Corrective Forces Research Articles

TLSO with Graphene Sensors—An Application to Measurements of Corrective Forces in the Prototype of Intelligent Brace

This study presents a prototype of Intelligent Brace—the gold medal winner in the 68th edition of the International EUREKA 2019 Competition, in Valencia, Spain. It shows how to improve the effectiveness of a static orthopedic brace, with modern technology based on advanced electronic solutions. The research uses in-house-made thin-film graphene sensors, an electronic system with a microcontroller and derotating pads, a mobile application for Android system, and a remote database. The article presents a description of the real project, the system principle of operation, and the layout of the system elements in the orthosis. A prototype device was designed and built that was tested not only in laboratory conditions, but also during trials with the first patient. Approximately two months of data were collected and interpreted. The collected research results provided basic knowledge about the range of forces exerted by the brace on the patient’s body, as well as the regularity of wearing the orthosis by the patient and compliance with the doctor’s recommendations.

Flow Modelling for Wind Farm Control: 2D vs. 3D

Control-oriented models provide a basis for wind farm control to improve power production and reduce structural loading. Wake steering is considered to be one of the most promising techniques to achieve this. Wind turbine wakes under yaw misalignment are deflected downstream and have been shown to produce a curled or kidney-shaped structure. A Navier-Stokes based code called FRED was developed to model wind farm flow in 2D to perform yaw control. To tackle the differences between 2D and 3D flow, this work introduces a generalised continuity correction and wind turbine force scaling terms to the FRED framework. The effectiveness of approximating 3D results is tested by comparison with 3D simulations in the same framework. The continuity correction is now applicable to general wind directions and effective in reducing wake width and speed-up effects. The magnitude of wake deflection can be tuned using a force scaling term. However, we show that there remains a qualitative difference in the deflection profile downstream, as well as a difference in the propagation of yaw effects over time. From this study we can conclude that there is a fundamental difference between 2D and 3D flow physics in spatial and temporal dynamics which makes the 2D modelling approach challenging for control without further empirical adjustments. The necessary corrections are likely to be complex and non-physical, leading to a departure from the first principles foundation that FRED is developed from.

Exploration of Contributory Factors to an Unpleasant Bracing Experience of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients a Quantitative and Qualitative Research.

Background: To obtain a better understanding of the wearing habits and preferences of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients undergoing rigid brace treatment, we examine what factors contribute to patients’ perceived discomfort during the treatment. Methods: Seventeen AIS patients treated with a rigid brace were recruited. We asked them to complete a questionnaire and participate in an interview study. Finally, we measure the interface corrective force and perceived discomfort with the participants for different positions and assess the correlation. Results: Our survey reveals that participants scored the lowest in the domains of environmental factors, psycho-spiritual factors, satisfaction, and self-image. Appearance anxiety, physical and psychological discomfort and inconvenience were the three most frequently mentioned problems in the interviews on participants’ daily bracing experiences. A significant, moderately positive relationship between corrective force and discomfort level was found only when participants were lying on their left side, but not in any of the other positions. No significant correlation between treatment length and perceived discomfort was found. Conclusions: Future work should focus on reducing the psychological burden and the inconvenience of wearing a brace, rather than on reducing physical discomfort resulting from the corrective force.

Endowing a NAO Robot With Practical Social-Touch Perception.

Social touch is essential to everyday interactions, but current socially assistive robots have limited touch-perception capabilities. Rather than build entirely new robotic systems, we propose to augment existing rigid-bodied robots with an external touch-perception system. This practical approach can enable researchers and caregivers to continue to use robotic technology they have already purchased and learned about, but with a myriad of new social-touch interactions possible. This paper presents a low-cost, easy-to-build, soft tactile-perception system that we created for the NAO robot, as well as participants’ feedback on touching this system. We installed four of our fabric-and-foam-based resistive sensors on the curved surfaces of a NAO’s left arm, including its hand, lower arm, upper arm, and shoulder. Fifteen adults then performed five types of affective touch-communication gestures (hitting, poking, squeezing, stroking, and tickling) at two force intensities (gentle and energetic) on the four sensor locations; we share this dataset of four time-varying resistances, our sensor patterns, and a characterization of the sensors’ physical performance. After training, a gesture-classification algorithm based on a random forest identified the correct combined touch gesture and force intensity on windows of held-out test data with an average accuracy of 74.1%, which is more than eight times better than chance. Participants rated the sensor-equipped arm as pleasant to touch and liked the robot’s presence significantly more after touch interactions. Our promising results show that this type of tactile-perception system can detect necessary social-touch communication cues from users, can be tailored to a variety of robot body parts, and can provide HRI researchers with the tools needed to implement social touch in their own systems.

