During a force-matched bilateral task, when pain is induced in one limb, a shift of load to the non-painful leg is classically observed. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that this adaptation to pain depends on the mechanical efficiency of the non-painful leg. We studied a bilateral plantarflexion task that allowed flexibility in the relative force produced with each leg, but constrained ...

Embryogenesis, regeneration and cell differentiation in microbiological entities are influenced by mechanical forces. Therefore, development of mechanical properties of these materials is important. Neural network technique is a useful method which can be used to obtain cell deformation by the means of force-geometric deformation data or vice versa. Prior to insertion in the needle injection pr...

B lymphocytes use B cell receptors (BCRs) to sense the physical features of the antigens. However, the sensitivity and threshold for the activation of BCRs resulting from the stimulation by mechanical forces are unknown. Here, we addressed this question using a double-stranded DNA-based tension gauge tether system serving as a predefined mechanical force gauge ranging from 12 to 56 pN. We obser...

Jaw reflexes evoked by mechanical stimulation of teeth in humans. The reflex response of jaw muscles to mechanical stimulation of an upper incisor tooth was investigated using the surface electromyogram (SEMG) of the masseter muscle and the bite force. With a slowly rising stimulus, the reflex response obtained on the masseter SEMG showed three different patterns of reflex responses; sole excit...

The mechanical strength of single protein molecules can be investigated by using the atomic force microscope. By applying this technique to a wide range of proteins, it appears that the type of secondary structure and its orientation relative to the extension points are important determinants of mechanical strength. Unlike chemical denaturants, force acts locally and the mechanical strength of ...

Many load bearing biological structures (LBBSs)-such as feather rachises and spicules-are small (<1 mm) but not microscopic. Measuring the flexural behavior of these LBBSs is important for understanding the origins of their remarkable mechanical functions. We describe a protocol for performing three-point bending tests using a custom-built mechanical testing device that can measure forces rangi...

The atomic force microscope (AFM) in its force-measuring mode is capable of effecting displacements on an angstrom scale (10 A = 1 nm) and measuring forces of a few piconewtons. Recent experiments have applied AFM techniques to study the mechanical properties of single biological polymers. These properties contribute to the function of many proteins exposed to mechanical strain, including compo...

Tenascin-X is an extracellular matrix protein and binds a variety of molecules in extracellular matrix and on cell membrane. Tenascin-X plays important roles in regulating the structure and mechanical properties of connective tissues. Using single-molecule atomic force microscopy, we have investigated the mechanical properties of bovine tenascin-X in detail. Our results indicated that tenascin-...

Chromosome segregation is a mechanical process, and the spindle generates, and is subject to, mechanical force. A recent study probes how the mechanical architecture of the spindle allows it to maintain mechanical integrity despite these forces.

Mechanical behavior of two-layer metal laminate structures under low-speed impact loading was investigated experimentally and numerically. The experimental results were just used for validation of numerical results. Then numerical modeling was used to study the behavior of metal laminates in details. The mechanical behavior of the metal laminate structures under impact loading was found to be d...