scholarly journals Performance Optimization of Polymer Fibre Actuators for Soft Robotics

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan D. Rukhlenko ◽  
Syamak Farajikhah ◽  
Charles Lilley ◽  
Andre Georgis ◽  
Maryanne Large ◽  
...  

Analytical modeling of soft pneumatic actuators constitutes a powerful tool for the systematic design and characterization of these key components of soft robotics. Here, we maximize the quasi-static bending angle of a soft pneumatic actuator by optimizing its cross-section for a fixed positive pressure inside it. We begin by formulating a general theoretical framework for the analytical calculation of the bending angle of pneumatic actuators with arbitrary cross-sections, which is then applied to an actuator made of a circular polymer tube and an asymmetric patch in the shape of a hollow-cylinder sector on its outer surface. It is shown that the maximal bending angle of this actuator can be achieved using a wide range of patches with different optimal dimensions and approximately the same cross-sectional area, which decreases with pressure. We also calculate the optimal dimensions of thin and small patches in thin pneumatic actuators. Our analytical results lead to clear design guidelines, which may prove useful for engineering and optimization of the key components of soft robotics with superior features.

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olutoyin A. Fashae ◽  
Adetoye Faniran

Abstract Rivers constitute an important focus of attention in surface water studies because of their dynamic nature. Therefore, natural rivers develop a wide range of channel forms whose characteristics vary as a function of the position within the fluvial systems. This study examined the river channel morphologic parameters along the alluvial section of River Ogun in South western Nigeria. Data on the channel morphologic variables were collected through field measurement of the bankfull cross sectional characteristics of the river from where the longitudinal characteristics were defined. 48 cross sections were randomly established at bankfull stage along the river channel stretch of 90 km. Bankfull depth and width at each of the cross sections were determined using sonar (electronic sounding machine) that was mounted to a boat. Velocity was measured with the aid of a current meter, while other morphological parameters were estimated from the field data. Analysis of variance revealed that downstream morphological characteristics of the river varies distinctively at each cross section with bedslope as the most significantly varied among all other morphologic parameters (F=91.18; P=0.00). Pearson product moment correlation technique revealed that bankfull width had a correlation of 0.8 and 0.9 with wetted perimeter and cross sectional area respectively while bankfull depth (maximum) had correlations of 0.9, 0.8 and 0.78 with hydraulic radius, wetted perimeter and cross sectional area respectively. The research also revealed that gradient affects the discharge with a positive correlation of 0.9. The study ascertains the extent of variability in the morphologic characteristic of River Ogun which provides scientific basis for river maintenance and management.


2016 ◽  
Vol 853 ◽  
pp. 301-305
Author(s):  
Shameem Ahmed ◽  
Mahmud Ashraf ◽  
Mohammad Anwar-Us-Saadat

Structural stainless steel design guidelines should appropriately recognise its characteristic beneficial properties such as material nonlinearity and significant strain hardening. The Continuous Strength Method (CSM) exploits those through a strain based approach for both stocky and slender cross-sections. In this paper, a new design method is proposed that combines the CSM with Perry type buckling curves. Numerical models were developed to investigate effects of various parameters on column strength and to develop full column curves. It was observed that material nonlinearity significantly influence column strengths, and hence, different column curves were developed for a total of 20 material property combinations by calibrating imperfection factor and limiting slenderness ratio for each set. Proposed method includes the strain hardening benefits for stocky section, and abolished the necessity of calculating effective cross-sectional properties for slender sections. Performance of the proposed technique is compared against those obtained by the Eurocode EN1993-1-4.


2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (a1) ◽  
pp. C415-C415
Author(s):  
Manfred Kriechbaum

The radius of gyration (Rg) is one of the most common parameters to be extracted from small-angle X-ray/neutron scattering (SAXS, SANS) measurements of nanoparticles and combines information about size, shape, symmetry and homogeneity in one single value. The analytical expressions for Rg are well known for simple geometric shapes (spheres, ellipsoids, cylinders, cubes). In this work, the analytical equations for Rg for other homogeneous (constant electron or scattering length density) shapes like cones, pyramids, paraboloids, hemispheres or tori are derived and are compiled in this poster. In this approach, the Rg of different 3-dimensional objects can be composed of a 2-dimensional cross-sectional (Rc) and of a perpendicular (h) contribution. Thus, Rg2is the linear sum of both: Rg2= f1*Rc2+ f2*h2, with h being the height or diameter of the object in the perpendicular direction to the cross-section and f1 and f2 being multiplicative factors with values depending on the geometric shape. The cross-sectional area can be (semi-)circular, (semi-)elliptic, n-polygonal or rhombic, resulting in a conical, pyramidal, ellipsoidal or paraboloidal 3D-shape, depending on the perpendicular component. A mirror-symmetry in the cross-sectional plane may be present (e.g. ellipsoids, bi-cones or bi-pyramids) or absent (e.g. hemispheres or single cones or pyramids). General equations of Rc for regular (equilateral) n-polygons will be given, but also for non-equilateral polygonal (rectangular, triangular) and rhombic cross-sections. Furthermore, the analytical equations of Rg of nanoscaled particles of high symmetry, in particular of convex polyhedra like the 5 Platonic solids (tetra-, hexa-, octa-, dodeca- and icosa-hedron) or the 13 Archimedean solids and their duals (Catalan solids) are presented, for the solid, for the hollow (faces only) and as well as for the skeletal (edges only) and dot (vertices only) shape.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
A. V. Bezdenezhnykh ◽  
M. S. Aryasov