A needle deflection model with operating condition optimization for corrective force-based needle guidance during transrectal prostate brachytherapy.

Transrectal prostate brachytherapy (BT) involves the permanent implantation of radioactive seeds through a needle, which must be inserted along a straight path to satisfy dose distribution requirements. However, this process is complicated by bevelled needle tips that can cause deflection during penetration. In clinical practice, physicians typically rotate the bevelled tip intermittently or apply manual correction forces near the insertion point, to reduce needle deflection. While assisted rotational insertion robots have made substantial progress in the past 20 years, tissue sticking can be caused by rotation of the bevelled tip and there are currently few studies on the use of corrective forces. As such, an auxiliary needle insertion guide for transrectal prostate BT, based on corrective forces, is investigated in this study for the first time. The proposed BT guide is designed to reduce needle deflection and was experimentally verified by in vitro experiments. An energy-based deflection model was developed to predict needle motion as corrective forces were applied during insertion. An experimental platform was constructed to perform corrective force-assisted punctures, using the magnitude of the corrective force (A), the position of corrective force application (B) and the puncture speed (C) as test factors, with needle deflection as a test indicator. Design-Expert 8.0.5b software was used for simulation, and a high-definition camera acquired pictures of the needle tip as it pierced the tissue. A regression equation was also established for the test factors and test indicators, using Design-Expert software. Optimal parameter combinations (A, B and C) were determined through optimization. Calculated needle deflection values were then compared with the measured position of the needle insertion point, producing an average error of 0.39 ± 0.28 mm. Deflection was as low as 0.8 mm using optimal puncture parameters CONCLUSIONS: A needle-tissue interaction model, considering tissue nonlinearity, which experimental results demonstrated to be highly accurate. Optimal puncture parameters effectively improved puncture accuracy.

STRATEGY ANALYSIS OF HANDLING CIRCULATION AND ABUSE USING SWOT METHOD AT CLASS IIB RUTAN PRABUMULIH

This research is motivated by the increasing number of prisoners and convicts of narcotics crimes. So, it can grab the attention of the public and the government. This is based on several cases of narcotics trafficking that occurred in the correctional task force unit (UPT). The purpose of this study was to find out how the environmental conditions of the correctional task force unit (UPT) internally and externally in the strategy of dealing with drug trafficking in the Class IIB Rutan Prabumulih. This research is qualitative in nature which describes or describes the object under study and the observed phenomena on the phenomena that occur in the field. SWOT analysis is used to formulate service strategy. The results of the data management of the internal environmental strategy factors and the results of the external environmental strategy factor data management show that the condition of the prison organization is in a weak condition facing the challenges of narcotics trafficking in prisons. Therefore, the recommended strategy is a defensive or defensive strategy.
 Keywords:
 Drug Trafficking, Prisons, SWOT.

TLSO: The Effect of Spinal Translation on Initial Coronal Curve Correction, Lateral Trunk Shift, and Coronal Balance in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

