Real-time graphic simulation for space telerobotics applications

Designing space-based telerobotic systems presents many problems unique to telerobotics and the space environment, but it also shares many common hardware and software design problems with Earth-based industrial robot applications. Such problems include manipulator design and placement, grapple-fixture design, and of course the development of effective and reliable control algorithms. Since first being applied to industrial robotics just a few years ago, interactive graphic simulation has proven to be a powerful tool for anticipating and solving problems in the design of Earth-based robotic systems and processes. Where similar problems are encountered in the design of space-based robotic mechanisms, the same graphic simulation tools may also be of assistance. The capabilities of PLACE, a commercially available interactive graphic system for the design and simulation of robotic systems and processes is described. A space-telerobotics application of the system is presented and discussed. Potential future enhancements are described

Survey on Additive Manufacturing, Cloud 3D Printing and Services

Cloud Manufacturing (CM) is the concept of using manufacturing resources in a service oriented way over the Internet. Recent developments in Additive Manufacturing (AM) are making it possible to utilise resources ad-hoc as replacement for traditional manufacturing resources in case of spontaneous problems in the established manufacturing processes. In order to be of use in these scenarios the AM resources must adhere to a strict principle of transparency and service composition in adherence to the Cloud Computing (CC) paradigm. With this review we provide an overview over CM, AM and relevant domains as well as present the historical development of scientific research in these fields, starting from 2002. Part of this work is also a meta-review on the domain to further detail its development and structure

PERSPECTIVES IN METHODOLOGY IN BIOMECHANICS OF SPORT

1. OBJECTIVES OF BIOMECHANICS OF SPORT Biomechanics is mechanics applied to biological systems. It deals with the forces acting on and within these systems and the produced effects, the mechanical behaviour. In order to understand and to derive the laws and principles underlying the human movement the fundamental relations between structure and function be investigated. Biomechanics of sports is predominantly directed towards practical applications. The main objectives may be defined as follows: 1. improvement of performance and 2. prevention of excessive loads on the locomotor apparatus. These features are influenced by 1. sports techniques, 2. the physical condition of the athletes and 3. external conditions. 2. METHODOLOGY IN BIOMECHANICS OF SPORT. The scientific methodology playing a major role in biomechanics will be sketched and discussed briefly concerning both the state of the art and future perspectives. The discussion will follow according the subdivision: 1. the measuring techniques (instruments), 2. the modelling theory (theory), 3. the transfer procedures (application) The actual state of the art in these areas in general biomechanics or in related scientific fields is the result of a rapid technological development in the last decade. However the possibilities are not fully utilized in many practical applications in biomechanics of sport. Sometimes, for the sake of simplicity or because of other reasons, serious restrictions are stipulated on the system. model or instrumentation. These simplifications very openly yield results of limited value. The interpretation of results and the transfer into practice is the touchstone of the scientific work. The sometimes discussed "gap" between theory and practice indicates the need of improved procedures concerning the scientific approach and the communication between both sides. Now and then a pragmatic approach makes it necessary that biomechanics of sport has to be confined to a technical service just providing additional quantitative information in the process of teaching and coaching. 3. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS In order to make biomechanics more effective in practical applications, the following developments have been started already or will happen in the near future: 1. an increased and improved exploitation of the theoretical tools and the measuring devices, 2. the use of expert systems to combine numerical biomechanical findings with empirical know ledge from different sources, 3. the common usage of computer power and simulation models for presentation of results, communication and computer aided learning, 4. the introduction of more complex strategies and tools like fuzzylogic sets and others

Identifying characteristics of frailty in female mice using a phenotype assessment tool

Preclinical studies are important in identifying the underlying mechanisms contributing to frailty. Frailty studies have mainly focused on male rodents with little directed at female rodents. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to identify the onset and prevalence of frailty across the life span in female mice, and to determine if frailty predicts mortality. Female C57BL/6 (n = 27) mice starting at 17 months of age were assessed across the life span using a frailty phenotype, which included body weight, walking speed, strength, endurance, and physical activity. The onset of frailty occurred at approximately 17 months (1/27 mice), with the prevalence of frailty increasing thereafter. At 17 months, 11.1% of the mice were pre-frail and by 26 months peaked at 36.9%. The percentage of frail mice progressively increased up to 66.7% at 32 months. Non-frail mice lived to 29 months whereas frail/pre-frail mice lived only to 26 months (p = .04). In closing, using a mouse frailty phenotype, we are able to identify that the prevalence of frailty in female mice increases across the life span and accurately predicts mortality. Together, this frailty phenotype has the potential to yield information about the underlying mechanisms contributing to frailty.T32 AG029796 - NIA NIH HHSPublished versio

Sex-specific components of frailty in C57BL/6 mice.

