Analysis of operational comfort in manual tasks using human force manipulability measure.

PubMed

Tanaka, Yoshiyuki; Nishikawa, Kazuo; Yamada, Naoki; Tsuji, Toshio

2015-01-01

This paper proposes a scheme for human force manipulability (HFM) based on the use of isometric joint torque properties to simulate the spatial characteristics of human operation forces at an end-point of a limb with feasible magnitudes for a specified limb posture. This is also applied to the evaluation/prediction of operational comfort (OC) when manually operating a human-machine interface. The effectiveness of HFM is investigated through two experiments and computer simulations of humans generating forces by using their upper extremities. Operation force generation with maximum isometric effort can be roughly estimated with an HFM measure computed from information on the arm posture during a maintained posture. The layout of a human-machine interface is then discussed based on the results of operational experiments using an electric gear-shifting system originally developed for robotic devices. The results indicate a strong relationship between the spatial characteristics of the HFM and OC levels when shifting, and the OC is predicted by using a multiple regression model with HFM measures.

Potentials of mean force for biomolecular simulations: Theory and test on alanine dipeptide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pellegrini, Matteo; Grønbech-Jensen, Niels; Doniach, Sebastian

1996-06-01

We describe a technique for generating potentials of mean force (PMF) between solutes in an aqueous solution. We first generate solute-solvent correlation functions (CF) using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations in which we place a single atom solute in a periodic boundary box containing a few hundred water molecules. We then make use of the Kirkwood superposition approximation, where the 3-body correlation function is approximated as the product of 2-body CFs, to describe the mean water density around two solutes. Computing the force generated on the solutes by this average water density allows us to compute potentials of mean force between the two solutes. For charged solutes an additional approximation involving dielectric screening is made, by setting the dielectric constant of water to ɛ=80. These potentials account, in an approximate manner, for the average effect of water on the atoms. Following the work of Pettitt and Karplus [Chem. Phys. Lett. 121, 194 (1985)], we approximate the n-body potential of mean force as a sum of the pairwise potentials of mean force. This allows us to run simulations of biomolecules without introducing explicit water, hence gaining several orders of magnitude in efficiency with respect to standard molecular dynamics techniques. We demonstrate the validity of this technique by first comparing the PMFs for methane-methane and sodium-chloride generated with this procedure, with those calculated with a standard Monte Carlo simulation with explicit water. We then compare the results of the free energy profiles between the equilibria of alanine dipeptide generated by the two methods.

Study of the Use of Time-Mean Vortices to Generate Lift for MAV Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-05-31

microplate to in-plane resonance. Computational effort centers around optimization of a range of parameters (geometry, frequency, amplitude of oscillation, etc...issue involved. Towards this end, a suspended microplate was fabricated via MEMS technology and driven to in-plane resonance via Lorentz force...force to drive the suspended MEMS-based microplate to in-plane resonance. Computational effort centers around optimization of a range of parameters

Battlefield awareness computers: the engine of battlefield digitization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Jackson; Chamseddine, Ahmad

1997-06-01

To modernize the army for the 21st century, the U.S. Army Digitization Office (ADO) initiated in 1995 the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2) Applique program which became a centerpiece in the U.S. Army's master plan to win future information wars. The Applique team led by TRW fielded a 'tactical Internet' for Brigade and below command to demonstrate the advantages of 'shared situation awareness' and battlefield digitization in advanced war-fighting experiments (AWE) to be conducted in March 1997 at the Army's National Training Center in California. Computing Devices is designated the primary hardware developer for the militarized version of the battlefield awareness computers. The first generation of militarized battlefield awareness computer, designated as the V3 computer, was an integration of off-the-shelf components developed to meet the agressive delivery requirements of the Task Force XXI AWE. The design efficiency and cost effectiveness of the computer hardware were secondary in importance to delivery deadlines imposed by the March 1997 AWE. However, declining defense budgets will impose cost constraints on the Force XXI production hardware that can only be met by rigorous value engineering to further improve design optimization for battlefield awareness without compromising the level of reliability the military has come to expect in modern military hardened vetronics. To answer the Army's needs for a more cost effective computing solution, Computing Devices developed a second generation 'combat ready' battlefield awareness computer, designated the V3+, which is designed specifically to meet the upcoming demands of Force XXI (FBCB2) and beyond. The primary design objective is to achieve a technologically superior design, value engineered to strike an optimal balance between reliability, life cycle cost, and procurement cost. Recognizing that the diverse digitization demands of Force XXI cannot be adequately met by any one computer hardware solution, Computing Devices is planning to develop a notebook sized military computer designed for space limited vehicle-mounted applications, as well as a high-performance portable workstation equipped with a 19', full color, ultra-high resolution and high brightness active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) targeting the command posts and tactical operations centers (TOC) applications. Together with the wearable computers Computing Devices developed at the Minneapolis facility for dismounted soldiers, Computing Devices will have a complete suite of interoperable battlefield awareness computers spanning the entire spectrum of battle digitization operating environments. Although this paper's primary focus is on a second generation 'combat ready' battlefield awareness computer or the V3+, this paper also briefly discusses the extension of the V3+ architecture to address the needs of the embedded and command post applications.3080

Teleoperation with virtual force feedback

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anderson, R.J.

1993-08-01

In this paper we describe an algorithm for generating virtual forces in a bilateral teleoperator system. The virtual forces are generated from a world model and are used to provide real-time obstacle avoidance and guidance capabilities. The algorithm requires that the slaves tool and every object in the environment be decomposed into convex polyhedral Primitives. Intrusion distance and extraction vectors are then derived at every time step by applying Gilbert`s polyhedra distance algorithm, which has been adapted for the task. This information is then used to determine the compression and location of nonlinear virtual spring-dampers whose total force is summedmore » and applied to the manipulator/teleoperator system. Experimental results validate the whole approach, showing that it is possible to compute the algorithm and generate realistic, useful psuedo forces for a bilateral teleoperator system using standard VME bus hardware.« less

Thrust Force Analysis of Tripod Constant Velocity Joint Using Multibody Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugiura, Hideki; Matsunaga, Tsugiharu; Mizutani, Yoshiteru; Ando, Yosei; Kashiwagi, Isashi

A tripod constant velocity joint is used in the driveshaft of front wheel drive vehicles. Thrust force generated by this joint causes lateral vibration in these vehicles. To analyze the thrust force, a detailed model is constructed based on a multibody dynamics approach. This model includes all principal parts of the joint defined as rigid bodies and all force elements of contact and friction acting among these parts. This model utilizes a new contact modeling method of needle roller bearings for more precise and faster computation. By comparing computational and experimental results, the appropriateness of this model is verified and the principal factors inducing the second and third rotating order components of the thrust force are clarified. This paper also describes the influence of skewed needle rollers on the thrust force and evaluates the contribution of friction forces at each contact region to the thrust force.

CHARMM additive and polarizable force fields for biophysics and computer-aided drug design

PubMed Central

Vanommeslaeghe, K.

2014-01-01

Background Molecular Mechanics (MM) is the method of choice for computational studies of biomolecular systems owing to its modest computational cost, which makes it possible to routinely perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on chemical systems of biophysical and biomedical relevance. Scope of Review As one of the main factors limiting the accuracy of MD results is the empirical force field used, the present paper offers a review of recent developments in the CHARMM additive force field, one of the most popular bimolecular force fields. Additionally, we present a detailed discussion of the CHARMM Drude polarizable force field, anticipating a growth in the importance and utilization of polarizable force fields in the near future. Throughout the discussion emphasis is placed on the force fields’ parametrization philosophy and methodology. Major Conclusions Recent improvements in the CHARMM additive force field are mostly related to newly found weaknesses in the previous generation of additive force fields. Beyond the additive approximation is the newly available CHARMM Drude polarizable force field, which allows for MD simulations of up to 1 microsecond on proteins, DNA, lipids and carbohydrates. General Significance Addressing the limitations ensures the reliability of the new CHARMM36 additive force field for the types of calculations that are presently coming into routine computational reach while the availability of the Drude polarizable force fields offers a model that is an inherently more accurate model of the underlying physical forces driving macromolecular structures and dynamics. PMID:25149274

A Semantic Based Policy Management Framework for Cloud Computing Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Takabi, Hassan

2013-01-01

Cloud computing paradigm has gained tremendous momentum and generated intensive interest. Although security issues are delaying its fast adoption, cloud computing is an unstoppable force and we need to provide security mechanisms to ensure its secure adoption. In this dissertation, we mainly focus on issues related to policy management and access…

Two Dimensional Mechanism for Insect Hovering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jane Wang, Z.

2000-09-04

Resolved computation of two dimensional insect hovering shows for the first time that a two dimensional hovering motion can generate enough lift to support a typical insect weight. The computation reveals a two dimensional mechanism of creating a downward dipole jet of counterrotating vortices, which are formed from leading and trailing edge vortices. The vortex dynamics further elucidates the role of the phase relation between the wing translation and rotation in lift generation and explains why the instantaneous forces can reach a periodic state after only a few strokes. The model predicts the lower limits in Reynolds number and amplitudemore » above which the averaged forces are sufficient. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.« less

Aerodynamic effects of flexibility in flapping wings.

PubMed

Zhao, Liang; Huang, Qingfeng; Deng, Xinyan; Sane, Sanjay P

2010-03-06

Recent work on the aerodynamics of flapping flight reveals fundamental differences in the mechanisms of aerodynamic force generation between fixed and flapping wings. When fixed wings translate at high angles of attack, they periodically generate and shed leading and trailing edge vortices as reflected in their fluctuating aerodynamic force traces and associated flow visualization. In contrast, wings flapping at high angles of attack generate stable leading edge vorticity, which persists throughout the duration of the stroke and enhances mean aerodynamic forces. Here, we show that aerodynamic forces can be controlled by altering the trailing edge flexibility of a flapping wing. We used a dynamically scaled mechanical model of flapping flight (Re approximately 2000) to measure the aerodynamic forces on flapping wings of variable flexural stiffness (EI). For low to medium angles of attack, as flexibility of the wing increases, its ability to generate aerodynamic forces decreases monotonically but its lift-to-drag ratios remain approximately constant. The instantaneous force traces reveal no major differences in the underlying modes of force generation for flexible and rigid wings, but the magnitude of force, the angle of net force vector and centre of pressure all vary systematically with wing flexibility. Even a rudimentary framework of wing veins is sufficient to restore the ability of flexible wings to generate forces at near-rigid values. Thus, the magnitude of force generation can be controlled by modulating the trailing edge flexibility and thereby controlling the magnitude of the leading edge vorticity. To characterize this, we have generated a detailed database of aerodynamic forces as a function of several variables including material properties, kinematics, aerodynamic forces and centre of pressure, which can also be used to help validate computational models of aeroelastic flapping wings. These experiments will also be useful for wing design for small robotic insects and, to a limited extent, in understanding the aerodynamics of flapping insect wings.

Aerodynamic effects of flexibility in flapping wings

PubMed Central

Zhao, Liang; Huang, Qingfeng; Deng, Xinyan; Sane, Sanjay P.

2010-01-01

Recent work on the aerodynamics of flapping flight reveals fundamental differences in the mechanisms of aerodynamic force generation between fixed and flapping wings. When fixed wings translate at high angles of attack, they periodically generate and shed leading and trailing edge vortices as reflected in their fluctuating aerodynamic force traces and associated flow visualization. In contrast, wings flapping at high angles of attack generate stable leading edge vorticity, which persists throughout the duration of the stroke and enhances mean aerodynamic forces. Here, we show that aerodynamic forces can be controlled by altering the trailing edge flexibility of a flapping wing. We used a dynamically scaled mechanical model of flapping flight (Re ≈ 2000) to measure the aerodynamic forces on flapping wings of variable flexural stiffness (EI). For low to medium angles of attack, as flexibility of the wing increases, its ability to generate aerodynamic forces decreases monotonically but its lift-to-drag ratios remain approximately constant. The instantaneous force traces reveal no major differences in the underlying modes of force generation for flexible and rigid wings, but the magnitude of force, the angle of net force vector and centre of pressure all vary systematically with wing flexibility. Even a rudimentary framework of wing veins is sufficient to restore the ability of flexible wings to generate forces at near-rigid values. Thus, the magnitude of force generation can be controlled by modulating the trailing edge flexibility and thereby controlling the magnitude of the leading edge vorticity. To characterize this, we have generated a detailed database of aerodynamic forces as a function of several variables including material properties, kinematics, aerodynamic forces and centre of pressure, which can also be used to help validate computational models of aeroelastic flapping wings. These experiments will also be useful for wing design for small robotic insects and, to a limited extent, in understanding the aerodynamics of flapping insect wings. PMID:19692394

Detached Eddy Simulation Results for a Space Launch System Configuration at Liftoff Conditions and Comparison with Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krist, Steven E.; Ghaffari, Farhad

2015-01-01

Computational simulations for a Space Launch System configuration at liftoff conditions for incidence angles from 0 to 90 degrees were conducted in order to generate integrated force and moment data and longitudinal lineloads. While the integrated force and moment coefficients can be obtained from wind tunnel testing, computational analyses are indispensable in obtaining the extensive amount of surface information required to generate proper lineloads. However, beyond an incidence angle of about 15 degrees, the effects of massive flow separation on the leeward pressure field is not well captured with state of the art Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes methods, necessitating the employment of a Detached Eddy Simulation method. Results from these simulations are compared to the liftoff force and moment database and surface pressure data derived from a test in the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel.

Computational model of precision grip in Parkinson's disease: a utility based approach

PubMed Central

Gupta, Ankur; Balasubramani, Pragathi P.; Chakravarthy, V. Srinivasa

2013-01-01

We propose a computational model of Precision Grip (PG) performance in normal subjects and Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. Prior studies on grip force generation in PD patients show an increase in grip force during ON medication and an increase in the variability of the grip force during OFF medication (Ingvarsson et al., 1997; Fellows et al., 1998). Changes in grip force generation in dopamine-deficient PD conditions strongly suggest contribution of the Basal Ganglia, a deep brain system having a crucial role in translating dopamine signals to decision making. The present approach is to treat the problem of modeling grip force generation as a problem of action selection, which is one of the key functions of the Basal Ganglia. The model consists of two components: (1) the sensory-motor loop component, and (2) the Basal Ganglia component. The sensory-motor loop component converts a reference position and a reference grip force, into lift force and grip force profiles, respectively. These two forces cooperate in grip-lifting a load. The sensory-motor loop component also includes a plant model that represents the interaction between two fingers involved in PG, and the object to be lifted. The Basal Ganglia component is modeled using Reinforcement Learning with the significant difference that the action selection is performed using utility distribution instead of using purely Value-based distribution, thereby incorporating risk-based decision making. The proposed model is able to account for the PG results from normal and PD patients accurately (Ingvarsson et al., 1997; Fellows et al., 1998). To our knowledge the model is the first model of PG in PD conditions. PMID:24348373

2D Mesh Manipulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-11-01

the Poisson form of the equations can also be generated by manipulating the computational space , so forcing functions become superfluous . The...ABSTRACT Unstructured methods for region discretization have become common in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis because of certain benefits...application of Winslow elliptic smoothing equations to unstructured meshes. It has been shown that it is not necessary for the computational space of

A Real-time Strategy Agent Framework and Strategy Classifier for Computer Generated Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

via our strategy definition schema, plays the game according to the defined strategy. 4 ) Generate a quality RTS data set. 5) Create an accurate and...General Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.6 Thesis Overview...Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 4 Agent Framework

CHARMM additive and polarizable force fields for biophysics and computer-aided drug design.

PubMed

Vanommeslaeghe, K; MacKerell, A D

2015-05-01

Molecular Mechanics (MM) is the method of choice for computational studies of biomolecular systems owing to its modest computational cost, which makes it possible to routinely perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on chemical systems of biophysical and biomedical relevance. As one of the main factors limiting the accuracy of MD results is the empirical force field used, the present paper offers a review of recent developments in the CHARMM additive force field, one of the most popular biomolecular force fields. Additionally, we present a detailed discussion of the CHARMM Drude polarizable force field, anticipating a growth in the importance and utilization of polarizable force fields in the near future. Throughout the discussion emphasis is placed on the force fields' parametrization philosophy and methodology. Recent improvements in the CHARMM additive force field are mostly related to newly found weaknesses in the previous generation of additive force fields. Beyond the additive approximation is the newly available CHARMM Drude polarizable force field, which allows for MD simulations of up to 1μs on proteins, DNA, lipids and carbohydrates. Addressing the limitations ensures the reliability of the new CHARMM36 additive force field for the types of calculations that are presently coming into routine computational reach while the availability of the Drude polarizable force fields offers an inherently more accurate model of the underlying physical forces driving macromolecular structures and dynamics. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Recent developments of molecular dynamics". Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Robot vibration control using inertial damping forces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Soo Han; Book, Wayne J.

1991-01-01

This paper concerns the suppression of the vibration of a large flexible robot by inertial forces of a small robot which is located at the tip of the large robot. A controller for generating damping forces to a large robot is designed based on the two time scale model. The controller does not need to calculate the quasi-steady variables and is efficient in computation. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the inertial forces and the controller designed.

Robot vibration control using inertial damping forces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Soo Han; Book, Wayne J.

1989-01-01

The suppression is examined of the vibration of a large flexible robot by inertial forces of a small robot which is located at the tip of the large robot. A controller for generating damping forces to a large robot is designed based on the two time scale mode. The controller does not need to calculate the quasi-steady state variables and is efficient in computation. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the inertial forces and the controller designed.

(Some) Computer Futures: Mainframes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Joseph, Earl C.

Possible futures for the world of mainframe computers can be forecast through studies identifying forces of change and their impact on current trends. Some new prospects for the future have been generated by advances in information technology; for example, recent United States successes in applied artificial intelligence (AI) have created new…

An analysis of laminar free-convection flow and heat transfer about a flat plate paralled to the direction of the generating body force

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ostrach, Simon

1953-01-01

The free-convection flow and heat transfer (generated by a body force) about a flat plate parallel to the direction of the body force are formally analyzed and the type of flow is found to be dependent on the Grashof number alone. For large Grashof numbers (which are of interest in aeronautics), the flow is of the boundary-layer type and the problem is reduced in a formal manner, which is analogous to Prandtl's forced-flow boundary-layer theory, to the simultaneous solution of two ordinary differential equations subject to the proper boundary conditions. Velocity and temperature distributions for Prandtl numbers of 0.01, 0.72, 0.733, 1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 are computed, and it is shown that velocities and Nusselt numbers of the order of magnitude of those encountered in forced-convection flows may be obtained in free-convection flows. The theoretical and experimental velocity and temperature distributions are in good agreement. A flow and a heat-transfer parameter, from which the important physical quantities such as shear stress and heat-transfer rate can be computed, are derived as functions of Prandtl number alone.

Computer-aided mechanogenesis of skeletal muscle organs from single cells in vitro

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderburgh, Herman H.; Swasdison, Somporn; Karlisch, Patricia

1991-01-01

Complex mechanical forces generated in the growing embryo play an important role in organogenesis. Computerized application of similar forces to differentiating skeletal muscle myoblasts in vitro generate three dimensional artificial muscle organs. These organs contain parallel networks of long unbranched myofibers organized into fascicle-like structures. Tendon development is initiated and the muscles are capable of performing directed, functional work. Kinetically engineered organs provide a new method for studying the growth and development of normal and diseased skeletal muscle.