ABSTRACT Introduction Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is often treated orthotically with thoracic lumbar sacral orthoses (TLSOs). The goal of these TLSOs is to improve the scoliotic curve during wear to prevent further curve progression. To achieve this in-orthosis curve improvement, clinicians often apply corrective modifications to a 3D model of the patient's trunk through computer-aided design (CAD) software, which are fabricated into the TLSO. Modifications often include laterally shifting certain portions of the orthosis to apply corrective forces to the scoliotic curve. The amount and magnitude of the shifting applied are loosely based on clinical experience and patient characteristics, but the decision is somewhat arbitrary. The purpose of this study is to determine any existing correlation between applied coronal translation (shift) through CAD modifications of TLSOs and resulting coronal curve correction in female subjects with idiopathic scoliosis. Materials and Methods Female subjects with idiopathic scoliosis who were prescribed a TLSO were included in this study. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records on age, sex, hours of TLSO wear, body mass index (BMI), and Risser sign. Radiographic Cobb angle, data regarding curve flexibility, and the amount of coronal translation used during the CAD modification process were recorded. Differences in the primary scoliotic curve were then assessed based on initial x-rays and in-orthosis x-rays to calculate the change in Cobb angle, apical vertebra translation (AVT), coronal balance (CB), and thoracic trunk shift (TTS). Results Seventeen participants were included in the study. Average measured curve flexibility was 59.64%, and applied coronal translation to the CAD model ranged from 3 to 19 mm. Average Cobb angle improvement from the initial x-ray to the first in-orthosis x-ray was 23.57%, which was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Average improvement of AVT was 6.52 mm, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CB improved by an average of 5.29 mm, and TTS improved by an average of 2.33 mm, neither of which was found to be a statistically significant improvement. No correlation was found between applied shifting in CAD modifications and Cobb angle improvement, AVT improvement, CB improvement, or TTS improvement. Conclusions These results do not support the hypothesis that greater applied lateral shifting in TLSO CAD modifications leads to greater coronal scoliotic curve correction. Orthotists are not able to predict in-orthosis coronal curve correction based on CAD modifications, spinal flexibility, and BMI alone. Additional factors play a role in the complexity of AIS treatment.

A Practical Stress Correction Method for Improving Stability of State-Based Peridynamics Based on Stress Equilibrium Equation

State-based peridynamics (SPD) is effective for simulating fracture and damage in different materials. However, the solutions may suffer from numerical instabilities, particularly for strong nonlinearity cases or large displacement cases, leading to inaccurate predictions or oscillation in responses. This paper proposed a novel practical method to solve the instability problem of SPD based on stress equilibrium equation, referred to herein as the stress correction method (SCM). A correction force is applied on each SPD point surrounding the loading points. The correction force is defined as the difference between an internal force obtained by the stress equilibrium equation and that obtained by the force states of the SPD. Four examples are presented herein to verify the accuracy and stability of the proposed method in various conditions, e.g. static and dynamic analyses of elastic and plastic models subjected to force and displacement boundary conditions.

Active Soft Brace for Scoliotic Spine: A Finite Element Study to Evaluate in-Brace Correction

Scoliosis is a spinal disorder that is conventionally treated using rigid or soft braces. Computational methods such as finite element-based models are used to investigate the mechanics of the spine and the effect of braces. Most spinal braces are either passive, static, or rigid and do not allow mobility to the spine, resulting in muscle atrophy, skin deterioration and other spine complexities. Lack of control over the amount of force being exerted by braces on the human spine could have adverse effects. Therefore, developing an active soft brace which allows mobility to the spine while applying controlled corrective forces could be a promising solution. This study presents finite element analysis (FEA) of an active soft brace that applies corrective forces using elastic bands. The pressure exerted by the brace on the spine can be controlled by varying the tensions in the elastic bands. The elastic band tensions are controlled using low-power, lightweight, and twisted string actuators (TSAs). This study aims to demonstrate the immediate corrections induced by the soft active brace using a scoliotic spine finite element (FE) model. A FE model of the patient’s trunk was created and validated with in vitro study. The brace model was installed on the simulated trunk to evaluate in-brace correction in both sagittal and coronal planes. The brace was evaluated under various load cases by simulating the actuator action.

Simulation of highly nonlinear materials based on a stabilized non-ordinary state-based peridynamic model

Peridynamics (PD) is an effective method to solve discontinuity problems that involve cracking or crushing behaviors. In the non-ordinary state-based PD (NOSBPD), the so called zero-energy mode may cause inaccuracy particularly when the material is highly nonlinear. This paper proposed a novel stabilized NOSBPD modeling method to mitigate the inaccuracy and instability of NOSBPD solutions. A correction force for a PD point is defined as the difference between an internal force obtained by stress equilibrium equation and that obtained by the force states of the points within its horizon. The correction force is applied on the PD points to be corrected, e.g., that on the boundary of a PD model. Three examples are presented demonstrating the proposed method's effectiveness in static and dynamic analyses of both linear or highly nonlinear models, i.e., 3D cap plasticity concrete model and 2D multi-yield surface soil model. The predicted responses (e.g., displacements, stresses, strains at representative points) are analyzed and compared with those without force correction for both linear and highly nonlinear cases. The proposed method is demonstrated to be an effective method for mitigating the inaccuracy and instability of the NOSBPD solutions.