Dysfunction and pathology of the thyroid gland (TG) are inextricably related to structural and functional changes in the organ. It is known that the stroma of the thyroid gland contains mast cells (MCs) participating in adaptation processes.The aim of research was to study morphofunctional changes in MCs in various topographic zones of the canine thyroid gland in normal conditions and under muscular loads that cause structural transformations of the organ.Material and methods. The study involved digitized cross-sections of the central part of the right thyroid lobe of male dogs, aged 1.5 to 2 years. The animals were divided into the control (n = 16) and experimental groups (n = 67); they received single and multiple starting, training, extreme dynamic muscular loads with the heart rate control. MCs were detected using azure-eosin staining. Based on the results of the qualitative analysis, the histoscore coefficient was calculated. In the ImageJ program, the area of MCs and their average optical density were measured relative to the geometric center of the section in the central, intermediate and peripheral zones.Results. Muscle loads during single and multiple trainings resulted in a stereotyped MC response: a decrease (p <0.008) in their number, cross-sectional area, average optical density, and histoscore coefficient. The duration and frequency of exposure formed a wide range of responses, up to atypical. Involvement of the central zone was detected in 100% of cases, intermediate in 2/3 of cases and peripheral in 50%.Conclusion. MCs provide integration in the central, intermediate and peripheral zones of the thyroid gland, and the magnitude and frequency of impacts determine the severity and specificity of their morphofunctional changes.


Author(s):  
T.B. Ball ◽  
W.M. Hess

It has been demonstrated that cross sections of bundles of hair can be effectively studied using image analysis. These studies can help to elucidate morphological differences of hair from one region of the body to another. The purpose of the present investigation was to use image analysis to determine whether morphological differences could be demonstrated between male and female human Caucasian terminal scalp hair.Hair samples were taken from the back of the head from 18 caucasoid males and 13 caucasoid females (Figs. 1-2). Bundles of 50 hairs were processed for cross-sectional examination and then analyzed using Prism Image Analysis software on a Macintosh llci computer. Twenty morphological parameters of size and shape were evaluated for each hair cross-section. The size parameters evaluated were area, convex area, perimeter, convex perimeter, length, breadth, fiber length, width, equivalent diameter, and inscribed radius. The shape parameters considered were formfactor, roundness, convexity, solidity, compactness, aspect ratio, elongation, curl, and fractal dimension.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Md Zulfekar Ali ◽  
Mohammad Moktader Moula ◽  
Zafar Ahmed Bhuiyan ◽  
Muhammad Tariq Javed

AbstractChicken astroviruses (CAstV) are enteric viruses of poultry causing gastroenteritis, malabsorption, gout and white chick disease commonly known as runting-stunting syndrome (RSS). It can affect the wide range of poultry birds, especially chicken, turkey and duck worldwide. To our best knowledge there is no published report on presence of antibodies against CAstV in Bangladesh. Therefore, the study aimed to detect the presence of CAstV antibodies in broilers and sonali chickens (a cross-bread) in Bangladesh through a cross-sectional survey. A total of 454 blood samples from 66 flocks of broiler (n=343) and sonali chickens (n=111) of different ages were obtained during 2017 from four districts. The birds were healthy but were not vaccinated against CAstV. The samples were tested for specific antibodies against CAstV Group B by using commercially available ELISA kit. Overall, 16.74% (76/454) samples and 34.84% (23/66) flocks were positive for CAstV antibodies. The seroprevalence of CAstV was significantly (p=0.001) higher in sonali chickens (36.96%) than broiler (10.20%), while it was significantly higher (p=0.001) in birds of Bogura district (36.94%) than the other three districts. Regarding the age groups, seroprevalence was insignificantly (p=0.192) higher in sonali chicken before laying age (45%) than during laying age (27.45%). Regarding the seasons, CAstV infection was prevalent significantly (p=0.001) higher in winter season. Thus, the present study indicated the presence of CAstV in poultry in Bangladesh, so further studies are required to find out the magnitude of the problem in the country.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lorbach ◽  
Ulrich Hirn ◽  
Johannes Kritzinger ◽  
Wolfgang Bauer

