Modelli virtuali predittivi del comfort vibrazionale degli occupanti di autovetture

La monografia riguarda la descrizione di metodologie innovative per la simulazione del comportamento biomecanico di un corpo umano soggetto a vibrazioni. Particolare attenzione è stata posta nella modellazione di un occupante di veicolo al fine di predire il relativo comfort vibrazionale in ottemperanza con le recenti normative. Prove sperimentali sono state eseguite a corredo per validare i modelli proposti

Using Application programming interface to integrate reverse engineering methodologies into solidworks

In this paper the authors present an application of Visual Basic Application Programming Interface (API) to develop numerical and procedural algorithm into CAD software. The paper focuses on Reverse Engineering embedded into Solidworks. In many RE applications there is the need to remodel the tessellated surface into an editable solid feature, to analyze it and to manipulate it. For this purpose they can be programmed numerical procedures which interact with native geometrical entities in order to improve the modelling capability using automation protocols. The presented example of API and Solidworks interaction is about the acquisition and processing of surfaces acquired by 3d laser scanner. The problem is to acquire the tessellated geometry, build up a parametric editable feature, perform topological analysis and manipulate more fragments to reconstruct an unique entity. The proposed methodology is based on the integration between native geometrical entities in Solidworks and advanced mathematics algorithms about nonlinear optimization. Both of them can be accessed and manipulated by the user using simple graphic windows. In the paper the authors describe how to implement the interaction among these entities, discussing the role of API focusing on limits and capabilities and presenting the proposed algorithms underling the critical points

A Data-Driven Approach to Estimate the Power Loss and Thermal Behaviour of Cylindrical Gearboxes under Transient Operating Conditions

This paper proposes an innovative methodology to estimate the thermal behaviour of the cylindrical gearbox system, considering, as a thermal source, the power loss calculated under transient operating conditions. The power loss of the system in transient conditions is computed through several approaches: a partial elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication model (EHL) is adopted to estimate the friction coefficients of the gears, while analytical and semiempirical models are used to compute other power loss sources. Furthermore, considering a limited set of operating condition points as a training set, a reduced-order model for the evaluation of the power loss based on a neural network is developed. Using this method, it is possible to simulate thermal behaviour with high accuracy through a thermal network approach in all steady-state and transient operating conditions, reducing computational time. The results obtained by means of the proposed method have been compared and validated with the experimental results available in the literature. This methodology has been tested with the FZG rig test gearbox but can be extended to any transmission layout to predict the overall efficiency and component temperatures with a low computational burden

An Interactive Digital-Twin Model for Virtual Reality Environments to Train in the Use of a Sensorized Upper-Limb Prosthesis

In recent years, the boost in the development of hardware and software resources for building virtual reality environments has fuelled the development of tools to support training in different disciplines. The purpose of this work is to discuss a complete methodology and the supporting algorithms to develop a virtual reality environment to train the use of a sensorized upper-limb prosthesis targeted at amputees. The environment is based on the definition of a digital twin of a virtual prosthesis, able to communicate with the sensors worn by the user and reproduce its dynamic behaviour and the interaction with virtual objects. Several training tasks are developed according to standards, including the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure, and the usability of the entire system is evaluated, too

naked eye fingerprinting of single nucleotide polymorphisms on psoriasis patients

We report a low-cost test, based on gold nanoparticles, for the colorimetric (naked-eye) fingerprinting of a panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), relevant for the personalized therapy of psoriasis. Such pharmacogenomic tests are not routinely performed on psoriasis patients, due to the high cost of standard technologies. We demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity of our colorimetric test by validating it on a cohort of 30 patients, through a double-blind comparison with two state-of-the-art instrumental techniques, namely reverse dot blotting and sequencing, finding 100% agreement. This test offers high parallelization capabilities and can be easily generalized to other SNPs of clinical relevance, finding broad utility in diagnostics and pharmacogenomics

SlingDrone: Mixed Reality System for Pointing and Interaction Using a Single Drone

We propose SlingDrone, a novel Mixed Reality interaction paradigm that utilizes a micro-quadrotor as both pointing controller and interactive robot with a slingshot motion type. The drone attempts to hover at a given position while the human pulls it in desired direction using a hand grip and a leash. Based on the displacement, a virtual trajectory is defined. To allow for intuitive and simple control, we use virtual reality (VR) technology to trace the path of the drone based on the displacement input. The user receives force feedback propagated through the leash. Force feedback from SlingDrone coupled with visualized trajectory in VR creates an intuitive and user friendly pointing device. When the drone is released, it follows the trajectory that was shown in VR. Onboard payload (e.g. magnetic gripper) can perform various scenarios for real interaction with the surroundings, e.g. manipulation or sensing. Unlike HTC Vive controller, SlingDrone does not require handheld devices, thus it can be used as a standalone pointing technology in VR.Comment: ACM VRST 2019 conferenc

Ultrasonography

No abstract available.Image: Transverse power Doppler scan in a patient with cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall

Gold-Nanoparticle-Based Colorimetric Discrimination of Cancer-Related Point Mutations with Picomolar Sensitivity

Point mutations in the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) gene are being increasingly recognized as important diagnostic and prognostic markers in cancer. In this work, we describe a rapid and low-cost method for the naked-eye detection of cancer-related point mutations in KRAS based on gold nanoparticles. This simple colorimetric assay is sensitive (limit of detection in the low picomolar range), instrument-free, and employs nonstringent room temperature conditions due to a combination of DNA-conjugated gold nanoparticles, a probe design which exploits cooperative hybridization for increased binding affinity, and signal enhancement on the surface of magnetic beads. Additionally, the scheme is suitable for point-of-care applications, as it combines naked-eye detection, small sample volumes, and isothermal (PCR-free) amplification

Antibacterial Melamine Foams Decorated with in Situ Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles

A new and straightforward single-step route to decorate melamine foams with silver nanoparticles (ME/Ag) is proposed