Computer aided mechanogenesis of skeletal muscle organs from single cells in vitro

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vandenburgh, Herman H.; Swasdison, Somporn; Karlisch, Patricia

1990-01-01

Complex mechanical forces generated in the growing embryo play an important role in organogenesis. Computerized application of similar forces to differentiating skeletal muscle myoblasts in vitro generate three dimensional artificial muscle organs. These organs contain parallel networks of long unbranched myofibers organized into fascicle-like structures. Tendon development is initiated and the muscles are capable of performing directed, functional work. Kinetically engineered organs provide a new method for studying the growth and development of normal and diseased skeletal muscle.

Dynamic Loads Generation for Multi-Point Vibration Excitation Problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shen, Lawrence

2011-01-01

A random-force method has been developed to predict dynamic loads produced by rocket-engine random vibrations for new rocket-engine designs. The method develops random forces at multiple excitation points based on random vibration environments scaled from accelerometer data obtained during hot-fire tests of existing rocket engines. This random-force method applies random forces to the model and creates expected dynamic response in a manner that simulates the way the operating engine applies self-generated random vibration forces (random pressure acting on an area) with the resulting responses that we measure with accelerometers. This innovation includes the methodology (implementation sequence), the computer code, two methods to generate the random-force vibration spectra, and two methods to reduce some of the inherent conservatism in the dynamic loads. This methodology would be implemented to generate the random-force spectra at excitation nodes without requiring the use of artificial boundary conditions in a finite element model. More accurate random dynamic loads than those predicted by current industry methods can then be generated using the random force spectra. The scaling method used to develop the initial power spectral density (PSD) environments for deriving the random forces for the rocket engine case is based on the Barrett Criteria developed at Marshall Space Flight Center in 1963. This invention approach can be applied in the aerospace, automotive, and other industries to obtain reliable dynamic loads and responses from a finite element model for any structure subject to multipoint random vibration excitations.

Computational analysis of forebody tangential slot blowing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gee, Ken; Agosta-Greenman, Roxana M.; Rizk, Yehia M.; Schiff, Lewis B.; Cummings, Russell M.

1994-01-01

An overview of the computational effort to analyze forebody tangential slot blowing is presented. Tangential slot blowing generates side force and yawing moment which may be used to control an aircraft flying at high-angle-of-attack. Two different geometries are used in the analysis: (1) The High Alpha Research Vehicle; and (2) a generic chined forebody. Computations using the isolated F/A-18 forebody are obtained at full-scale wind tunnel test conditions for direct comparison with available experimental data. The effects of over- and under-blowing on force and moment production are analyzed. Time-accurate solutions using the isolated forebody are obtained to study the force onset timelag of tangential slot blowing. Computations using the generic chined forebody are obtained at experimental wind tunnel conditions, and the results compared with available experimental data. This computational analysis compliments the experimental results and provides a detailed understanding of the effects of tangential slot blowing on the flow field about simple and complex geometries.

A Communications Modeling System for Swarm-Based Sensors

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-09-01

6-10 6.6. Digital and Swarm System Performance Measures . . . . . . . . . . 6-21 7.1. Simulation computing hardware...detection and monitoring, and advances in computational capabilities have provided for embedded data analysis and the generation of information from raw... computing and manufacturing technology have made such systems possible. In order to harness this potential for Air Force applica- tions, a method of

Exploiting the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast System via False Target Injection

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

THESIS Domenic Magazu III, Captain, USAF AFIT/GCO/ENG/12-07 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY...Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate School of Engineering and Management Air Force Institute of Technology Air University Air...of GNU Radio, a Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP), and software developed by the author. The ability to generate, transmit, and insert

Unsteady computational fluid dynamics in front crawl swimming.

PubMed

Samson, Mathias; Bernard, Anthony; Monnet, Tony; Lacouture, Patrick; David, Laurent

2017-05-01

The development of codes and power calculations currently allows the simulation of increasingly complex flows, especially in the turbulent regime. Swimming research should benefit from these technological advances to try to better understand the dynamic mechanisms involved in swimming. An unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study is conducted in crawl, in order to analyse the propulsive forces generated by the hand and forearm. The k-ω SST turbulence model and an overset grid method have been used. The main objectives are to analyse the evolution of the hand-forearm propulsive forces and to explain this relative to the arm kinematics parameters. In order to validate our simulation model, the calculated forces and pressures were compared with several other experimental and numerical studies. A good agreement is found between our results and those of other studies. The hand is the segment that generates the most propulsive forces during the aquatic stroke. As the pressure component is the main source of force, the orientation of the hand-forearm in the absolute coordinate system is an important kinematic parameter in the swimming performance. The propulsive forces are biggest when the angles of attack are high. CFD appears as a very valuable tool to better analyze the mechanisms of swimming performance and offers some promising developments, especially for optimizing the performance from a parametric study.

A micropatterning and image processing approach to simplify measurement of cellular traction forces

PubMed Central

Polio, Samuel R.; Rothenberg, Katheryn E.; Stamenović, Dimitrije; Smith, Michael L.

2012-01-01

Quantification of the traction forces that cells apply to their surroundings has been critical to the advancement of our understanding of cancer, development and basic cell biology. This field was made possible through the development of engineered cell culture systems that permit optical measurement of cell-mediated displacements and computational algorithms that allow conversion of these displacements into stresses and forces. Here, we present a novel advancement of traction force microscopy on polyacrylamide (PAA) gels that addresses limitations of existing technologies. Through an indirect patterning technique, we generated PAA gels with fluorescent 1 μm dot markers in a regularized array. This improves existing traction measurements since (i) multiple fields of view can be measured in one experiment without the need for cell removal; (ii) traction vectors are modeled as discrete point forces, and not as a continuous field, using an extremely simple computational algorithm that we have made available online; and (iii) the pattern transfer technique is amenable to any of the published techniques for producing patterns on glass. In the future, this technique will be used for measuring traction forces on complex patterns with multiple, spatially distinct ligands in systems for applying strain to the substrate, and in sandwich cultures that generate quasi-three-dimensional environments for cells. PMID:21884832

Algorithms for Zonal Methods and Development of Three Dimensional Mesh Generation Procedures.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-02-01

a r-re complete set of equations is used, but their effect is imposed by means of a right hand side forcing function, not by means of a zonal boundary...modifications of flow-simulation algorithms The explicit finite-difference code of Magnus and are discussed. Computational tests in two dimensions...used to simplify the task of grid generation without an adverse achieve computational efficiency. More recently, effect on flow-field algorithms and

Development of a Polarizable Force Field For Proteins via Ab Initio Quantum Chemistry: First Generation Model and Gas Phase Tests

PubMed Central

KAMINSKI, GEORGE A.; STERN, HARRY A.; BERNE, B. J.; FRIESNER, RICHARD A.; CAO, YIXIANG X.; MURPHY, ROBERT B.; ZHOU, RUHONG; HALGREN, THOMAS A.

2014-01-01

We present results of developing a methodology suitable for producing molecular mechanics force fields with explicit treatment of electrostatic polarization for proteins and other molecular system of biological interest. The technique allows simulation of realistic-size systems. Employing high-level ab initio data as a target for fitting allows us to avoid the problem of the lack of detailed experimental data. Using the fast and reliable quantum mechanical methods supplies robust fitting data for the resulting parameter sets. As a result, gas-phase many-body effects for dipeptides are captured within the average RMSD of 0.22 kcal/mol from their ab initio values, and conformational energies for the di- and tetrapeptides are reproduced within the average RMSD of 0.43 kcal/mol from their quantum mechanical counterparts. The latter is achieved in part because of application of a novel torsional fitting technique recently developed in our group, which has already been used to greatly improve accuracy of the peptide conformational equilibrium prediction with the OPLS-AA force field.1 Finally, we have employed the newly developed first-generation model in computing gas-phase conformations of real proteins, as well as in molecular dynamics studies of the systems. The results show that, although the overall accuracy is no better than what can be achieved with a fixed-charges model, the methodology produces robust results, permits reasonably low computational cost, and avoids other computational problems typical for polarizable force fields. It can be considered as a solid basis for building a more accurate and complete second-generation model. PMID:12395421

Generating an Aerodynamic Model for Projectile Flight Simulation Using Unsteady, Time Accurate Computational Fluid Dynamic Results

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

Figure 17. Station line center of Magnus force vs. Mach number for spin-stabilized projectile...forces and moments on the projectile. It is also relatively easy to change the wind tunnel model to allow detailed parametric effects to be...such as pitch and roll damping, as well as, Magnus force and moment coefficients, are difficult to obtain in a wind tunnel and require a complex

The 2011 ABJS Nicolas Andry Award: 'Lab'-in-a-knee: in vivo knee forces, kinematics, and contact analysis.

PubMed

D'Lima, Darryl D; Patil, Shantanu; Steklov, Nicolai; Colwell, Clifford W

2011-10-01

Tibiofemoral forces are important in the design and clinical outcomes of TKA. We developed a tibial tray with force transducers and a telemetry system to directly measure tibiofemoral compressive forces in vivo. Knee forces and kinematics traditionally have been measured under laboratory conditions. Although this approach is useful for quantitative measurements and experimental studies, the extrapolation of results to clinical conditions may not always be valid. We therefore developed wearable monitoring equipment and computer algorithms for classifying and identifying unsupervised activities outside the laboratory. Tibial forces were measured for activities of daily living, athletic and recreational activities, and with orthotics and braces, during 4 years postoperatively. Additional measurements included video motion analysis, EMG, fluoroscopic kinematic analysis, and ground reaction force measurement. In vivo measurements were used to evaluate computer models of the knee. Finite element models were used for contact analysis and for computing knee kinematics from measured knee forces. A third-generation system was developed for continuous monitoring of knee forces and kinematics outside the laboratory using a wearable data acquisition hardware. By using measured knee forces and knee flexion angle, we were able to compute femorotibial AP translation (-12 to +4 mm), mediolateral translation (-1 to 1.5 mm), axial rotation (-3° to 12°), and adduction-abduction (-1° to +1°). The neural-network-based classification system was able to identify walking, stair-climbing, sit-to-stand, and stand-to-sit activities with 100% accuracy. Our data may be used to improve existing in vitro models and wear simulators, and enhance prosthetic designs and biomaterials.

Computational and Experimental Evaluation of a Complex Inlet Swirl Pattern Generation System (POSTPRINT)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-01

Sanders, Chase A. Nessler, William W. Copenhaver, Michael G. List, and Timothy J. Janczewski Turbomachinery Branch Turbine Engine Division AUGUST...Branch Turbine Engine Division Turbine Engine Division Aerospace Systems Directorate //Signature// ROBERT D. HANCOCK Principal Scientist Turbine ...ORGANIZATION Turbomachinery Branch Turbine Engine Division Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate Wright-Patterson Air Force

Universal Linear Motor Driven Leg Press Dynamometer and Concept of Serial Stretch Loading.

PubMed

Hamar, Dušan

2015-08-24

Paper deals with backgrounds and principles of universal linear motor driven leg press dynamometer and concept of serial stretch loading. The device is based on two computer controlled linear motors mounted to the horizontal rails. As the motors can keep either constant resistance force in selected position or velocity in both directions, the system allows simulation of any mode of muscle contraction. In addition, it also can generate defined serial stretch stimuli in a form of repeated force peaks. This is achieved by short segments of reversed velocity (in concentric phase) or acceleration (in eccentric phase). Such stimuli, generated at the rate of 10 Hz, have proven to be a more efficient means for the improvement of rate of the force development. This capability not only affects performance in many sports, but also plays a substantial role in prevention of falls and their consequences. Universal linear motor driven and computer controlled dynamometer with its unique feature to generate serial stretch stimuli seems to be an efficient and useful tool for enhancing strength training effects on neuromuscular function not only in athletes, but as well as in senior population and rehabilitation patients.

Computer tools for face seal analyses developed at John Crane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Shifeng

1994-01-01

The purposes of the computer tools for face seal analysis are new product optimization, existing seals on new applications, existing seals on off-duty conditions, and trouble-shooting. Discussed in this viewgraph presentation are interface forces, friction/heat generation, heat transfer/temperature distribution, axisymmetric pressure/thermal distortion, leakage, and an example case.

Why advanced computing? The key to space-based operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phister, Paul W., Jr.; Plonisch, Igor; Mineo, Jack

2000-11-01

The 'what is the requirement?' aspect of advanced computing and how it relates to and supports Air Force space-based operations is a key issue. In support of the Air Force Space Command's five major mission areas (space control, force enhancement, force applications, space support and mission support), two-fifths of the requirements have associated stringent computing/size implications. The Air Force Research Laboratory's 'migration to space' concept will eventually shift Science and Technology (S&T) dollars from predominantly airborne systems to airborne-and-space related S&T areas. One challenging 'space' area is in the development of sophisticated on-board computing processes for the next generation smaller, cheaper satellite systems. These new space systems (called microsats or nanosats) could be as small as a softball, yet perform functions that are currently being done by large, vulnerable ground-based assets. The Joint Battlespace Infosphere (JBI) concept will be used to manage the overall process of space applications coupled with advancements in computing. The JBI can be defined as a globally interoperable information 'space' which aggregates, integrates, fuses, and intelligently disseminates all relevant battlespace knowledge to support effective decision-making at all echelons of a Joint Task Force (JTF). This paper explores a single theme -- on-board processing is the best avenue to take advantage of advancements in high-performance computing, high-density memories, communications, and re-programmable architecture technologies. The goal is to break away from 'no changes after launch' design to a more flexible design environment that can take advantage of changing space requirements and needs while the space vehicle is 'on orbit.'

Application of semiempirical electronic structure theory to compute the force generated by a single surface-mounted switchable rotaxane.

PubMed

Sohlberg, Karl; Bazargan, Gloria; Angelo, Joseph P; Lee, Choongkeun

2017-01-01

Herein we report a study of the switchable [3]rotaxane reported by Huang et al. (Appl Phys Lett 85(22):5391-5393, 1) that can be mounted to a surface to form a nanomechanical, linear, molecular motor. We demonstrate the application of semiempirical electronic structure theory to predict the average and instantaneous force generated by redox-induced ring shuttling. Detailed analysis of the geometric and electronic structure of the system reveals technical considerations essential to success of the approach. The force is found to be in the 100-200 pN range, consistent with published experimental estimates. Graphical Abstract A single surface-mounted switchable rotaxane.

Computational process to study the wave propagation In a non-linear medium by quasi- linearization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharath Babu, K.; Venkata Brammam, J.; Baby Rani, CH

2018-03-01

Two objects having distinct velocities come into contact an impact can occur. The impact study i.e., in the displacement of the objects after the impact, the impact force is function of time‘t’ which is behaves similar to compression force. The impact tenure is very short so impulses must be generated subsequently high stresses are generated. In this work we are examined the wave propagation inside the object after collision and measured the object non-linear behavior in the one-dimensional case. Wave transmission is studied by means of material acoustic parameter value. The objective of this paper is to present a computational study of propagating pulsation and harmonic waves in nonlinear media using quasi-linearization and subsequently utilized the central difference scheme. This study gives focus on longitudinal, one- dimensional wave propagation. In the finite difference scheme Non-linear system is reduced to a linear system by applying quasi-linearization method. The computed results exhibit good agreement on par with the selected non-liner wave propagation.

International benchmarking of longitudinal train dynamics simulators: results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Qing; Spiryagin, Maksym; Cole, Colin; Chang, Chongyi; Guo, Gang; Sakalo, Alexey; Wei, Wei; Zhao, Xubao; Burgelman, Nico; Wiersma, Pier; Chollet, Hugues; Sebes, Michel; Shamdani, Amir; Melzi, Stefano; Cheli, Federico; di Gialleonardo, Egidio; Bosso, Nicola; Zampieri, Nicolò; Luo, Shihui; Wu, Honghua; Kaza, Guy-Léon

2018-03-01

This paper presents the results of the International Benchmarking of Longitudinal Train Dynamics Simulators which involved participation of nine simulators (TABLDSS, UM, CRE-LTS, TDEAS, PoliTo, TsDyn, CARS, BODYSIM and VOCO) from six countries. Longitudinal train dynamics results and computing time of four simulation cases are presented and compared. The results show that all simulators had basic agreement in simulations of locomotive forces, resistance forces and track gradients. The major differences among different simulators lie in the draft gear models. TABLDSS, UM, CRE-LTS, TDEAS, TsDyn and CARS had general agreement in terms of the in-train forces; minor differences exist as reflections of draft gear model variations. In-train force oscillations were observed in VOCO due to the introduction of wheel-rail contact. In-train force instabilities were sometimes observed in PoliTo and BODYSIM due to the velocity controlled transitional characteristics which could have generated unreasonable transitional stiffness. Regarding computing time per train operational second, the following list is in order of increasing computing speed: VOCO, TsDyn, PoliTO, CARS, BODYSIM, UM, TDEAS, CRE-LTS and TABLDSS (fastest); all simulators except VOCO, TsDyn and PoliTo achieved faster speeds than real-time simulations. Similarly, regarding computing time per integration step, the computing speeds in order are: CRE-LTS, VOCO, CARS, TsDyn, UM, TABLDSS and TDEAS (fastest).

Raster-Based Approach to Solar Pressure Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, Theodore W. II

2013-01-01

An algorithm has been developed to take advantage of the graphics processing hardware in modern computers to efficiently compute high-fidelity solar pressure forces and torques on spacecraft, taking into account the possibility of self-shading due to the articulation of spacecraft components such as solar arrays. The process is easily extended to compute other results that depend on three-dimensional attitude analysis, such as solar array power generation or free molecular flow drag. The impact of photons upon a spacecraft introduces small forces and moments. The magnitude and direction of the forces depend on the material properties of the spacecraft components being illuminated. The parts of the components being lit depends on the orientation of the craft with respect to the Sun, as well as the gimbal angles for any significant moving external parts (solar arrays, typically). Some components may shield others from the Sun. The purpose of this innovation is to enable high-fidelity computation of solar pressure and power generation effects of illuminated portions of spacecraft, taking self-shading from spacecraft attitude and movable components into account. The key idea in this innovation is to compute results dependent upon complicated geometry by using an image to break the problem into thousands or millions of sub-problems with simple geometry, and then the results from the simpler problems are combined to give high-fidelity results for the full geometry. This process is performed by constructing a 3D model of a spacecraft using an appropriate computer language (OpenGL), and running that model on a modern computer's 3D accelerated video processor. This quickly and accurately generates a view of the model (as shown on a computer screen) that takes rotation and articulation of spacecraft components into account. When this view is interpreted as the spacecraft as seen by the Sun, then only the portions of the craft visible in the view are illuminated. The view as shown on the computer screen is composed of up to millions of pixels. Each of those pixels is associated with a small illuminated area of the spacecraft. For each pixel, it is possible to compute its position, angle (surface normal) from the view direction, and the spacecraft material (and therefore, optical coefficients) associated with that area. With this information, the area associated with each pixel can be modeled as a simple flat plate for calculating solar pressure. The vector sum of these individual flat plate models is a high-fidelity approximation of the solar pressure forces and torques on the whole vehicle. In addition to using optical coefficients associated with each spacecraft material to calculate solar pressure, a power generation coefficient is added for computing solar array power generation from the sum of the illuminated areas. Similarly, other area-based calculations, such as free molecular flow drag, are also enabled. Because the model rendering is separated from other calculations, it is relatively easy to add a new model to explore a new vehicle or mission configuration. Adding a new model is performed by adding OpenGL code, but a future version might read a mesh file exported from a computer-aided design (CAD) system to enable very rapid turnaround for new designs

A wireless breathing-training support system for kinesitherapy.