Vibration analysis of permanent magnet synchronous motor using coupled finite element analysis and optimized meshless method

Conventional finite element analysis (FEA) performed in electromagnetic-vibration coupling calculation of motor suffers from several significant drawbacks, such as large memory space, high computational cost and heavy reliance on mesh quality for accurate solution. With the traditional meshless method, special attention needs to be paid to correctly impose the boundary condition like FEA. Besides, the matrix is easily prone to be ill-conditioned due to introducing large amount of higher-order basis functions. We propose a novel multi-physical coupling method combining FEA and optimized meshless method. The proposed methodology is further evaluated on the vibration analysis of a 12-slot 10-pole permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). Firstly, 2D stator electromagnetic force is simulated and derived based on the local Jacobian derivative method through FEA. The electromagnetic force spectrum is calculated using FFT analysis and further imported into commercial meshless structural simulation software SimSolid for stator harmonic response analysis. Correct force boundary condition and data mapping between meshless and FEA simulation interface are key to the accuracy of the proposed combined multi-physical modeling methodology. This is achieved by introducing new high-dimensional ramp function in the transition region between FEA and meshless domains, which are defined with the shape functions composed of the FEA and meshless method. This function satisfies the continuity and consistency of the displacement function and ensures the convergence of coupled FEA-meshless method. Subsequently, construction of basis function is key to the establishment of convention meshless discrete equation for the elastic problem of rotating machinery. This is designed by using moving least square theory in cylindrical coordinate system. A harmonic response with meshless method is analyzed by using the mode superposition method to obtain detailed mode shape data, acceleration and displacement distribution of stator. Finally, the tangential continuity and robustness are not well considered in the traditional simulation with FEA coupled meshless method. To mitigate this problem, we propose an optimized meshless method based on modified local basis functions to recalculate the harmonic response motion. Then, the coupling electromagnetic-vibration simulation results of traditional coupled FEA-meshless method, optimized coupled FEA-meshless method and complete FEA coupled method are compared. It is worth noting that the optimized method significantly improves accuracy, robustness and computational speed at the same time. In short, the proposed electromagnetic-structure coupling calculation method provides a novel alternative for the multi-physical coupling calculation of rotating machinery combining FEA and meshless simulation methods.

Recent Advances in First-Principles Based Molecular Dynamics.

First-principles molecular dynamics (FPMD) and its quantum mechanical-molecular mechanical (QM/MM) extensions are powerful tools to follow the real-time dynamics of a broad variety of systems in their ground as well as electronically excited states. The continued advances in computational power have enabled simulations of QM regions of larger sizes for more extended time scales. In addition, development of the parallel algorithms has boosted the performance of QM/MM methods even on existing computer architectures. In the case of density functional-based FPMD, systems of several hundreds to thousands of atoms can now be customarily simulated for tens to hundreds of picoseconds. In spite of this progress, the time scale limitations remain severe, especially when high-rung exchange-correlation functionals or high-level wave function based quantum mechanical methods are used. To ameliorate this, a large number of enhanced sampling methods have been introduced but most of the approaches that have been developed to increase the efficiency of FPMD based simulations sacrifice the real-time dynamics in favor of enhancing sampling. Here, we present some recent advances in boosting the efficiency of FPMD based simulations while keeping the full dynamic information. These include a highly efficient recent implementation of FPMD-based QM/MM simulations that not only enables fully flexible combinations of different electronic structure methods and force fields via a highly efficient communication library, it also fully exploits parallelism for both quantum and classical descriptions. The second type of acceleration methods we discuss is a large family of specially devised multiple-time-step algorithms that make use of suitable breakups of the total nuclear forces into fast components that can be calculated via lower level methods and slowly varying correction forces evaluated with a high-level method at long time intervals. The computational gain of this scheme mostly depends on the cost difference between the two methods and advantageous combinations can yield large speedups without compromising the accuracy of the high-level method. And finally, the third class of FPMD acceleration methods presented here are machine learning models to accelerated FPMD and their powerful combinations with multiple-time-step techniques. The combination of all the approaches enables substantial speedups of FPMD simulations of several orders of magnitude while fully preserving the real-time dynamics and accuracy.

