Kinematic Effects Research Articles

Investigating Implicit and Explicit Communication of Highly Automated Vehicles in Japan: How do Light-band eHMIs affect Pedestrians’ Willingness to Cross, Trust and Perceived Safety?

In the near future, pedestrians will face highly automated vehicles on the roads. Highly automated vehicles (HAVs) should have safety-enhancing communication tools to guarantee traffic safety, e.g., vehicle kinematics and external human–machine interfaces (eHMIs). Pedestrians, as highly vulnerable road users, depend on communication with HAVs. Miscommunication between pedestrians and HAVs could quickly result in accidents, and this, in turn, could cause severe impairments for pedestrians. Light-band eHMIs have the potential to enhance traffic safety. However, eHMIs have been less explored in Japan so far. As a first-time approach, this experimental online study shed light on the effect of a light-band eHMI on Japanese pedestrians (N=99). In short video sequences, the participants interacted with two differently sized HAVs equipped with light-band eHMI. We investigated the effect of vehicle size (small vs. large), eHMI status (no eHMI vs. static eHMI vs. dynamic eHMI), and vehicle kinematics (yielding vs. non-yielding) on pedestrians’ willingness to cross, trust, and perceived safety. To investigate possible side effects of eHMIs, we also included experimental conditions in which the eHMI mismatched the vehicle’s kinematics. Results revealed that Japanese were more willing to cross the street and indicated higher trust- and safety ratings when they received information about the vehicle’s intention and automation status (dynamic eHMI) compared to when they received no information (no eHMI) or only about the vehicle automation status (static eHMI). Surprisingly, Japanese participants tended to rely on the eHMI when there was mismatching information between eHMI and vehicle kinematics. Overall, we concluded that light-band eHMIs could contribute to a safe future interaction between pedestrians and HAVs in Japan under the requirement that the eHMI is in accordance with vehicle kinematics.

The Neutron Star Mass, Distance, and Inclination from Precision Timing of the Brilliant Millisecond Pulsar J0437-4715

The observation of neutron stars enables the otherwise impossible study of fundamental physical processes. The timing of binary radio pulsars is particularly powerful, as it enables precise characterization of their (three-dimensional) positions and orbits. PSR J0437–4715 is an important millisecond pulsar for timing array experiments and is also a primary target for the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER). The main aim of the NICER mission is to constrain the neutron star equation of state by inferring the compactness (M p /R) of the star. Direct measurements of the mass M p from pulsar timing therefore substantially improve constraints on the radius R and the equation of state. Here we use observations spanning 26 yr from Murriyang, the 64 m Parkes radio telescope, to improve the timing model for this pulsar. Among the new precise measurements are the pulsar mass M p = 1.418 ± 0.044 M ⊙, distance D = 156.96 ± 0.11 pc, and orbital inclination angle i = 137.°506 ± 0.°016, which can be used to inform the X-ray pulse profile models inferred from NICER observations. We demonstrate that these results are consistent between multiple data sets from the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array (PPTA), each modeled with different noise assumptions. Using the longest available PPTA data set, we measure an apparent second derivative of the pulsar spin frequency and discuss how this can be explained either by kinematic effects due to the proper motion and radial velocity of the pulsar or excess low-frequency noise such as a gravitational-wave background.

Effects of Shoulder Corrective Training Program on Pitching Loads and Sonographic Morphology in Elbow Joint in Youth Baseball Players.