PubMed

Tawa, Hiroki; Yonezawa, Yoshiharu; Maki, Hiromichi; Ogawa, Hidekuni; Ninomiya, Ishio; Sada, Kouji; Hamada, Shingo; Caldwell, W Morton

2009-01-01

We have developed a new wireless breathing-training support system for kinesitherapy. The system consists of an optical sensor, an accelerometer, a microcontroller, a Bluetooth module and a laptop computer. The optical sensor, which is attached to the patient's chest, measures chest circumference. The low frequency components of circumference are mainly generated by breathing. The optical sensor outputs the circumference as serial digital data. The accelerometer measures the dynamic acceleration force produced by exercise, such as walking. The microcontroller sequentially samples this force. The acceleration force and chest circumference are sent sequentially via Bluetooth to a physical therapist's laptop computer, which receives and stores the data. The computer simultaneously displays these data so that the physical therapist can monitor the patient's breathing and acceleration waveforms and give instructions to the patient in real time during exercise. Moreover, the system enables a quantitative training evaluation and calculation the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs.

Causal reasoning with forces

PubMed Central

Wolff, Phillip; Barbey, Aron K.

2015-01-01

Causal composition allows people to generate new causal relations by combining existing causal knowledge. We introduce a new computational model of such reasoning, the force theory, which holds that people compose causal relations by simulating the processes that join forces in the world, and compare this theory with the mental model theory (Khemlani et al., 2014) and the causal model theory (Sloman et al., 2009), which explain causal composition on the basis of mental models and structural equations, respectively. In one experiment, the force theory was uniquely able to account for people's ability to compose causal relationships from complex animations of real-world events. In three additional experiments, the force theory did as well as or better than the other two theories in explaining the causal compositions people generated from linguistically presented causal relations. Implications for causal learning and the hierarchical structure of causal knowledge are discussed. PMID:25653611

First Estimates of the Radiative Forcing of Aerosols Generated from Biomass Burning using Satellite Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chistopher, Sundar A.; Kliche, Donna V.; Chou, Joyce; Welch, Ronald M.

1996-01-01

Collocated measurements from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) scanner are used to examine the radiative forcing of atmospheric aerosols generated from biomass burning for 13 images in South America. Using the AVHRR, Local Area Coverage (LAC) data, a new technique based on a combination of spectral and textural measures is developed for detecting these aerosols. Then, the instantaneous shortwave, longwave, and net radiative forcing values are computed from the ERBE instantaneous scanner data. Results for the selected samples from 13 images show that the mean instantaneous net radiative forcing for areas with heavy aerosol loading is about -36 W/sq m and that for the optically thin aerosols are about -16 W/sq m. These results, although preliminary, provide the first estimates of radiative forcing of atmospheric aerosols from biomass burning using satellite data.

Combining configurational energies and forces for molecular force field optimization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vlcek, Lukas; Sun, Weiwei; Kent, Paul R. C.

While quantum chemical simulations have been increasingly used as an invaluable source of information for atomistic model development, the high computational expenses typically associated with these techniques often limit thorough sampling of the systems of interest. It is therefore of great practical importance to use all available information as efficiently as possible, and in a way that allows for consistent addition of constraints that may be provided by macroscopic experiments. We propose a simple approach that combines information from configurational energies and forces generated in a molecular dynamics simulation to increase the effective number of samples. Subsequently, this information ismore » used to optimize a molecular force field by minimizing the statistical distance similarity metric. We also illustrate the methodology on an example of a trajectory of configurations generated in equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of argon and water and compare the results with those based on the force matching method.« less

Combining configurational energies and forces for molecular force field optimization

DOE PAGES

Vlcek, Lukas; Sun, Weiwei; Kent, Paul R. C.

2017-07-21

While quantum chemical simulations have been increasingly used as an invaluable source of information for atomistic model development, the high computational expenses typically associated with these techniques often limit thorough sampling of the systems of interest. It is therefore of great practical importance to use all available information as efficiently as possible, and in a way that allows for consistent addition of constraints that may be provided by macroscopic experiments. We propose a simple approach that combines information from configurational energies and forces generated in a molecular dynamics simulation to increase the effective number of samples. Subsequently, this information ismore » used to optimize a molecular force field by minimizing the statistical distance similarity metric. We also illustrate the methodology on an example of a trajectory of configurations generated in equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of argon and water and compare the results with those based on the force matching method.« less

First Estimates of the Radiative Forcing of Aerosols Generated from Biomass Burning Using Satellite Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Christopher, Sundar A.; Kliche, Donna A.; Chou, Joyce; Welch, Ronald M.

1996-01-01

Collocated measurements from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) scanner are used to examine the radiative forcing of atmospheric aerosols generated from biomass burning for 13 images in South America. Using the AVHRR, Local Area Coverage (LAC) data, a new technique based on a combination of spectral and textural measures is developed for detecting these aerosols. Then, the instantaneous shortwave, longwave, and net radiative forcing values are computed from the ERBE instantaneous scanner data. Results for the selected samples from 13 images show that the mean instantaneous net radiative forcing for areas with heavy aerosol loading is about -36 W/sq m and that for the optically thin aerosols are about -16 W/sq m. These results, although preliminary, provide the first estimates of radiative forcing of atmospheric aerosols from biomass burning using satellite data.

Unsteady Aerodynamic Force Sensing from Measured Strain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pak, Chan-Gi

2016-01-01

A simple approach for computing unsteady aerodynamic forces from simulated measured strain data is proposed in this study. First, the deflection and slope of the structure are computed from the unsteady strain using the two-step approach. Velocities and accelerations of the structure are computed using the autoregressive moving average model, on-line parameter estimator, low-pass filter, and a least-squares curve fitting method together with analytical derivatives with respect to time. Finally, aerodynamic forces over the wing are computed using modal aerodynamic influence coefficient matrices, a rational function approximation, and a time-marching algorithm. A cantilevered rectangular wing built and tested at the NASA Langley Research Center (Hampton, Virginia, USA) in 1959 is used to validate the simple approach. Unsteady aerodynamic forces as well as wing deflections, velocities, accelerations, and strains are computed using the CFL3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code and an MSC/NASTRAN code (MSC Software Corporation, Newport Beach, California, USA), and these CFL3D-based results are assumed as measured quantities. Based on the measured strains, wing deflections, velocities, accelerations, and aerodynamic forces are computed using the proposed approach. These computed deflections, velocities, accelerations, and unsteady aerodynamic forces are compared with the CFL3D/NASTRAN-based results. In general, computed aerodynamic forces based on the lifting surface theory in subsonic speeds are in good agreement with the target aerodynamic forces generated using CFL3D code with the Euler equation. Excellent aeroelastic responses are obtained even with unsteady strain data under the signal to noise ratio of -9.8dB. The deflections, velocities, and accelerations at each sensor location are independent of structural and aerodynamic models. Therefore, the distributed strain data together with the current proposed approaches can be used as distributed deflection, velocity, and acceleration sensors. This research demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining induced drag and lift forces through the use of distributed sensor technology with measured strain data. An active induced drag control system thus can be designed using the two computed aerodynamic forces, induced drag and lift, to improve the fuel efficiency of an aircraft. Interpolation elements between structural finite element grids and the CFD grids and centroids are successfully incorporated with the unsteady aeroelastic computation scheme. The most critical technology for the success of the proposed approach is the robust on-line parameter estimator, since the least-squares curve fitting method depends heavily on aeroelastic system frequencies and damping factors.

Proceedings of the Conference on Computer Generated Forces and Behavioral Representation (5th), Held in Orlando, Florida, on 9-11 May 1995

DTIC Science & Technology

1995-05-01

ForeSight ( MECFS ). Prior to joining TASC, Mr. Stanzione served as the deputy director of the Semi-Automated Forces group at Loral Advanced Distributed...TASC’s other Synthetic Environment programs, including Weather in DIS (WINDS) and Multi-Echelon CFOR with ForeSight ( MECFS ). Prior to joining TASC, Mr

Modulation of local field potential power of the subthalamic nucleus during isometric force generation in patients with Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Florin, E; Dafsari, H S; Reck, C; Barbe, M T; Pauls, K A M; Maarouf, M; Sturm, V; Fink, G R; Timmermann, L

2013-06-14

Investigations of local field potentials of the subthalamic nucleus of patients with Parkinson's disease have provided evidence for pathologically exaggerated oscillatory beta-band activity (13-30 Hz) which is amenable to physiological modulation by, e.g., voluntary movement. Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in healthy controls have provided evidence for an increase of subthalamic nucleus blood-oxygenation-level-dependant signal in incremental force generation tasks. However, the modulation of neuronal activity by force generation and its relationship to peripheral feedback remain to be elucidated. We hypothesised that beta-band activity in the subthalamic nucleus is modulated by incremental force generation. Subthalamic nucleus local field potentials were recorded intraoperatively in 13 patients with Parkinson's disease (37 recording sites) during rest and five incremental isometric force generation conditions of the arm with applied loads of 0-400 g (in 100-g increments). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a modulation of local field potential (LFP) power in the upper beta-band (in 24-30 Hz; F(₃.₀₄₂)=4.693, p=0.036) and the gamma-band (in 70-76 Hz; F(₄)=4.116, p=0.036). Granger-causality was computed with the squared partial directed coherence and showed no significant modulation during incremental isometric force generation. Our findings indicate that the upper beta- and gamma-band power of subthalamic nucleus local field potentials are modulated by the physiological task of force generation in patients with Parkinson's disease. This modulation seems to be not an effect of a modulation of peripheral feedback. Copyright © 2013 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fluid dynamics of flapping aquatic flight in the bird wrasse: three-dimensional unsteady computations with fin deformation.

PubMed

Ramamurti, Ravi; Sandberg, William C; Löhner, Rainald; Walker, Jeffrey A; Westneat, Mark W

2002-10-01

Many fishes that swim with the paired pectoral fins use fin-stroke parameters that produce thrust force from lift in a mechanism of underwater flight. These locomotor mechanisms are of interest to behavioral biologists, biomechanics researchers and engineers. In the present study, we performed the first three-dimensional unsteady computations of fish swimming with oscillating and deforming fins. The objective of these computations was to investigate the fluid dynamics of force production associated with the flapping aquatic flight of the bird wrasse Gomphosus varius. For this computational work, we used the geometry of the wrasse and its pectoral fin, and previously measured fin kinematics, as the starting points for computational investigation of three-dimensional (3-D) unsteady fluid dynamics. We performed a 3-D steady computation and a complete set of 3-D quasisteady computations for a range of pectoral fin positions and surface velocities. An unstructured, grid-based, unsteady Navier-Stokes solver with automatic adaptive remeshing was then used to compute the unsteady flow about the wrasse through several complete cycles of pectoral fin oscillation. The shape deformation of the pectoral fin throughout the oscillation was taken from the experimental kinematics. The pressure distribution on the body of the bird wrasse and its pectoral fins was computed and integrated to give body and fin forces which were decomposed into lift and thrust. The velocity field variation on the surface of the wrasse body, on the pectoral fins and in the near-wake was computed throughout the swimming cycle. We compared our computational results for the steady, quasi-steady and unsteady cases with the experimental data on axial and vertical acceleration obtained from the pectoral fin kinematics experiments. These comparisons show that steady state computations are incapable of describing the fluid dynamics of flapping fins. Quasi-steady state computations, with correct incorporation of the experimental kinematics, are useful when determining trends in force production, but do not provide accurate estimates of the magnitudes of the forces produced. By contrast, unsteady computations about the deforming pectoral fins using experimentally measured fin kinematics were found to give excellent agreement, both in the time history of force production throughout the flapping strokes and in the magnitudes of the generated forces.

Computational analysis of forebody tangential slot blowing on the high alpha research vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gee, Ken

1994-01-01

Current and future fighter aircraft can maneuver in the high-angle-of-attack flight regime while flying at low subsonic and transonic freestream Mach numbers. However, at any flight speed, the ability of the vertical tails to generate yawing moment is limited in high-angle-of-attack flight. Thus, any system designed to provide the pilot with additional side force and yawing moment must work in both low subsonic and transonic flight. However, previous investigations of the effectiveness of forebody tangential slot blowing in generating the desired control forces and moments have been limited to the low subsonic freestream flow regime. In order to investigate the effectiveness of tangential slot blowing in transonic flight, a computational fluid dynamics analysis was carried out during the grant period. Computational solutions were obtained at three different freestream Mach numbers and at various jet mass flow ratios. All results were obtained using the isolated F/A-18 forebody grid geometry at 30.3 degrees angle of attack. One goal of the research was to determine the effect of freestream Mach number on the effectiveness of forebody tangential slot blowing in generating yawing moment. The second part of the research studied the force onset time lag associated with blowing. The time required for the yawing moment to reach a steady-state value from the onset of blowing may have an impact on the implementation of a pneumatic system on a flight vehicle.

Numerical modeling of landslides and generated seismic waves: The Bingham Canyon Mine landslides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miallot, H.; Mangeney, A.; Capdeville, Y.; Hibert, C.

2016-12-01

Landslides are important natural hazards and key erosion processes. They create long period surface waves that can be recorded by regional and global seismic networks. The seismic signals are generated by acceleration/deceleration of the mass sliding over the topography. They consist in a unique and powerful tool to detect, characterize and quantify the landslide dynamics. We investigate here the processes at work during the two massive landslides that struck the Bingham Canyon Mine on the 10th April 2013. We carry a combined analysis of the generated seismic signals and the landslide processes computed with a 3D modeling on a complex topography. Forces computed by broadband seismic waveform inversion are used to constrain the study and particularly the force-source and the bulk dynamic. The source time function are obtained by a 3D model (Shaltop) where rheological parameters can be adjusted. We first investigate the influence of the initial shape of the sliding mass which strongly affects the whole landslide dynamic. We also see that the initial shape of the source mass of the first landslide constrains pretty well the second landslide source mass. We then investigate the effect of a rheological parameter, the frictional angle, that strongly influences the resulted computed seismic source function. We test here numerous friction laws as the frictional Coulomb law and a velocity-weakening friction law. Our results show that the force waveform fitting the observed data is highly variable depending on these different choices.

Source Term Model for Vortex Generator Vanes in a Navier-Stokes Computer Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waithe, Kenrick A.

2004-01-01

A source term model for an array of vortex generators was implemented into a non-proprietary Navier-Stokes computer code, OVERFLOW. The source term models the side force created by a vortex generator vane. The model is obtained by introducing a side force to the momentum and energy equations that can adjust its strength automatically based on the local flow. The model was tested and calibrated by comparing data from numerical simulations and experiments of a single low profile vortex generator vane on a flat plate. In addition, the model was compared to experimental data of an S-duct with 22 co-rotating, low profile vortex generators. The source term model allowed a grid reduction of about seventy percent when compared with the numerical simulations performed on a fully gridded vortex generator on a flat plate without adversely affecting the development and capture of the vortex created. The source term model was able to predict the shape and size of the stream-wise vorticity and velocity contours very well when compared with both numerical simulations and experimental data. The peak vorticity and its location were also predicted very well when compared to numerical simulations and experimental data. The circulation predicted by the source term model matches the prediction of the numerical simulation. The source term model predicted the engine fan face distortion and total pressure recovery of the S-duct with 22 co-rotating vortex generators very well. The source term model allows a researcher to quickly investigate different locations of individual or a row of vortex generators. The researcher is able to conduct a preliminary investigation with minimal grid generation and computational time.

Computational modelling of an operational wind turbine and validation with LIDAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Creech, Angus; Fruh, Wolf-Gerrit; Clive, Peter

2010-05-01

We present a computationally efficient method to model the interaction of wind turbines with the surrounding flow, where the interaction provides information on the power generation of the turbine and the generated wake behind the turbine. The turbine representation is based on the principle of an actuator volume, whereby the energy extraction and balancing forces on the fluids are formulated as body forces which avoids the extremely high computational costs of boundary conditions and forces. Depending on the turbine information available, those forces can be derived either from published turbine performance specifications or from their rotor and blade design. This turbine representation is then coupled to a Computational Fluid Dynamics package, in this case the hr-adaptive Finite-Element code Fluidity from Imperial College, London. Here we present a simulation of an operational 950kW NEG Micon NM54 wind turbine installed in the west of Scotland. The calculated wind is compared with LIDAR measurements using a Galion LIDAR from SgurrEnergy. The computational domain extends over an area of 6km by 6km and a height of 750m, centred on the turbine. The lower boundary includes the orography of the terrain and surface roughness values representing the vegetation - some forested areas and some grassland. The boundary conditions on the sides are relaxed Dirichlet conditions, relaxed to an observed prevailing wind speed and direction. Within instrumental errors and model limitations, the overall flow field in general and the wake behind the turbine in particular, show a very high degree of agreement, demonstrating the validity and value of this approach. The computational costs of this approach are such that it is possible to extend this single-turbine example to a full wind farm, as the number of required mesh nodes is given by the domain and then increases only linearly with the number of turbines

Aspects of body self-calibration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lackner, J. R.; DiZio, P. A.

2000-01-01

The representation of body orientation and configuration is dependent on multiple sources of afferent and efferent information about ongoing and intended patterns of movement and posture. Under normal terrestrial conditions, we feel virtually weightless and we do not perceive the actual forces associated with movement and support of our body. It is during exposure to unusual forces and patterns of sensory feedback during locomotion that computations and mechanisms underlying the ongoing calibration of our body dimensions and movements are revealed. This review discusses the normal mechanisms of our position sense and calibration of our kinaesthetic, visual and auditory sensory systems, and then explores the adaptations that take place to transient Coriolis forces generated during passive body rotation. The latter are very rapid adaptations that allow body movements to become accurate again, even in the absence of visual feedback. Muscle spindle activity interpreted in relation to motor commands and internally modeled reafference is an important component in permitting this adaptation. During voluntary rotary movements of the body, the central nervous system automatically compensates for the Coriolis forces generated by limb movements. This allows accurate control to be maintained without our perceiving the forces generated.

Development of numerical methods for overset grids with applications for the integrated Space Shuttle vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, William M.

1995-01-01

Algorithms and computer code developments were performed for the overset grid approach to solving computational fluid dynamics problems. The techniques developed are applicable to compressible Navier-Stokes flow for any general complex configurations. The computer codes developed were tested on different complex configurations with the Space Shuttle launch vehicle configuration as the primary test bed. General, efficient and user-friendly codes were produced for grid generation, flow solution and force and moment computation.

Impact of Vial Capping on Residual Seal Force and Container Closure Integrity.

PubMed

Mathaes, Roman; Mahler, Hanns-Christian; Roggo, Yves; Ovadia, Robert; Lam, Philippe; Stauch, Oliver; Vogt, Martin; Roehl, Holger; Huwyler, Joerg; Mohl, Silke; Streubel, Alexander

2016-01-01

The vial capping process is a critical unit operation during drug product manufacturing, as it could possibly generate cosmetic defects or even affect container closure integrity. Yet there is significant variability in capping equipment and processes, and their relation to potential defects or container closure integrity has not been thoroughly studied. In this study we applied several methods-residual seal force tester, a self-developed system of a piezo force sensor measurement, and computed tomography-to characterize different container closure system combinations that had been sealed using different capping process parameter settings. Additionally, container closure integrity of these samples was measured using helium leakage (physical container closure integrity) and compared to characterization data. The different capping equipment settings lead to residual seal force values from 7 to 115 N. High residual seal force values were achieved with high capping pre-compression force and a short distance between the capping plate and plunge. The choice of container closure system influenced the obtained residual seal force values. The residual seal force tester and piezoelectric measurements showed similar trends. All vials passed physical container closure integrity testing, and no stopper rupture was seen with any of the settings applied, suggesting that container closure integrity was warranted for the studied container closure system with the chosen capping setting ranges. The vial capping process is a critical unit operation during drug product manufacturing, as it could possibly generate cosmetic defects or even affect container closure integrity. Yet there is significant variability in capping equipment and processes, and their relation to potential defects or container closure integrity has not been thoroughly studied. In this study we applied several methods-residual seal force tester, a self-developed system of a piezo force sensor measurement, and computed tomography-to characterize different container closure system combinations that had been sealed using different capping process parameter settings. The residual seal force tester can analyze a variety of different container closure systems independent of the capping equipment. An adequate and safe residual seal force range for each container closure system configuration can be established with the residual seal force tester and additional methods like computed tomography scans and leak testing. In the residual seal force range studied, the physical container closure integrity of the container closure system was warranted. © PDA, Inc. 2016.

