A Review of Prosthetic Interface Stress Investigations

Over the last decade, numerous experimental and numerical analyses have been conducted to investigate the stress distribution between the residual limb and prosthetic socket of persons with lower limb amputation. The objectives of these analyses have been to improve our understanding of the residual limb/prosthetic socket system, to evaluate the influence of prosthetic design parameters and alignment variations on the interface stress distribution, and to evaluate prosthetic fit. The purpose of this paper is to summarize these experimental investigations and identify associated limitations. In addition, this paper presents an overview of various computer models used to investigate the residual limb interface, and discusses the differences and potential ramifications of the various modeling formulations. Finally, the potential and future applications of these experimental and numerical analyses in prosthetic design are presented

Maximal adaptive-decision speedups in quantum-state readout

The average time $T$ required for high-fidelity readout of quantum states can be significantly reduced via a real-time adaptive decision rule. An adaptive decision rule stops the readout as soon as a desired level of confidence has been achieved, as opposed to setting a fixed readout time $t_f$. The performance of the adaptive decision is characterized by the "adaptive-decision speedup," $t_f/T$. In this work, we reformulate this readout problem in terms of the first-passage time of a particle undergoing stochastic motion. This formalism allows us to theoretically establish the maximum achievable adaptive-decision speedups for several physical two-state readout implementations. We show that for two common readout schemes (the Gaussian latching readout and a readout relying on state-dependent decay), the speedup is bounded by $4$ and $2$, respectively, in the limit of high single-shot readout fidelity. We experimentally study the achievable speedup in a real-world scenario by applying the adaptive decision rule to a readout of the nitrogen-vacancy-center (NV-center) charge state. We find a speedup of $\approx 2$ with our experimental parameters. In addition, we propose a simple readout scheme for which the speedup can, in principle, be increased without bound as the fidelity is increased. Our results should lead to immediate improvements in nanoscale magnetometry based on spin-to-charge conversion of the NV-center spin, and provide a theoretical framework for further optimization of the bandwidth of quantum measurements.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures. This version is close to the published versio

Hydrodynamic orienting of asymmetric microobjects under gravity

It is shown that nonsymmetric microobjects orient while settling under gravity in a viscous fluid. To analyze this process, a simple shape is chosen: a non-deformable `chain'. The chain consists of two straight arms, made of touching solid spheres. In the absence of external torques, the spheres are free to spin along the arms. The motion of the chain is evaluated by solving the Stokes equations with the use of the multipole method. It is demonstrated that the spinning beads speed up sedimentation by a small amount, and increase the orientation rate significantly in comparison to the corresponding rigid chain. It is shown that chains orient towards the V-shaped stable stationary configuration. In contrast, rods and star-shaped microobjects do not rotate. The hydrodynamic orienting is relevant for efficient swimming of non-symmetric microobjects, and for sedimenting suspensions.Comment: 9 page

Logic Circuits and the Quality of Life

The article presents information on the relationship between the logic circuits and the quality of life. The applications of logic circuits are countless. With the flooding of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, people around the world became all too aware of human dependency on technology to manage the forces of nature and maintain a high quality of life. New Orleans\u27 sewage and water control systems depend on water pumps to move sewage, storm-water runoff, and fresh water around the city. Under normal conditions, when it rains in New Orleans, a city that sits below sea level, massive water pumps are automatically engaged, and ram water is pumped into Lake Pontchartrain, a nearby reservoir. However, when Katrina hit and electrical power to the city was cut, the system failed. The transport of drinking water is one of the technological marvels that people do not think about until they have to go without. At the heart of the system that automates water pumping is an electronic control circuit. Electronic control circuits are used in a wide variety of applications, from controlling pump motors to making automobiles more safe and efficient. Apart from this, logic circuits are used in temperature control units, security systems, and arithmetic circuits for a variety of microprocessors built into everything from computers to microwave ovens

Kentucky Annual Economic Report 2023

This report is one of the important ways that the Center for Business and Economic Research fulfills its mission to examine various aspects of Kentucky’s economy as directed by the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS 164.738). The analysis and data presented here cover a variety of topics that range from a discussion of Kentucky’s current economic climate to a broad presentation of factors affecting the economy

Helicopter main-rotor speed effects on far-field acoustic levels

The design of a helicopter is based on an understanding of many parameters and their interactions. For example, in the design stage of a helicopter, the weight, engine, and rotor speed must be considered along with the rotor geometry when considering helicopter operations. However, the relationship between the noise radiated from the helicopter and these parameters is not well understood, with only limited model and full-scale test data to study. In general, these data have shown that reduced rotor speeds result in reduced far-field noise levels. This paper reviews the status of a recent helicopter noise research project designed to provide experimental flight data to be used to better understand helicopter rotor-speed effects on far-field acoustic levels. Preliminary results are presented relative to tests conducted with a McDonnell Douglas model 500E helicopter operating with the rotor speed as the control variable over the range of 103% of the main-rotor speed (NR) to 75% NR, and with the forward speed maintained at a constant value of 80 knots

The alpha-effect in rotating convection: a comparison of numerical simulations

Numerical simulations are an important tool in furthering our understanding of turbulent dynamo action, a process that occurs in a vast range of astrophysical bodies. It is important in all computational work that comparisons are made between different codes and, if non-trivial differences arise, that these are explained. Kapyla et al (2010: MNRAS 402, 1458) describe an attempt to reproduce the results of Hughes & Proctor (2009: PRL 102, 044501) and, by employing a different methodology, they arrive at very different conclusions concerning the mean electromotive force and the generation of large-scale fields. Here we describe why the simulations of Kapyla et al (2010) are simply not suitable for a meaningful comparison, since they solve different equations, at different parameter values and with different boundary conditions. Furthermore we describe why the interpretation of Kapyla et al (2010) of the calculation of the alpha-effect is inappropriate and argue that the generation of large-scale magnetic fields by turbulent convection remains a problematic issue.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS. 5 pages, 3 figure