On reference points--Cartesian vs Lagrangian.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Eung-Kwon Pae.
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We designed a variant of a cantilever spring, the statically determinate retraction system, and studied its mechanical characteristics. This novel system consisted of a single-force cantilever arm made of 0.017 x 0.025-inch titanium molybdenum alloy wire for active retraction and a passive rigid stabilizing unit. Since the active component for space closure is a cantilever, it is simple to measure the force system of the spring with a force gauge (ie, the system is a statically determinate system). A torque tester apparatus was used to examine the property of this retraction spring with a helix at the posterior and a simple bend at the anterior. Both a standard shape and modified shapes of the spring were studied. At full activation, the standard spring delivered 163 g with a load-deflection rate of six g/mm. When the magnitude of the anterior bend of the spring was increased, the horizontal component of the force increased more than the vertical component. In contrast, when the posterior bend of the spring increased, the vertical component of the force increased more than the horizontal component. A clinical case presented here clearly demonstrates the versatility and applicability of the spring.
The genioglossus (GG) muscle's response to partial oropharyngeal occlusion was studied in age-matched, healthy awake men (n = 16) and women (n = 15). A miniature balloon was placed in the retroglossal pharynx, and the GG's electromyographic (EMG) reflexive response was evaluated in different body postures. We assumed that inflating the pharyngeal balloon and changing the body posture from upright to supine would increase pharyngeal airway resistance. Our hypothesis was that the change in airway resistance would elicit a different response in the GG muscle depending on sex. Our results showed that GG activity during natural breathing was higher in women than in men. GG EMG activity did not change upon inflation of the balloon in women. In contrast, when the balloon was inflated in the men, the GG's basal activity increased (P <.01) in both the upright and the supine positions. Women appeared to show a higher GG baseline EMG activity during spontaneous breathing at rest, while men were more responsive to the partial occlusion of the pharyngeal airway.