Importance of anisotropy in detachment rates for force production and cargo transport by a team of motor proteins.

PubMed

Takshak, Anjneya; Kunwar, Ambarish

2016-05-01

Many cellular processes are driven by collective forces generated by a team consisting of multiple molecular motor proteins. One aspect that has received less attention is the detachment rate of molecular motors under mechanical force/load. While detachment rate of kinesin motors measured under backward force increases rapidly for forces beyond stall-force; this scenario is just reversed for non-yeast dynein motors where detachment rate from microtubule decreases, exhibiting a catch-bond type behavior. It has been shown recently that yeast dynein responds anisotropically to applied load, i.e. detachment rates are different under forward and backward pulling. Here, we use computational modeling to show that these anisotropic detachment rates might help yeast dynein motors to improve their collective force generation in the absence of catch-bond behavior. We further show that the travel distance of cargos would be longer if detachment rates are anisotropic. Our results suggest that anisotropic detachment rates could be an alternative strategy for motors to improve the transport properties and force production by the team. © 2016 The Protein Society.

Chimera Grid Tools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, William M.; Rogers, Stuart E.; Nash, Steven M.; Buning, Pieter G.; Meakin, Robert

2005-01-01

Chimera Grid Tools (CGT) is a software package for performing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis utilizing the Chimera-overset-grid method. For modeling flows with viscosity about geometrically complex bodies in relative motion, the Chimera-overset-grid method is among the most computationally cost-effective methods for obtaining accurate aerodynamic results. CGT contains a large collection of tools for generating overset grids, preparing inputs for computer programs that solve equations of flow on the grids, and post-processing of flow-solution data. The tools in CGT include grid editing tools, surface-grid-generation tools, volume-grid-generation tools, utility scripts, configuration scripts, and tools for post-processing (including generation of animated images of flows and calculating forces and moments exerted on affected bodies). One of the tools, denoted OVERGRID, is a graphical user interface (GUI) that serves to visualize the grids and flow solutions and provides central access to many other tools. The GUI facilitates the generation of grids for a new flow-field configuration. Scripts that follow the grid generation process can then be constructed to mostly automate grid generation for similar configurations. CGT is designed for use in conjunction with a computer-aided-design program that provides the geometry description of the bodies, and a flow-solver program.

OVERSMART Reporting Tool for Flow Computations Over Large Grid Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kao, David L.; Chan, William M.

2012-01-01

Structured grid solvers such as NASA's OVERFLOW compressible Navier-Stokes flow solver can generate large data files that contain convergence histories for flow equation residuals, turbulence model equation residuals, component forces and moments, and component relative motion dynamics variables. Most of today's large-scale problems can extend to hundreds of grids, and over 100 million grid points. However, due to the lack of efficient tools, only a small fraction of information contained in these files is analyzed. OVERSMART (OVERFLOW Solution Monitoring And Reporting Tool) provides a comprehensive report of solution convergence of flow computations over large, complex grid systems. It produces a one-page executive summary of the behavior of flow equation residuals, turbulence model equation residuals, and component forces and moments. Under the automatic option, a matrix of commonly viewed plots such as residual histograms, composite residuals, sub-iteration bar graphs, and component forces and moments is automatically generated. Specific plots required by the user can also be prescribed via a command file or a graphical user interface. Output is directed to the user s computer screen and/or to an html file for archival purposes. The current implementation has been targeted for the OVERFLOW flow solver, which is used to obtain a flow solution on structured overset grids. The OVERSMART framework allows easy extension to other flow solvers.

Negative radiation forces and the asymmetry of scattered radiation: spheres in Bessel beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marston, Philip L.; Zhang, Likun

2011-11-01

The discovery that acoustical and optical, radiation forces computed on spheres placed on the axis of acoustical and optical Bessel beams may be opposite the direction of beam propagation makes it appropriate to reexamine the relationship between radiation forces and the asymmetry of the scattered radiation. For all of the previously identified acoustical cases in which the force was negative and the scattering pattern was also computed, it was found that the backscattering was suppressed and the forward scattering relatively enhanced (see e.g.). In the present research the acoustic radiation force on an arbitrary isotropic sphere is related to the asymmetry in the scattering and the extinction introduced by the sphere for the case of a helical Bessel beam of arbitrary order. The analysis confirms that conditions are more favorable for generating negative forces when the asymmetry is such that the backscattering is suppressed relative to the forward scattering. It is also found, however, that absorption of power by the sphere gives rise to a positive force contribution, a term which has been neglected in the corresponding optical analysis.

Investigation of Electronic Generation of Visual Images for Air Force Technical Training. Interim Report for Period May 1974-October 1975.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Filinger, Ronald H.; Hall, Paul W.

Because large scale individualized learning systems place excessive demands on conventional means of producing audiovisual software, electronic image generation has been investigated as an alternative. A prototype, experimental device, Scanimate-500, was designed and built by the Computer Image Corporation. It uses photographic, television, and…

Finite difference computation of Casimir forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinto, Fabrizio

2016-09-01

In this Invited paper, we begin by a historical introduction to provide a motivation for the classical problems of interatomic force computation and associated challenges. This analysis will lead us from early theoretical and experimental accomplishments to the integration of these fascinating interactions into the operation of realistic, next-generation micro- and nanodevices both for the advanced metrology of fundamental physical processes and in breakthrough industrial applications. Among several powerful strategies enabling vastly enhanced performance and entirely novel technological capabilities, we shall specifically consider Casimir force time-modulation and the adoption of non-trivial geometries. As to the former, the ability to alter the magnitude and sign of the Casimir force will be recognized as a crucial principle to implement thermodynamical nano-engines. As to the latter, we shall first briefly review various reported computational approaches. We shall then discuss the game-changing discovery, in the last decade, that standard methods of numerical classical electromagnetism can be retooled to formulate the problem of Casimir force computation in arbitrary geometries. This remarkable development will be practically illustrated by showing that such an apparently elementary method as standard finite-differencing can be successfully employed to numerically recover results known from the Lifshitz theory of dispersion forces in the case of interacting parallel-plane slabs. Other geometries will be also be explored and consideration given to the potential of non-standard finite-difference methods. Finally, we shall introduce problems at the computational frontier, such as those including membranes deformed by Casimir forces and the effects of anisotropic materials. Conclusions will highlight the dramatic transition from the enduring perception of this field as an exotic application of quantum electrodynamics to the recent demonstration of a human climbing vertically on smooth glass.

Development of a measurement system for the mechanical load of functional appliances.

PubMed

Shimazaki, Aya; Kimura, Hitoshi; Inou, Norio; Maki, Koutaro

2017-10-03

Devices called functional appliances are commonly used in orthodontics for treating maxillary protrusion. These devices mechanically force the mandible forward to apply traction force to the mandibular condyle. This promotes cartilaginous growth in the small mandible. However, no studies have clarified how much traction force is applied to the mandibular condyle. Moreover, it remains unknown as to how anatomical characteristics affect this traction force. Therefore, in this study, we developed a device for measuring the amount of force generated while individual patients wore functional appliances, and we investigated the relationship between forces with structures surrounding the mandibular condyle. We compared traction force values with cone-beam computed tomography image data in eight subjects. The functional appliance resulted in a traction force of 339-1477gf/mm, with a mean value of 196.5gf/mm for the elastic modulus of the mandible. A comparison with cone-beam computed tomography image data suggested that the mandibular traction force was affected by the mandibular condyle and shape of the articular eminence. This method can contribute to discovering efficient treatment techniques more suited to individual patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Intramedullary nailing: evolutions of femoral intramedullary nailing: first to fourth generations.

PubMed

Russell, Thomas A

2011-12-01

Intramedullary femoral nailing is the gold standard for femoral shaft fixation but only in the past 27 years. This rapid replacement of closed traction and cast techniques in North America was a controversial and contentious evolution in surgery. As we enter the fourth generation of implant design, capabilities, and surgical technique, it is important to understand the driving forces for this technology. These forces included changes in radiographic imaging capabilities, biomaterial design and computer-assisted manufacturing, and the recognition of the importance of mobilization of the trauma patient to avoid systemic complications and optimize functional recovery.

Determination of Rotordynamic Coefficients for Labyrinth Seals and Application to Rotordynamic Design Calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weiser, P.; Nordmann, R.

1991-01-01

In today's rotordynamic calculations, the input parameters for a finite element analysis (FEA) determine very much the reliability of eigenvalue and eigenmode predictions. While modeling of an elastic structure by means of beam elements etc. is relatively straightforward to perform and the input data for journal bearings are usually known exactly enough, the determination of stiffness and damping for labyrinth seals is still the subject of many investigations. Therefore, the rotordynamic influence of labyrinths is often not included in FEA for rotating machinery because of a lack of computer programs to calculate these parameters. This circumstance can give rise to severe vibration problems especially for high performance turbines or compressors, resulting in remarkable economic losses. The forces generated in labyrinths can be described for small motions around the seal center with a linearized force-motion relationship. Several years ago, we started with the development of computer codes for the determination of rotordynamic seal coefficients. Our different approaches to evaluate the dynamic fluid forces generated by turbulent, compressible seal flow are introduced.

A Computational Model of Torque Generation: Neural, Contractile, Metabolic and Musculoskeletal Components

PubMed Central

Callahan, Damien M.; Umberger, Brian R.; Kent-Braun, Jane A.

2013-01-01

The pathway of voluntary joint torque production includes motor neuron recruitment and rate-coding, sarcolemmal depolarization and calcium release by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, force generation by motor proteins within skeletal muscle, and force transmission by tendon across the joint. The direct source of energetic support for this process is ATP hydrolysis. It is possible to examine portions of this physiologic pathway using various in vivo and in vitro techniques, but an integrated view of the multiple processes that ultimately impact joint torque remains elusive. To address this gap, we present a comprehensive computational model of the combined neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems that includes novel components related to intracellular bioenergetics function. Components representing excitatory drive, muscle activation, force generation, metabolic perturbations, and torque production during voluntary human ankle dorsiflexion were constructed, using a combination of experimentally-derived data and literature values. Simulation results were validated by comparison with torque and metabolic data obtained in vivo. The model successfully predicted peak and submaximal voluntary and electrically-elicited torque output, and accurately simulated the metabolic perturbations associated with voluntary contractions. This novel, comprehensive model could be used to better understand impact of global effectors such as age and disease on various components of the neuromuscular system, and ultimately, voluntary torque output. PMID:23405245

Modeling Vortex Generators in the Wind-US Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dudek, Julianne C.

2010-01-01

A source term model which simulates the effects of vortex generators was implemented into the Wind-US Navier Stokes code. The source term added to the Navier-Stokes equations simulates the lift force which would result from a vane-type vortex generator in the flowfield. The implementation is user-friendly, requiring the user to specify only three quantities for each desired vortex generator: the range of grid points over which the force is to be applied and the planform area and angle of incidence of the physical vane. The model behavior was evaluated for subsonic flow in a rectangular duct with a single vane vortex generator, supersonic flow in a rectangular duct with a counterrotating vortex generator pair, and subsonic flow in an S-duct with 22 co-rotating vortex generators. The validation results indicate that the source term vortex generator model provides a useful tool for screening vortex generator configurations and gives comparable results to solutions computed using a gridded vane.

Force and Stress along Simulated Dissociation Pathways of Cucurbituril-Guest Systems.

PubMed

Velez-Vega, Camilo; Gilson, Michael K

2012-03-13

The field of host-guest chemistry provides computationally tractable yet informative model systems for biomolecular recognition. We applied molecular dynamics simulations to study the forces and mechanical stresses associated with forced dissociation of aqueous cucurbituril-guest complexes with high binding affinities. First, the unbinding transitions were modeled with constant velocity pulling (steered dynamics) and a soft spring constant, to model atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments. The computed length-force profiles yield rupture forces in good agreement with available measurements. We also used steered dynamics with high spring constants to generate paths characterized by a tight control over the specified pulling distance; these paths were then equilibrated via umbrella sampling simulations and used to compute time-averaged mechanical stresses along the dissociation pathways. The stress calculations proved to be informative regarding the key interactions determining the length-force profiles and rupture forces. In particular, the unbinding transition of one complex is found to be a stepwise process, which is initially dominated by electrostatic interactions between the guest's ammoniums and the host's carbonyl groups, and subsequently limited by the extraction of the guest's bulky bicyclooctane moiety; the latter step requires some bond stretching at the cucurbituril's extraction portal. Conversely, the dissociation of a second complex with a more slender guest is mainly driven by successive electrostatic interactions between the different guest's ammoniums and the host's carbonyl groups. The calculations also provide information on the origins of thermodynamic irreversibilities in these forced dissociation processes.

User's Manual for FOMOCO Utilities-Force and Moment Computation Tools for Overset Grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, William M.; Buning, Pieter G.

1996-01-01

In the numerical computations of flows around complex configurations, accurate calculations of force and moment coefficients for aerodynamic surfaces are required. When overset grid methods are used, the surfaces on which force and moment coefficients are sought typically consist of a collection of overlapping surface grids. Direct integration of flow quantities on the overlapping grids would result in the overlapped regions being counted more than once. The FOMOCO Utilities is a software package for computing flow coefficients (force, moment, and mass flow rate) on a collection of overset surfaces with accurate accounting of the overlapped zones. FOMOCO Utilities can be used in stand-alone mode or in conjunction with the Chimera overset grid compressible Navier-Stokes flow solver OVERFLOW. The software package consists of two modules corresponding to a two-step procedure: (1) hybrid surface grid generation (MIXSUR module), and (2) flow quantities integration (OVERINT module). Instructions on how to use this software package are described in this user's manual. Equations used in the flow coefficients calculation are given in Appendix A.

Integrated force method versus displacement method for finite element analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patnaik, S. N.; Berke, L.; Gallagher, R. H.

1991-01-01

A novel formulation termed the integrated force method (IFM) has been developed in recent years for analyzing structures. In this method all the internal forces are taken as independent variables, and the system equilibrium equations (EEs) are integrated with the global compatibility conditions (CCs) to form the governing set of equations. In IFM the CCs are obtained from the strain formulation of St. Venant, and no choices of redundant load systems have to be made, in constrast to the standard force method (SFM). This property of IFM allows the generation of the governing equation to be automated straightforwardly, as it is in the popular stiffness method (SM). In this report IFM and SM are compared relative to the structure of their respective equations, their conditioning, required solution methods, overall computational requirements, and convergence properties as these factors influence the accuracy of the results. Overall, this new version of the force method produces more accurate results than the stiffness method for comparable computational cost.

Integrated force method versus displacement method for finite element analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patnaik, Surya N.; Berke, Laszlo; Gallagher, Richard H.

1990-01-01

A novel formulation termed the integrated force method (IFM) has been developed in recent years for analyzing structures. In this method all the internal forces are taken as independent variables, and the system equilibrium equations (EE's) are integrated with the global compatibility conditions (CC's) to form the governing set of equations. In IFM the CC's are obtained from the strain formulation of St. Venant, and no choices of redundant load systems have to be made, in constrast to the standard force method (SFM). This property of IFM allows the generation of the governing equation to be automated straightforwardly, as it is in the popular stiffness method (SM). In this report IFM and SM are compared relative to the structure of their respective equations, their conditioning, required solution methods, overall computational requirements, and convergence properties as these factors influence the accuracy of the results. Overall, this new version of the force method produces more accurate results than the stiffness method for comparable computational cost.

Unsteady hydrodynamic forces acting on a robotic arm and its flow field: application to the crawl stroke.

PubMed

Takagi, Hideki; Nakashima, Motomu; Ozaki, Takashi; Matsuuchi, Kazuo

2014-04-11

This study aims to clarify the mechanisms by which unsteady hydrodynamic forces act on the hand of a swimmer during a crawl stroke. Measurements were performed for a hand attached to a robotic arm with five degrees of freedom independently controlled by a computer. The computer was programmed so the hand and arm mimicked a human performing the stroke. We directly measured forces on the hand and pressure distributions around it at 200 Hz; flow fields underwater near the hand were obtained via 2D particle image velocimetry (PIV). The data revealed two mechanisms that generate unsteady forces during a crawl stroke. One is the unsteady lift force generated when hand movement changes direction during the stroke, leading to vortex shedding and bound vortex created around it. This bound vortex circulation results in a lift that contributes to the thrust. The other occurs when the hand moves linearly with a large angle of attack, creating a Kármán vortex street. This street alternatively sheds clockwise and counterclockwise vortices, resulting in a quasi-steady drag contributing to the thrust. We presume that professional swimmers benefit from both mechanisms. Further studies are necessary in which 3D flow fields are measured using a 3D PIV system and a human swimmer. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Density-Functional Theory with Dispersion-Correcting Potentials for Methane: Bridging the Efficiency and Accuracy Gap between High-Level Wave Function and Classical Molecular Mechanics Methods.

PubMed

Torres, Edmanuel; DiLabio, Gino A

2013-08-13

Large clusters of noncovalently bonded molecules can only be efficiently modeled by classical mechanics simulations. One prominent challenge associated with this approach is obtaining force-field parameters that accurately describe noncovalent interactions. High-level correlated wave function methods, such as CCSD(T), are capable of correctly predicting noncovalent interactions, and are widely used to produce reference data. However, high-level correlated methods are generally too computationally costly to generate the critical reference data required for good force-field parameter development. In this work we present an approach to generate Lennard-Jones force-field parameters to accurately account for noncovalent interactions. We propose the use of a computational step that is intermediate to CCSD(T) and classical molecular mechanics, that can bridge the accuracy and computational efficiency gap between them, and demonstrate the efficacy of our approach with methane clusters. On the basis of CCSD(T)-level binding energy data for a small set of methane clusters, we develop methane-specific, atom-centered, dispersion-correcting potentials (DCPs) for use with the PBE0 density-functional and 6-31+G(d,p) basis sets. We then use the PBE0-DCP approach to compute a detailed map of the interaction forces associated with the removal of a single methane molecule from a cluster of eight methane molecules and use this map to optimize the Lennard-Jones parameters for methane. The quality of the binding energies obtained by the Lennard-Jones parameters we obtained is assessed on a set of methane clusters containing from 2 to 40 molecules. Our Lennard-Jones parameters, used in combination with the intramolecular parameters of the CHARMM force field, are found to closely reproduce the results of our dispersion-corrected density-functional calculations. The approach outlined can be used to develop Lennard-Jones parameters for any kind of molecular system.

Force-reflective teleoperated system with shared and compliant control capabilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Szakaly, Z.; Kim, W. S.; Bejczy, A. K.