Chen, P-T, Lin, Y-C, Chang, H-Y, Chiu, C-H, Chen, C-Y, Chen, P, and Lin, Y-H. Effects of shoulder corrective training program on pitching loads and sonographic morphology in elbow joint in youth baseball players. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): e440-e447, 2024-We assessed the effects of a 12-week shoulder corrective training program for shoulder flexibility and strengthening on pitching loads and sonographic morphology of the elbow joints in youth baseball players. Seventeen subjects were recruited and underwent evaluations before and after the training program. We found that following training, subjects demonstrated significantly increased ranges of shoulder internal rotation (38.9 ± 12.9° vs. 69.2 ± 10.8°, p < 0.001), external rotation (91.2 ± 14.6° vs. 107.3 ± 9.5°, p = 0.004), and horizontal adduction (21.5 ± 8.0° vs. 32.7 ± 7.3°, p = 0.002); improved strength in the shoulder internal rotators (8.7 ± 1.6 kg vs. 9.8 ± 2.1 kg, p = 0.04), external rotators (6.5 ± 1.9 kg vs. 7.5 ± 2.8 kg, p = 0.04), middle trapezius (12.7 ± 2.1 kg vs. 14.3 ± 2.4 kg, p = 0.04), and middle deltoid muscles (10.8 ± 3.3 kg vs. 14.8 ± 3.2 kg, p = 0.001); and decreased thickness of the ulnar collateral ligament (6.1 ± 0.6 mm vs. 4.8 ± 0.7 mm, p = 0.002). Although there was no substantial change in elbow torque and arm speed, significantly increased ball speed (51.2 ± 4.6 mph vs. 54.1 ± 4.5 mph, p < 0.001) and decreased arm slot (63.8 ± 11.9° vs. 53.0 ± 12.7°, p = 0.02) were observed. We suggest that adequate corrective training should be performed regularly to minimize or mitigate adverse soft tissue changes at the elbow in youth baseball players. Balanced shoulder strength and flexibility may decrease medial elbow stress during pitching. Future studies should consider the kinetic and kinematic effects of other corrective training programs on the shoulder or elbow joint during pitching.

МЕХАНИЗМЫ РАЗРУШЕНИЯ РАСТИТЕЛЬНОГО СЫРЬЯ В ВАЛКОВОЙ ДРОБИЛКЕ С НАБОРНЫМИ ПЛАСТИНАМИ В ФОРМЕ РК-ПРОФИЛЯ

The purpose of the study is to substantiate the application of a new kinematic scheme for crushing plant materials (cereals and fruit plants) to implement the design of a roller crusher with composite plates in the form of an RT-profile. To achieve the objective of research, a number of tasks were set to study the main object – the kinematic scheme of crushing. The paper examines in detail the specified crushing scheme as a static and kinematic scheme of interaction between the elements of the crusher and the crushed raw material; the possibility of combining a number of different destruction mechanisms in this scheme is noted, namely: compression, tension, abrasion, impact action; the effect of constant change in the direction and magnitude of the forces acting on the crushed material is noted; geometric and power characteristics of the new design of the roller crusher are investigated. The analysis of the new kinematic scheme of grinding allows us to draw the following conclusion: alternating loads appear in the system, ac-ting on the raw material being ground as a result of various destructive forces, which allow us to achieve an additional increase in the intensity of material (raw material) grinding and, as a consequence, an increase in the efficiency of the grinding process as a whole. The substantiation of the kinematic and force effects affecting the raw material being ground in the crushing zone is also given, taking into account the elastic-plastic properties of various types of agricultural products. The result of the analysis of the stress-strain state of the rolls in the grinding zone is given, taking into account the most unfavorable conditions of the impact of substances with different mechanical properties on the working parts of the crusher. The necessity of implementing a new grinding scheme is substantiated and design options are proposed in the form of a crusher with set plates in the form of an RT-profile.

Distinct Motion Control Strategy during Unanticipated Landing: Transitioning from Copers to Chronic Ankle Instability

Background: Patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) demonstrated altered movement patterns during unanticipated landing compared to coper patients. Understanding the effects of kinematics, dynamics and energetics on individual movement patterns during landing could enhance motor control strategies for patients with ankle sprains while avoiding the transition of coper patients to CAI patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in movement patterns of coper patients compared to CAI patients during the unanticipated landings; Methods: Fifteen individuals with CAI (age: 22.8±1.4 years; height: 180.1±4.2 cm; weight: 81.5±5.8 kg) and fifteen copers (age: 23.1±1.2 years; height: 179.8±4.4 cm, weight: 80.4±6.2 kg) participated in an unanticipated landing task, during which three-dimensional motion capture, ground reaction force (GRF), and muscle activation data were collected. A musculoskeletal model was used to estimate muscle force and joint power among these two groups. Joint power was calculated as the product of angular velocity in the sagittal plane and joint moment data, reflecting the energy transfer at the ankle, knee, and hip joints. Furthermore, energy dissipation and generation within these joints were determined by integrating specific regions of the joint power curve; Results: Individuals with CAI demonstrated a greater muscle force in the vastus lateralis compared copers during the unanticipated landing task, while copers exhibited higher peak muscle forces in the medial gastrocnemius (p=0.007), lateral gastrocnemius (p=0.002), soleus (p=0.004). The muscle activation patterns of CAI patients also differ from those of coper patients. Compared to copers, CAI patients exhibit earlier activation of the rectus femoris (p&lt;0.001) and lateral gastrocnemius muscles (p=0.042). Conversely, copers demonstrate earlier activation of the soleus (p=0.004) and medial gastrocnemius (p=0.003) muscles. In addition, joint power in CAI individuals during unanticipated landing shifted from the ankle to the knee and hip (p&lt;0.001); Conclusions: These findings suggest that individuals with CAI exhibit a change in motion control strategy during unanticipated landing tasks. The variations in peak forces and the ability of proximal muscles to generate force might enable them to offset the deficits noted in distal muscles. Energy redistribution issues observed in CAI patients may help to prevent the transition of coper patients towards developing CAI patients.