Many age-related biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes are known to be sex-specific. However, how sex influences frailty status and mortality risk in frail rodents has yet to be established. The purpose of this study was therefore to characterize sex differences in frail mice across the lifespan. Male (n=29) and female (n=27) mice starting at 17 months of age were assessed using a frailty phenotype adjusted according to sex, which included body weight, walking speed, strength, endurance and physical activity. Regardless of sex, frail mice were phenotypically dysfunctional compared to age-matched non-frail mice, while non-frail females generally possessed a higher body fat percentage and were more physically active than non-frail males (p≤0.05). The prevalence of frailty was greater in female mice at 26 months of age (p=0.05), but if normalized to mean lifespan, no sex differences remained. No differences were detected in the rate of death or mean lifespan between frail male and female mice (p≥0.12). In closing, these data indicate that sexual differences exist in aging C57BL/6 mice and if the frailty criteria are adjusted according to sex, the prevalence of frailty increases across age with frail mice dying early in life, regardless of sex.T32 AG029796 - NIA NIH HHS; T32 AR007612 - NIAMS NIH HHSPublished versio

Heat Shock Protein 70 Regulates Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Myogenin in Skeletal Muscle Following Chemical-Induced Injury

Skeletal muscle injury results in functional deficits that can take several weeks to fully recover. Ultimate recovery of function is dependent on the muscle’s ability to regenerate, a highly coordinated process that involves transient muscle inflammation and the replacement of damaged myofibers. Instrumental in the inflammatory response, is the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Expression of TNF-α is thought to be regulated, in part, by the stress sensing 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70). However, it remains unclear how Hsp70 alters TNF-α following injury, and if so, how these changes affect skeletal muscle repair. Therefore, we up-regulated Hsp70 expression using 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) prior to and following BaCl2-induced injury, and assessed TNF-α and myogenin content. Regenerating fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and in vivo isometric torque were also analyzed in the weeks following the injury. Treatment of 17-AAG resulted in a ~5 fold increase in Hsp70 of the uninjured muscle, but did not affect any other biochemical, morphological or functional variables compared to controls. In the days following the injury, TNF-α and myogenin were elevated and directly correlated. At these earlier time points (≤7 days), treatment of 17-AAG increased TNF-α above that of the injured controls and resulted in a sustained increase in myogenin. However, no differences were observed in regenerating fiber CSA or in vivo torque production between the groups. Together, these data suggest that Hsp70 induction increases TNF-α and myogenin content following BaCl2-induced injury, but does not appear to alter skeletal muscle regeneration or attenuate functional deficits in otherwise healthy young mice

Vitamin "C" nutrition in the Cape Peninsula

1. A series of 507 cases in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa has been investigated for Vitamin C nutrition.2. Of the total number of cases, 124 or 24.6% showed marked evidence of Vitamin C deficiency.3. Of the total number of school children, 380, European and non -European, 80 or 21.1% showed marked evidence of Vitamin C deficiency.4. Of these children, the Europeans showed a greater percentage of cases of deficiency than the non - European viz., in 109 European cases 23 or 21.1% were deficient, whereas in 271 non -European cases 20 or 7.3% were deficient.5. During the survey no evidence that Vitamin C has a specific diuretic action appeared.6. Of the 15 cases examined, there was no conclusive evidence that Vitamin C deficiency plays a constant part in the aetiology of peptic ulcer.7. The survey was carried out by employing three tests: - (1) The Capillary Fragility Test. (2) The Intradermal Test. (3) The 5 -Hour Urinary Excretion Test in response to a Test Dose of Vitamin C, and the results obtained from them compared.8. No correlation could be found between these three tests.9. The Capillary Fragility Test proved (a) to vary with each individual, (b) to fail to detect a very large group of mild Vitamin C deficiency cases (c) to be far from suitable for making an accurate survey of the state of Vitamin C nutrition of any particular group of people, though in any one individual it may have its uses.10. The Intradermal Test proved to be wholly unreliable in its present form and is considered quite unsuitable for any estimation of Vitamin C nutrition in the human subject.11. The high incidence of Vitamin C deficiency appears to be due in part to economic conditions and in part to lack of knowledge as to what constitutes an adequate, well- balanced diet containing all the essential foodstuffs and food factors.12. It is suggested that the prevalence of Vitamin C deficiency in school children be remedied by the daily (or thrice weekly at least) administration of one orange or its equivalent, and that although Vitamin C Saturation level is the ideal, at least levels of Normality be attained and maintained

VDT\u27s the future is now for functional/behavioral optometry

This literature research deals with describing a new visual wellness model and applying this to vision care of Visual Display Terminal (VDT) users. A synthesis of information gleaned from many disciplines is incorporated with the Skeffington nearpoint visual stress model. From the roots of optometry 1s unique service, behavioral optometry must develop care for the visual needs of millions of new VDT workers. The visual wellness model is applied in a 26 day home-based training program. Next, the application of functional lens prescription is discussed as a biofeedback device for use at the VDT. Marketing vision therapy in a seminar format is described as the most efficient way to pro vi de visual hygiene techniques, vision education and prevention to VDT operators. The rapid increase of VDT use in the years ahead is a signal that the future is now for functional/Behavioral optometry