1989-01-01

The force-reflecting teleoperator breadboard is described. It is the first system among available Research and Development systems with the following combined capabilities: (1) The master input device is not a replica of the slave arm. It is a general purpose device which can be applied to the control of different robot arms through proper mathematical transformations. (2) Force reflection generated in the master hand controller is referenced to forces and moments measured by a six DOF force-moment sensor at the base of the robot hand. (3) The system permits a smooth spectrum of operations between full manual, shared manual and automatic, and full automatic (called traded) control. (4) The system can be operated with variable compliance or stiffness in force-reflecting control. Some of the key points of the system are the data handling and computing architecture, the communication method, and the handling of mathematical transformations. The architecture is a fully synchronized pipeline. The communication method achieves optimal use of a parallel communication channel between the local and remote computing nodes. A time delay box is also implemented in this communication channel permitting experiments with up to 8 sec time delay. The mathematical transformations are computed faster than 1 msec so that control at each node can be operated at 1 kHz servo rate without interpolation. This results in an overall force-reflecting loop rate of 200 Hz.

The influence of patellofemoral joint contact geometry on the modeling of three dimensional patellofemoral joint forces.

PubMed

Powers, Christopher M; Chen, Yu-Jen; Scher, Irving; Lee, Thay Q

2006-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of patellofemoral joint contact geometry on the modeling of three-dimensional patellofemoral joint forces. To achieve this goal, patellofemoral joint reaction forces (PFJRFs) that were measured from an in-vitro cadaveric set-up were compared to PFJRFs estimated from a computer model that did not consider patellofemoral joint contact geometry. Ten cadaver knees were used in this study. Each was mounted on a custom jig that was fixed to an Instron frame. Quadriceps muscle loads were accomplished using a pulley system and weights. The force in the patellar ligament was obtained using a buckle transducer. To quantify the magnitude and direction of the PFJRF, a six-axis load cell was incorporated into the femoral fixation system so that a rigid body assumption could be made. PFJRF data were obtained at 0 degrees , 20 degrees , 40 degrees and 60 degrees of knee flexion. Following in vitro testing, SIMM modeling software was used to develop computational models based on the three-dimensional coordinates (Microscribe digitizer) of individual muscle and patellar ligament force vectors obtained from the cadaver knees. The overall magnitude of the PFJRF estimated from the computer generated models closely matched the direct measurements from the in vitro set-up (Pearson's correlation coefficient, R(2)=0.91, p<0.001). Although the computational model accurately estimated the posteriorly directed forces acting on the joint, some discrepancies were noted in the forces acting in the superior and lateral directions. These differences however, were relatively small when expressed as a total of the overall PFJRF magnitude.

F-actin cross-linking enhances the stability of force generation in disordered actomyosin networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Wonyeong; Murrell, Michael P.; Kim, Taeyoon

2015-12-01

Myosin molecular motors and actin cross-linking proteins (ACPs) are known to mediate the generation and transmission of mechanical forces within the cortical F-actin cytoskeleton that drive major cellular processes such as cell division and migration. However, how motors and ACPs interact collectively over diverse timescales to modulate the time-dependent mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton remains unclear. In this study, we present a three-dimensional agent-based computational model of the cortical actomyosin network to quantitatively determine the effects of motor activity and the density and kinetics of ACPs on the accumulation and maintenance of mechanical tension within a disordered actomyosin network. We found that motors accumulate large stress quickly by behaving as temporary cross-linkers although this stress is relaxed over time unless there are sufficient passive ACPs to stabilize the network. Stabilization by ACPs helps motors to generate forces up to their maximum potential, leading to significant enhancement of the efficiency and stability of stress generation. Thus, we demonstrated that the force-dependent kinetics of ACP dissociation plays a critical role for the accumulation and sustainment of stress and the structural remodeling of networks.

Evidence for an electrostatic mechanism of force generation by the bacteriophage T4 DNA packaging motor.

PubMed

Migliori, Amy D; Keller, Nicholas; Alam, Tanfis I; Mahalingam, Marthandan; Rao, Venigalla B; Arya, Gaurav; Smith, Douglas E

2014-06-17

How viral packaging motors generate enormous forces to translocate DNA into viral capsids remains unknown. Recent structural studies of the bacteriophage T4 packaging motor have led to a proposed mechanism wherein the gp17 motor protein translocates DNA by transitioning between extended and compact states, orchestrated by electrostatic interactions between complimentarily charged residues across the interface between the N- and C-terminal subdomains. Here we show that site-directed alterations in these residues cause force dependent impairments of motor function including lower translocation velocity, lower stall force and higher frequency of pauses and slips. We further show that the measured impairments correlate with computed changes in free-energy differences between the two states. These findings support the proposed structural mechanism and further suggest an energy landscape model of motor activity that couples the free-energy profile of motor conformational states with that of the ATP hydrolysis cycle.

Evidence for an electrostatic mechanism of force generation by the bacteriophage T4 DNA packaging motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Migliori, Amy D.; Keller, Nicholas; Alam, Tanfis I.; Mahalingam, Marthandan; Rao, Venigalla B.; Arya, Gaurav; Smith, Douglas E.

2014-06-01

How viral packaging motors generate enormous forces to translocate DNA into viral capsids remains unknown. Recent structural studies of the bacteriophage T4 packaging motor have led to a proposed mechanism wherein the gp17 motor protein translocates DNA by transitioning between extended and compact states, orchestrated by electrostatic interactions between complimentarily charged residues across the interface between the N- and C-terminal subdomains. Here we show that site-directed alterations in these residues cause force dependent impairments of motor function including lower translocation velocity, lower stall force and higher frequency of pauses and slips. We further show that the measured impairments correlate with computed changes in free-energy differences between the two states. These findings support the proposed structural mechanism and further suggest an energy landscape model of motor activity that couples the free-energy profile of motor conformational states with that of the ATP hydrolysis cycle.

Evidence for an electrostatic mechanism of force generation by the bacteriophage T4 DNA packaging motor

PubMed Central

Migliori, Amy D.; Keller, Nicholas; Alam, Tanfis I.; Mahalingam, Marthandan; Rao, Venigalla B.; Arya, Gaurav; Smith, Douglas E

2014-01-01

How viral packaging motors generate enormous forces to translocate DNA into viral capsids remains unknown. Recent structural studies of the bacteriophage T4 packaging motor have led to a proposed mechanism wherein the gp17 motor protein translocates DNA by transitioning between extended and compact states, orchestrated by electrostatic interactions between complimentarily charged residues across the interface between the N- and C-terminal subdomains. Here, we show that site-directed alterations in these residues cause force dependent impairments of motor function including lower translocation velocity, lower stall force, and higher frequency of pauses and slips. We further show that the measured impairments correlate with computed changes in free energy differences between the two states. These findings support the proposed structural mechanism and further suggest an energy landscape model of motor activity that couples the free energy profile of motor conformational states with that of the ATP hydrolysis cycle. PMID:24937091

On the computer analysis of structures and mechanical systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bennett, B. E.

1984-01-01

The governing equations for the analysis of open branch-chain mechanical systems are developed in a form suitable for implementation in a general purpose finite element computer program. Lagrange's form of d'Alembert's principle is used to derive the system mass matrix and force vector. The generalized coordinates are selected as the unconstrained relative degrees of freedom giving the position and orientation of each slave link with respect to their master link. Each slave link may have from zero to six degrees of freedom relative to the reference frames of its master link. A strategy for automatic generation of the system mass matrix and force vector is described.

Electro-hydrodynamic force field and flow patterns generated by a DC corona discharge in the air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monrolin, Nicolas; Plouraboue, Franck; Praud, Olivier

2016-11-01

Ionic wind refers to the electro-convection of ionised air between high voltage electrodes. Microscopic ion-neutral collisions are responsible for momentum transfer from accelerated ions, subjected to the electric field, to the neutral gas molecules resulting in a macroscopic airflow acceleration. In the past decades it has been investigated for various purposes from food drying through aerodynamic flow control and eventually laptop cooling. One consequence of air acceleration between the electrodes is thrust generation, often referred to as the Biefeld-Brown effect or electro-hydrodynamic thrust. In this experimental study, the ionic wind velocity field is measured with the PIV method. From computing the acceleration of the air we work out the electrostatic force field for various electrodes configurations. This enables an original direct evaluation of the force distribution as well as the influence of electrodes shape and position. Thrust computation based on the flow acceleration are compared with digital scale measurements. Complex flow features are highlighted such as vortex shedding, indicating that aerodynamic effects may play a significant role. Furthermore, the aerodynamic drag force exerted on the electrodes is quantified by choosing an appropriate control volume. Authors thank Region Midi-Pyrenee and CNES Launcher Directorate for financial support.

Moisture Damage Modeling in Lime and Chemically Modified Asphalt at Nanolevel Using Ensemble Computational Intelligence

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

This paper measures the adhesion/cohesion force among asphalt molecules at nanoscale level using an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and models the moisture damage by applying state-of-the-art Computational Intelligence (CI) techniques (e.g., artificial neural network (ANN), support vector regression (SVR), and an Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)). Various combinations of lime and chemicals as well as dry and wet environments are used to produce different asphalt samples. The parameters that were varied to generate different asphalt samples and measure the corresponding adhesion/cohesion forces are percentage of antistripping agents (e.g., Lime and Unichem), AFM tips K values, and AFM tip types. The CI methods are trained to model the adhesion/cohesion forces given the variation in values of the above parameters. To achieve enhanced performance, the statistical methods such as average, weighted average, and regression of the outputs generated by the CI techniques are used. The experimental results show that, of the three individual CI methods, ANN can model moisture damage to lime- and chemically modified asphalt better than the other two CI techniques for both wet and dry conditions. Moreover, the ensemble of CI along with statistical measurement provides better accuracy than any of the individual CI techniques. PMID:29849551

Grid generation in three dimensions by Poisson equations with control of cell size and skewness at boundary surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sorenson, R. L.; Steger, J. L.

1983-01-01

An algorithm for generating computational grids about arbitrary three-dimensional bodies is developed. The elliptic partial differential equation (PDE) approach developed by Steger and Sorenson and used in the NASA computer program GRAPE is extended from two to three dimensions. Forcing functions which are found automatically by the algorithm give the user the ability to control mesh cell size and skewness at boundary surfaces. This algorithm, as is typical of PDE grid generators, gives smooth grid lines and spacing in the interior of the grid. The method is applied to a rectilinear wind-tunnel case and to two body shapes in spherical coordinates.

Strong-field dynamo action in rapidly rotating convection with no inertia.

PubMed

Hughes, David W; Cattaneo, Fausto

2016-06-01

The earth's magnetic field is generated by dynamo action driven by convection in the outer core. For numerical reasons, inertial and viscous forces play an important role in geodynamo models; however, the primary dynamical balance in the earth's core is believed to be between buoyancy, Coriolis, and magnetic forces. The hope has been that by setting the Ekman number to be as small as computationally feasible, an asymptotic regime would be reached in which the correct force balance is achieved. However, recent analyses of geodynamo models suggest that the desired balance has still not yet been attained. Here we adopt a complementary approach consisting of a model of rapidly rotating convection in which inertial forces are neglected from the outset. Within this framework we are able to construct a branch of solutions in which the dynamo generates a strong magnetic field that satisfies the expected force balance. The resulting strongly magnetized convection is dramatically different from the corresponding solutions in which the field is weak.

An Improved Computational Technique for Calculating Electromagnetic Forces and Power Absorptions Generated in Spherical and Deformed Body in Levitation Melting Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zong, Jin-Ho; Szekely, Julian; Schwartz, Elliot

1992-01-01

An improved computational technique for calculating the electromagnetic force field, the power absorption and the deformation of an electromagnetically levitated metal sample is described. The technique is based on the volume integral method, but represents a substantial refinement; the coordinate transformation employed allows the efficient treatment of a broad class of rotationally symmetrical bodies. Computed results are presented to represent the behavior of levitation melted metal samples in a multi-coil, multi-frequency levitation unit to be used in microgravity experiments. The theoretical predictions are compared with both analytical solutions and with the results or previous computational efforts for the spherical samples and the agreement has been very good. The treatment of problems involving deformed surfaces and actually predicting the deformed shape of the specimens breaks new ground and should be the major usefulness of the proposed method.

Effect of keyswitch design of desktop and notebook keyboards related to key stiffness and typing force.

PubMed

Bufton, Marcia J; Marklin, Richard W; Nagurka, Mark L; Simoneau, Guy G

2006-08-15

This study aimed to compare and analyse rubber-dome desktop, spring-column desktop and notebook keyboards in terms of key stiffness and fingertip typing force. The spring-column keyboard resulted in the highest mean peak contact force (0.86N), followed by the rubber dome desktop (0.68N) and the notebook (0.59N). All these differences were statistically significant. Likewise, the spring-column keyboard registered the highest fingertip typing force and the notebook keyboard the lowest. A comparison of forces showed the notebook (rubber dome) keyboard had the highest fingertip-to-peak contact force ratio (overstrike force), and the spring-column generated the least excess force (as a ratio of peak contact force). The results of this study could aid in optimizing computer key design that could possibly reduce subject discomfort and fatigue.

A Representational Approach to Knowledge and Multiple Skill Levels for Broad Classes of Computer Generated Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-12-01

that I’ll turn my attention to that computer game we’ve talked so much about... Dave Van Veldhuizen and Scott Brown (soon-to-be Drs. Van Veldhuizen and...Industry Training Systems Conference. 1988. 37. Van Veldhuizen , D. A. and L. J Hutson. "A Design Methodology for Domain Inde- pendent Computer...proposed by Van Veld- huizen and Hutson (37), extends the general architecture to support both a domain- independent approach to implementing CGFs and

Optimal Control Based Stiffness Identification of an Ankle-Foot Orthosis Using a Predictive Walking Model

PubMed Central

Sreenivasa, Manish; Millard, Matthew; Felis, Martin; Mombaur, Katja; Wolf, Sebastian I.

2017-01-01

Predicting the movements, ground reaction forces and neuromuscular activity during gait can be a valuable asset to the clinical rehabilitation community, both to understand pathology, as well as to plan effective intervention. In this work we use an optimal control method to generate predictive simulations of pathological gait in the sagittal plane. We construct a patient-specific model corresponding to a 7-year old child with gait abnormalities and identify the optimal spring characteristics of an ankle-foot orthosis that minimizes muscle effort. Our simulations include the computation of foot-ground reaction forces, as well as the neuromuscular dynamics using computationally efficient muscle torque generators and excitation-activation equations. The optimal control problem (OCP) is solved with a direct multiple shooting method. The solution of this problem is physically consistent synthetic neural excitation commands, muscle activations and whole body motion. Our simulations produced similar changes to the gait characteristics as those recorded on the patient. The orthosis-equipped model was able to walk faster with more extended knees. Notably, our approach can be easily tuned to simulate weakened muscles, produces physiologically realistic ground reaction forces and smooth muscle activations and torques, and can be implemented on a standard workstation to produce results within a few hours. These results are an important contribution toward bridging the gap between research methods in computational neuromechanics and day-to-day clinical rehabilitation. PMID:28450833

Bayesian calibration of coarse-grained forces: Efficiently addressing transferability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patrone, Paul N.; Rosch, Thomas W.; Phelan, Frederick R.

2016-04-01

Generating and calibrating forces that are transferable across a range of state-points remains a challenging task in coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics. In this work, we present a coarse-graining workflow, inspired by ideas from uncertainty quantification and numerical analysis, to address this problem. The key idea behind our approach is to introduce a Bayesian correction algorithm that uses functional derivatives of CG simulations to rapidly and inexpensively recalibrate initial estimates f0 of forces anchored by standard methods such as force-matching. Taking density-temperature relationships as a running example, we demonstrate that this algorithm, in concert with various interpolation schemes, can be used to efficiently compute physically reasonable force curves on a fine grid of state-points. Importantly, we show that our workflow is robust to several choices available to the modeler, including the interpolation schemes and tools used to construct f0. In a related vein, we also demonstrate that our approach can speed up coarse-graining by reducing the number of atomistic simulations needed as inputs to standard methods for generating CG forces.

Force Generation by Membrane-Associated Myosin-I

PubMed Central

Pyrpassopoulos, Serapion; Arpağ, Göker; Feeser, Elizabeth A.; Shuman, Henry; Tüzel, Erkan; Ostap, E. Michael

2016-01-01

Vertebrate myosin-IC (Myo1c) is a type-1 myosin that links cell membranes to the cytoskeleton via its actin-binding motor domain and its phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2)-binding tail domain. While it is known that Myo1c bound to PtdIns(4,5)P2 in fluid-lipid bilayers can propel actin filaments in an unloaded motility assay, its ability to develop forces against external load on actin while bound to fluid bilayers has not been explored. Using optical tweezers, we measured the diffusion coefficient of single membrane-bound Myo1c molecules by force-relaxation experiments, and the ability of ensembles of membrane-bound Myo1c molecules to develop and sustain forces. To interpret our results, we developed a computational model that recapitulates the basic features of our experimental ensemble data and suggests that Myo1c ensembles can generate forces parallel to lipid bilayers, with larger forces achieved when the myosin works away from the plane of the membrane or when anchored to slowly diffusing regions. PMID:27156719

Age-Related Corresponding Relationships of Controlled Force Exertion Measured by a Computer-Generated Sinusoidal and Quasi-Random Display

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nagasawa, Yoshinori; Demura, Shinichi

2011-01-01

This study examined age-group corresponding relationships of the controlled force exertion based on sinusoidal and quasi-random waveforms in 175 right-handed male adults aged 20 to 86 years. The subjects were divided into 3 groups based on age-level: 53 young (mean age 24.6, SD = 3.3 years), 71 middle aged (mean age 44.3, SD = 8.7 years), and 51…

Biomechanical behavior of muscle-tendon complex during dynamic human movements.

PubMed

Fukashiro, Senshi; Hay, Dean C; Nagano, Akinori

2006-05-01

This paper reviews the research findings regarding the force and length changes of the muscle-tendon complex during dynamic human movements, especially those using ultrasonography and computer simulation. The use of ultrasonography demonstrated that the tendinous structures of the muscle-tendon complex are compliant enough to influence the biomechanical behavior (length change, shortening velocity, and so on) of fascicles substantially. It was discussed that the fascicles are a force generator rather than a work generator; the tendinous structures function not only as an energy re-distributor but also as a power amplifier, and the interaction between fascicles and tendinous structures is essential for generating higher joint power outputs during the late pushoff phase in human vertical jumping. This phenomenon could be explained based on the force-length/velocity relationships of each element (contractile and series elastic elements) in the muscle-tendon complex during movements. Through computer simulation using a Hill-type muscle-tendon complex model, the benefit of making a countermovement was examined in relation to the compliance of the muscle-tendon complex and the length ratio between the contractile and series elastic elements. Also, the integral roles of the series elastic element were simulated in a cyclic human heel-raise exercise. It was suggested that the storage and reutilization of elastic energy by the tendinous structures play an important role in enhancing work output and movement efficiency in many sorts of human movements.

Investigation of the dependence of joint contact forces on musculotendon parameters using a codified workflow for image-based modelling.

PubMed

Modenese, Luca; Montefiori, Erica; Wang, Anqi; Wesarg, Stefan; Viceconti, Marco; Mazzà, Claudia

2018-05-17

The generation of subject-specific musculoskeletal models of the lower limb has become a feasible task thanks to improvements in medical imaging technology and musculoskeletal modelling software. Nevertheless, clinical use of these models in paediatric applications is still limited for what concerns the estimation of muscle and joint contact forces. Aiming to improve the current state of the art, a methodology to generate highly personalized subject-specific musculoskeletal models of the lower limb based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans was codified as a step-by-step procedure and applied to data from eight juvenile individuals. The generated musculoskeletal models were used to simulate 107 gait trials using stereophotogrammetric and force platform data as input. To ensure completeness of the modelling procedure, muscles' architecture needs to be estimated. Four methods to estimate muscles' maximum isometric force and two methods to estimate musculotendon parameters (optimal fiber length and tendon slack length) were assessed and compared, in order to quantify their influence on the models' output. Reported results represent the first comprehensive subject-specific model-based characterization of juvenile gait biomechanics, including profiles of joint kinematics and kinetics, muscle forces and joint contact forces. Our findings suggest that, when musculotendon parameters were linearly scaled from a reference model and the muscle force-length-velocity relationship was accounted for in the simulations, realistic knee contact forces could be estimated and these forces were not sensitive the method used to compute muscle maximum isometric force. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Use of Computer-Generated Holograms in Security Hologram Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bulanovs, A.; Bakanas, R.

