The Immediate Analgesic Effect and Impact on Gait Function of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Late-Stage Elderly Individuals with Knee Pain: Examination of Gait Function Using an IoT-Based Gait Analysis Device

Purpose: This study verified the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which can be worn during walking and exercise, in elderly individuals with late-stage knee pain who exercise regularly. Methods: Thirty-two late-stage elderly individuals were evaluated for knee pain during rest, walking, and program exercises, with and without TENS. Gait analysis was performed using an IoT-based gait analysis device to examine the effects of TENS-induced analgesia on gait. Results: TENS significantly reduced knee pain during rest, walking, and programmed exercises, with the greatest analgesic effect observed during walking. The greater the knee pain without TENS, the more significant the analgesic effect of TENS. A comparison of gait parameters revealed a significant difference only in the gait cycle time, with a trend towards faster walking with TENS;however, the effect was limited. Conclusion: TENS effectively relieves knee pain in late-stage elderly individuals and can be safely applied during exercise. Pain management using TENS provides important insights into the implementation of exercise therapy in this age group.

Trajectory of Walking Function in Late-Stage Older Individuals Managed with a Regular Exercise Program: A 5-Year Longitudinal Tracking with an IoT Gait Analysis System Using Accelerometers

Purpose: This study focused on maintaining and improving the walking function of late-stage older individuals while longitudinally tracking the effects of regular exercise programs in a day-care service specialized for preventive care over 5 years, using detailed gait function measurements with an accelerometer-based system. Methods: Seventy individuals (17 male and 53 female) of a daycare service in Tokyo participated in a weekly exercise program, meeting 1 - 2 times. The average age of the participants at the start of the program was 81.4 years. Gait function, including gait speed, stride length, root mean square (RMS) of acceleration, gait cycle time and its standard deviation, and left-right difference in stance time, was evaluated every 6 months. Results: Gait speed and stride length improved considerably within six months of starting the exercise program, confirming an initial improvement in gait function. This suggests that regular exercise programs can maintain or improve gait function even age groups that predictably have a gradual decline in gait ability due to enhanced age. In the long term, many indicators tended to approach baseline values. However, the exercise program seemingly counteracts age-related changes in gait function and maintains a certain level of function. Conclusions: While a decline in gait ability with aging is inevitable, establishing appropriate exercise habits in late-stage older individuals may contribute to long-term maintenance of gait function.

Quantitative Analysis of Heavy Metals in Water Based on LIBS with an Automatic Device for Sample Preparation

Abstract Heavy metals in water can be deposited on graphite flakes, which can be used as an enrichment method for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy （LIBS） and is studied in this paper. The graphite samples were prepared with an automatic device, which was composed of a loading and unloading module, a quantitatively adding solution module, a rapid heating and drying module and a precise rotating module. The experimental results showed that the sample preparation methods had no significant effect on sample distribution and the LIBS signal accumulated in 20 pulses was stable and repeatable. With an increasing amount of the sample solution on the graphite flake, the peak intensity at Cu I 324.75 nm accorded with the exponential function with a correlation coefficient of 0.9963 and the background intensity remained unchanged. The limit of detection （LOD） was calculated through linear fitting of the peak intensity versus the concentration. The LOD decreased rapidly with an increasing amount of sample solution until the amount exceeded 20 mL and the correlation coefficient of exponential function fitting was 0.991. The LOD of Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr and Zn after evaporating different amounts of sample solution on the graphite flakes was measured and the variation tendency of their LOD with sample solution amounts was similar to the tendency for Cu. The experimental data and conclusions could provide a reference for automatic sample preparation and heavy metal in situ detection.

Review on failure analysis of interconnections in power devices

Interconnections in microelectronic packaging are not only the physical carrier to realize the function of electronic circuits,but also the weak spots in reliability tests.Most of failures in power devices are caused by the malfunction of interconnections,including failure of bonding wire as well as cracks of solder layer.In fact,the interconnection failure of power devices is the result of a combination of factors such as electricity,temperature,and force.It is significant to investigate the failure mechanisms of various factors for the failure analysis of interconnections in power devices.This paper reviews the main failure modes of bonding wire and solder layer in the interconnection structure of power devices,and its failure mechanism.Then the reliability test method and failure analysis techniques of interconnection in power device are introduced.These methods are of great significance to the reliability analysis and life prediction of power devices.

