4,836 research outputs found
Programmed schedule holds for improving launch vehicle holds
Baseline definition and system optimization are used for the analysis of programmed holds developed through prelaunch system analysis. Identification of design specifications for ground support equipment and maintenance concepts, and design specifications are used to describe the functional utilization of the overall flow process
Calculation of Eddy Current Fields for Coils of Arbitrary Shape
In the design of an eddy current inspection device, it is useful to have available a means of visualizing the eddy current distribution produced in the material to be tested. This is evidenced by the widespread use of the early models of Dodd and Deeds [1], who provided analytic solutions for the field in a number of axisymmetric probe geometries. The analytic approach was later extended [2–4] to include a more general class of coils, and was applied to the case of a circular, air-core horizontal coil [4]
Simulation study for investment decisions on the EcoBoost camshaft machining line
Design/redesign of manufacturing systems is a complex, risky, and expensive task. Ford Motor Company’s Valencia Engine Plant faces this challenge as it plans to upgrade its machining and assembly lines to introduce the new EcoBoost engines. The research project described in this paper aimed to support the transition process particularly at the camshaft machining line by using simulation modelling techniques. A series of experiments was carried out using the simulation model developed, and recommendations were proposed based on the results of these experiments to support the decision as to where to invest on the line. The outcomes from the research project indicated that investment is required in terms of increasing the capacity of two bottleneck operations through retooling and improving the conveyor routing logic in one key area.
Keywords: simulation modelling, closed-loop network, automotive production system
Spin-dependent electrical transport in ion-beam sputter deposited Fe-Cr multilayers
The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity and
magnetoresistance of Xe-ion beam sputtered Fe-Cr multilayers has been
investigated. The electrical resistivity between 5 and 300 K in the fully
ferromagnetic state, obtained by applying a field beyond the saturation field
(H_sat) necessary for the antiferromagnetic(AF)-ferromagnetic(FM) field-induced
transition, shows evidence of spin-disorder resistivity as in crystalline Fe
and an s-d scattering contribution (as in 3d metals and alloys). The sublattice
magnetization m(T) in these multilayers has been calculated in terms of the
planar and interlayer exchange energies. The additional spin-dependent
scattering \Delta \rho (T) = \rho(T,H=0)_AF - \rho(T,H=H_sat)_FM in the AF
state over a wide range of temperature is found to be proportional to the
sublattice magnetization, both \Delta \rho(T) and m(T) reducing along with the
antiferromagnetic fraction. At intermediate fields, the spin-dependent part of
the electrical resistivity (\rho_s (T)) fits well to the power law \rho_s (T) =
b - cT^\alpha where c is a constant and b and \alpha are functions of H. At low
fields \alpha \approx 2 and the intercept b decreases with H much the same way
as the decrease of \Delta \rho (T) with T. A phase diagram (T vs. H_sat) is
obtained for the field- induced AF to FM transition. Comparisons are made
between the present investigation and similar studies using dc magnetron
sputtered and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) grown Fe-Cr multilayers.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Hip abductor moment arm - a mathematical analysis for proximal femoral replacement
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients undergoing proximal femoral replacement for tumor resection often have compromised hip abductor muscles resulting in a Trendelenberg limp and hip instability. Commercially available proximal femoral prostheses offer several designs with varying sites of attachment for the abductor muscles, however, no analyses of these configurations have been performed to determine which design provides the longest moment arm for the hip abductor muscles during normal function.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study analyzed hip abductor moment arm through hip adduction and abduction with a trigonometric mathematical model to evaluate the effects of alterations in anatomy and proximal femoral prosthesis design. Prosthesis dimensions were taken from technical schematics that were obtained from the prosthesis manufacturers. Manufacturers who contributed schematics for this investigation were Stryker Orthopaedics and Biomet.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Superior and lateral displacement of the greater trochanter increased the hip abductor mechanical advantage for single-leg stance and adduction and preserved moment arm in the setting of Trendelenberg gait. Hip joint medialization resulted in less variance of the abductor moment arm through coronal motion. The Stryker GMRS endoprosthesis provided the longest moment arm in single-leg stance.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Hip abductor moment arm varies substantially throughout the hip's range of motion in the coronal plane. Selection of a proximal femur endoprosthesis with an abductor muscle insertion that is located superiorly and laterally will optimize hip abductor moment arm in single-leg stance compared to one located inferiorly or medially.</p
Modularity map of the network of human cell differentiation
Cell differentiation in multicellular organisms is a complex process whose
mechanism can be understood by a reductionist approach, in which the individual
processes that control the generation of different cell types are identified.
Alternatively, a large scale approach in search of different organizational
features of the growth stages promises to reveal its modular global structure
with the goal of discovering previously unknown relations between cell types.
Here we sort and analyze a large set of scattered data to construct the network
of human cell differentiation (NHCD) based on cell types (nodes) and
differentiation steps (links) from the fertilized egg to a crying baby. We
discover a dynamical law of critical branching, which reveals a fractal
regularity in the modular organization of the network, and allows us to observe
the network at different scales. The emerging picture clearly identifies
clusters of cell types following a hierarchical organization, ranging from
sub-modules to super-modules of specialized tissues and organs on varying
scales. This discovery will allow one to treat the development of a particular
cell function in the context of the complex network of human development as a
whole. Our results point to an integrated large-scale view of the network of
cell types systematically revealing ties between previously unrelated domains
in organ functions.Comment: 32 pages, 7 figure
L^2 stability estimates for shock solutions of scalar conservation laws using the relative entropy method
We consider scalar nonviscous conservation laws with strictly convex flux in
one spatial dimension, and we investigate the behavior of bounded L^2
perturbations of shock wave solutions to the Riemann problem using the relative
entropy method. We show that up to a time-dependent translation of the shock,
the L^2 norm of a perturbed solution relative to the shock wave is bounded
above by the L^2 norm of the initial perturbation.Comment: 17 page
The Effects of a Pre-Workout Energy Drink on Measures of Physical Performance
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a pre-workout commercial energy drink on parameters of exercise performance, including anaerobic power, muscular endurance, speed, and reaction time. This study used a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel design. Participants visited the laboratory on two different occasions. On the first visit, participants were assessed for anaerobic power (via a vertical jump test), muscular endurance, reaction time, reactive sprint test, and aerobic power (via a 1.5 mile run). On the second visit, participants were randomly assigned to ingest four ounces of the energy drink beverage or a similar-tasting placebo beverage 30-minutes prior to engaging in these same physical performance tests. The energy drink treatment had no effect on anaerobic power (vertical jump), reaction time, reactive sprint test, or aerobic power. For the push-up to fatigue test, a significant difference (p = 0.014) was observed with the energy drink treatment enhancing performance by 12% as compared to the placebo treatment (improvement of ~ 4%). For the sit-up to fatigue test, a non-significant difference (p = 0.075) was observed with the energy drink treatment resulting in an enhancement of performance by ~13% as compared to no improvement for the placebo treatment. In light of these findings, individuals whose upper-body muscular endurance performance is part of their physical fitness assessment program may benefit from pre-workout energy drink consumption. In contrast, individuals needing to demonstrate anaerobic/aerobic power, or reactive abilities should not expect an improvement in performance from pre-workout energy drink consumption
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