2016-10-01

The article discusses the use of computer-generated holograms (CGHs) for the application as one of the security features in the relief-phase protective holograms. An improved method of calculating CGHs is presented, based on ray-tracing approach in the case of interference of parallel rays. Software is developed for the calculation of multilevel phase CGHs and their integration in the application of security holograms. Topology of calculated computer-generated phase holograms was recorded on the photoresist by the optical greyscale lithography. Parameters of the recorded microstructures were investigated with the help of the atomic-force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The results of the research have shown highly protective properties of the security elements based on CGH microstructures. In our opinion, a wide use of CGHs is very promising in the structure of complex security holograms for increasing the level of protection against counterfeit.

Analysis of the sEMG/force relationship using HD-sEMG technique and data fusion: A simulation study.

PubMed

Al Harrach, Mariam; Carriou, Vincent; Boudaoud, Sofiane; Laforet, Jeremy; Marin, Frederic

2017-04-01

The relationship between the surface Electromyogram (sEMG) signal and the force of an individual muscle is still ambiguous due to the complexity of experimental evaluation. However, understanding this relationship should be useful for the assessment of neuromuscular system in healthy and pathological contexts. In this study, we present a global investigation of the factors governing the shape of this relationship. Accordingly, we conducted a focused sensitivity analysis of the sEMG/force relationship form with respect to neural, functional and physiological parameters variation. For this purpose, we used a fast generation cylindrical model for the simulation of an 8×8 High Density-sEMG (HD-sEMG) grid and a twitch based force model for the muscle force generation. The HD-sEMG signals as well as the corresponding force signals were simulated in isometric non-fatiguing conditions and were based on the Biceps Brachii (BB) muscle properties. A total of 10 isometric constant contractions of 5s were simulated for each configuration of parameters. The Root Mean Squared (RMS) value was computed in order to quantify the sEMG amplitude. Then, an image segmentation method was used for data fusion of the 8×8 RMS maps. In addition, a comparative study between recent modeling propositions and the model proposed in this study is presented. The evaluation was made by computing the Normalized Root Mean Squared Error (NRMSE) of their fitting to the simulated relationship functions. Our results indicated that the relationship between the RMS (mV) and muscle force (N) can be modeled using a 3rd degree polynomial equation. Moreover, it appears that the obtained coefficients are patient-specific and dependent on physiological, anatomical and neural parameters. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Instrumentation for Verification of Bomb Damage Repair Computer Code.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

record the data, a conventional 14-track FM analog tape recorder was retained. The unknown factors of signal duration, test duration, and signal ...Kirtland Air Force Base computer centers for more detailed analyses. In addition to the analog recorder, signal conditioning equipment and amplifiers were...necessary to allow high quality data to be recorded. An Interrange Instrumentation Group (IRIG) code generator/reader placed a coded signal on the tape

Hydration free energies of cyanide and hydroxide ions from molecular dynamics simulations with accurate force fields

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lee, M.W.; Meuwly, M.

2013-01-01

The evaluation of hydration free energies is a sensitive test to assess force fields used in atomistic simulations. We showed recently that the vibrational relaxation times, 1D- and 2D-infrared spectroscopies for CN(-) in water can be quantitatively described from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with multipolar force fields and slightly enlarged van der Waals radii for the C- and N-atoms. To validate such an approach, the present work investigates the solvation free energy of cyanide in water using MD simulations with accurate multipolar electrostatics. It is found that larger van der Waals radii are indeed necessary to obtain results close to the experimental values when a multipolar force field is used. For CN(-), the van der Waals ranges refined in our previous work yield hydration free energy between -72.0 and -77.2 kcal mol(-1), which is in excellent agreement with the experimental data. In addition to the cyanide ion, we also study the hydroxide ion to show that the method used here is readily applicable to similar systems. Hydration free energies are found to sensitively depend on the intermolecular interactions, while bonded interactions are less important, as expected. We also investigate in the present work the possibility of applying the multipolar force field in scoring trajectories generated using computationally inexpensive methods, which should be useful in broader parametrization studies with reduced computational resources, as scoring is much faster than the generation of the trajectories.

Modeling Vortex Generators in a Navier-Stokes Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dudek, Julianne C.

2011-01-01

A source-term model that simulates the effects of vortex generators was implemented into the Wind-US Navier-Stokes code. The source term added to the Navier-Stokes equations simulates the lift force that would result from a vane-type vortex generator in the flowfield. The implementation is user-friendly, requiring the user to specify only three quantities for each desired vortex generator: the range of grid points over which the force is to be applied and the planform area and angle of incidence of the physical vane. The model behavior was evaluated for subsonic flow in a rectangular duct with a single vane vortex generator, subsonic flow in an S-duct with 22 corotating vortex generators, and supersonic flow in a rectangular duct with a counter-rotating vortex-generator pair. The model was also used to successfully simulate microramps in supersonic flow by treating each microramp as a pair of vanes with opposite angles of incidence. The validation results indicate that the source-term vortex-generator model provides a useful tool for screening vortex-generator configurations and gives comparable results to solutions computed using gridded vanes.

Motorized CPM/CAM physiotherapy device with sliding-mode Fuzzy Neural Network control loop.

PubMed

Ho, Hung-Jung; Chen, Tien-Chi

2009-11-01

Continuous passive motion (CPM) and controllable active motion (CAM) physiotherapy devices promote rehabilitation of damaged joints. This paper presents a computerized CPM/CAM system that obviates the need for mechanical resistance devices such as springs. The system is controlled by a computer which performs sliding-mode Fuzzy Neural Network (FNN) calculations online. CAM-type resistance force is generated by the active performance of an electric motor which is controlled so as to oppose the motion of the patient's leg. A force sensor under the patient's foot on the device pedal provides data for feedback in a sliding-mode FNN control loop built around the motor. Via an active impedance control feedback system, the controller drives the motor to behave similarly to a damped spring by generating and controlling the amplitude and direction of the pedal force in relation to the patient's leg. Experiments demonstrate the high sensitivity and speed of the device. The PC-based feedback nature of the control loop means that sophisticated auto-adaptable CPM/CAM custom-designed physiotherapy becomes possible. The computer base also allows extensive data recording, data analysis and network-connected remote patient monitoring.

Computational Model of Secondary Palate Fusion and Disruption

EPA Science Inventory

Morphogenetic events are driven by cell-generated physical forces and complex cellular dynamics. To improve our capacity to predict developmental effects from cellular alterations, we built a multi-cellular agent-based model in CompuCell3D that recapitulates the cellular networks...

Recent Developments in Grid Generation and Force Integration Technology for Overset Grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, William M.; VanDalsem, William R. (Technical Monitor)

1994-01-01

Recent developments in algorithms and software tools for generating overset grids for complex configurations are described. These include the overset surface grid generation code SURGRD and version 2.0 of the hyperbolic volume grid generation code HYPGEN. The SURGRD code is in beta test mode where the new features include the capability to march over a collection of panel networks, a variety of ways to control the side boundaries and the marching step sizes and distance, a more robust projection scheme and an interpolation option. New features in version 2.0 of HYPGEN include a wider range of boundary condition types. The code also allows the user to specify different marching step sizes and distance for each point on the surface grid. A scheme that takes into account of the overlapped zones on the body surface for the purpose of forces and moments computation is also briefly described, The process involves the following two software modules: MIXSUR - a composite grid generation module to produce a collection of quadrilaterals and triangles on which pressure and viscous stresses are to be integrated, and OVERINT - a forces and moments integration module.

Generic effective source for scalar self-force calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wardell, Barry; Vega, Ian; Thornburg, Jonathan; Diener, Peter

2012-05-01

A leading approach to the modeling of extreme mass ratio inspirals involves the treatment of the smaller mass as a point particle and the computation of a regularized self-force acting on that particle. In turn, this computation requires knowledge of the regularized retarded field generated by the particle. A direct calculation of this regularized field may be achieved by replacing the point particle with an effective source and solving directly a wave equation for the regularized field. This has the advantage that all quantities are finite and require no further regularization. In this work, we present a method for computing an effective source which is finite and continuous everywhere, and which is valid for a scalar point particle in arbitrary geodesic motion in an arbitrary background spacetime. We explain in detail various technical and practical considerations that underlie its use in several numerical self-force calculations. We consider as examples the cases of a particle in a circular orbit about Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes, and also the case of a particle following a generic timelike geodesic about a highly spinning Kerr black hole. We provide numerical C code for computing an effective source for various orbital configurations about Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes.

Clap-and-fling mechanism in a hovering insect-like two-winged flapping-wing micro air vehicle.

PubMed

Phan, Hoang Vu; Au, Thi Kim Loan; Park, Hoon Cheol

2016-12-01

This study used numerical and experimental approaches to investigate the role played by the clap-and-fling mechanism in enhancing force generation in hovering insect-like two-winged flapping-wing micro air vehicle (FW-MAV). The flapping mechanism was designed to symmetrically flap wings at a high flapping amplitude of approximately 192°. The clap-and-fling mechanisms were thereby implemented at both dorsal and ventral stroke reversals. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was constructed based on three-dimensional wing kinematics to estimate the force generation, which was validated by the measured forces using a 6-axis load cell. The computed forces proved that the CFD model provided reasonable estimation with differences less than 8%, when compared with the measured forces. The measurement indicated that the clap and flings at both the stroke reversals augmented the average vertical force by 16.2% when compared with the force without the clap-and-fling effect. In the CFD simulation, the clap and flings enhanced the vertical force by 11.5% and horizontal drag force by 18.4%. The observations indicated that both the fling and the clap contributed to the augmented vertical force by 62.6% and 37.4%, respectively, and to the augmented horizontal drag force by 71.7% and 28.3%, respectively. The flow structures suggested that a strong downwash was expelled from the opening gap between the trailing edges during the fling as well as the clap at each stroke reversal. In addition to the fling phases, the influx of air into the low-pressure region between the wings from the leading edges also significantly contributed to augmentation of the vertical force. The study conducted for high Reynolds numbers also confirmed that the effect of the clap and fling was insignificant when the minimum distance between the two wings exceeded 1.2c (c = wing chord). Thus, the clap and flings were successfully implemented in the FW-MAV, and there was a significant improvement in the vertical force.

Clap-and-fling mechanism in a hovering insect-like two-winged flapping-wing micro air vehicle

PubMed Central

Phan, Hoang Vu; Au, Thi Kim Loan

2016-01-01

This study used numerical and experimental approaches to investigate the role played by the clap-and-fling mechanism in enhancing force generation in hovering insect-like two-winged flapping-wing micro air vehicle (FW-MAV). The flapping mechanism was designed to symmetrically flap wings at a high flapping amplitude of approximately 192°. The clap-and-fling mechanisms were thereby implemented at both dorsal and ventral stroke reversals. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was constructed based on three-dimensional wing kinematics to estimate the force generation, which was validated by the measured forces using a 6-axis load cell. The computed forces proved that the CFD model provided reasonable estimation with differences less than 8%, when compared with the measured forces. The measurement indicated that the clap and flings at both the stroke reversals augmented the average vertical force by 16.2% when compared with the force without the clap-and-fling effect. In the CFD simulation, the clap and flings enhanced the vertical force by 11.5% and horizontal drag force by 18.4%. The observations indicated that both the fling and the clap contributed to the augmented vertical force by 62.6% and 37.4%, respectively, and to the augmented horizontal drag force by 71.7% and 28.3%, respectively. The flow structures suggested that a strong downwash was expelled from the opening gap between the trailing edges during the fling as well as the clap at each stroke reversal. In addition to the fling phases, the influx of air into the low-pressure region between the wings from the leading edges also significantly contributed to augmentation of the vertical force. The study conducted for high Reynolds numbers also confirmed that the effect of the clap and fling was insignificant when the minimum distance between the two wings exceeded 1.2c (c = wing chord). Thus, the clap and flings were successfully implemented in the FW-MAV, and there was a significant improvement in the vertical force. PMID:28083112

Broad-band seismic analysis and modeling of the 2015 Taan Fjord, Alaska landslide using Instaseis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gualtieri, Lucia; Ekström, Göran

2018-06-01

We carry out a broad-band analysis of the seismic signals generated by a massive landslide that occurred near Icy Bay (Alaska) on 2015 October 17. The event generated seismic signals recorded globally. Using Instaseis, a recently developed tool for rapid computation of complete broad-band synthetic seismograms, we simulate the seismic wave propagation between the event and five seismic stations located around the landslide. By modeling the broad-band seismograms in the period band 5-200 s, we reconstruct by inversion a time-varying point force to characterize the landslide time history. We compute the broad-band spectrum of the landslide force history and find that it has a corner period of about 100 s, corresponding to the duration of sliding. In contrast with standard earthquakes, the landslide force spectrum below the corner frequency decays as ω, while the spectral amplitudes at higher frequencies is proportional to ω-2, similar to the rate of spectral decay seen in earthquakes. From the inverted force history and an estimate of the final run-out distance, we deduce the mass, the trajectory and characteristics of the landslide dynamics associated with the centre of mass, such as acceleration, velocity, displacement and friction. Inferring an effective run-out distance of ˜900 m from a satellite image, we estimate a landslide mass of ˜150 million metric tons.

A silicon-nanowire memory driven by optical gradient force induced bistability

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dong, B.; Institute of Microelectronics, A*STAR; Cai, H., E-mail: caih@ime.a-star.edu.sg

2015-12-28

In this paper, a bistable optical-driven silicon-nanowire memory is demonstrated, which employs ring resonator to generate optical gradient force over a doubly clamped silicon-nanowire. Two stable deformation positions of a doubly clamped silicon-nanowire represent two memory states (“0” and “1”) and can be set/reset by modulating the light intensity (<3 mW) based on the optical force induced bistability. The time response of the optical-driven memory is less than 250 ns. It has applications in the fields of all optical communication, quantum computing, and optomechanical circuits.

Zero side force volute development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, P. G.; Franz, R. J.; Farmer, R. C.; Chen, Y. S.

1995-01-01

Collector scrolls on high performance centrifugal pumps are currently designed with methods which are based on very approximate flowfield models. Such design practices result in some volute configurations causing excessive side loads even at design flowrates. The purpose of this study was to develop and verify computational design tools which may be used to optimize volute configurations with respect to avoiding excessive loads on the bearings. The new design methodology consisted of a volute grid generation module and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) module to describe the volute geometry and predict the radial forces for a given flow condition, respectively. Initially, the CFD module was used to predict the impeller and the volute flowfields simultaneously; however, the required computation time was found to be excessive for parametric design studies. A second computational procedure was developed which utilized an analytical impeller flowfield model and an ordinary differential equation to describe the impeller/volute coupling obtained from the literature, Adkins & Brennen (1988). The second procedure resulted in 20 to 30 fold increase in computational speed for an analysis. The volute design analysis was validated by postulating a volute geometry, constructing a volute to this configuration, and measuring the steady radial forces over a range of flow coefficients. Excellent agreement between model predictions and observed pump operation prove the computational impeller/volute pump model to be a valuable design tool. Further applications are recommended to fully establish the benefits of this new methodology.

Incompressible Navier-Stokes Computations with Heat Transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kiris, Cetin; Kwak, Dochan; Rogers, Stuart; Kutler, Paul (Technical Monitor)

1994-01-01

The existing pseudocompressibility method for the system of incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is extended to heat transfer problems by including the energy equation. The solution method is based on the pseudo compressibility approach and uses an implicit-upwind differencing scheme together with the Gauss-Seidel line relaxation method. Current computations use one-equation Baldwin-Barth turbulence model which is derived from a simplified form of the standard k-epsilon model equations. Both forced and natural convection problems are examined. Numerical results from turbulent reattaching flow behind a backward-facing step will be compared against experimental measurements for the forced convection case. The validity of Boussinesq approximation to simplify the buoyancy force term will be investigated. The natural convective flow structure generated by heat transfer in a vertical rectangular cavity will be studied. The numerical results will be compared by experimental measurements by Morrison and Tran.

Improved finite-difference computation of the van der Waals force: One-dimensional case

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pinto, Fabrizio

2009-10-15

We present an improved demonstration of the calculation of Casimir forces in one-dimensional systems based on the recently proposed numerical imaginary frequency Green's function computation approach. The dispersion force on two thick lossy dielectric slabs separated by an empty gap and placed within a perfectly conducting cavity is obtained from the Green's function of the modified Helmholtz equation by means of an ordinary finite-difference method. In order to demonstrate the possibility to develop algorithms to explore complex geometries in two and three dimensions to higher order in the mesh spacing, we generalize existing classical electromagnetism algebraic methods to generate themore » difference equations for dielectric boundaries not coinciding with any grid points. Diagnostic tests are presented to monitor the accuracy of our implementation of the method and follow-up applications in higher dimensions are introduced.« less

Microstructure actuation and gas sensing by the Knudsen thermal force

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Strongrich, Andrew; Alexeenko, Alina, E-mail: alexeenk@purdue.edu

2015-11-09

The generation of forces and moments on structures immersed in rarefied non-isothermal gas flows has received limited practical implementation since first being discovered over a century ago. The formation of significant thermal stresses requires both large thermal gradients and characteristic dimensions which are comparable to the gas molecular mean free path. For macroscopic geometries, this necessitates impractically high temperatures and very low pressures. At the microscale, however, these conditions are easily achieved, allowing the effects to be exploited, namely, for gas-property sensing and microstructure actuation. In this letter, we introduce and experimentally evaluate performance of a microelectromechanical in-plane Knudsen radiometricmore » actuator, a self-contained device having Knudsen thermal force generation, sensing, and tuning mechanisms integrated onto the same platform. Sensitivity to ambient pressure, temperature gradient, as well as gas composition is demonstrated. Results are presented in terms of a non-dimensional force coefficient, allowing measurements to be directly compared to the previous experimental and computational data on out-of-plane cantilevered configurations.« less

Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Military Applications of New-Generation Computing Technologies.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

1980’s we are seeing enhancement of breadth, power, and accessibility of computers in many dimensions: o Pov~erfu1, costly fragile mainframes for...During the 1980’s we are seeing enhancement of breadth, power and accessibility of computers in many dimensions. (1) Powerful, costly, fragile mainframes... X A~ ’ EMORANDlUM FOR THE t-RAIRMAN, DEFENSE<. ’ ’...’"" S!B.FECT: Defense Science Board T is F- Supercomputei Applicai io, Yoi are requested to

A computational study on the influence of insect wing geometry on bee flight mechanics

PubMed Central

Feaster, Jeffrey; Bayandor, Javid

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is applied to better understand the effects of wing cross-sectional morphology on flow field and force production. This study investigates the influence of wing cross-section on insect scale flapping flight performance, for the first time, using a morphologically representative model of a bee (Bombus pensylvanicus) wing. The bee wing cross-section was determined using a micro-computed tomography scanner. The results of the bee wing are compared with flat and elliptical cross-sections, representative of those used in modern literature, to determine the impact of profile variation on aerodynamic performance. The flow field surrounding each cross-section and the resulting forces are resolved using CFD for a flight speed range of 1 to 5 m/s. A significant variation in vortex formation is found when comparing the ellipse and flat plate with the true bee wing. During the upstroke, the bee and approximate wing cross-sections have a much shorter wake structure than the flat plate or ellipse. During the downstroke, the flat plate and elliptical cross-sections generate a single leading edge vortex, while the approximate and bee wings generate numerous, smaller structures that are shed throughout the stroke. Comparing the instantaneous aerodynamic forces on the wing, the ellipse and flat plate sections deviate progressively with velocity from the true bee wing. Based on the present findings, a simplified cross-section of an insect wing can misrepresent the flow field and force production. We present the first aerodynamic study using a true insect wing cross-section and show that the wing corrugation increases the leading edge vortex formation frequency for a given set of kinematics. PMID:29061734

A computational study on the influence of insect wing geometry on bee flight mechanics.