Massive Power Device Condition Monitoring Data Feature Extraction and Clustering Analysis using MapReduce and Graph Model

Effective storage,processing and analyzing of power device condition monitoring data faces enormous challenges.A framework is proposed that can support both MapReduce and Graph for massive monitoring data analysis at the same time based on Aliyun DTplus platform.First,power device condition monitoring data storage based on MaxCompute table and parallel permutation entropy feature extraction based on MaxCompute MapReduce are designed and implemented on DTplus platform.Then,Graph based k-means algorithm is implemented and used for massive condition monitoring data clustering analysis.Finally,performance tests are performed to compare the execution time between serial program and parallel program.Performance is analyzed from CPU cores consumption,memory utilization and parallel granularity.Experimental results show that the designed framework and parallel algorithms can efficiently process massive power device condition monitoring data.

Technological advancements in the analysis of human motion and posture management through digital devices

Technological development of motion and posture analyses is rapidly progressing,especially in rehabilitation settings and sport biomechanics.Consequently,clear discrimination among different measurement systems is required to diversify their use as needed.This review aims to resume the currently used motion and posture analysis systems,clarify and suggest the appropriate approaches suitable for specific cases or contexts.The currently gold standard systems of motion analysis,widely used in clinical settings,present several limitations related to marker placement or long procedure time.Fully automated and markerless systems are overcoming these drawbacks for conducting biomechanical studies,especially outside laboratories.Similarly,new posture analysis techniques are emerging,often driven by the need for fast and non-invasive methods to obtain high-precision results.These new technologies have also become effective for children or adolescents with non-specific back pain and postural insufficiencies.The evolutions of these methods aim to standardize measurements and provide manageable tools in clinical practice for the early diagnosis of musculoskeletal pathologies and to monitor daily improvements of each patient.Herein,these devices and their uses are described,providing researchers,clinicians,orthopedics,physical therapists,and sports coaches an effective guide to use new technologies in their practice as instruments of diagnosis,therapy,and prevention.

Traction power substation balance and losses estimation in AC railways using a power transfer device through Monte Carlo analysis

The high dynamic power requirements present in modern railway transportation systems raise research challenges for an optimal operation of railway electrification. This paper presents a Monte Carlo analysis on the application of a power transfer device installed in the neutral zone and exchanging active power between two sections. The main analyzed parameters are the active power balance in the two neighbor traction power substations and the system power losses. A simulation framework is presented to comprise the desired analysis and a universe of randomly distributed scenarios are tested to evaluate the effectiveness of the power transfer device system. The results show that the density of trains and the relative branch length of a traction power substation should be considered in the evaluation phase of the best place to install a power transfer device, towards the reduction of the operational power losses, while maintaining the two substations balanced in terms of active power.

Complex Modal Analysis for the Time-Variant Dynamical Problem of Rotating Pipe Conveying Fluid

A semi-analytical form of complex modal analysis is proposed for the time-variant dynamical problem of rotating pipe conveying fluid system.The complex mode superposition method is introduced for the dynamic analysis in the time and frequency domains,in which appropriate orthogonality conditions are constructed to decouple the time-variant equation of motion.Consequently,complex frequencies and modes of vibration are analytically formulated and the variations of frequencies and damping of the system are evaluated.Numerical time-variant example of rotating pipe conveying fluid illustrates the effectiveness and accuracy of this method.Furthermore,the proposed solution scheme is also applicable to other similar time-variant dynamical problems.

Field test and probabilistic analysis of irregular steel debris casualty risks from a person-borne improvised explosive device

Person-borne improvised explosive devices(PBIEDs)are often used in terrorist attacks in Western countries.This study aims to predict the trajectories of PBIED fragments and the subsequent safety risks for people exposed to this hazard.An explosive field test with a typical PBIED composed of a plastic explosive charge and steel nut enhancements was performed to record initial fragment behaviour,including positions,velocity,and trajectory angles.These data were used to predict the full trajectory of PBIED fragments using a probabilistic analysis.In the probabilistic analyses a probability of fatality or serious injury was computed.Based on the results presented,many practical conclusions can be drawn,for instance,regarding safe evacuation distances if a person were exposed to a suspected PBIED.