A binary-medium-based constitutive model for rocks under cyclic loading

The present study extends the existing three-scale constitutive model to investigate the mechanical response of mudstone under cyclic loading conditions. The research framework encompasses macro, meso, and micro scales, with the mudstone sample treated as a macro Representative Volume Element (RVE) at the macroscale, bonded and frictional elements with distinct mesostructures at the mesoscale, and three-phase composites with varying micro-component contents at the microscale. The transitions at micro, meso, and macro scales are realized through various homogenization methods and the refined binary medium framework.To enhance the model’s predictive capabilities under cyclic loading, isotropic and kinematic hardening effects are introduced to capture the elastoplastic behavior of the frictional elements. To further enhance the model’s numerical stability and convergence, the fixed-point iteration method is introduced to leverage the relationships among macroscopic strain, and the strains of the bonded and frictional elements within the binary-medium framework. Model verification against experimental data enables the prediction of stress and deformation patterns in mudstone samples subjected to cyclic loading, with a notable reduction in model parameters. The model’s enhanced capabilities in capturing material behavior and numerical stability make it a valuable tool for analyzing the response of mudstone structures to cyclic loading scenarios.

Evaluation of a passive wearable arm ExoNET.

Wearable ExoNETs offer a novel, wearable solution to support and facilitate upper extremity gravity compensation in healthy, unimpaired individuals. In this study, we investigated the safety and feasibility of gravity compensating ExoNETs on 10 healthy, unimpaired individuals across a series of tasks, including activities of daily living and resistance exercises. The direct muscle activity and kinematic effects of gravity compensation were compared to a sham control and no device control. Mixed effects analysis revealed significant reductions in muscle activity at the biceps, triceps and medial deltoids with effect sizes of -3.6%, -4.5%, and -7.2% rmsMVC, respectively, during gravity support. There were no significant changes in movement kinematics as evidenced by minimal change in coverage metrics at the wrist. These findings reveal the potential for the ExoNET to serve as an alternative to existing bulky and encumbering devices in post-stroke rehabilitation settings and pave the way for future clinical trials.

Neutron emission from a source moving in a gravitational field

This work is devoted to the problem of neutron field formation near elliptical orbits of space objects equipped with nuclear power plants. The high-energy part of the fission spectrum is not affected by the gravitational field. Radiation safety is ensured by the triad fair for a point source: activity-distance-time. The connection between space object orbit parameters and neutron flux density occurs for the thermal (near-thermal) part of the spectrum. The possibility of formation of a stable neutron trace in the volume of a «torus» around the orbit of a space object is considered. The paper presents theoretical and numerical evidence of the validity of the hypothesis put forward. The introduction considers the separation effect of Galileo's relativity principle in the case of rectilinear uniform motion of a point isotropic neutron source on a plane. The occurrence of angular asymmetry of the neutron distribution in a stationary coordinate system when their relative velocity is close to the transport velocity of the source is illustrated. Under these conditions, a significant velocity dispersion of initially monochromatic neutrons is also recorded. This expected fundamental kinematic effect determines the characteristic distribution of neutrons in the gravitational field when the source moves along the Kepler orbit. The solution of the problem is carried out in the velocity space. It is argued that if the distribution of neutrons in the velocity space is such that their velocities are collinear to the orbital velocity of the source, this indicates the existence of a neutron flux near the orbit. The problem is analysed on the example of one revolution of a hypothetical space station by simulation modelling. For this purpose, thermal neutron packets with isotropic angular distribution were generated at eight points of an elliptical orbit. The neutron and source velocity fluxes at the selected points of the orbit were compared in a coordinate system related to the earth. The obtained data made it possible to calculate the densities of neutron velocity fluxes to the front and rear hemispheres relative to the source orbital motion as a function of the polar angle, while the value of the determinant of the correlation matrix – an indicator of collinearity of neutron velocity vectors in the flux - was fixed. The results of the studies confirm the hypothesis put forward about the possibility of formation of a «trace» in the orbit of a thermal neutron source, which determines the need to take it into account as a significant component of radiation risk.

