Virtual Touch: Sensing and Feeling with Ultrasound.

The sense of touch codes the detection and properties of physical objects on the body via mechanoreceptors within the skin. Technological advancements, such as ultrasonic haptic devices, are now able to ‘touch without touching’, claiming this is virtual touch. An initial aim of the study was to investigate subjective intensity and pleasantness ratings of ultrasound stimulation and the influence of top-down factors using the Touch Experience and Attitudes Questionnaire (TEAQ). Self-reported intensity and pleasantness ratings were measured in response to ultrasound stimuli. A second aim was to record from individual low threshold mechanoreceptors using the technique of microneurography in an attempt to determine which mechanoreceptors are activated by ultrasound stimulation of the skin. The major findings here were that microneurography found SAI and SAII units did not respond to ultrasound stimuli; intensity and pleasantness ratings were significantly different between age groups. Ultrasound can produce a variety of sensations with varying intensity and pleasantness ratings. A limitation of the study was the unexpected force difference generated between modulations. These findings have implications for mid-air haptics, somatosensory affective research, and virtual reality. Future research should focus on microneurography investigation of FA fibre responses to ultrasound.

Clinical analysis of CAD-CAM milled and printed complete dentures using computerized occlusal force analyser

BACKGROUND: Digital complete dentures (CDs) by computer-aided designing and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) techniques (milling and three-dimensional (3-D) printing) have been evaluated clinically and provided satisfactory results. But clinical studies assessing occlusal forces by digital dentures are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To compare the occlusal force parameters in complete dentures (CDs) fabricated by milling, 3-D printing and conventional techniques having 3 commonly used occlusal schemes, using computerized occlusal force analysis system (Tech-Scan III- T-Scan III). METHODS: A total of 45 CDs were fabricated for 5 patients. Nine sets of CDs were made for each patient and were divided into 3 groups: Conventional CDs (CCD), Milled CDs (MCD), and 3-D printed CDs (3-DP CD). The CDs in each group were further divided into 3 sub-groups based on occlusion schemes – bilateral balanced (BBO), lingualized (LO) and mono plane (MP). Occlusal force analysis [percentage (%) of occlusal force applied on the right and left sides of the arch difference between them, centralization of forces and % of maximum occlusal/bite force] was done using computerized occlusal analysis system (T-Scan III) at the time of denture insertion. Univariate regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed (p< 0.05). RESULTS: The intergroup comparison of force distribution on right and left side in CDs fabricated by various techniques showed insignificant differences (p> 0.05) but statistically significant differences (p< 0.01) were found in Right – Left side force difference, maximum bite force % and centralization of forces. The maximum force difference on right and left side was observed CCD with MO (37.48 ± 1.03 N) and maximum occlusal-bite force % was observed for 3-DPCD with LO (95.40 ± 1.30 N). In comparison to 3-DP CD, the chances of centre of force out of ellipse (centralization of forces) was 3.36 and 2.15 times more in CCD and MCD techniques made CDs respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The occlusal parameters in CDs were affected by the fabrication techniques and occlusal schemes of CDs. The digital CDs retain adjusted occlusal schemes better and 3-DP CDs with BBO and LO occlusal schemes provided centralization of forces, better distribution and high maximum occlusal force % respectively.

Computerized occlusal forces analysis in complete dentures fabricated by additive and subtractive techniques