A Method for Automating Signal Analysis from Therapeutic Devices

Many methods exist for cardiac and neural signal feature extraction and identification, but a published method for validation of therapeutic medical devices by computer analysis of their signals can be seldom found. This paper presents a simple, fast algorithm to extract the electrical stimulation including pulse width, exponential decay, and time between pulses from neurostimulators, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulators (TENS). An experimental validation demonstrated the automated analysis provide means to expedite device validation testing. In the future studies, the algorithm should be improved for its robustness and checked for analysis of signals with lower SNR. A figure of merit is provided to expedite electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests on the devices to ensure proper operation in the presence of electromagnetic emitters.

Dynamic Simulation Analysis of the Flexible Swap Device

With the development of space science and technology,the on-orbit servicing technologies of spacecraft get more and more attention.According to the design criterion of existing spacecraft in orbit module replacement technology,the flexible swap device is designed and the dynamics simulation of institutions by the automatic dynamic analysis of mechanical systems(ADAMS)simulation software is analyzed.Throughout the analysis process,this paper studies the effect of collision force of flexible mechanism and provides a basis for the optimization of flexible plug agencies.

Finite Element Analysis on the Pre-load Structures of the Central Solenoid for the HT-7U Device

The central solenoid is an important part of the HT-7U device. In this paper， the computational analysis of the stress and the displacement on the pre-load structures of the central solenoid have been made by the finite element analysis system COSMOS/M2.0 under room and/or operating temperature. According to the analytical results, the clip aprons and compression plates are all satisfied with safety design criteria.

Response Spectrum Analysis of 7-story Assembled Frame Structure with Energy Dissipation System

Viscoelastic damper is an effective passive damping device,which can reduce the seismic response of the structure by increasing the damping and dissipating the vibration energy of structures.It has a wide application prospect in actual structural vibration control because of simple device and economical material.In view of the poor seismic behaviors of assembled frame structure connections,various energy dissipation devices are proposed to improve the seismic performance.The finite element numerical analysis method is adopted to analyze relevant energy dissipation structural parameters.The response spectrum of a 7-story assembled frame structure combined the ordinary steel support,ordinary viscoelastic damper,and viscoelastic damper with displacement amplification device is analyzed.The analysis results show that the mechanical behavior of assembled frame structure with ordinary steel supports are not significantly different from those without energy dissipation devices.The assembled frame structure with viscoelastic damper has better seismic performance and energy dissipation,especially for the viscoelastic damper with displacement amplification devices.The maximum value of inter-story displacement angle decreases by 32.24%;the maximum floor displacement decreases by 31.91%,and the base shear decreases by 13.62%compared with the assembled frame structures without energy dissipation devices.The results show that the seismic fortification ability of the structure is significantly improved,and the overall structure is more uniformly stressed.The damping structure with viscoelastic damper mainly reduces the dynamic response of the structure by increasing the damping coefficient,rather than by changing the natural vibration period of the structure.This paper provides an effective theoretical basis and reference for improving the energy dissipation system and the seismic performance of assembled frame structures.

Analysis and Calculation for Heating and Temperature Rise of Magnetic Levitation Device

准确的热分析是磁悬浮系统电磁装置优化设计、防止过热的前提。提出了基于等效热路模型的电磁装置发热及温升计算方法,并与基于＂场＂的仿真分析结果进行比较,验证其正确性。首先,利用ANSYS软件建立电磁装置的瞬态温度场模型,并将装置中动铁心随大轴旋转时与空气产生的风摩擦损耗包含在模型中,通过仿真分析,得到电磁装置温度分布;然后,通过对散热路径的分析建立了电磁装置的等效热路模型,从＂路＂的角度计算出本电磁装置各位置的温升;最后,将基于＂路＂的计算结果与基于＂场＂的仿真结果进行了比较分析,各部分温升误差均在允许范围内,验证了等效热路模型计算电磁装置发热及温升方法的准确性和可行性。在基于＂场＂和＂路＂的两种分析中,均考虑了电阻率随温升的变化,散热分析中均计及了导热系数和对流散热系数随温度的变化。

Mathematical Model,Numerical Simulation and Convergence Analysis of a Semiconductor Device Problem with Heat and Magnetic Influences