A method for quantitatively depicting the influence of vortices on the pressure forces acting on a hydrofoil in cavitating flow with tip clearance

In this paper, the force decomposition method (FDM) is proposed for decomposing the pressure forces acting on the immersed body. The major improvement in FDM is the applicability in RANS and LES simulations with non-constant density flows, e.g. cavitating flow. In the single-phase flow over a circular cylinder (Re = 3900), the FDM results show excellent agreement with the pressure force given by conventional method. In the cavitating flow over a hydrofoil with tip clearance, FDM can also reproduce the same tendency of the pressure force with an average deviation below 17%. In this case, the vorticity and kinematic effect induced force dominates the pressure force. In order to isolate the effect of attached cavitation near the suction side and tip clearance cavitation, a method combing domain cutting (manually) and cell extracting (by a threshold of vorticity magnitude) is proposed. The lift caused by vorticity force is mainly affected by the vortices shedding from the suction side of the hydrofoil. Also, the tip clearance region should not be ignored, where the lift generation by TLV is the interaction of strong shear and rotating flows.

Biomechanical evaluation of 3D-printed joint-type orthosis for hallux valgus.

Orthoses play an important role in the conservative treatment of hallux valgus (HV) with different therapeutic effects. In this study, a new HV orthosis was developed using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. In addition, its kinematic effect was evaluated using motion analysis. Seventeen participants with an HV angle of >20° were included in the study. The first metatarsophalangeal abduction angle before and after the orthosis was measured statically. Subsequently, dynamic first metatarsophalangeal abduction, dorsiflexion angle and ground reaction force with and without the orthosis were recorded and calculated during walking using a Vicon motion analysis system and force plates. The patients' comfort scales were determined after the motion analysis. The angular corrections of the orthosis in the first metatarsophalangeal abduction were 14.6° and 6.3° under static and dynamic conditions, respectively. Reduced hallux dorsiflexion was observed with the orthosis in the early stance phase. However, no significant changes in ground reaction forces were observed. The results of our study confirm the potential of the 3D-printed HV orthosis in the static and dynamic correction of deformities while ensuring patient comfort with minimal impact on hallux kinematics, suggesting the potential of our design for long-term use.

Effect of Movement Kinematics and Heat-Treated Alloys on the Apical Extrusion of Debris: An In Vitro Study

Background: Apically extruded debris can be affected by some features of the file systems such as kinematics or metallurgic properties. Aims: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of movement kinematics (reciprocation or rotation) and heat-treated alloys (C.Wire) on the amount of debris extrusion. Methods: Seventy-two mesiobuccal root canals were assigned into three experimental groups related to the single-file system used (n = 24): two rotational; One Shape (Conventional Ni-Ti), One Curve (C.Wire), and one reciprocating; and One Reci (C.Wire). The file systems were used according to the advisable speed and torque according to the manufacturers’ suggestion. The weight of debris was calculated by subtracting the preweights from postweights of Eppendorf tubes. Kruskall–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data (P = 0.05). Results: One Shape produced the greatest amount of extruded debris compared with One Curve (P &lt; 0.001) and One Reci (P &lt; 0.001), respectively. No statistical difference was found between One Curve and One Reci concerning amount of apical debris extrusion (P = 0.489). Conclusion: Metallurgical properties of files may affect apical debris extrusion. Alloy type is an important factor in the amount of debris extrusion. File kinematics does not affect apical debris extrusion.

