knicker, Axel J. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Increased shoulder muscle stretch reflex elicitability in supine subject posture JF - Isokinetics and Exercise Science N2 - BACKGROUND: Muscle stretch reflexes are widely used to examine neural muscle function. The knowledge of reflex response in muscles crossing the shoulder is limited. OBJECTIVE: To quantify reflex modulation according to various subject postures and different procedures of muscle pre-activation steering. METHODS: Thirteen healthy male participants performed two sets of external shoulder rotation stretches in various positions and with different procedures of muscle pre-activation steering on an isokinetic dynamometer over a range of two different pre-activation levels. All stretches were applied with a dynamometer acceleration of 104∘/s2 and a velocity of 150∘/s. Electromyographical response was measured via sEMG. RESULTS: Consistent reflexive response was observed in all tested muscles in all experimental conditions. The reflex elicitation rate revealed a significant muscle main effect (F (5,288) = 2.358, ρ= 0.040; η2= 0.039; f= 0.637) and a significant test condition main effect (F (1,288) = 5.884, ρ= 0.016; η2= 0.020; f= 0.143). Reflex latency revealed a significant muscle pre-activation level main effect (F (1,274) = 5.008, ρ= 0.026; η2= 0.018; f= 0.469). CONCLUSION: Muscular reflexive response was more consistent in the primary internal rotators of the shoulder. Supine posture in combination with visual feedback of muscle pre-activation level enhanced the reflex elicitation rate. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3233/IES-192219 SN - 1878-5913 VL - 28 IS - 2 SP - 139 EP - 146 PB - IOS Press CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Müller, Wolfram A1 - Jung, Alexander A1 - Ahammer, Helmut T1 - Advantages and problems of nonlinear methods applied to analyze physiological time signals: human balance control as an example JF - Scientific Reports Y1 - 2017 SN - 2045-2322 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02665-5 VL - 7 IS - Article number 2464 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Springer Nature CY - Cham ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Mandekar, Swati A1 - Jentsch, Lina A1 - Lutz, Kai A1 - Behbahani, Mehdi A1 - Melnykowycz, Mark T1 - Earable design analysis for sleep EEG measurements T2 - UbiComp '21 N2 - Conventional EEG devices cannot be used in everyday life and hence, past decade research has been focused on Ear-EEG for mobile, at-home monitoring for various applications ranging from emotion detection to sleep monitoring. As the area available for electrode contact in the ear is limited, the electrode size and location play a vital role for an Ear-EEG system. In this investigation, we present a quantitative study of ear-electrodes with two electrode sizes at different locations in a wet and dry configuration. Electrode impedance scales inversely with size and ranges from 450 kΩ to 1.29 MΩ for dry and from 22 kΩ to 42 kΩ for wet contact at 10 Hz. For any size, the location in the ear canal with the lowest impedance is ELE (Left Ear Superior), presumably due to increased contact pressure caused by the outer-ear anatomy. The results can be used to optimize signal pickup and SNR for specific applications. We demonstrate this by recording sleep spindles during sleep onset with high quality (5.27 μVrms). KW - EEG KW - sensors KW - Impedance Spectroscopy KW - Sleep EEG KW - biopotential electrodes Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1145/3460418.3479328 N1 - UbiComp '21: Adjunct Proceedings of the 2021 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing and Proceedings of the 2021 ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers, September 21–26, 2021, Virtual, USA SP - 171 EP - 175 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Heinke, Lars N. A1 - Knicker, Axel J. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Test-retest reliability of the internal shoulder rotator muscles' stretch reflex in healthy men JF - Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology N2 - Until now the reproducibility of the short latency stretch reflex of the internal rotator muscles of the glenohumeral joint has not been identified. Twenty-three healthy male participants performed three sets of external shoulder rotation stretches with various pre-activation levels on two different dates of measurement to assess test-retest reliability. All stretches were applied with a dynamometer acceleration of 104°/s2 and a velocity of 150°/s. Electromyographical response was measured via surface EMG. Reflex latencies showed a pre-activation effect (ƞ2 = 0,355). ICC ranged from 0,735 to 0,909 indicating an overall “good” relative reliability. SRD 95% lay between ±7,0 to ±12,3 ms.. The reflex gain showed overall poor test-retest reproducibility. The chosen methodological approach presented a suitable test protocol for shoulder muscles stretch reflex latency evaluation. A proof-of-concept study to validate the presented methodical approach in shoulder involvement including subjects with clinically relevant conditions is recommended. KW - stretch reflex KW - shoulder KW - test-retest reliability KW - intraclass correlation coefficient KW - standard error of measurement Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102611 SN - 1050-6411 VL - 62 IS - Article 102611 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zange, Jochen A1 - Schopen, Kathrin A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Gerlach, Darius A. A1 - Frings-Meuthen, Petra A1 - Maffiuletti, Nicola A. A1 - Bloch, Wilhelm A1 - Rittweger, Jörn T1 - Using the Hephaistos orthotic device to study countermeasure effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and dietary lupin protein supplementation, a randomised controlled trial JF - Plos one Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171562 VL - 12 IS - 2 ER -