The formation of locomotor circuits depends on the spatially organized generation of motor columns that innervate distinct muscle and autonomic nervous system targets along the body axis. Within each spinal segment, multiple motor neuron classes arise from a common progenitor population; however, the mechanisms underlying their diversification remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the Fo...

A series of recent anatomical and functional data has radically changed our view on the organization of the motor cortex in primates. In the present article we present this view and discuss its fundamental principles. The basic principles are the following: (a) the motor cortex, defined as the agranular frontal cortex, is formed by a mosaic of separate areas, each of which contains an independe...

PURPOSE Cross-sectional evidence has demonstrated the importance of motor skill proficiency to physical activity participation, but it is unknown whether skill proficiency predicts subsequent physical activity. METHODS In 2000, children's proficiency in object control (kick, catch, throw) and locomotor (hop, side gallop, vertical jump) skills were assessed in a school intervention. In 2006/07...

Introduction: Since Curcuma longa extract and curcumin have been shown to be potent antioxidant agents, they were used in cultured adult mouse spinal cord slices to investigate whether they can inhibit apoptosis in motor neurons. Methods: Slices from the thoracic region of adult mice spinal cord were divided into four groups: 1. Freshlyprepared slices (time 0) 2. Control 3. Slices treated by cu...

In this paper, a novel stator current based Model Reference Adaptive System (MRAS) estimator for speed estimation in the speed-sensorless vector controlled induction motor drives is presented. In the proposed MRAS estimator, measured stator current of the induction motor is considered as a reference model. The estimated stator current is produced in an adjustable model to compare with the measu...

IN view of the number of papers that have appeared in recent years on* the neuromuscular systems of various groups of animals, it is somewhat surprising that no attempt has been made to clarify the position in regard to the insects. There can be no doubt that a particular interest attaches to this group from the standpoint of comparative physiology. As the most highly developed members of the A...

Based on existing data, we wish to put forward a biological model of motor system on the neuron scale. Then we indicate its implications in statistics and learning. Specifically, neuron’s firing frequency and synaptic strength are probability estimates in essence. And the lateral inhibition also has statistical implications. From the standpoint of learning, dendritic competition through retrogr...

The protein-remodeling machine Hsp104 dissolves amorphous aggregates as well as ordered amyloid assemblies such as yeast prions. Force generation originates from a tandem AAA+ (ATPases associated with various cellular activities) cassette, but the mechanism and allostery of this action remain to be established. Our cryoelectron microscopy maps of Hsp104 hexamers reveal substantial domain moveme...

Migrating motor complex (MMC) is well characterized by the appearance of gastrointestinal contractions in the interdigestive state. This review article discussed the mechanism of gastrointestinal MMC. Luminal administration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) initiates duodenal phase II followed by gastrointestinal phase III with a concomitant increase of plasma motilin release in conscious dogs. Duo...

Motivated by a biased diffusion of molecular motors with the bias dependent on the state of the substrate, we investigate a random walk on a one-dimensional lattice that contains weak links (called "bridges") which are affected by the walker. Namely, a bridge is destroyed with probability when p the walker crosses it; the walker is not allowed to cross it again and this leads to a directed moti...