Efficacy of heel lifts for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (the LIFT trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundMid-portion Achilles tendinopathy is a common condition, characterised by localised Achilles tendon load-related pain and dysfunction. Numerous non-surgical treatments have been proposed for the treatment of this condition, but many of these treatments have a poor or non-existent evidence base. Heel lifts have also been advocated as a treatment for Achilles tendinopathy, but the efficacy and mechanism of action of this intervention is unclear. This proposal describes a randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of heel lifts versus sham heel lifts for reducing pain associated with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy, with an embedded biomechanical analysis.MethodsOne hundred and eight men and women aged 18 to 65 years with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (who satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria) will be recruited. Participants will be randomised, using the website Sealed Envelope, to either a control group (sham heel lifts) or an experimental group (heel lifts). Both groups will be provided with education regarding acceptable pain levels to ensure all participants receive some form of treatment. The participants will be instructed to use their allocated intervention for at least 8 h every day for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure will be pain intensity (numerical rating scale) at its worst over the previous week. The secondary outcome measures will be additional measures of Achilles tendon pain and disability, participant-perceived global ratings of change, function, level of physical activity and health-related quality of life. Data will be collected at baseline and the primary endpoint (week 12). Data will be analysed using the intention-to-treat principle. In addition, the acute kinetic and kinematic effects of the interventions will be examined at baseline in a subpopulation of the participants (n = 40) while walking and running using three-dimensional motion analysis.DiscussionThe LIFT trial (efficacy of heeL lIfts For mid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy) will be the first randomised trial to compare the efficacy of heel lifts to a sham intervention in reducing pain and disability in people with Achilles tendinopathy. The biomechanical analysis will provide useful insights into the mechanism of action of heel lifts.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12623000627651. Registered 7 June 2023.

Kinematic Effects of Derotational Osteotomy of the Humerus in Patients with Internal Shoulder Contracture Secondary to Erb's Palsy-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Internal rotation contractures of the shoulder are common sequelae of conservatively treated obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) with incomplete spontaneous neurological recovery. Humerus derotation osteotomy has been suggested as a possible treatment option to improve arm positioning. However, consensus as to whether humerus derotation osteotomy can successfully restore limb function is missing. Methods: In the present controlled cohort study, we aimed at analyzing global upper extremity kinematics with a 3D-video analysis system in children with shoulder internal rotation contractures secondary to OBPP before, and one year after, humerus derotation osteotomy. Patients under 18 years of age that presented to our center with conservatively treated internal rotation contractures of the shoulder and subsequently underwent humerus derotation osteotomy were included. The unimpaired arm served as a respective control. Results: Pre-operatively, all patients showed severe internal rotation contractures of the shoulder of almost 60° at rest. At the follow-up, the position of the shoulder at rest was greatly shifted to 9° of internal rotation. The patients showed statistically significant improvement in maximum external rotation and abduction of the shoulder, as well as in maximum flexion of the elbow, and the range of motion of pro/supination. The maximum internal rotation of the shoulder, however, was diminished after the osteotomy. Conclusions: Our data indicated that derotational osteotomy is a promising procedure which can be used to correct for internal rotation contractures secondary to OBPP. Moreover, 3D-video analysis proved to be a useful tool that supplies the surgeon with both precise information about the degree of distortion pre-operatively, thus helping to decide on the amount of correction, and secondly, a measurement of the post-operative gain in upper extremity function.

From Visions to Reality: Investigating the Interplay of Vehicle Kinematics and Light-band eHMI in a Real Vehicle Study