PubMed

Feaster, Jeffrey; Battaglia, Francine; Bayandor, Javid

2017-12-15

Two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is applied to better understand the effects of wing cross-sectional morphology on flow field and force production. This study investigates the influence of wing cross-section on insect scale flapping flight performance, for the first time, using a morphologically representative model of a bee ( Bombus pensylvanicus ) wing. The bee wing cross-section was determined using a micro-computed tomography scanner. The results of the bee wing are compared with flat and elliptical cross-sections, representative of those used in modern literature, to determine the impact of profile variation on aerodynamic performance. The flow field surrounding each cross-section and the resulting forces are resolved using CFD for a flight speed range of 1 to 5 m/s. A significant variation in vortex formation is found when comparing the ellipse and flat plate with the true bee wing. During the upstroke, the bee and approximate wing cross-sections have a much shorter wake structure than the flat plate or ellipse. During the downstroke, the flat plate and elliptical cross-sections generate a single leading edge vortex, while the approximate and bee wings generate numerous, smaller structures that are shed throughout the stroke. Comparing the instantaneous aerodynamic forces on the wing, the ellipse and flat plate sections deviate progressively with velocity from the true bee wing. Based on the present findings, a simplified cross-section of an insect wing can misrepresent the flow field and force production. We present the first aerodynamic study using a true insect wing cross-section and show that the wing corrugation increases the leading edge vortex formation frequency for a given set of kinematics. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Optimal design of high damping force engine mount featuring MR valve structure with both annular and radial flow paths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Q. H.; Choi, S. B.; Lee, Y. S.; Han, M. S.

2013-11-01

This paper focuses on the optimal design of a compact and high damping force engine mount featuring magnetorheological fluid (MRF). In the mount, a MR valve structure with both annular and radial flows is employed to generate a high damping force. First, the configuration and working principle of the proposed MR mount is introduced. The MRF flows in the mount are then analyzed and the governing equations of the MR mount are derived based on the Bingham plastic behavior of the MRF. An optimal design of the MR mount is then performed to find the optimal structure of the MR valve to generate a maximum damping force with certain design constraints. In addition, the gap size of MRF ducts is empirically chosen considering the ‘lockup’ problem of the mount at high frequency. Performance of the optimized MR mount is then evaluated based on finite element analysis and discussions on performance results of the optimized MR mount are given. The effectiveness of the proposed MR engine mount is demonstrated via computer simulation by presenting damping force and power consumption.

Analysis of a swimmer's hand and forearm in impulsive start from rest using computational fluid dynamics in unsteady flow conditions.

PubMed

Samson, M; Monnet, T; Bernard, A; Lacouture, P; David, L

2018-01-23

The propulsive forces generated by the hands and arms of swimmers have so far been determined essentially by quasi-steady approaches. This study aims to quantify the temporal dependence of the hydrodynamic forces for a simple translation movement: an impulsive start from rest. The study, carried out in unsteady numerical simulation, couples the calculation of the lift and the drag on an expert swimmer hand-forearm model with visualizations of the flow and flow vortex structure analysis. The results of these simulations show that the hand and forearm hydrodynamic forces should be studied from an unsteady approach because the quasi-steady model is inadequate. It also appears that the delayed stall effect generates higher circulatory forces during a short translation at high angle of attack than forces calculated under steady state conditions. During this phase the hand force coefficients are approximately twice as large as those of the forearm. The total force coefficients are highest for angles of attack between 40° and 60°. For the same angle of attack, the forces produced when the leading edge is the thumb side are slightly greater than those produced when the leading edge is the little finger side. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Finding the cell center by a balance of dynein and myosin pulling and microtubule pushing: a computational study.

PubMed

Zhu, Jie; Burakov, Anton; Rodionov, Vladimir; Mogilner, Alex

2010-12-01

The centrosome position in many types of interphase cells is actively maintained in the cell center. Our previous work indicated that the centrosome is kept at the center by pulling force generated by dynein and actin flow produced by myosin contraction and that an unidentified factor that depends on microtubule dynamics destabilizes position of the centrosome. Here, we use modeling to simulate the centrosome positioning based on the idea that the balance of three forces-dyneins pulling along microtubule length, myosin-powered centripetal drag, and microtubules pushing on organelles-is responsible for the centrosome displacement. By comparing numerical predictions with centrosome behavior in wild-type and perturbed interphase cells, we rule out several plausible hypotheses about the nature of the microtubule-based force. We conclude that strong dynein- and weaker myosin-generated forces pull the microtubules inward competing with microtubule plus-ends pushing the microtubule aster outward and that the balance of these forces positions the centrosome at the cell center. The model also predicts that kinesin action could be another outward-pushing force. Simulations demonstrate that the force-balance centering mechanism is robust yet versatile. We use the experimental observations to reverse engineer the characteristic forces and centrosome mobility.

Acoustic streaming, fluid mixing, and particle transport by a Gaussian ultrasound beam in a cylindrical container

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marshall, Jeffrey S., E-mail: jeffm@cems.uvm.edu; Wu, Junru

A computational study is reported of the acoustic streaming flow field generated by a Gaussian ultrasound beam propagating normally toward the end wall of a cylindrical container. Particular focus is given to examining the effectiveness of the acoustic streaming flow for fluid mixing within the container, for deposition of particles in suspension onto the bottom surface, and for particle suspension from the bottom surface back into the flow field. The flow field is assumed to be axisymmetric with the ultrasound transducer oriented parallel to the cylinder axis and normal to the bottom surface of the container, which we refer tomore » as the impingement surface. Reflection of the sound from the impingement surface and sound absorption within the material at the container bottom are both accounted for in the computation. The computation also accounts for thermal buoyancy force due to ultrasonic heating of the impingement surface, but over the time period considered in the current simulations, the flow is found to be dominated by the acoustic streaming force, with only moderate effect of buoyancy force.« less

Acoustic streaming, fluid mixing, and particle transport by a Gaussian ultrasound beam in a cylindrical container

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, Jeffrey S.; Wu, Junru

2015-10-01

A computational study is reported of the acoustic streaming flow field generated by a Gaussian ultrasound beam propagating normally toward the end wall of a cylindrical container. Particular focus is given to examining the effectiveness of the acoustic streaming flow for fluid mixing within the container, for deposition of particles in suspension onto the bottom surface, and for particle suspension from the bottom surface back into the flow field. The flow field is assumed to be axisymmetric with the ultrasound transducer oriented parallel to the cylinder axis and normal to the bottom surface of the container, which we refer to as the impingement surface. Reflection of the sound from the impingement surface and sound absorption within the material at the container bottom are both accounted for in the computation. The computation also accounts for thermal buoyancy force due to ultrasonic heating of the impingement surface, but over the time period considered in the current simulations, the flow is found to be dominated by the acoustic streaming force, with only moderate effect of buoyancy force.

GPU-based Green's function simulations of shear waves generated by an applied acoustic radiation force in elastic and viscoelastic models.

PubMed

Yang, Yiqun; Urban, Matthew W; McGough, Robert J

2018-05-15

Shear wave calculations induced by an acoustic radiation force are very time-consuming on desktop computers, and high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) achieve dramatic reductions in the computation time for these simulations. The acoustic radiation force is calculated using the fast near field method and the angular spectrum approach, and then the shear waves are calculated in parallel with Green's functions on a GPU. This combination enables rapid evaluation of shear waves for push beams with different spatial samplings and for apertures with different f/#. Relative to shear wave simulations that evaluate the same algorithm on an Intel i7 desktop computer, a high performance nVidia GPU reduces the time required for these calculations by a factor of 45 and 700 when applied to elastic and viscoelastic shear wave simulation models, respectively. These GPU-accelerated simulations also compared to measurements in different viscoelastic phantoms, and the results are similar. For parametric evaluations and for comparisons with measured shear wave data, shear wave simulations with the Green's function approach are ideally suited for high-performance GPUs.

A theoretical and computational framework for mechanics of the cortex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torres-SáNchez, Alejandro; Arroyo, Marino

The cell cortex is a thin network of actin filaments lying beneath the cell surface of animal cells. Myosin motors exert contractile forces in this network leading to active stresses, which play a key role in processes such as cytokinesis or cell migration. Thus, understanding the mechanics of the cortex is fundamental to understand the mechanics of animal cells. Due to the dynamic remodeling of the actin network, the cortex behaves as a viscoelastic fluid. Furthermore, due to the difference between its thickness (tens of nanometers) and its dimensions (tens of microns), the cortex can be regarded a surface. Thus, we can model the cortex as a viscoelastic fluid, confined to a surface, that generates active stresses. Interestingly, geometric confinement results in the coupling between shape generation and material flows. In this work we present a theoretical framework to model the mechanics of the cortex that couples elasticity, hydrodynamics and force generation. We complement our theoretical description with a computational setting to simulate the resulting non-linear equations. We use this methodology to understand different processes such as asymmetric cell division or experimental probing of the rheology of the cortex We acknowledge the support of the Europen Research Council through Grant ERC CoG-681434.

General purpose computer program for interacting supersonic configurations: Programmer's manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crill, W.; Dale, B.

1977-01-01

The program ISCON (Interacting Supersonic Configuration) is described. The program is in support of the problem to generate a numerical procedure for determining the unsteady dynamic forces on interacting wings and tails in supersonic flow. Subroutines are presented along with the complete FORTRAN source listing.

Learning to push and learning to move: the adaptive control of contact forces

PubMed Central

Casadio, Maura; Pressman, Assaf; Mussa-Ivaldi, Ferdinando A.

2015-01-01

To be successful at manipulating objects one needs to apply simultaneously well controlled movements and contact forces. We present a computational theory of how the brain may successfully generate a vast spectrum of interactive behaviors by combining two independent processes. One process is competent to control movements in free space and the other is competent to control contact forces against rigid constraints. Free space and rigid constraints are singularities at the boundaries of a continuum of mechanical impedance. Within this continuum, forces and motions occur in “compatible pairs” connected by the equations of Newtonian dynamics. The force applied to an object determines its motion. Conversely, inverse dynamics determine a unique force trajectory from a movement trajectory. In this perspective, we describe motor learning as a process leading to the discovery of compatible force/motion pairs. The learned compatible pairs constitute a local representation of the environment's mechanics. Experiments on force field adaptation have already provided us with evidence that the brain is able to predict and compensate the forces encountered when one is attempting to generate a motion. Here, we tested the theory in the dual case, i.e., when one attempts at applying a desired contact force against a simulated rigid surface. If the surface becomes unexpectedly compliant, the contact point moves as a function of the applied force and this causes the applied force to deviate from its desired value. We found that, through repeated attempts at generating the desired contact force, subjects discovered the unique compatible hand motion. When, after learning, the rigid contact was unexpectedly restored, subjects displayed after effects of learning, consistent with the concurrent operation of a motion control system and a force control system. Together, theory and experiment support a new and broader view of modularity in the coordinated control of forces and motions. PMID:26594163

Implementing Nonlinear Buoyancy and Excitation Forces in the WEC-Sim Wave Energy Converter Modeling Tool: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lawson, M.; Yu, Y. H.; Nelessen, A.

2014-05-01

Wave energy converters (WECs) are commonly designed and analyzed using numerical models that combine multi-body dynamics with hydrodynamic models based on the Cummins Equation and linearized hydrodynamic coefficients. These modeling methods are attractive design tools because they are computationally inexpensive and do not require the use of high performance computing resources necessitated by high-fidelity methods, such as Navier Stokes computational fluid dynamics. Modeling hydrodynamics using linear coefficients assumes that the device undergoes small motions and that the wetted surface area of the devices is approximately constant. WEC devices, however, are typically designed to undergo large motions in order to maximizemore » power extraction, calling into question the validity of assuming that linear hydrodynamic models accurately capture the relevant fluid-structure interactions. In this paper, we study how calculating buoyancy and Froude-Krylov forces from the instantaneous position of a WEC device (referred to as instantaneous buoyancy and Froude-Krylov forces from herein) changes WEC simulation results compared to simulations that use linear hydrodynamic coefficients. First, we describe the WEC-Sim tool used to perform simulations and how the ability to model instantaneous forces was incorporated into WEC-Sim. We then use a simplified one-body WEC device to validate the model and to demonstrate how accounting for these instantaneously calculated forces affects the accuracy of simulation results, such as device motions, hydrodynamic forces, and power generation.« less

The relationship between skull morphology, masticatory muscle force and cranial skeletal deformation during biting.

PubMed

Toro-Ibacache, Viviana; Zapata Muñoz, Víctor; O'Higgins, Paul

2016-01-01

The human skull is gracile when compared to many Middle Pleistocene hominins. It has been argued that it is less able to generate and withstand high masticatory forces, and that the morphology of the lower portion of the modern human face correlates most strongly with dietary characteristics. This study uses geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis (FEA) to assess the relationship between skull morphology, muscle force and cranial deformations arising from biting, which is relevant in understanding how skull morphology relates to mastication. The three-dimensional skull anatomies of 20 individuals were reconstructed from medical computed tomograms. Maximal contractile muscle forces were estimated from muscular anatomical cross-sectional areas (CSAs). Fifty-nine landmarks were used to represent skull morphology. A partial least squares analysis was performed to assess the association between skull shape and muscle force, and FEA was used to compare the deformation (strains) generated during incisor and molar bites in two individuals representing extremes of morphological variation in the sample. The results showed that only the proportion of total muscle CSA accounted for by the temporalis appears associated with skull morphology, albeit weekly. However, individuals with a large temporalis tend to possess a relatively wider face, a narrower, more vertically oriented maxilla and a lower positioning of the coronoid process. The FEAs showed that, despite differences in morphology, biting results in similar modes of deformation for both crania, but with localised lower magnitudes of strains arising in the individual with the narrowest, most vertically oriented maxilla. Our results suggest that the morphology of the maxilla modulates the transmission of forces generated during mastication to the rest of the cranium by deforming less in individuals with the ability to generate proportionately larger temporalis muscle forces. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Sensitivity of modeled estuarine circulation to spatial and temporal resolution of input meteorological forcing of a cold frontal passage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weaver, Robert J.; Taeb, Peyman; Lazarus, Steven; Splitt, Michael; Holman, Bryan P.; Colvin, Jeffrey

2016-12-01

In this study, a four member ensemble of meteorological forcing is generated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in order to simulate a frontal passage event that impacted the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) during March 2015. The WRF model is run to provide high and low, spatial (0.005° and 0.1°) and temporal (30 min and 6 h) input wind and pressure fields. The four member ensemble is used to force the Advanced Circulation model (ADCIRC) coupled with Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) and compute the hydrodynamic and wave response. Results indicate that increasing the spatial resolution of the meteorological forcing has a greater impact on the results than increasing the temporal resolution in coastal systems like the IRL where the length scales are smaller than the resolution of the operational meteorological model being used to generate the forecast. Changes in predicted water elevations are due in part to the upwind and downwind behavior of the input wind forcing. The significant wave height is more sensitive to the meteorological forcing, exhibited by greater ensemble spread throughout the simulation. It is important that the land mask, seen by the meteorological model, is representative of the geography of the coastal estuary as resolved by the hydrodynamic model. As long as the temporal resolution of the wind field captures the bulk characteristics of the frontal passage, computational resources should be focused so as to ensure that the meteorological model resolves the spatial complexities, such as the land-water interface, that drive the land use responsible for dynamic downscaling of the winds.

General Aviation Task Force report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

General aviation is officially defined as all aviation except scheduled airlines and the military. It is the only air transportation to many communities throughout the world. In order to reverse the recent decline in general aviation aircraft produced in the United States, the Task Force recommends that NASA provide the expertise and facilities such as wind tunnels and computer codes for aircraft design. General aviation manufacturers are receptive to NASA's innovations and technological leadership and are expected to be effective users of NASA-generated technologies.

Magnetic force microscopy/current contrast imaging: A new technique for internal current probing of ICs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Campbell, A.N.; Cole, E.I. Jr.; Dodd, B.A.

This invited paper describes recently reported work on the application of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to image currents in IC conductors [1]. A computer model for MFM imaging of IC currents and experimental results demonstrating the ability to determine current direction and magnitude with a resolution of {approximately} 1 mA dc and {approximately} 1 {mu}A ac are presented. The physics of MFM signal generation and applications to current imaging and measurement are described.

Computation of Transverse Injection Into Supersonic Crossflow With Various Injector Orifice Geometries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foster, Lancert; Engblom, William A.

2003-01-01

Computational results are presented for the performance and flow behavior of various injector geometries employed in transverse injection into a non-reacting Mach 1.2 flow. 3-D Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) results are obtained for the various injector geometries using the Wind code with the Mentor s Shear Stress Transport turbulence model in both single and multi-species modes. Computed results for the injector mixing, penetration, and induced wall forces are presented. In the case of rectangular injectors, those longer in the direction of the freestream flow are predicted to generate the most mixing and penetration of the injector flow into the primary stream. These injectors are also predicted to provide the largest discharge coefficients and induced wall forces. Minor performance differences are indicated among diamond, circle, and square orifices. Grid sensitivity study results are presented which indicate consistent qualitative trends in the injector performance comparisons with increasing grid fineness.

Computational modeling to predict mechanical function of joints: application to the lower leg with simulation of two cadaver studies.

PubMed

Liacouras, Peter C; Wayne, Jennifer S

2007-12-01

Computational models of musculoskeletal joints and limbs can provide useful information about joint mechanics. Validated models can be used as predictive devices for understanding joint function and serve as clinical tools for predicting the outcome of surgical procedures. A new computational modeling approach was developed for simulating joint kinematics that are dictated by bone/joint anatomy, ligamentous constraints, and applied loading. Three-dimensional computational models of the lower leg were created to illustrate the application of this new approach. Model development began with generating three-dimensional surfaces of each bone from CT images and then importing into the three-dimensional solid modeling software SOLIDWORKS and motion simulation package COSMOSMOTION. Through SOLIDWORKS and COSMOSMOTION, each bone surface file was filled to create a solid object and positioned necessary components added, and simulations executed. Three-dimensional contacts were added to inhibit intersection of the bones during motion. Ligaments were represented as linear springs. Model predictions were then validated by comparison to two different cadaver studies, syndesmotic injury and repair and ankle inversion following ligament transection. The syndesmotic injury model was able to predict tibial rotation, fibular rotation, and anterior/posterior displacement. In the inversion simulation, calcaneofibular ligament extension and angles of inversion compared well. Some experimental data proved harder to simulate accurately, due to certain software limitations and lack of complete experimental data. Other parameters that could not be easily obtained experimentally can be predicted and analyzed by the computational simulations. In the syndesmotic injury study, the force generated in the tibionavicular and calcaneofibular ligaments reduced with the insertion of the staple, indicating how this repair technique changes joint function. After transection of the calcaneofibular ligament in the inversion stability study, a major increase in force was seen in several of the ligaments on the lateral aspect of the foot and ankle, indicating the recruitment of other structures to permit function after injury. Overall, the computational models were able to predict joint kinematics of the lower leg with particular focus on the ankle complex. This same approach can be taken to create models of other limb segments such as the elbow and wrist. Additional parameters can be calculated in the models that are not easily obtained experimentally such as ligament forces, force transmission across joints, and three-dimensional movement of all bones. Muscle activation can be incorporated in the model through the action of applied forces within the software for future studies.