Observing errors in a combination of error and correct models favors observational motor learning

BackgroundImitative learning is highly effective from infancy to old age; however, little is known about the effects of observing errors during imitative learning. This study aimed to examine how observing errors affected imitative learning performance to maximize its effect.MethodsIn the pre-training session, participants were instructed to pinch at a target force (8 N) with auditory feedback regarding generated force while they watched videos of someone pinching a sponge at the target force. In the pre-test, participants pinched at the target force and did not view a model or receive auditory feedback. In Experiment 1, in the main training session, participants imitated models while they watched videos of pinching at either the incorrect force (error-mixed condition) or target force (correct condition). Then, the exact force generated was measured without receiving auditory feedback or viewing a model. In Experiment 2, using the same procedures, newly recruited participants watched videos of pinching at incorrect forces (4 and 24 N) as the error condition and the correct force as the correct condition.ResultsIn Experiment 1, the average force was closer to the target force in the error-mixed condition than in the correct condition. In Experiment 2, the average force in the correct condition was closer to the target force than in the error condition.ConclusionOur findings indicated that observing error actions combined with correct actions affected imitation motor learning positively as error actions contained information on things to avoid in the target action. It provides further information to enhance imitative learning in mixed conditions compared to that with correct action alone.

An Eulerian-based immersed boundary method for particle suspensions with implicit lubrication model

We describe an immersed boundary method in which the fluid–structure coupling is achieved in an Eulerian framework. The method is an improved extension of the immersed boundary method originally developed by Kajishima et al. (2001), which accounts for the inertia of the fictitious fluid inside the particle volume and is thus able to reproduce the behavior of particles both in the case of neutrally-buoyant objects and in the presence of density difference between the particles and the fluid. The method is capable to handle the presence of multiple suspended objects, i.e., a suspension, by including a soft-sphere normal collision model, while the lubrication correction typically added to similar immersed boundary methods in order to capture the sub-grid unresolved lubrication force is here treated implicitly, i.e., naturally obtained without any explicit expression, thus no additional computation is required. We show that our methodology can successfully reproduce the rheology of a particle suspension in a shear flow up to a dense regime (with a maximum particle volume fraction around 46%) without any additional correction force. The applicability of this methodology is also tested in a turbulent pressure-driven duct flow at high Reynolds number in the presence of non-negligible inertia and non-uniform shear-rate, showing good agreement with experimental measurements.

A Novel Real-Time Clip Force Measurement Device Design for Cerebral Aneurysm Surgeries

Brain aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge of brain artery wall and may be ruptured easily causing cerebral hemorrhage with fatal consequences. For prevention of rupture of the aneurysm, clipping or coiling techniques are used. Clipping is the gold standard since coiling is not possible for some aneurysms. Neurosurgeons apply a suitable clip figure and aneurysm is ruptured under control. Since the permanent clips remain in the brain to close the artery wall after surgery, it is vital to press vein clipping with the correct force. This research aims to measure the clip closing force during the opening of the clip over the applicator. Hence, a clip force measurement system with single miniature load cell in one orthogonal direction was developed to enable measuring the closing force of the clip with higher accuracy at the time of opening the clip. Thanks to the miniature load cell, the mechanical design placed on the applicator made it possible to measure the force applied to the clip closing force. For placing this user friendly design onto the applicator, not obstructing the field of the neurosurgeon is also considered. The verification of the design has proven its ability of measuring the clip closing forces in real time by comparing the catalog values of the clips. Under the same experimental conditions, the closing forces for 10 clips in different figures were achieved with a maximum catalog value difference of 4.11%. Standard deviation of the results shows a very strong similarity between measurement and catalogue values.

A Δ-machine learning approach for force fields, illustrated by a CCSD(T) 4-body correction to the MB-pol water potential

In this paper we proposed a Δ-machine learning approach to correct general many-body force fields. We illustrate this approach by adding a 4-body correction to the MB-pol water potential to bring it to a higher level of accuracy.

