Freedom in Osteoarthritis of the Knee

The first peak of the external knee abduction moment (KAM) is often used as a surrogate measure of the medial compartment loading and has been correlated with pain and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). As a result, reducing the KAM is often the target of conservative interventions. OA should be considered as a “Whole Person” disease, including ecological psychosocial aspects. Scientists have developed gait alteration strategies to reduce the KAM. They attempted to force into a new position any particular part without reference to the pattern of the whole. We propose an alternative approach: in the vicinity of a special configuration of the knee, some or all of the components of the knee become overloaded. This study has shown that when six lines $1′,$2′,$3′,$4′,$5′,$6′ are so situated that forces acting along them equilibrate when applied to one degree of freedom, 1° F knee, a certain determinant vanishes. We wish to define the six lines as the knee complex in involution by virtue of some constraint upon the knee.

On Optimization of Manufacturing of a Comparator in Track State to Increase Integration Rate of Elements

In this paper, an approach to increase integration rate of elements of a comparator in track state was introduced. Framework the approach a het-erostructure with special configuration was consider. Several specific are-as of the heterostructure should be doped by diffusion or ion implantation. Annealing of dopant and/or radiation defects should be optimized.

A Scalable, Black-box, Hybrid Genetic Algorithm for Continuous Multimodal Optimization in Moderate Dimensions

Optimization problems can be found in many areas of science and technology. Often, not only the global optimum, but also a (larger) number of near-optima are of interest. This gives rise to so-called multimodal optimization problems. In most of the cases, the number and quality of the optima is unknown and assumptions on the objective functions cannot be made. In this paper, we focus on continuous, unconstrained optimization in moderately high dimensional continuous spaces (<=10). We present a scalable algorithm with virtually no parameters, which performs well for general objective functions (non-convex, discontinuous). It is based on two well-established algorithms (CMA-ES, deterministic crowding). Novel elements of the algorithm are the detection of seed points for local searches and collision avoidance, both based on nearest neighbors, and a strategy for semi-sequential optimization to realize scalability. The performance of the proposed algorithm is numerically evaluated on the CEC2013 niching benchmark suite for 1-20 dimensional functions and a 9 dimensional real-world problem from constraint optimization in climate research. The algorithm shows good performance on the CEC2013 benchmarks and falls only short on higher dimensional and strongly inisotropic problems. In case of the climate related problem, the algorithm is able to find a high number (150) of optima, which are of relevance to climate research. The proposed algorithm does not require special configuration for the optimization problems considered in this paper, i.e. it shows good black-box behavior.

Three-Axes Attitude Control of Solar Sail Based on Shape Variation of Booms

Actively controlling the attitude of the solar sail is necessary to adjust the solar radiation pressure force for trajectory transfer and orbit control. The special configuration of the solar sail makes it very important to develop a unique attitude control strategy that differs from traditional methods. An attitude control method, based on shape variation of booms, is proposed in this manuscript. Firstly, we derive the equations to calculate the solar radiation pressure force and torque of the deformed solar sail. Then, the factors affecting forces and torques are analyzed. Finally, PD control law is applied to realize the three-axis attitude control for the solar sail.

Design of connector for self-reconfigurable modular serpentine sensing robot with quality function deployment

This study presents the concept, design, force and stress analysis of a connector, which helps in transmitting mechanical forces, power and data from one module to another in self-reconfigurable modular robotic systems. The connector is the most important part of self-reconfigurable modular robotic systems to connect and disconnect the modules. This part needs to fulfill a wide range of requirements. The two important properties, latching and geometrical shape have been focused on for designing the connector. The connector includes male and female components. The male component has a target ball; the female has a cup shaped socket, a locking ball, and an alignment cone with teeth for connecting with the male component. Two methods, quality function deployment (QFD) and Pugh decision matrix have been used for optimizing this design. In addition, for designing the connector of a self-reconfigurable modular serpentine sensing robot, one particular area of application and one special configuration of a self-reconfigurable modular robot have been taken into consideration. Based on the results of this project, a guideline for improving and optimizing the dimensions and for analyzing different forces and stresses for designing of the connector is provided to make a good model.

Design of connector for self-reconfigurable modular serpentine sensing robot with quality function deployment

This study presents the concept, design, force and stress analysis of a connector, which helps in transmitting mechanical forces, power and data from one module to another in self-reconfigurable modular robotic systems. The connector is the most important part of self-reconfigurable modular robotic systems to connect and disconnect the modules. This part needs to fulfill a wide range of requirements. The two important properties, latching and geometrical shape have been focused on for designing the connector. The connector includes male and female components. The male component has a target ball; the female has a cup shaped socket, a locking ball, and an alignment cone with teeth for connecting with the male component. Two methods, quality function deployment (QFD) and Pugh decision matrix have been used for optimizing this design. In addition, for designing the connector of a self-reconfigurable modular serpentine sensing robot, one particular area of application and one special configuration of a self-reconfigurable modular robot have been taken into consideration. Based on the results of this project, a guideline for improving and optimizing the dimensions and for analyzing different forces and stresses for designing of the connector is provided to make a good model.

