Electric-driven Zonal Hydraulics in Non-Road Mobile Machinery

The goal of this research is to apply direct-driven hydraulics (DDH) to the concept of zonal (i.e., locally and operation-focused) hydraulics, which is an essential step in the hybridization and automation of machines. DDH itself aims to combine the best properties of electric and hydraulic technologies and will lead to increased productivity, minimized energy consumption and higher robust performance in both stationary and mobile machines operating in various environments. In the proposed setup, the speed and position control of a double-acting cylinder is implemented directly with an electric motor drive in a closed-loop system without conventional control valves and an oil tank. The selection of the location of the hydraulic accumulator and connection of the external leakage lines will also be part of this study. Simulations and experimental research to study the details of the hydromechanical and electrical realization of the DDH are performed

Synthesis, Stability and Relaxivity of TEEPO-Met : An Organic Radical as a Potential Tumour Targeting Contrast Agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Cancer is a widespread and life-threatening disease and its early-stage diagnosis is vital. One of the most effective, non-invasive tools in medical diagnostics is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the aid of contrast agents. Contrast agents that are currently in clinical use contain metals, causing some restrictions in their use. Also, these contrast agents are mainly non-specific without any tissue targeting capabilities. Subsequently, the interest has notably increased in the research of organic, metal-free contrast agents. This study presents a new, stable organic radical, TEEPO-Met, where a radical moiety 2,2,6,6-tetraethylpiperidinoxide (TEEPO) is attached to an amino acid, methionine (Met), as a potentially tumour-targeting moiety. We describe the synthesis, stability assessment with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and relaxation enhancement abilities by an in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and phantom MRI studies of TEEPO-Met. The new compound proved to be stable notably longer than the average imaging time in conditions mimicking a biological matrix. Also, it significantly reduced the relaxation times of water, making it a promising candidate as a novel tumour targeting contrast agent for MRI.Peer reviewe

Vibrotactile Stimulation as an Instructor for Mimicry-Based Physical Exercise

The present aim was to investigate functionality of vibrotactile stimulation in mimicry-based behavioral regulation during physical exercise. Vibrotactile stimuli communicated instructions from an instructor to an exerciser to perform lower extremity movements. A wireless prototype was tested first in controlled laboratory conditions (Study 1) and was followed by a user study (Study 2) that was conducted in a group exercise situation for elderly participants with a new version of the system with improved construction and extended functionality. The results of Study 1 showed that vibrotactile instructions were successful in both supplementing and substituting visual knee lift instructions. Vibrotactile stimuli were accurately recognized, and exercise with the device received affirmative ratings. Interestingly, tactile stimulation appeared to stabilize acceleration magnitude of the knee lifts in comparison to visual instructions. In Study 2 it was found that user experience of the system was mainly positive by both the exercisers and their instructors. For example, exercise with vibrotactile instructions was experienced as more motivating than conventional exercise session. Together the results indicate that tactile instructions could increase possibilities for people having difficulties in following visual and auditory instructions to take part in mimicry-based group training. Both studies also revealed development areas that were primarily related to a slight delay in triggering the vibrotactile stimulation

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Non peer reviewe

High-Intensity Functional Training Induces Superior Training Adaptations Compared With Traditional Military Physical Training

This study examined the effectiveness of concurrent strength and endurance training with an emphasis on high-intensity functional training (HIFT) during military service. Voluntary male conscripts (aged 18-28 years) were placed in either an experimental (EXP: n = 50-66) or a control (CON: n = 50-67) group. The training for the EXP group included HIFT using body mass, sandbags, and kettlebells. The CON group trained according to the current practice. Physical performance and body composition were assessed at baseline (PRE), at week 10 (MID), and after (POST) the 19-week training period. Significance was set at p < 0.05. The total distance covered in a 12-minute running test increased in both groups, but the change in EXP was superior to the change in CON (11.6%, ES: 0.79 vs. 5.7%, ES: 0.33; p = 0.027). Maximal strength and power characteristics increased in EXP (3.1-5.0%), whereas no improvements were observed in CON. Conscripts with the highest initial fitness showed no improvements in physical performance in either group. Body mass and waist circumference decreased in EXP, whereas CON showed an increase in muscle mass. These findings suggest that HIFT is an effective and time-efficient approach to improve soldiers' aerobic fitness during military service. For the optimal development of strength, the training equipment used may not have provided sufficient and progressive loading to yield considerable strength adaptations. More focus should be placed on sufficient intensity and volume in both strength and endurance training, especially for the most fit soldiers

Energy Balance, Hormonal Status, and Military Performance in Strenuous Winter Training

Severe energy deficit may impair hormonal regulation and physical performance in military trainings. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between energy intake, expenditure, and balance, hormones and military performance during a winter survival training. Two groups were studied: the FEX group (n = 46) had 8-day garrison and field training, whereas the RECO group (n = 26) had a 36-h recovery period after the 6-day garrison and field training phase. Energy intake was assessed by food diaries, expenditure via heart rate variability, body composition by bioimpedance, and hormones by blood samples. Strength, endurance and shooting tests were done for evaluating military performance. PRE 0 d, MID 6 d, POST 8 d measurements were carried out. Energy balance was negative in PRE and MID (FEX −1070 ± 866, −4323 ± 1515; RECO −1427 ± 1200, −4635 ± 1742 kcal·d−1). In POST, energy balance differed between the groups (FEX −4222 ± 1815; RECO −608 ± 1107 kcal·d−1 (p < 0.001)), as well as leptin, testosterone/cortisol ratio, and endurance performance (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.003, respectively). Changes in energy intake and expenditure were partially associated with changes in leptin and the testosterone/cortisol ratio, but not with physical performance variables. The 36-h recovery restored energy balance and hormonal status after strenuous military training, but these outcomes were not associated with strength or shooting performance

Flexible Single Sign-On for SIP: Bridging the Identity Chasm

Abstract-Identity federation is a key requirement for today&apos;s distributed services. This technology allows managed sharing of users&apos; identity information between identity providers (IDP), and subsequently, the use of federated identities to access service providers (SP). Single Sign-On (SSO) is a core feature provided by these systems. The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling framework for session call control. It is becoming a widely accepted layer for applications and services, especially in the telecommunications and multimedia domain. In this paper, we explore solutions to incorporate SSO process into the SIP framework in order to simplify the services and resources access. Our design leverages the Liberty Alliance specifications and extends the existing SIP standards to support SSO functionality. We also present a prototype implementation at the end of this paper