We design, build, and thoroughly test a new type of actuator dubbed viscoelastic liquid cooled actuator (VLCA) for robotic applications. VLCAs excel in the following five critical axes of performance: energy efficiency, torque density, impact resistence, joint position and force controllability. We first study the design objectives and choices of the VLCA to enhance the performance on the neede...

Dear Editor, It is no secret that surgeons are subjected (or subject themselves) to long hours at work, be it in the operating theatre, the clinic, the offi ce, or otherwise. Such a lifestyle is likely to result in health problems in the long run. The mental health of doctors has been extensively studied, with many doctors revealing evidence of psychiatric morbidity.1,2 This has implications on...

The shape of fragments generated by the breakup of solids is central to a wide variety of problems ranging from the geomorphic evolution of boulders to the accumulation of space debris orbiting Earth. Although the statistics of the mass of fragments has been found to show a universal scaling behavior, the comprehensive characterization of fragment shapes still remained a fundamental challenge. ...

Tissue homogenization is a key step for molecular biology studies. This first critical step of the long biological process is aimed at detecting or quantifying DNA, RNA, proteins, or drugs. Blending, vortexing, mortar and pestle grinding, or hammering are traditional methods to disrupt the tissue matrix to liberate the nucleic acids or proteins. These methods are laborious and require training ...

We present a method for real-time monitoring of workflows in a constrained environment. The monitoring system should not only be able to recognise the current step but also provide the instructions about the possible next steps in an ongoing workflow. In this paper, we address this issue by using a robust approach (HMM-pLSA) which relies on Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and generative model such as...

abstractinduced total pressure by flow, including mean and fluctuating components, around a selected chute block in saf stilling basins downstream of an ogee spillway was studied. several pressure holes were selected on various faces of a selected chute block to get enough information regarding the total pressure field. this paper reports the results of an experimental work and measurement of m...

A new model for the vapor phase of a pressurized liquid called "the cluster model: which is originally introduced in this work, along with an accurate equation of state for the liquid phase called the LIR, is used to derive an accurate equation for the vapor pressure of liquid as a function of external pressure. The chemical Potential of both phase have been found to be in good agreement wi...

background: pneumoperitoneum results in respiratory and hemodynamic changes. it is unknown whether hemodynamic changes that last to the recovery room could change recovery criteria. to determine the effect of decrease in intra-abdominal pressure on discharge criteria after laparascopic cholecystectomy. methods: patients with age 25-65 who were candidated for elective laparascopy cholecystectomy...

the purpose of this study was the introduction of seed accumulation index as a new approach in the evaluation of soil seed bank consistency in the populus caspica in noor reserved forest park. sampling were made above ground vegetation at peak vegetation cover during june 2010 by systematic- selective method. soil samples were collected during late june, late november and early february by hamm...