2-In order to determine how posteroanterior movements (PAs) are related to tenderness and thus possibly symptom production, we measured PA movements to a force of 25 N on each side of the cervical spines of asymptomatic subjects. From ten subjects (six females and four males; mean age 37.2, range 21 to 50), ten locations with a difference in tenderness to pressure between sides were used for an...

In this paper we review some theoretical aspects of positive feedback in the control of movement. The focus is mainly on new theories regarding the reflexive role of sensory signals from mammalian tendon organ afferents. In static postures these afferents generally mediate negative force feedback. But in locomotion there is evidence of a switch to positive force feedback action. Positive feedba...

To determine the stiffness and damping of computer keyboard keys, a computercontrolled test rig that can measure computer key displacement, velocity, and contact force has been designed. The test rig, consisting of a single-axis stage carrying a probe for contacting keys, has been used to collect contact force and motion data as computer keys are depressed and released at constant velocities up...

In order to determine how posteroanterior movements (PAs) are related to tenderness and thus possibly symptom production, we measured PA movements to a force of 25N on each side of the cervical spines of asymptomatic subjects. From 10 subjects (six females and four males; mean age 37.2, range 21-50), 10 locations with a difference in tenderness to pressure between sides were used for analysis. ...

This paper presents a bistable microswitch fully batch-fabricated on a single glass wafer, comprising of a microactuator, a signal transformer, a microspring and a permanent magnet. The bistable mechanism of the microswitch with large displacement of 160 μm depends on the balance of the magnetic force and elastic force. Both the magnetic force and elastic force were optimized by finite-element ...

Topology and size optimization methods are used to design compliant mechanisms that produce a constant output force for a given actuator characteristic of linearly decreasing force versus displacement. The design procedure consists of two stages: (i) topology optimization using two-dimensional (2-D) continuum parametrization, and (ii) size optimization of the beam-element abstraction derived fr...

Several techniques have been developed in an effort to estimate mechanical properties of tissues. These techniques typically estimate static or harmonic motion resulting from an externally or internally applied mechanical stimulus. In this paper, we discuss the advantages of utilizing a new technique that performs radiofrequency (RF) signal tracking to estimate the localized oscillatory motion ...

In atomic force microscopy, cantilevers with a reflective coating are often used to reduce optical shot noise for deflection detection. However, static AFM experiments can be limited by classical noise and therefore may not benefit from a reduction in shot noise. Furthermore, the cantilever coating has the detrimental side-effect of coupling light power fluctuations into true cantilever bending...