Highly automated vehicles (HAVs) will interact with pedestrians in urban environments. This requires efficient communication tools to ensure mutual understanding. Past research showed that pedestrians mostly used vehicle kinematics to communicate with vehicles, e.g., the vehicle’s speed and distance. However, pedestrians required further explicit communication signals when the traffic situation was ambiguous. Light-band external human–machine interfaces (eHMIs) transmit additional explicit communication signals to pedestrians, e.g., the vehicle’s yielding intent. To this point, the precise interplay of vehicle kinematics and eHMIs for HAVs has not yet been determined. Nevertheless, previous research showed that combining both means of communication has great potential to increase pedestrian perceived safety and to ensure a safe interaction. Only a little research used real vehicle studies to investigate the interaction between pedestrians and HAVs in a close-to-reality experimental setting. However, this would ensure the transferability of experimental results to future urban traffic. Therefore, this study aimed to address this research gap by investigating the effects of vehicle kinematics, eHMIs, and their interplay in a real-world pedestrian crossing on pedestrians’ behaviors and subjective evaluations. In this field experiment, we applied a light-band eHMI on a Wizard-of-Oz test vehicle, an actual vehicle instructed as an HAV. We investigated the effects of vehicle kinematics (early yielding vs. late yielding) and the eHMI status (no eHMI, static eHMI, dynamic eHMI) on pedestrians’ crossing behavior and subjective evaluation in a low-speed real-world setting. The static eHMI displayed the vehicle automation status by a static illuminated eHMI. The dynamic eHMI conveyed the automation status and the vehicle’s yielding intent. This study focused particularly on the interplay of vehicle kinematics and eHMI status. We assumed that the crossing initiation was shorter when a dynamic eHMI was combined with an early yielding compared to a late yielding in this real-world setting. Moreover, we hypothesized that pedestrians’ subjective evaluations are more positive for a well-coordinated interplay of eHMI and vehicle kinematics. The results showed that pedestrians initiated their crossing earlier with dynamic eHMI vs. no eHMI or static eHMI. Furthermore, they perceived a dynamic eHMI as safer and more trustworthy compared to no eHMI or a static eHMI. Combining an early yielding and dynamic eHMI increased participants’ perceived safety of the vehicle behavior and trust and improved pedestrians’ affective evaluations compared to a late yielding with dynamic eHMI. Overall, this real vehicle study highlighted the importance of implicit and explicit communication signals and their well-coordinated interplay for pedestrians’ future interactions with HAVs in a real-world setting.

Numerical modelling of diaphragm wall construction

AbstractDiaphragm walls are rectangular shaped cast in place deep foundations. There are two critical phenomena occurring, according to which the final quality can be affected: bentonite suspension exfiltration and concrete placement. Some imperfections seem to appear recurrently on the surface of the final wall. The defects are known as shadowing pathologies. The main reasons can be attributed to the dual effect of exfiltration mechanisms and kinematics of concrete flow. The objective of this study is developing a numerical tool to prevent the appearance of shadowing pathologies by visualizing the concrete flow in the presence of a bentonite suspension. This paper presents the results obtained from 2D and 3D models of diaphragm wall construction using COMSOL Multiphysics. The CFD model helped in solving a multifluid and particularly a two‐phase flow. The 2D modeling has considered a fresh slurry and an exfiltrated (or polluted) suspension neighboring soil and followed concrete flow with two rheological behaviors in two reinforcement configurations. Then, 3D simulations were compared to actual experimentation results, which were undertaken to construct diaphragm walls in the laboratory. By comparing the results of the simulations to the experimental outcomes, it has been possible to validate the model. The resulting simulations could clearly explain the occurrence of the pathology where the flow pattern and volume fraction of the fluid flow were determined. From the results obtained, it can be conducted that a compliant concrete mix but at the lower limit for the consistency recommendations, leads to pathologies, just like a polluted slurry.

A Framework for Modeling, Optimization, and Musculoskeletal Simulation of an Elbow–Wrist Exosuit

The light weight and compliance of exosuits are valuable benefits not present rigid exoskeleton devices, yet these intriguing features make it challenging to properly model and simulate their interaction with the musculoskeletal system. Tendon-driven exosuits adopt an electrical motor combined with pulleys and cable transmission in the actuation stage. An important aspect of the design of these systems for the load transfer efficacy and comfort of the user is the anchor point positioning. In this paper, we propose a framework, whose first purpose is as a design methodology for the synthesis of an exosuit device, achieved by optimizing the anchor point location. The optimization procedure finds the best 3D position of the anchor points based on the interaction forces between the exosuit and the upper arm. The computation of the forces is based on the combination of a mathematical model of a wrist–elbow exosuit and a dynamic model of the upper arm. Its second purpose is the simulation of the kinematic and physiological effects of the interaction between the arm, the exosuit, and the complex upper limb musculoskeletal system. It offers insights into muscular and exoskeleton loading during operation. The presented experiments involve the development and validation of personalized musculoskeletal models, with kinematic, anthropometric, and electromyographic data measured in a load-lifting task. Simulation of the exosuit operation—coupled with the musculoskeletal model—showed the efficacy of the suit in assisting the wrist and elbow muscles and provided interesting highlights about the impact of the assistance on shoulder muscles. Finally, we provide a possible design of an elbow and wrist exosuit based on the optimized results.

