Mathematical Modelling of Destabilization Stress Factors of Stable-Elastic Fixation of Distal Trans- and Suprasyndesmotic Fibular Fractures

Introduction. Specification of possible stress factors destabilizing the fibula stable osteosynthesis by the intramedullary nail with distal blocking and elastic fixation of distal syndesmosis by the thread with endobuttons by mathematical modelling of distal unstable ankle injuries. Material and Methods. We studied the thread tension during the combined stable-elastic fixation of unstable injuries of the ankle joint in cross-syndesmosis fractures of the fibula (B, C Danis–Weber classification), which includes a one-time stable minimally invasive fixation with the intramedullary nail and elastic fixation by the thread with endobuttons. We used a titanium alloy for the intramedullary nail and polyester for the thread. The deformed state was studied using the methods of mechanics. Results. A model of a fractured fibula blocked with the intramedullary nail and fixed with the elastic thread was developed. A formulation to specify the rational tension forces of the elastic thread depending on the parameters of the fibula and intramedullary blocking nail and on the location of the bone injury was obtained. The effect of foot rotation on the thread tension was investigated. The results of theoretical research should be implemented in medical practice. Conclusions. A mathematical model of the damaged fibula blocked by the intramedullary nail and fixed with the elastic thread was developed. Dependences for calculation of tension of the fixing thread were obtained. A slight increase in thread tension during foot rotation was found.

Influence of the mechanical stretch property of fabrics on the wear comfort of men’s suit pants

The stretch property of fabrics is one of the most important factors that provide comfort to wearers. It is expected that tension building up in the fabric can be relaxed and the garment pressure on the body can be reduced by appropriately exploiting its stretch property. Currently, the stretch property is predominantly realized using spandex. However, weaving or knitting elastic threads cannot be employed for the worsted fabric used to design men’s suits because of their effects on the mechanical properties of the fabric (e.g., embrittlement), which deteriorate with time. In this study, worsted fabric with a graded mechanical stretch property was produced, and the effect of the mechanical stretch property on comfort was verified. The mechanical stretch property is developed from the tension relaxation and fabric shrinkage along the weft yarn during the crabbing, scouring, and drying stages of the finishing process. Then, the form of the fabric is set by heating. In this study, the worsted fabric had an elongation ratio varying from 5.9% to 16.1% along the weft direction that was produced without using elastic thread. Furthermore, men’s suit pants were made from the fabrics. The effect of the stretch property on the garment comfort was verified through sensory evaluation and garment pressure measurement. The contribution of the mechanical stretch property in improving the garment comfort of men’s suit pants is discussed.

Mathematical Model of Spatial Motion of the Controlled Parachute-Tether System of the Wind Kite Type

Mathematical modeling is created for the mathematical task of spatial motion of the controlled parachute-tether system of the “wind kite” type. The mathematical model parachute-tether system consists of a model of the main parachute and a model of the braking parachute. The parachutes are connected by the tether. The model of the main parachute is supposed to be the solid body. This solid body has two planes of symmetry. The braking parachute is the solid body with axial symmetry. The tether model is an absolutely flexible elastic thread. The tether is connected by ideal hinges with the main parachute and braking parachute. The control of the main parachute is carried out by changing the length of the control slings. Changing the length causes deformation of the dome. This is the reason for the change in its aerodynamics. Maneuvering of the main parachute occurs in the vertical plane, when the length of the control slings changes simultaneously. Maneuvering of the main parachute in space is carried out when the length of the control slings changes, when the slings are given a travel difference. The system of dynamic and kinematic equations is designed for calculating the controlled spatial movement of the main parachute, braking parachute and tether. The option exists when the mass of the tether and the forces applied to the tether cannot be neglected. The motion of the tether is represented by the equations of motion of an absolutely flexible elastic thread in projections on the axis of a natural trihedron. The mathematical model is represented by a system of ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations. The problem is solved using various numerical methods. The solution is possible with the help of an integrated numerical and analytical approach as well.

Use of kinetic flow energy liquids for vibration of local turbulizers in pipe heat exchangers

This issue of using certain part of the kinetic energy of the flow for imparting vibration for special local turbulators (LT), consisting of an elastic thread with strung on it through a certain distance volume elements (made of a special material) of various geometric configuration installed in the tubes of the heat exchanger with fixing one end of the thread at the inlet, and the other end remains free. The results of numerical and experimental studies are presented, which show the effectiveness of the use of LT for intensifying the processes of hydrodynamics and heat transfer.

Biomechanical Properties and Biocompatibility of a Non-Absorbable Elastic Thread

To date, extensive studies have been conducted to assess diverse types of sutures. But there is a paucity of data regarding biomechanical properties of commonly used suture materials. In the current experiment, we compared biomechanical properties and biocompatibility, such as tensile strength and elongation, the degree of bovine serum albumin (BSA) release, in vitro cytotoxicity and ex vivo frictional properties, between a non-absorbable elastic thread (NAT; HansBiomed Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea) (NAT-R: NAT with a rough surface, NAT-S: NAT with a smooth surface) and the Elasticum® (Korpo SRL, Genova, Italy). The degree of tensile strength and elongation of Si threads was significantly higher in both the NAT-R and -S as compared with the Elasticum® (p < 0.05). Moreover, the degree of tensile strength and elongation of PET threads was significantly lower in both NAT-R and -S as compared with the Elasticum® (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the degree of tensile strength and elongation of braided Si/PET threads was significantly lower in NAT-S as compared with NAT-R and Elasticum® (p < 0.05). The degree of BSA release was significantly higher in the NAT-R as compared with Elasticum® and NAT-S throughout a 2-h period in the descending order (p < 0.05). The degree of cell viability was significantly higher in both NAT-R and -S as compared with Elasticum® (p < 0.05). The degree of coefficient of friction as well as the frictional force and strength was significantly higher in NAT-R as compared with NAT-S and Elasticum® (p < 0.05). NAT had a higher degree of biomechanical properties and biocompatibility as compared with Elasticum®. But further experimental and clinical studies are warranted to compare the efficacy, safety, and potential role as a carrier for drug delivery between NAT and Elasticum®.

Mechanical Calculation of Flexible Wires of Overhead Lines with Barrage Balls

Aerial barrage balls serve for marking high-voltage wires in order to visually warn pilots of civil and military aviation about the presence of overhead lines. The present article deals with the mechanical calculation of flexible overhead wires of overhead lines, in which aerial warning barrage balls are installed. The wire is considered as a homogeneous flexible thread having the outline of a parabola and a chain line. The load from the aerial barrage balls must not be substituted with a distributed one by simple division of the total load into the span length, since it can cause incorrect results. The formulas for determining the sag are given for a different number of aerial barrage balls as a function of their number and the coefficient of concentrated forces. The acceptable accuracy of mechanical calculation is demonstrated when using the model of wire in the form of a parabola adopted in the design practice, provided that the components of concentrated forces are correctly determined. The equation of state is recorded, taking into account the weight and wind loads on the wire, as well as load coefficients in two planes, depending on the number of barrage balls. The performed calculations demonstrate an acceptable accuracy of the determination of the stress at various loadings of the span. For more accurate calculation of mechanical stresses and sag arrows, a vector-parametric method for calculating the flexible wires of overhead lines is suggested, where the calculated model of wires in the form of a flexible elastic thread is put taking into account of the spatial arrangement of all structural elements. The results of mechanical calculation according to the program that had been developed and to the existing methods for a different number of aerial barrier balls moved along the span are presented.