BACKGROUND: Fabrication of complete dentures by computer-aided designing and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) techniques are now common. Subtractive and Additive are the two principal CAD-CAM techniques used for this purpose. However, studies that evaluated the occlusal forces by CDs manufactured by these techniques are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To compare the occlusal forces in complete dentures fabricated by additive, subtractive and conventional techniques with different occlusal schemes, using computerized occlusal force analysis system [Tech-Scan III (T-scan III)]. METHODS: Three groups (Gr) were made on the basis of techniques of fabrication of CDs: Conventional CDs (CCD), Subtractive CDs (SCD), and Additive CDs (ACD). Each Group CDs were further divided into three sub groups based on occlusion schemes: bilateral balanced occlusion (BBO), lingualized occlusion (LO) and mono plane occlusion (MO). A total of 45 CDs were made: 15 in each group with 5 CDs of each occlusal scheme. For all samples, occlusal force analysis (percentage of occlusal force applied on the right and left sides of the arch, centralization of forces and percentage of maximum occlusal force) was done using computerized occlusal analysis system: T-scan III. Univariate regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to find the effects of the technique of fabrication and occlusion scheme over the occlusal forces (p< 0.05). RESULTS: The intergroup comparison revealed statistically significant differences (p< 0.01) in Right – Left side force difference, maximum bite force in CDs fabricated by various techniques and with different occlusion schemes. Though the effect of occlusion scheme was more than the technique of fabrication (according to effect size estimation). The maximum force difference between Right – Left side was observed in combination of CCD technique and MO scheme (36.88 ± 2.82 N). Furthermore, the maximum bite force was observed for SCD technique (89.14 ± 6.08 N) and LO scheme (92.17 ± 3.22 N). In comparison to ACD, the chances of centre of force out of ellipse was 2.53 time more in CCS and 0.75 times less in SCD techniques and in comparison to MO, the chances of out of ellipse was 0.298 times less in BBO and 0.396 times less in LO schemes, though these chances were not statistically significant (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The digital CDs fabricated by subtractive technique were proved to be superior to additive technique in terms of occlusal force analysis on tested parameters. However, further research is needed on patients to determine the exact superiority of one technique over the other.

Evidence for New Enantiospecific Interaction Force in Chiral Biomolecules

Enantiospecific biorecognition interactions are key to many biological events. Commonly, bio-affinity values, measured in these processes, are higher than those calculated by available methods. We report here the first direct measurement of the interaction force between right and left handed helical polyalanine peptides using atomic force microscope (AFM) and calculations based on a simple theoretical model. A force difference of 60pN between same and opposite enantiomer interactions is measured. Additional measurements show spin dependency and fast decay of the interaction term, consistent with spin exchange interactions. This short range enantiospecific interaction term is especially relevant in crowded biological systems. The results shed light on the importance of spin and exchange interactions in biological processes, providing explanation to the discrepancies between past calculations and experiments.

Influence of Interventions on the Sural Complex like the Gastrocnemius Recession on the Calf Strength

Category: Ankle; Hindfoot; Midfoot/Forefoot; Other Introduction/Purpose: Increasing evidence has shown that gastrocnemius tightness is related to various types of foot and ankle pathology. The recession and lengthening of the gastrocnemius has become an important ancillary procedure in many reconstructive operations, such as hallux valgus, pes plano-valgus and total ankle arthroplasty surgery. Additionally, isolated Gastrocnemius Recession is also performed alone to treat plantarfasciitis, achillestendinosis, metatarsalgia and diabetic forefoot ulceration. The reports about the clinical results are encouraging, but evident data about the resulting strength of the treated muscle is lacking. Methods: This study was designed to measure calf-strength of every patient before and after Gastrocnemius Tenotomy, Gastrocnemius Recession, Achillestendon lengthening. The data was taken before surgery and one year post-op. A Leonardo Mechanograph GRFP was used to measure calf-strength with bended and extended knee on both sites. 85 patients were measured before surgery. 58 of these patients underwent a intervention on the sural complex. The interventions included Gastrocnemius Tenotomy, Gastrocnemius Recession, Achillestendon lengthening combined with different types of foot and ankle reconstruction. Results: The results show that the calf strength decreased overall significantly. The force on the operated site decreases significantly with bended and extended knee. However, contralatrel forces diminish in the same dimension. The decrease in force was mainly related to the force during knee extension. There was no significant force difference postoperatively between ipsi- and contralateral. Conclusion: Apparently, a surgical intervention on the foot seems to cause a weakening of the flexor muscles on both lower legs. Not surprisingly, the greater reduction in strength is during knee extension. Apparently, however, the loss of strength on the operated foot is compensated, so that ultimately there is the same strength on both side.