Molar uprighting using a newly designed segmental wire: a case report

Abstract The ectopic eruption path of a permanent molar can cause incomplete emergence through interference by an adjacent tooth, early loss of a primary molar, or an arch length discrepancy. It is clinically important to determine the appropriate appliance that may easily be placed for the considered application of a molar corrective force. A newly designed appliance is introduced for the distal uprighting of an ectopically erupting molar and supported by two case presentations. The current technique of using a segmental wire incorporating double-sided hooks may easily and effectively resolve this problem.

PENGARUH MEDIA SOSIAL TERHADAP PRESTASI BELAJAR TARUNA POLITEKNIK ILMU PEMASYARAKATAN

This study aims to see the effect of the use of social media on the academic achievement of cadets at the Correctional Sciences Polytechnic, especially the Correctional Management study program. The research method uses a quantitative approach. The population used in this study were all cadets of the Correctional Management study program Force 53 as many as 101 cadets with a research sample of 81 cadets selected through simple random sampling technique. . The data collection method used is by distributing online questionnaires to the cadets. The data analysis technique used is simple linear regression analysis using SBM SPSS 23. The results show that there is a strong positive influence between the use of social media and the cadets' learning achievement seen from the results of the determination test where the R value as the correlation coefficient is 0.754 > 0,5. From the results of simple linear regression analysis, it is stated that the regression coefficient of the Social Media variable (X) is 13,587 which means that for every 1% increase in the value of the Social Media variable, the learning achievement variable (Y) will increase by 0.560X. Because the nature of the regression is directly proportional, it can be seen that the greater the influence of social media, the learning achievement will increase. In conclusion, social media has an influence on cadets' learning achievement.

Truer Facts Through Stronger Values: Confronting Science's Sociopolitical Realities.

Assaults on science have led scientists to demand "politics-free/values-free" science that safeguards science against error by grounding it in "politically neutral" evidence. Considering racial disparities in lead poisoning, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19, we show the solution is doomed. Politically charged beliefs are essential for assessing public-health research; thus, the beliefs' truth affects the research's accuracy. However, science's sociopolitical uses systematically distort politically charged beliefs. Since errors assimilate into our scientific corpus and inform new hypotheses, scientists need accurate sociopolitical theories of distorting forces to identify errors. Analyzing Black-Panther opposition to violence research, we argue since racial disparities structure society and science has been distorted to buttress racial inequities, knowledgeable anti-racist scientists exert corrective forces on research. They hold accurate politically charged beliefs about sociopolitical forces shaping science and health, and are committed to eradicating distortions. Thus, rather than quarantining politically charged beliefs, scientists should sharpen their sociopolitical theories and normative commitments.

Optimized scheme for paired transverse corrective forces in S-shaped scoliosis via ultrasound and application in Chêneau brace: a pilot study.

Background:There is currently no consensus on the optimal positions of the transverse corrective forces (TCFs) for scoliosis braces.Objectives:This study aimed to explore an optimal scheme of placing paired TCF for S-shaped adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and its feasibility in Chêneau brace (CB) treatment.Study design:Cross-over feasibility pilot trial.Methods:Ten S-shaped adolescent idiopathic scoliosis participants were invited to receive four tests with different paired TCF positions under ultrasound. The positions of the paired TCF were test 1: thoracic apical vertebra (AV), lumbar AV; test 2: 2 cm inferior to thoracic AV, lumbar AV; test 3: thoracic AV, 2 cm superior to lumbar AV; and test 4: 2 cm inferior to thoracic AV, 2 cm superior to lumbar AV. The test scheme with the highest mean in-force correction rate (IFCR) for the thoracic spinous process angle (SPA) was further applied in the CB fabrication of 4 additional participants.Results:A significant higher mean IFCR of the thoracic SPA of 63.6% was found in test 2 (P < 0.001), which also contributed to its higher overall IFCR of the SPA of 64.6% (P = 0.001). Moreover, the mean in-brace correction rates for the thoracic and overall curves in CB were 46.4% and 51.8%, respectively. No adverse events were reported.Conclusions:Placing paired TCF at the lumbar AV and 2 cm inferior to the thoracic AV achieved better treatment efficacy than other schemes. The practical application of this scheme on the CB was feasible.