Abstract We present a method for 3D measurement of fiber cross sectional morphology from handsheets. An automated procedure is used to acquire 3D datasets of fiber cross sectional images using an automated microtome and light microscopy. The fiber cross section geometry is extracted using digital image analysis. Simple sample preparation and highly automated image acquisition and image analysis are providing an efficient tool to analyze large samples. It is demonstrated that if fibers are tilted towards the image plane the images of fiber cross sections are always larger than the true fiber cross section geometry. In our analysis the tilting angles of the fibers to the image plane are measured. The resulting fiber cross sectional images are distorted to compensate the error due to fiber tilt, restoring the true fiber cross sectional shape. We use an approximated correction, the paper provides error estimates of the approximation. Measurement results for fiber wall thickness, fiber coarseness and fiber collapse are presented for one hardwood and one softwood pulp.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247
Author(s):  
Atifete Ramosaj-Morina ◽  
Alije Keka-Sylaj ◽  
Arbana Baloku Zejnullahu ◽  
Lidvana Spahiu ◽  
Virgjina Hasbahta ◽  
...  

Background: Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by variable clinical manifestations, specific antibodies, HLA-DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes, and enteropathy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to present the clinical spectrum and patterns of celiac disease in Kosovar Albanian children. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed with Albanian children aged 0-18 years, treated for celiac disease in the Pediatric Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo from 2005 to 2016. Results: During the study period, 63 children were treated for celiac disease. The mean age at diagnosis was 5.5 years (SD ± 3.31). The mean age at celiac disease onset was 3.3 years (SD ± 2.02), while the mean delay from the first symptoms indicative of celiac disease to diagnosis was 2.2 years (SD ± 2.09). More than 70% of the patients were diagnosed in the first 7 years of life, mainly presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, while primary school children and adolescents mostly showed atypical symptoms (p<0.001). The classical form of celiac disease occurred in 78% of the cases. Sixty (95%) patients carried HLA-DQ2.5, DQ2.2 and/or HLA-DQ8 heterodimers, and only three of them tested negative. Conclusions: Kosovo, as the majority of developing countries, is still facing the classical form of celiac disease as the dominant mode of presentation; as a result, most children with other forms of the celiac disease remain undiagnosed. : Physicians should be aware of the wide range of clinical presentations and utilize low testing thresholds in order to prevent potential long-term problems associated with untreated celiac disease.


Author(s):  
Max Robinson ◽  
Keith Hunter ◽  
Michael Pemberton ◽  
Philip Sloan

A sound understanding of clinical oral pathology is essential if a dental clinician is to navigate successfully through clinical guidelines, make timely referrals to specialists, and provide good care for patients. This new edition of Soames' & Southam's Oral Pathology provides a clear and friendly guide for students, practitioners, and the whole dental team. Thoroughly updated for today's clinical practice, this textbook covers 'must-know' oral pathology and integrates key aspects of oral medicine. It begins by explaining the principles of clinical assessment, the synthesis of a differential diagnosis, and the selection of further investigations including laboratory tests. Ten chapters bring this theory to life by looking at the clinical and pathological features of a wide range of common oral diseases including oral cancer, salivary gland disorders, and diseases of the jaws. Two new chapters address skin diseases affecting the oro-facial region and neck lumps. A final chapter highlights the importance of clinical oral pathology in the context of systemic human disease. New radiology content includes examples of cross-sectional imaging. Photomicrographs have been replaced with carefully selected images to illustrate key pathological features. Each chapter includes key points boxes and tables to aid learning. Written by experts in both oral pathology and oral medicine, this new edition is a must-have for dentistry students, and those working in the field, providing current and trustworthy information.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Gaál Kovalčíková ◽  
Ľubica Tichá ◽  
Katarína Šebeková ◽  
Peter Celec ◽  
Alžbeta Čagalová ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychosomatic disorder with unclear pathomechanisms. Metabolic dysregulation is associated with disruption of redox homeostasis that might play a pivotal role in the development of AN. The aim of our study was to assess oxidative status and carbonyl stress in plasma, urine and saliva of patients with AN and healthy controls. Methods Plasma, spot urine, and saliva were collected from 111 girls with AN (aged from 10 to 18 years) and from 29 age-matched controls. Markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status were measured using spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods. Results Plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were significantly higher in patients with AN than in healthy controls (by 96, and 82%, respectively). Accordingly, urinary concentrations of AOPP and fructosamines and salivary concentrations of AGEs were higher in girls with AN compared with controls (by 250, and 41% in urine; by 92% in saliva, respectively). Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in saliva were 3-times higher in the patients with AN than in the controls. Overall antioxidants were lower in plasma of girls with AN compared to the controls, as shown by total antioxidant capacity and ratio of reduced and oxidized glutathione (by 43, and 31%, respectively). Conclusions This is the first study assessing wide range of markers of oxidative status in plasma, urine and saliva of the patients with AN. We showed that both, higher levels of markers of oxidative stress and lower antioxidants play a role in redox disruption. Restoration of redox homeostasis might be of the clinical relevance


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