Study on Secondary Cable Adjustment for Cable-stayed Bridges Without back Cables

<p>The structure of cable-stayed bridge without back cable is a new breakthrough.In this paper, the cable adjustment process of linzhou yingbin bridge is studied. the whole bridge model is established using the finite element software MIDAS CIVIL.This paper compares the measured cable force with the designed cable force and gets range of cable force difference, The influence matrix method is used for the second cable adjustment to ensure that the stress and structural deformation in the process of cable adjustment are within the range of the design requirements.The cable force variation of the whole bridge is detected by dynamic measuring instrument to ensure the construction safety in the process of cable adjustment.</p><p> </p>

High-Precision Roller Supported by Active Magnetic Bearings

Magnetic bearings support rotors in a non-contact way using magnetic force. Therefore, there is no friction and it is possible to measure and control the position of a rotor in the air gap. In this study, the rotational vibration of a roller was minimized using magnetic bearings, and a precision roller capable of automatic alignment using the position control function of magnetic bearings was proposed. A rotation accuracy of approximately 4.6 μm (peak-to-peak) was observed, even under a rotation of 30 rev/min and a radial force load of 300 N. The rotor position control experiment for magnetic bearings showed that 1-μm resolution position control is possible. To further improve the accuracy, the automatic alignment algorithm was proposed using magnetic bearings for the roller misalignment condition, and it was confirmed that alignment is possible at a level that the pressing force difference between both ends of the roller is within 0.3 N. Through this study, it was confirmed that rollers with magnetic bearings can be applied to precision equipment. It is expected that the implementation of the automatic alignment function will simplify the equipment configuration and maintenance compared to conventional rollers with ball bearings.

Depth Optimization Analysis of Articulated Steering Hinge Position Based on Genetic Algorithm

Articulated steering is affected by the position of the articulated points of the steering cylinder. When the two steering cylinders turn, there is a stroke difference and arm of force difference. The existence of the above differences causes the pressure fluctuation of the steering system. Firstly, the mathematical model of the steering mechanism is established through theoretical analysis. Then, the coordinates of the hinge points of the steering cylinder are optimized using genetic algorithm (GA) with the stroke difference function and cylinder pressure function as the objective functions. The curves of the stroke difference and the arm of force difference of the steering cylinder are obtained by mathematical modeling, and the correctness of the GA is verified. According to the optimization results, the wheel loader prototype was reconstructed, and the reconstruction verified by corresponding sensors. The experimental curves show that the steering system has no obvious pressure fluctuation. Finally, the arm of force difference and stroke difference curves were analyzed, and it was concluded that the arm of force difference was the main cause of pressure fluctuation. The objective function was improved, and the arm of force function and cylinder pressure function were taken as the objective functions to continue the optimization by GA. The arm of force difference and stroke difference after optimization were reduced, which provides a constructive reference for the design of articulated steering systems in the future.

Spatio-temporal intermittency of the turbulent energy cascade

In incompressible and periodic statistically stationary turbulence, exchanges of turbulent energy across scales and space are characterised by very intense and intermittent spatio-temporal fluctuations around zero of the time-derivative term, the spatial turbulent transport of fluctuating energy and the pressure–velocity term. These fluctuations are correlated with each other and with the intense intermittent fluctuations of the interscale energy transfer rate. These correlations are caused by the sweeping effect, the link between nonlinearity and non-locality, and also relate to geometrical alignments between the two-point fluctuating pressure force difference and the two-point fluctuating velocity difference in the case of the correlation between the interscale transfer rate and the pressure–velocity term. All these processes are absent from the spatio-temporal-average picture of the turbulence cascade in statistically stationary and homogeneous turbulence.