What’s new for the clinician? - Excerpts from and summaries of recently published papers

Endodontic files are used to remove intracanal pulpal tissues, microbial biofilm, and toxic by-products and to develop a continuously tapering canal while maintaining the canal geometry that ultimately allows for the delivery of irrigating solutions and intracanal medicaments as well as the three-dimensional filling of the root canal system. Historically, stainless steel hand files have been used to perform canal shaping. However, these files are stiff and associated with increased operator fatigue, and when used in the preparation of curved root canals, the restoring forces of the files tend to return the file back to its original shape, resulting in canal transportation.

Modernization of mini-tractor for wood skidding

The work was carried out in three directions: changing the rotation system of mini-tractor, installing remote control of the winch and improving the trailer. The modernization of the mini-tractor in all directions was successfully completed, and the research results were patented. Testing of the improved mini-tractor in real working conditions confirmed our expectations. Replacing the rotary mechanism with steering, installing the driver’s seat significantly reduced operator fatigue when wood skidding. Remote control of the winch reduced the time of wood loading on the trailer by 1.7 times compared to the option without using it. The total time to perform entire technology cycle from cutting trees to loading them on the trailer, skidding and unloading is decreased by 19.4%. Changing the design of the trailer allows to exclude the turn of the tractor train along the skidroad with penetration into the forest and facilitate the loading of harvested timber.

Biomechanical analysis of force distribution in one-handed and two-handed adult chest compression: a randomised crossover observational study

IntroductionThe standard method of chest compression for adults is a two-handed procedure. One-handed external chest compression (ECC) is used in some situations such as during transport of patients who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but the quality of one-handed ECC is still not well known. The distribution of force is related to the quality of chest compression and may affect the risk of injury. This study aimed to determine the differences in the quality and potential safety concern between one-handed ECC and two- handed ECC.MethodsIn this randomised crossover study, participants recruited from National Cheng Kung University Hospital and the ambulance team from the fire bureau were asked to perform one-handed and two-handed ECC on the Resusci Anne manikin according to standard 2015 ECC guidelines. The MatScan Pressure Measurement system was used to investigate the compression pressure and force distribution.ResultsTwo-handed ECC had better results than one-handed ECC in terms of the median (IQR) depth (51.00 (41.50–54.75) mm vs 42.00 (27.00–49.00) mm, p=0.018), the proportion of depth accuracy (82.05% (13.95%–99.86%) vs 11.17% (0.00%–42.13%), p=0.028) and the proportion of incomplete recoil (0.23% (0.01%–0.44%) vs 2.42% (0.60%–4.21%), p=0.002). The maximum force (45.72 (36.10–80.84) kgf vs 35.64 (24.13–74.34) kgf, p<0.001) and ulnar–radial force difference (7.13 (−16.58 to 21.07) kgf vs 23.93 (11.19–38.74) kgf, p<0.001) showed statistically significant differences. The perceived fatigue of two-handed ECC versus one-handed ECC was 5.00 (3.00–6.00) vs 6.00 (5.00–8.00), p<0.001.ConclusionThe quality of one-handed ECC, based on depth and recoil, is worse than that of standard two-handed ECC. The pressure and force distribution of one-handed ECC result in greater ulnar pronation of the hand than that of two-handed ECC. One-handed ECC more easily causes operator fatigue. Acknowledging these findings and adjusting training for one-handed ECC would potentially improve the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transport.

Aircraft Fuselage Corrosion Detection Using Artificial Intelligence

Corrosion identification and repair is a vital task in aircraft maintenance to ensure continued structural integrity. Regarding fuselage lap joints, typically, visual inspections are followed by non-destructive methodologies, which are time-consuming. The visual inspection of large areas suffers not only from subjectivity but also from the variable probability of corrosion detection, which is aggravated by the multiple layers used in fuselage construction. In this paper, we propose a methodology for automatic image-based corrosion detection of aircraft structures using deep neural networks. For machine learning, we use a dataset that consists of D-Sight Aircraft Inspection System (DAIS) images from different lap joints of Boeing and Airbus aircrafts. We also employ transfer learning to overcome the shortage of aircraft corrosion images. With precision of over 93%, we demonstrate that our approach detects corrosion with a precision comparable to that of trained operators, aiding to reduce the uncertainties related to operator fatigue or inadequate training. Our results indicate that our methodology can support specialists and engineers in corrosion monitoring in the aerospace industry, potentially contributing to the automation of condition-based maintenance protocols.