POS0845 SCLERODERMIC HAND SENSOR: SMART TECHNOLOGY APPLIED TO RHEUMATOLOGY

Background:Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by excessive production and accumulation of collagen in the skin and internal organs and by injuries to small arteries.Impairment of the musculoskeletal system is one of the main causes of disability in SSc, indeed, about 90% of these patients have a loss of hand function. To date, the degree of skin involvement is evaluated through a semi-quantitative method called Rodnan Skin Score (RSS) or Modified-RSS (MRSS). However, MRSS is a method that has limitations related to the operator and his experience and does not provide information on joint mobility.Arduino® is an open source integrated online platform based on easy to use hardware and software. It is a system for creating interactive projects by inserting a special configuration code, using the Arduino® development environment. Through this platform it is possible to create electronic devices with specific purposes to lead the possibility of integrating different kits (eg types of sensors) in relation to the object of study.Objectives:We have therefore created an electronic instrument (Sclerodermic Hand Sensor - SHS) independent operator and easily reproducible in order to measure the degree of mobility (flexion) of the hand in patients with SSc (Fig.1). The aim was to evaluate whether the SHS was able to highlight significant differences between patients with SSc and healthy patients.Methods:We recruited 20 female patients with SSc according to ACR criteria with a mean age of 50.8 ± 15.5 years and 20 healthy (HC) patients with a mean age of 44.3 ± 10.8 years (Tab.1), in order to test the effectiveness and sensitivity of the SHS tool.Results:The results showed a significant difference between the two groups of patients (SSc vs HC) independent of the measurement method used as expected (Goniometer SSc / HC: Δ45.80 ° p: 0.003 SHS SSc / HC: Δ65.17 ° p: 0.002, Fig.1c), however the device created with Arduino® proved to be more sensitive than the goniometric measurement in detecting the degree of joint flexion (p: 0.002). The flexion sensor, indeed, unlike the goniometer, evaluates the simultaneous articular excursion of the entire finger (MCF, IFP and IFD) and not just one segment (Fig.1).Conclusion:This technology application, thanks to the creation of dedicated electronic devices, allows the physicians to be supported in clinical practice with independent operating tools.The tool we propose could be a valid support in accurately assessing the joint and indirectly skin involvement of sclerodactyly in this type of patient, especially in the context of a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment.Further studies are needed to compare with other methods to assess hand disability in SSc such as the use of HAMIS (Hand Mobility in Scleroderma) test.References:[1]Sandqvist G et al. J Rheumatol. 2016 Jul;43(7):1356-62.[2]https://www.arduino.cc.Table 1.SSc Patients CharacteristicsChararcteristicsSScPatients (n°, subset D=Diffuse; L=Limited)20 (9D/11L)Age, mean ± SD years50.8 ± 15.5Duration of Raynaud’s Phenomenon (mean ± SD years)12.8 ± 4.4Duration of SSc (mead ± SD years)8.4 ± 3.6MRSS (mean ± SD years)15.9 ± 5.3Disclosure of Interests:None declared

A System for Neuromotor Based Rehabilitation on a Passive Robotic Aid

In the aging world population, the occurrence of neuromotor deficits arising from stroke and other medical conditions is expected to grow, demanding the design of new and more effective approaches to rehabilitation. In this paper, we show how the combination of robotic technologies with progress in exergaming methodologies may lead to the creation of new rehabilitation protocols favoring motor re-learning. To this end, we introduce the Track-Hold system for neuromotor rehabilitation based on a passive robotic arm and integrated software. A special configuration of weights on the robotic arm fully balances the weight of the patients’ arm, allowing them to perform a purely neurological task, overcoming the muscular effort of similar free-hand exercises. A set of adaptive and configurable exercises are proposed to patients through a large display and a graphical user interface. Common everyday tasks are also proposed for patients to learn again the associated actions in a persistent way, thus improving life independence. A data analysis module was also designed to monitor progress and compute indices of post-stroke neurological damage and Parkinsonian-type disorders. The system was tested in the lab and in a pilot project involving five patients in the post-stroke chronic stage with partial paralysis of the right upper limb, showing encouraging preliminary results.

Vector field path following of a full-wing solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) landing based on Dubins path: a lesson from multiple landing failures

The full-wing solar-powered UAV has a large aspect ratio, special configuration, and excellent aerodynamic performance. This UAV converts solar energy into electrical energy for level flight and storage to improve endurance performance. The UAV only uses a differential throttle for lateral control, and the insufficient control capability during crosswind landing results in a large lateral distance bias and leads to multiple landing failures. This paper analyzes 11 landing failures and finds that a large lateral distance bias at the beginning of the approach and the coupling of base and differential throttle control is the main reason for multiple landing failures. To improve the landing performance, a heading angle-based vector field (VF) method is applied to the straight-line and orbit paths following and two novel 3D Dubins landing paths are proposed to reduce the initial lateral control bias. The results show that the straight-line path simulation exhibits similar phenomenon with the practical failure; the single helical path has the highest lateral control accuracy; the left-arc to left-arc (L-L) path avoids the saturation of the differential throttle; and both paths effectively improve the probability of successful landing.