Defect elimination in torsional harmonic reducer based on harmonic resonance

This paper will introduce the torsional vibration test method and signal analysis for a harmonic reducer in industrial robot. The harmonic reducer is generally applied to the fifth and sixth axes of the industrial robots, and the torsional vibration will affect the mechanical performance. To understand the torsional vibration condition of the harmonic reducer, the test device is set up through loading the corresponding moment of inertia. In the study, the curve of torsional characteristic is obtained, and it can be used to assess the mechanical performance; Using zoom spectrum technology on harmonic resonance, the characteristic frequency is identified in detail. The manufacturing defect of the harmonic reducer is diagnosed based on characteristic frequencies of its transmission, and defect elimination is successfully realized by adjustment of components in the harmonic driver; Some nonlinear vibration characteristics caused by stiffness with time periodic dependent, including bi-spectrum and harmonic resonance, etc., are investigated. The experimental results show that the test and analysis of torsional vibration have positive significance for the online quality assembly assurance of harmonic reducer

Holospectrum analysis for bearing cage behaviour

In this paper, the holospectrum is introduced to analyse bearing cage behaviour. Through data fusion on radial vibration displacements, one type of frequency domain analysis, holospectrum, is applied to reflect the detailed characteristics of cage dynamic behaviour. Several typical bearing cage running conditions, such as unbalance, misalignment, impact and friction, are discussed in the investigation, and the corresponding characteristics in the holospectrum are identified. The holospectrum has intuitive and understandable characteristics for the analysis of cage whirling motion. The experimental results show that the holospectrum analysis has the potential to deeply assess bearing cage behaviour

Study on torsional vibration of a harmonic driver based on time-varying stiffness caused by manufacturing error

The torsional vibration of Harmonic reducer is concerned with the positioning accuracy and trajectory accuracy of industrial robots. A study on the parametric torsional vibration based on time-varying stiffness will improve the mechanical performance of Harmonic reducer. In this paper, the phenomenon of time-varying stiffness caused by manufacturing error is investigated on a Harmonic driver through mechanism analysis and experimental investigation. Meanwhile, a model of forced parametric vibration is set up for the Harmonic driver transmission system with an inertia load. The parametric vibration response is simulated by the Runge-Kutta method, and the issue of bi-spectra, combined harmonic group, and the envelope of system sweeping frequency response are analyzed in detail. The influence of double periodic time-varying stiffness on vibration is emphasized with simulation data. To observe the characteristic of parametric vibration in Harmonic driver, a test device has been developed for the measurement of torsional vibration. The dynamic characteristics can be confirmed through signal processing on torsional vibration. An engineering example is given to illustrate that the manufacturing defect can be on-line diagnosed in Harmonic driver by using the characteristic of bi-spectra. As a result, the magnitude of torsional vibration is eliminated to one half of the original case through the reassembly process, and one of the mechanical performances, i.e., the property of torsional vibration-speed, is improved obviously. The dynamic characteristics caused by time-varying stiffness, i.e., bi-spectra, can be used as a new clue of manufacturing quality assurance for Harmonic driver

Utilizing 505(b)(2) Regulatory Pathway for New Drug Applications: An Overview on the Advanced Formulation Approach and Challenges

More than 50% of approved drugs on the market contain poorly water-soluble APIs, which typically are associated with poor bioavailability, suboptimal drug delivery, ineffective drug efficacy, and side effects. This creates a huge opportunity in generating 505(b)(2) products, which address unmet medical needs by applying formulation technologies to overcome those difficulties. A key feature of the 505(b)(2) pathway is the 505(b)(2) sponsor can rely upon clinical data or literature produced by other companies. The 505(b)(2) pathway allows manufacturers to acquire FDA approval without performing all the work required with a traditional NDA. The 505(b)(2) strategy can be an option to improve existing drug products with a new indication, dosage form, dosing regimen, strength, combination with other products, new route of administration, elimination of food effect, switching from a prescription drugs (Rx) to an over-the-counter (OTC), non-prescription product that differs from the OTC monograph, and orphan drug indications. Both generic and brand companies are turning to more complex 505(b)(2) products to avoid the commoditized generic competition. Revitalization of older marketed drug products using innovative drug delivery technologies or platforms can provide new marketing exclusivity and new patent protection, and thus offer an effective tool for product life cycle management

The serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level is an independent predictor of recurrence after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether the serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level is an independent predictor of recurrence after catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with persistent atrial fibrillation were enrolled and underwent catheter ablation. The serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level was detected before ablation and its relationship with recurrent arrhythmia was analyzed at the end of the follow-up. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 12.1±7.2 months, 21 (36.2%) patients had a recurrence of their arrhythmia after catheter ablation. At baseline, the matrix metalloproteinase-9 level was higher in the patients with recurrence than in the non-recurrent group (305.77±88.90 vs 234.41±93.36 ng/ml, respectively, p=0.006). A multivariate analysis showed that the matrix metalloproteinase-9 level was an independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrence, as was a history of atrial fibrillation and the diameter of the left atrium. CONCLUSION: The serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level is an independent predictor of recurrent arrhythmia after catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

Reliability and validity of the Mental Health Self-management Questionnaire among Chinese patients with mood and anxiety disorders

BackgroundSelf-management plays an important role in promoting and restoring mental health for individuals with mental health issues. However, there is no valid and reliable Chinese tool assessing the self-management behaviors of people with mood and anxiety disorders. This study aimed to develop a Chinese version of the Mental Health Self-management Questionnaire (MHSQ-C) and to verify its psychometric properties.MethodsA total of 440 potential participants were recruited by convenience sampling from June to August 2020. Item analysis and analyses of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity, construct validity and criterion validity were performed.ResultsData from 326 participants were used. Three factors obtained via principal component analysis and varimax rotation explained 53.68% of the total variance. The average content validity index was 0.99. The Cronbach’s α coefficient (total: 0.874, clinical: 0.706, empowerment: 0.818, vitality: 0.830) and test-retest reliability (ICC: total: 0.783, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.616, 0.882], clinical: 0.525, 95% CI [0.240, 0.725], empowerment: 0.786, 95% CI [0.622, 0.884], vitality: 0.748, 95% CI [0.564, 0.862]) were good. The MHSQ-C was well correlated with the Partners in Health scale and showed no floor or ceiling effect.DiscussionThe MHSQ-C is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate the self-management strategies of patients with mood and anxiety disorders

Metasurface spectrometers beyond resolution-sensitivity constraints

Optical spectroscopy plays an essential role across scientific research and industry for non-contact materials analysis1-3, increasingly through in-situ or portable platforms4-6. However, when considering low-light-level applications, conventional spectrometer designs necessitate a compromise between their resolution and sensitivity7,8, especially as device and detector dimensions are scaled down. Here, we report on a miniaturizable spectrometer platform where light throughput onto the detector is instead enhanced as the resolution is increased. This planar, CMOS-compatible platform is based around metasurface encoders designed to exhibit photonic bound states in the continuum9, where operational range can be altered or extended simply through adjusting geometric parameters. This system can enhance photon collection efficiency by up to two orders of magnitude versus conventional designs; we demonstrate this sensitivity advantage through ultra-low-intensity fluorescent and astrophotonic spectroscopy. This work represents a step forward for the practical utility of spectrometers, affording a route to integrated, chip-based devices that maintain high resolution and SNR without requiring prohibitively long integration times