APPLICATION OF SPEED AND SEPARATION MONITORING TECHNIQUE AT AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY PROCESS

The realization and implementation of a collaborative robotic system in the automotive industry has many advantages in productivity, product quality, and worker ergonomics, but worker safety aspects play a crucial role in these activities. This paper presents the results of ongoing research into developing an automated workplace for an assembly of industrial limit switches based on the cooperation between human and robotic systems. Operating speed and worker-robot separation monitoring methodology (SSM) was used as one of the available methods to reduce the risk of injury according to the technical specification ISO 15066 on collaborative method sharing space with humans. The virtual environment simulation aims to determine the SSM algorithm’s parameters to estimate the minimum protective distance between the robot and the operator. The cooperation between the human and the robot and the safety issues specified by the SSM system assumed operational safety and reduced the operator fatigue during the assembly process.

Contractile Effects of Radiofrequency Energized Helium Plasma on the Fibrous Septal Network

Body contouring with liposuction has evolved significantly from the early approach of simply debulking excess fatty tissue, to affecting the mechanical properties of different tissue types and layers. Operative paradigms have been expanded to apply energy-based technologies intraoperatively to provide more uniform aspiration, selective fatty tissue emulsification in soft and fibrous body areas, minimize trauma to nerves and vessels, expose the fibrous septal network, reduce operator fatigue and help deliver smooth shapes with less discomfort and bruising. Advanced refinements with the delivery of monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency energy for soft tissue heating have been shown to reduce the residual soft tissue laxity that often follows voluminous fat removal. The Renuvion® (Apyx™ Medical, Clearwater, FL) radiofrequency powered helium plasma technology introduces an emerging concept in which the delivery of subdermal thermal energy preferentially coagulates the fascia and fibrous septal network through a conductive helium plasma stream seeking the path of least resistance, which in turn results in collagen contraction and tissue shrinkage that permits re-draping of the skin and enhanced definition. The physics and mechanics of Renuvion® subdermal soft tissue coagulation will be presented, along with clinical applications that have provided the authors more contouring finesse and has augmented liposuction outcomes.

Implementation and Evaluation of a Semi-Autonomous Hydraulic Dual Manipulator for Cutting Pipework in Radiologically Active Environments

We describe the implementation of a bespoke two arm hydraulically actuated robotic platform which is used to semi-autonomously cut approximately 50 mm diameter pipes of three different materials: cardboard, ABS plastic and aluminium. The system is designed to be utilised within radiologically active environments where human access is limited due to dose limits and thus remote operation is greatly beneficial. The remotely located operator selects the object from an image via a bespoke algorithm featuring a COTS 3 D vision system, along with the desired positions for gripping with one manipulator, and cutting with the other. A pseudo-Jacobian inverse kinematic technique and a programmable automation controller are used to achieve the appropriate joint positions within the dual arm robotic platform. In this article, we present the latest developments to the system and the lessons learnt from the new cutting experiments with a reciprocating saw. A comparison to tele-operated control and manual cutting is also made, with this technique shown to be slower than manual cutting, but faster than pure tele-operational control, where the requirements for highly trained users and operator fatigue are further deleterious factors.

Real Time Vigilance Detection using Frontal EEG

Vigilance of an operator is compromised in performing many monotonous activities like workshop and manufacturing floor tasks, driving, night shift workers, flying, and in general any activity which requires keen attention of an individual over prolonged periods of time. Driver or operator fatigue in these situations leads to drowsiness and lowered vigilance which is one of the largest contributors to injuries and fatalities amongst road accidents or workshop floor accidents. Having a vigilance monitoring system to detect drop in vigilance in these situations becomes very important. This paper presents a system which uses non-invasively recorded Frontal EEG from an easy-to-use commercially available Brain Computer Interface wearable device to determine the vigilance state of an individual. The change in the power spectrum in the Frontal Theta Band (4-8Hz) of an individual’s brain wave predicts the changes in the attention level of an individual - providing an early detection and warning system. This method provides an accurate, yet cheap and practical system for vigilance monitoring across different environments.

DERIVING THE DEPENDENCIES FOR THE VIBRATING CAPACITY INTRODUCED INTO WHEELSET ASSEMBLIES

Despite the very large difference in lifting capacity, bridge cranes have an almost identical vibration control system layout, which predetermines the general approach to the theoretical assessment of vibration and noise spectra both in the production premises and at the crane operator's workplace. The bridge crane is characterized by potential danger for not only operators but also production personnel located in the crane area within the production workshop during its operation. The safe operating conditions of cranes are determined by not only their technical condition but also the crane operator fatigue, which, in turn, is caused mainly by the impact of increased noise and vibration.