In this paper,the authors discuss a three-dimensional problem of the semiconductor device type involved its mathematical description,numerical simulation and theoretical analysis.Two important factors,heat and magnetic influences are involved.The mathematical model is formulated by four nonlinear partial differential equations(PDEs),determining four major physical variables.The influences of magnetic fields are supposed to be weak,and the strength is parallel to the z-axis.The elliptic equation is treated by a block-centered method,and the law of conservation is preserved.The computational accuracy is improved one order.Other equations are convection-dominated,thus are approximated by upwind block-centered differences.Upwind difference can eliminate numerical dispersion and nonphysical oscillation.The diffusion is approximated by the block-centered difference,while the convection term is treated by upwind approximation.Furthermore,the unknowns and adjoint functions are computed at the same time.These characters play important roles in numerical computations of conductor device problems.Using the theories of priori analysis such as energy estimates,the principle of duality and mathematical inductions,an optimal estimates result is obtained.Then a composite numerical method is shown for solving this problem.

PASSIVE LOCATION AND ACCURACY ANALYSIS USING TDOA INFORMATION OF MULTI-STATIONS

ＰＡＳＳＩＶＥＬＯＣＡＴＩＯＮＡＮＤＡＣＣＵＲＡＣＹＡＮＡＬＹＳＩＳＵＳＩＮＧＴＤＯＡＩＮＦＯＲＭＡＴＩＯＮＯＦＭＵＬＴＩ┐ＳＴＡＴＩＯＮＳＹａｎｇＬｉｎ（杨林），ＺｈｏｕＹｉｙｕ（周一宇），ＳｕｎＺｈｏｎｇｋａｎｇ（孙仲康）（Ｉｎｓｔｉｔｕｔｅｏｆ...

Three-dimensional finite element analysis with different internal fixation methods through the anterior approach

BACKGROUND With the modernization of society and transportation in the last decades in China,the incidence of high-energy trauma increased sharply in China,including that of acetabular fractures.AIM To establish different finite element models for acetabular posterior column fractures involving the quadrilateral area of the acetabulum.METHODS The three-dimensional models of the normal and fractured pelvis and the five internal fixations were established using the computed tomography data of the pelvis of a living volunteer.After the vertebral body model was inserted in the way of origin matching and all cancellous bones were copied using the duplicated cancellous bone model as the subtractive entity,the Boolean operation was performed on the pelvis model to obtain the model of the complete pelvis cortical and cancellous bones.RESULTS In the standing position,the maximum stress was 46.21 MPa.In the sitting position,the sacrum bore the simulated gravity load at the upper end.When comparing the five fixations,there were no significant differences in the stress mean values among groups(sitting:P=0.9794;standing:P=0.9741).In terms of displacement,the average displacement of the internal iliac plate group was smaller than that of the spring plate group(P=0.002),and no differences were observed between the other pairs of groups(all P>0.05).In the standing position,there were no significant differences in the mean value of displacement among the groups(P=0.2985).It can be seen from the stress nephogram of the internal fixations in different positions that the stress of the internal fixation was mainly concentrated in the fracture segment.CONCLUSION There were no significant differences among the fixations for acetabular posterior column fractures involving the quadrilateral area of the acetabulum.

Morphological and mechanical analysis of natural marble joints submitted to shear tests

In order to evaluate the influence of the surface morphology on the mechanical behavior of twelve natural marble joints, very accurate topography measurements of joint surfaces under constant normal load （CNL） conditions were performed before and after shear tests. The surface topography was carried out using a three-dimensional （3D） laser-scanning profilometer with a parallel grid at a regular interval of 500 gin. Each surface before shearing was reconstructed by geostatistical methods according to eight different directions. A quantitative description of surfaces was performed using global and directional statistical parameters. These parameters allow to determine the surface anisotropy and to divide the .joints into three groups of similar morphology according to a given direction. Each sample of the same group is submitted to the same normal stress but to different shear rates ranging from 5 to 20 gm/s. The influences of normal stress and shear rate on the mechanical behavior of the discontinuities were investigated, as well as the influence of the sample morphology on its dilatancy behavior. The morphology data of upper and lower walls also permit to quantify the contact areas before testing. After the shear tests, sheared surfaces were scanned again and reconstructed according to the shearing direction. Based on the topography data of joint surfaces obtained before and after shearing, damage zones that occurred during shearing were located for both walls of each .joint. These characterizations of joint surfaces contribute to a better understanding of the shearing behavior of natural discontinuities.