The effect of different instrumentation kinematics on the change in substance P levels in patients with symptomatic apical periodontitis. A randomized controlled trial

The effect of different instrumentation kinematics on the change in substance P levels in patients with symptomatic apical periodontitis. A randomized controlled trial

Joint extension speed dictates bio-inspired morphing trajectories for optimal longitudinal flight dynamics.

Avian wing morphing allows dynamic, active control of complex flight manoeuvres. Previous linear time-invariant (LTI) models have quantified the effect of varying fixed wing configurations but the time-dependent effects of morphing between different configurations is not well understood. To fill this gap, I implemented a linear parameter-varying (LPV) model for morphing wing gull flight. This approach models the wing joint angles as scheduled parameters and accounts for nonlinear kinematic and gravitational effects while interpolating between LTI models at discrete trim points. With the resulting model, I investigated the longitudinal response associated with various joint extension trajectories. By optimizing the extension trajectory for four independent objectives (speed and pitch angle overshoot, speed rise time and pitch angle settling time), I found that the extension trajectory inherent to the gull wing does not guarantee an optimal response but may provide a sufficient response with a simpler mechanical implementation. Furthermore, the results indicated that gulls likely require extension speed feedback. This morphing LPV model provides insights into underlying control mechanisms, which may allow for avian-like flight in future highly manoeuvrable uncrewed aerial vehicles.

Prediction of the fatigue life in a textured AZ31 Mg alloy as a function of orientation using fatigue indicator parameters

Computational homogenization was used to simulate the mechanical response of a textured AZ31Mg alloy subjected to fully-reversed cyclic deformation. The behavior of each grain in the polycrystal followed a phenomenological crystal plasticity model that considered different deformation mechanisms, namely pyramidal, basal, and prismatic slip, as well as twinning and detwinning. It also accounted for both kinematic and isotropic hardening effects. The crystal plasticity model's parameters were adjusted to replicate the cyclic stress-strain curves along three different orientations (rolling direction, normal direction and at 45° between the rolling and normal directions) at different cyclic strain semi-amplitudes. Three different fatigue indicator parameters were calculated from the simulations, based on the accumulated plastic shear strain in one stabilized fatigue cycle from basal slip and pyramidal slip, and from the shear strain accommodated by twinning/de-twinning during one fatigue cycle. The predictions of the fatigue life based on the fatigue indicator parameters were compared with the experimental results for the three orientations. It was found that the most accurate prediction was obtained by using the fatigue indicator parameter associated with twinning/de-twinning. Thus, it is concluded that fatigue cracks nucleated at twin boundaries control the fatigue life of textured Mg alloys.

Analyzing the effect of elliptical vibration assistance in machining of Zr-based BMG

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are known as amorphous metal alloys that have a distinct advantage compared to crystalline metal alloys due to fewer microstructural defects. Elliptical vibration-assisted machining (EVAM) is a promising technique to improve the machining performance of high-strength materials. This paper addresses a knowledge gap by investigating the chip formation mechanism in EVAM of Zr-BMG considering the shear localization due to its amorphous structure. A coupled thermo-mechanical model including the effect of vibration kinematics on Zr-BMG deformation mechanics is proposed. The effects of tool-workpiece separation, speed ratio, and strain rate on shear stress, temperature, and free volume variations due to chip segmentation are predicted and analyzed. The predicted chip formation from the developed model is validated through the comparison of chip morphology with experimental results of EVAM of Zr-BMG. The model reveals the underlying mechanism of material deformation during EVAM of Zr-BMG. According to the simulations and experimental results, the shear localization phenomena in EVAM is delayed due to insignificant changes in free volume, and enhanced heat dissipation resulted in lower temperatures in the cutting zone caused by tool-workpiece separation. Compared to traditional machining, the disparity in temperature generation and free volume diffusion in EVAM reduces as the speed ratio increases. The suppressed accumulation of periodic shear and thermal stresses at the tool tip increases the tool life in EVAM compared to the fractured tool tip in traditional machining.