Input-Shaped Model Reference Control Using Sliding Mode Design for Sway Suppression of An Industrial Overhead Crane

Input-shaped model reference control using sliding mode design is a proven method for controlling systems with parameter variations and disturbance. However, this method has never been reported for an industrial overhead crane, which is operated under nonlinear elements such as acceleration and deceleration limits caused by inverters for driving a crane in speed control mode. The successful implementation of this method will allow the crane to be operated in “hybrid mode”, which results in the fastest response from the feedforward control technique, unity magnitude zero vibration (UMZV) and tracking performance from the feedback control. This paper shows the implementation and experimental result of the input-shaped model reference control using sliding mode design for sway suppression of an industrial overhead crane. The control scheme was implemented on an industrial grade 1-ton overhead crane using a PLC and inverters. The experiments compared the control results of the UMZV and the presented control scheme on the industrial overhead crane in the cases that the system parameters are known and uncertain. When the parameters are uncertain, the presented method, with the feedback elements, provided the advantage of reducing residual vibration, while keeping the benefits of the UMZV performance

Plantar pressure and foot temperature responses to acute barefoot and shod running

Purpose. Increased contact pressure and skin friction may lead to higher skin temperature. Here, we hypothesized a relationship between plantar pressure and foot temperature. To elicit different conditions of stress to the foot, participants performed running trials of barefoot and shod running. Methods. Eighteen male recreational runners ran shod and barefoot at a self-selected speed for 15 min over different days. Before and immediately after running, plantar pressure during standing (via a pressure mapping system) and skin temperature (using thermography) were recorded. Results. No significant changes were found in plantar pressure after barefoot or shod conditions (p > 0.9). Shod running elicited higher temperatures in the forefoot (by 0.5-2.2 ºC or 0.1-1.2% compared with the whole foot, p -0.5, p > 0.05). Conclusions. The increase in temperature after the shod condition was most likely the result of footwear insulation. However, variation of the temperature in the rearfoot was higher after barefoot running, possible due to a higher contact load. Changes in temperature could not predict changes in plantar pressure and vice-versa

EFSA NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies), 2013 . Scientific opinion on Dietary Reference Values for fluoride

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) derived Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for fluoride, which are provided as Adequate Intake (AI) from all sources, including non-dietary sources. Fluoride is not an essential nutrient. Therefore, no Average Requirement for the performance of essential physiological functions can be defined. Nevertheless, the Panel considered that the setting of an AI is appropriate because of the beneficial effects of dietary fluoride on prevention of dental caries. The AI is based on epidemiological studies (performed before the 1970s) showing an inverse relationship between the fluoride concentration of water and caries prevalence. As the basis for defining the AI, estimates of mean fluoride intakes of children via diet and drinking water with fluoride concentrations at which the caries preventive effect approached its maximum whilst the risk of dental fluorosis approached its minimum were chosen. Except for one confirmatory longitudinal study in US children, more recent studies were not taken into account as they did not provide information on total dietary fluoride intake, were potentially confounded by the use of fluoride-containing dental hygiene products, and did not permit a conclusion to be drawn on a dose-response relationship between fluoride intake and caries risk. The AI of fluoride from all sources (including non-dietary sources) is 0.05 mg/kg body weight per day for both children and adults, including pregnant and lactating women. For pregnant and lactating women, the AI is based on the body weight before pregnancy and lactation. Reliable and representative data on the total fluoride intake of the European population are not available

Foot Loading Characteristics of Chinese Bound Feet Women: A Comparative Analysis

The custom of bound feet among Chinese women has existed for almost a century. This practice has influenced the daily life of Chinese women, especially during everyday locomotion. The primary aim of this study is to analyze the loading patterns of bound feet. Specifically, the plantar pressure and center of pressure were analyzed for peak pressure, contact area, force time integral, center of pressure displacement velocity and trajectory in the anterior- posterior direction via a comparison with normal feet. The key outcomes from this work were that the forefoot and rearfoot of bound feet bear the whole loading during stance phase. The center of pressure displacement velocity of bound feet was also greatly reduced with the shortening of trajectories. This suggests that the proprioceptive system adjusts motor function to adapt to new loading patterns while maintaining locomotive stability. A biomechanical understanding of bound feet may assist with prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of bound feet disorders

Tertiary osteochondral defect of the talus treated by a novel contoured metal implant

The primary treatment of most osteochondral defects of the talus is arthroscopic debridement and bone marrow stimulation. There is no optimal treatment for large lesions or for those in which primary treatment has failed. We report a 20-year-old female patient with persistent symptoms after two previous arthroscopic procedures. Computed tomography showed a cystic defect of the medial talar dome, sized 17 × 8 × 8 mm. The patient was treated with a novel contoured metal implant. At 1 and 2 years after surgery, the patient reported considerable reduction in pain and had resumed playing korfball at competitive level

Pulsed electromagnetic fields after arthroscopic treatment for osteochondral defects of the talus: double-blind randomized controlled multicenter trial

Background. Osteochondral talar defects usually affect athletic patients. The primary surgical treatment consists of arthroscopic debridement and microfracturing. Although this is mostly successful, early sport resumption is difficult to achieve, and it can take up to one year to obtain clinical improvement. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) may be effective for talar defects after arthroscopic treatment by promoting tissue healing, suppressing inflammation, and relieving pain. We hypothesize that PEMF-treatment compared to sham-treatment after arthroscopy will lead to earlier resumption of sports, and aim at 25% increase in patients that resume sports. Methods/Design. A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in five centers throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. 68 patients will be randomized to either active PEMF-treatment or sham-treatment for 60 days, four hours daily. They will be followed-up for one year. The combined primary outcome measures are (a) the percentage of patients that resume and maintain sports, and (b) the time to resumption of sports, defined by the Ankle Activity Score. Secondary outcome measures include resumption of work, subjective and objective scoring systems (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, Foot Ankle Outcome Score, Numeric Rating Scales of pain and satisfaction, EuroQol-5D), and computed tomography. Time to resumption of sports will be analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. Discussion. This trial will provide level-1 evidence on the effectiveness of PEMFs in the management of osteochondral ankle lesions after arthroscopy. Trial registration. Netherlands Trial Register (NTR1636)