RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JOINT ANGLES AND X-FACTOR IN GOLF SWING

The X-Factor is the most commonly investigated performance parameter in the golf. Although there are several studies have reported the relationship between X-Factor and clubhead speed, ball velocity and golfing skills. However, the associated joint kinematics required to attain large X-Factor during the golf swing has received little attention. Therefore, the purpose of current study was to identify the key joint angles that are associated with X-Factor. Ten low handicap male golfers participated in this study. The motion capture system was used to record full body motion. The results indicate the key joints that associate with the X-factor during two phases of swing. This study provides fundamentals of the movement mechanisms of the major joints and their relationship with the X-Factor that can be integrated with coaches and players to improve the golfing skill

In Situ Production of B4C and FeV Enriched Composite Surface on Low Carbon Steel by Cast Sintering Technique

A simple and cost effective technique to obtain locally hardened composite layer on cast alloy was previously developed based on advantages of liquid-sintering theory. This methodology provides an opportunity to produce final product with hardened composite layer with good wear resistance during casting process. The current study investigated the effect of combined B4C and FeV substrates on the composite layer properties during in situ cast sintering technique for low carbon steel. Microstructure inspection, XRD phase analysis, chemical composition, thickness measurement and the hardness test on the produced composite layer were conducted. The technique produced up to 640 (±300) µm thick composite layer with maximum hardness of 481 (± 14.6) HV. The hardness of the reinforced surface layer is 3-4 times higher than the base alloy. The increased hardness of composite zone is directly attributed to the presence of the iron boron (FeB), boron vanadium (V2B3) and iron carbide (Fe3C). There were no significant effect of substrate composition on the produced thickness of the composite layer. However, an increase of FeV proportion in the powder mixture leads increased the hardness. The current study is a first attempt to produce locally hardened surface layer on the low carbon steel using simple and cost effective in situ technique with use of relatively inexpensive substrates.&nbsp

Normal Range of Motion of Lower Extremity Joints in Mongolian Subjects

It is important to identify the normal range of motion (ROM) of the human joints for both biomechanical and clinical applications. For health care providers, including physicians and therapists, the restoration of normal ROM is a difficult task. The severity of impaired joint mobility or the postoperative rehabilitation process must be evaluated in comparison with a normal reference value. However, there are no studies that have reported the ROM of Mongolian subjects. In this study, we measured the hip, knee, and ankle joint angles using multiple wearable inertial sensors. Ten healthy young subjects participated. The three-dimensional (3D) motion data were collected while the subject were walking at normal speed. In our knowledge, this study is the first to analyze the normal ROM of Mongolian male subjects. The collected data can be used as reference values for evaluating the disability of the motion and performance in rehabilitation programs

Influence of Bundle Diameter and Attachment Point on Kinematic Behavior in Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Computational Model

A protocol to choose the graft diameter attachment point of each bundle has not yet been determined since they are usually dependent on a surgeon’s preference. Therefore, the influence of bundle diameters and attachment points on the kinematics of the knee joint needs to be quantitatively analyzed. A three-dimensional knee model was reconstructed with computed tomography images of a 26-year-old man. Based on the model, models of double bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction were developed. The anterior tibial translations for the anterior drawer test and the internal tibial rotation for the pivot shift test were investigated according to variation of bundle diameters and attachment points. For the model in this study, the knee kinematics after the double bundle ACL reconstruction were dependent on the attachment point and not much influenced by the bundle diameter although larger sized anterior-medial bundles provided increased stability in the knee joint. Therefore, in the clinical setting, the bundle attachment point needs to be considered prior to the bundle diameter, and the current selection method of graft diameters for both bundles appears justified

Digital Learning Transformation in Higher Education: International Cases of University Efforts to Evaluate and Improve Blended Teaching Readiness

The global pandemic of 2019 brought heightened awareness to institutions of higher education of the need to engage in a digital transformation that extends beyond university business operations to the pedagogy of the classroom. This paper is a case study that explores three international cases of universities in Colombia, Brazil, and Mongolia that are at different stages along the path of a digital pedagogical transformation. This article tells each story, including (1) what is driving the local need to engage in digital transformation, (2) what the major challenges and barriers are to achieving a transformation, and (3) what efforts are being made to help each university to move along the path towards adoption and change. It concludes with discussing three major themes that emerged from the case studies: (1) the role of local policy in shaping digital transformation, (2) the importance of developing human capacity with technology, and (3) the potential for digital transformation to bring hope