Mechatronics as a Technological Basis for an Innovative Learning Environment in Engineering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garner, Gavin Thomas

2009-01-01

Mechatronic systems that couple mechanical and electrical systems with the help of computer control are forcing a paradigm shift in the design, manufacture, and implementation of mechanical devices. The inherently interdisciplinary nature of these systems generates exciting new opportunities for developing a hands-on, inventive, and…

Fast precalculated triangular mesh algorithm for 3D binary computer-generated holograms.

PubMed

Yang, Fan; Kaczorowski, Andrzej; Wilkinson, Tim D

2014-12-10

A new method for constructing computer-generated holograms using a precalculated triangular mesh is presented. The speed of calculation can be increased dramatically by exploiting both the precalculated base triangle and GPU parallel computing. Unlike algorithms using point-based sources, this method can reconstruct a more vivid 3D object instead of a "hollow image." In addition, there is no need to do a fast Fourier transform for each 3D element every time. A ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator is used to display the binary hologram within our experiment and the hologram of a base right triangle is produced by utilizing just a one-step Fourier transform in the 2D case, which can be expanded to the 3D case by multiplying by a suitable Fresnel phase plane. All 3D holograms generated in this paper are based on Fresnel propagation; thus, the Fresnel plane is treated as a vital element in producing the hologram. A GeForce GTX 770 graphics card with 2 GB memory is used to achieve parallel computing.

Force distribution in a semiflexible loop.

PubMed

Waters, James T; Kim, Harold D

2016-04-01

Loops undergoing thermal fluctuations are prevalent in nature. Ringlike or cross-linked polymers, cyclic macromolecules, and protein-mediated DNA loops all belong to this category. Stability of these molecules are generally described in terms of free energy, an average quantity, but it may also be impacted by local fluctuating forces acting within these systems. The full distribution of these forces can thus give us insights into mechanochemistry beyond the predictive capability of thermodynamics. In this paper, we study the force exerted by an inextensible semiflexible polymer constrained in a looped state. By using a simulation method termed "phase-space sampling," we generate the equilibrium distribution of chain conformations in both position and momentum space. We compute the constraint forces between the two ends of the loop in this chain ensemble using Lagrangian mechanics, and show that the mean of these forces is equal to the thermodynamic force. By analyzing kinetic and potential contributions to the forces, we find that the mean force acts in the direction of increasing extension not because of bending stress, but in spite of it. Furthermore, we obtain a distribution of constraint forces as a function of chain length, extension, and stiffness. Notably, increasing contour length decreases the average force, but the additional freedom allows fluctuations in the constraint force to increase. The force distribution is asymmetric and falls off less sharply than a Gaussian distribution. Our work exemplifies a system where large-amplitude fluctuations occur in a way unforeseen by a purely thermodynamic framework, and offers computational tools useful for efficient, unbiased simulation of a constrained system.

Force distribution in a semiflexible loop

PubMed Central

Waters, James T.; Kim, Harold D.

2017-01-01

Loops undergoing thermal fluctuations are prevalent in nature. Ringlike or cross-linked polymers, cyclic macromolecules, and protein-mediated DNA loops all belong to this category. Stability of these molecules are generally described in terms of free energy, an average quantity, but it may also be impacted by local fluctuating forces acting within these systems. The full distribution of these forces can thus give us insights into mechanochemistry beyond the predictive capability of thermodynamics. In this paper, we study the force exerted by an inextensible semiflexible polymer constrained in a looped state. By using a simulation method termed “phase-space sampling,” we generate the equilibrium distribution of chain conformations in both position and momentum space. We compute the constraint forces between the two ends of the loop in this chain ensemble using Lagrangian mechanics, and show that the mean of these forces is equal to the thermodynamic force. By analyzing kinetic and potential contributions to the forces, we find that the mean force acts in the direction of increasing extension not because of bending stress, but in spite of it. Furthermore, we obtain a distribution of constraint forces as a function of chain length, extension, and stiffness. Notably, increasing contour length decreases the average force, but the additional freedom allows fluctuations in the constraint force to increase. The force distribution is asymmetric and falls off less sharply than a Gaussian distribution. Our work exemplifies a system where large-amplitude fluctuations occur in a way unforeseen by a purely thermodynamic framework, and offers computational tools useful for efficient, unbiased simulation of a constrained system. PMID:27176436

Advances in Software Tools for Pre-processing and Post-processing of Overset Grid Computations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, William M.

2004-01-01

Recent developments in three pieces of software for performing pre-processing and post-processing work on numerical computations using overset grids are presented. The first is the OVERGRID graphical interface which provides a unified environment for the visualization, manipulation, generation and diagnostics of geometry and grids. Modules are also available for automatic boundary conditions detection, flow solver input preparation, multiple component dynamics input preparation and dynamics animation, simple solution viewing for moving components, and debris trajectory analysis input preparation. The second is a grid generation script library that enables rapid creation of grid generation scripts. A sample of recent applications will be described. The third is the OVERPLOT graphical interface for displaying and analyzing history files generated by the flow solver. Data displayed include residuals, component forces and moments, number of supersonic and reverse flow points, and various dynamics parameters.

Automatic prediction of tongue muscle activations using a finite element model.

PubMed

Stavness, Ian; Lloyd, John E; Fels, Sidney

2012-11-15

Computational modeling has improved our understanding of how muscle forces are coordinated to generate movement in musculoskeletal systems. Muscular-hydrostat systems, such as the human tongue, involve very different biomechanics than musculoskeletal systems, and modeling efforts to date have been limited by the high computational complexity of representing continuum-mechanics. In this study, we developed a computationally efficient tracking-based algorithm for prediction of muscle activations during dynamic 3D finite element simulations. The formulation uses a local quadratic-programming problem at each simulation time-step to find a set of muscle activations that generated target deformations and movements in finite element muscular-hydrostat models. We applied the technique to a 3D finite element tongue model for protrusive and bending movements. Predicted muscle activations were consistent with experimental recordings of tongue strain and electromyography. Upward tongue bending was achieved by recruitment of the superior longitudinal sheath muscle, which is consistent with muscular-hydrostat theory. Lateral tongue bending, however, required recruitment of contralateral transverse and vertical muscles in addition to the ipsilateral margins of the superior longitudinal muscle, which is a new proposition for tongue muscle coordination. Our simulation framework provides a new computational tool for systematic analysis of muscle forces in continuum-mechanics models that is complementary to experimental data and shows promise for eliciting a deeper understanding of human tongue function. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Finding the Cell Center by a Balance of Dynein and Myosin Pulling and Microtubule Pushing: A Computational Study

PubMed Central

Zhu, Jie; Burakov, Anton; Rodionov, Vladimir

2010-01-01

The centrosome position in many types of interphase cells is actively maintained in the cell center. Our previous work indicated that the centrosome is kept at the center by pulling force generated by dynein and actin flow produced by myosin contraction and that an unidentified factor that depends on microtubule dynamics destabilizes position of the centrosome. Here, we use modeling to simulate the centrosome positioning based on the idea that the balance of three forces—dyneins pulling along microtubule length, myosin-powered centripetal drag, and microtubules pushing on organelles—is responsible for the centrosome displacement. By comparing numerical predictions with centrosome behavior in wild-type and perturbed interphase cells, we rule out several plausible hypotheses about the nature of the microtubule-based force. We conclude that strong dynein- and weaker myosin-generated forces pull the microtubules inward competing with microtubule plus-ends pushing the microtubule aster outward and that the balance of these forces positions the centrosome at the cell center. The model also predicts that kinesin action could be another outward-pushing force. Simulations demonstrate that the force-balance centering mechanism is robust yet versatile. We use the experimental observations to reverse engineer the characteristic forces and centrosome mobility. PMID:20980619

Generation of the pitch moment during the controlled flight after takeoff of fruitflies.

PubMed

Chen, Mao Wei; Wu, Jiang Hao; Sun, Mao

2017-01-01

In the present paper, the controlled flight of fruitflies after voluntary takeoff is studied. Wing and body kinematics of the insects after takeoff are measured using high-speed video techniques, and the aerodynamic force and moment are calculated by the computational fluid dynamics method based on the measured data. How the control moments are generated is analyzed by correlating the computed moments with the wing kinematics. A fruit-fly has a large pitch-up angular velocity owing to the takeoff jump and the fly controls its body attitude by producing pitching moments. It is found that the pitching moment is produced by changes in both the aerodynamic force and the moment arm. The change in the aerodynamic force is mainly due to the change in angle of attack. The change in the moment arm is mainly due to the change in the mean stroke angle and deviation angle, and the deviation angle plays a more important role than the mean stroke angle in changing the moment arm (note that change in deviation angle implies variation in the position of the aerodynamic stroke plane with respect to the anatomical stroke plane). This is unlike the case of fruitflies correcting pitch perturbations in steady free flight, where they produce pitching moment mainly by changes in mean stroke angle.

Multiscale Macromolecular Simulation: Role of Evolving Ensembles

PubMed Central

Singharoy, A.; Joshi, H.; Ortoleva, P.J.

2013-01-01

Multiscale analysis provides an algorithm for the efficient simulation of macromolecular assemblies. This algorithm involves the coevolution of a quasiequilibrium probability density of atomic configurations and the Langevin dynamics of spatial coarse-grained variables denoted order parameters (OPs) characterizing nanoscale system features. In practice, implementation of the probability density involves the generation of constant OP ensembles of atomic configurations. Such ensembles are used to construct thermal forces and diffusion factors that mediate the stochastic OP dynamics. Generation of all-atom ensembles at every Langevin timestep is computationally expensive. Here, multiscale computation for macromolecular systems is made more efficient by a method that self-consistently folds in ensembles of all-atom configurations constructed in an earlier step, history, of the Langevin evolution. This procedure accounts for the temporal evolution of these ensembles, accurately providing thermal forces and diffusions. It is shown that efficiency and accuracy of the OP-based simulations is increased via the integration of this historical information. Accuracy improves with the square root of the number of historical timesteps included in the calculation. As a result, CPU usage can be decreased by a factor of 3-8 without loss of accuracy. The algorithm is implemented into our existing force-field based multiscale simulation platform and demonstrated via the structural dynamics of viral capsomers. PMID:22978601

On the influence that the ground electrode diameter has in the propulsion efficiency of an asymmetric capacitor in nitrogen gas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Martins, Alexandre A.; Pinheiro, Mario J.

In this work, the propulsion force developed in an asymmetric capacitor will be calculated for three different diameters of the ground electrode. The used ion source is a small diameter wire, which generates a positive corona discharge in nitrogen gas directed to the ground electrode. By applying the fluid dynamic and electrostatic theories, all hydrodynamic and electrostatic forces that act on the considered geometries will be computed in an attempt to provide a physical insight on the force mechanism that acts on the asymmetrical capacitors, and also to understand how to increase the efficiency of propulsion.

Computational model for calculating the dynamical behaviour of generators caused by unbalanced magnetic pull and experimental validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pennacchi, Paolo

2008-04-01

The modelling of the unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) in generators and the experimental validation of the proposed method are presented in this paper. The UMP is one of the most remarkable effects of electromechanical interactions in rotating machinery. As a consequence of the rotor eccentricity, the imbalance of the electromagnetic forces acting between rotor and stator generates a net radial force. This phenomenon can be avoided by means of a careful assembly and manufacture in small and stiff machines, like electrical motors. On the contrary, the eccentricity of the active part of the rotor with respect to the stator is unavoidable in big generators of power plants, because they operate above their first critical speed and are supported by oil-film bearings. In the first part of the paper, a method aimed to calculate the UMP force is described. This model is more general than those available in literature, which are limited to circular orbits. The model is based on the actual position of the rotor inside the stator, therefore on the actual air-gap distribution, regardless of the orbit type. The closed form of the nonlinear UMP force components is presented. In the second part, the experimental validation of the proposed model is presented. The dynamical behaviour in the time domain of a steam turbo-generator of a power plant is considered and it is shown that the model is able to reproduce the dynamical effects due to the excitation of the magnetic field in the generator.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of Swimmer's Hand Velocity, Orientation, and Shape: Contributions to Hydrodynamics

PubMed Central

Bilinauskaite, Milda; Mantha, Vishveshwar Rajendra; Rouboa, Abel Ilah; Ziliukas, Pranas; Silva, Antonio Jose

2013-01-01

The aim of this paper is to determine the hydrodynamic characteristics of swimmer's scanned hand models for various combinations of both the angle of attack and the sweepback angle and shape and velocity of swimmer's hand, simulating separate underwater arm stroke phases of freestyle (front crawl) swimming. Four realistic 3D models of swimmer's hand corresponding to different combinations of separated/closed fingers positions were used to simulate different underwater front crawl phases. The fluid flow was simulated using FLUENT (ANSYS, PA, USA). Drag force and drag coefficient were calculated using (computational fluid dynamics) CFD in steady state. Results showed that the drag force and coefficient varied at the different flow velocities on all shapes of the hand and variation was observed for different hand positions corresponding to different stroke phases. The models of the hand with thumb adducted and abducted generated the highest drag forces and drag coefficients. The current study suggests that the realistic variation of both the orientation angles influenced higher values of drag, lift, and resultant coefficients and forces. To augment resultant force, which affects swimmer's propulsion, the swimmer should concentrate in effectively optimising achievable hand areas during crucial propulsive phases. PMID:23691493

Active electromagnetic invisibility cloaking and radiation force cancellation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitri, F. G.

2018-03-01

This investigation shows that an active emitting electromagnetic (EM) Dirichlet source (i.e., with axial polarization of the electric field) in a homogeneous non-dissipative/non-absorptive medium placed near a perfectly conducting boundary can render total invisibility (i.e. zero extinction cross-section or efficiency) in addition to a radiation force cancellation on its surface. Based upon the Poynting theorem, the mathematical expression for the extinction, radiation and amplification cross-sections (or efficiencies) are derived using the partial-wave series expansion method in cylindrical coordinates. Moreover, the analysis is extended to compute the self-induced EM radiation force on the active source, resulting from the waves reflected by the boundary. The numerical results predict the generation of a zero extinction efficiency, achieving total invisibility, in addition to a radiation force cancellation which depend on the source size, the distance from the boundary and the associated EM mode order of the active source. Furthermore, an attractive EM pushing force on the active source directed toward the boundary or a repulsive pulling one pointing away from it can arise accordingly. The numerical predictions and computational results find potential applications in the design and development of EM cloaking devices, invisibility and stealth technologies.

Comparison of workload measures on computer-generated primary flight displays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nataupsky, Mark; Abbott, Terence S.

1987-01-01

Four Air Force pilots were used as subjects to assess a battery of subjective and physiological workload measures in a flight simulation environment in which two computer-generated primary flight display configurations were evaluated. A high- and low-workload task was created by manipulating flight path complexity. Both SWAT and the NASA-TLX were shown to be effective in differentiating the high and low workload path conditions. Physiological measures were inconclusive. A battery of workload measures continues to be necessary for an understanding of the data. Based on workload, opinion, and performance data, it is fruitful to pursue research with a primary flight display and a horizontal situation display integrated into a single display.

Exploiting current-generation graphics hardware for synthetic-scene generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanner, Michael A.; Keen, Wayne A.

2010-04-01

Increasing seeker frame rate and pixel count, as well as the demand for higher levels of scene fidelity, have driven scene generation software for hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) and software-in-the-loop (SWIL) testing to higher levels of parallelization. Because modern PC graphics cards provide multiple computational cores (240 shader cores for a current NVIDIA Corporation GeForce and Quadro cards), implementation of phenomenology codes on graphics processing units (GPUs) offers significant potential for simultaneous enhancement of simulation frame rate and fidelity. To take advantage of this potential requires algorithm implementation that is structured to minimize data transfers between the central processing unit (CPU) and the GPU. In this paper, preliminary methodologies developed at the Kinetic Hardware In-The-Loop Simulator (KHILS) will be presented. Included in this paper will be various language tradeoffs between conventional shader programming, Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) and Open Computing Language (OpenCL), including performance trades and possible pathways for future tool development.

Mean electromotive force generated by asymmetric fluid flow near the surface of earth's outer core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharyya, Archana

1992-10-01

The phi component of the mean electromotive force, (ETF) generated by asymmetric flow of fluid just beneath the core-mantle boundary (CMB), is obtained using a geomagnetic field model. This analysis is based on the supposition that the axisymmetric part of fluid flow beneath the CMB is tangentially geostrophic and toroidal. For all the epochs studied, the computed phi component is stronger in the Southern Hemisphere than that in the Northern Hemisphere. Assuming a linear relationship between (ETF) and the azimuthally averaged magnetic field (AAMF), the only nonzero off-diagonal components of the pseudotensor relating ETF to AAMF, are estimated as functions of colatitude, and the physical implications of the results are discussed.

Some New Problems on Shells and Thin Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vlasov, V. S.

1949-01-01

Cylindrical shells of arbitrary section, reinforced by longitudinal and transverse members (stringers and ribs) are considered by us, for a sufficiently close spacing of the ribs, as in our previously published papers (references 1 end 2), as thin-walled orthotropic spatial systems at the cross-sections of which only axial (normal and shearing) forces can arise. The longitudinal bending and twisting moments, due to their weak effect on the stress state of the shell, are taken equal to zero. Along the longitudinal sections of the shell there may arise transverse forces in addition to the normal d shearing forces. Under the so-called static assumptions there is taken for the computation model of the shell a thin-walled spatial system consisting along its length (along a generator) of an infinite number of elementary strips capable of bending. Each of these strips is likened to a curved rod operating in each of its sections not only in tension (compression)but also in transverse bending and shear. The interaction between two adjoining transverse strips in the shell expresses itself in the transmission from one strip to the other of only the normal and shearing stresses. The static structure of the computation model here described is shown in figure 1, where the connections through which the normal and shearing stresses transmitted from one transverse strip to smother are indicated schematically by the rods located in the middle surface of the shell. In addition to the static hypothesis we introduce also geometric hypotheses. According to the latter the elongational deformations of the shell along lines parallel to the generator of its middle surface and the shear deformations in the middle surface, as ma+gitudes having . little effect on the state of the fundamental internal forces of the shell, are taken equal to zero. The deformations of the shell in our computational model are such that in the first place the lines of this surface perpendicular to the generator are inextensible at each point end in the second place the angles between the lines of principal curvature (the coordinate lines) which are straight before the deformation remain straight after the deformation.

Mechanics of the acoustic radiation force in tissue-like solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dontsov, Egor V.

The acoustic radiation force (ARF) is a phenomenon affiliated with the nonlinear effects of high-intensity wave propagation. It represents the mean momentum transfer from the sound wave to the medium, and allows for an effective computation of the mean motion (e.g. acoustic streaming in fluids) induced by a high-intensity sound wave. Nowadays, the high-intensity focused ultrasound is frequently used in medical diagnosis applications due to its ability to "push" inside the tissue with the radiation body force and facilitate the local quantification of tissue's viscoelastic properties. The main objectives of this study include: i) the theoretical investigation of the ARF in fluids and tissue-like solids generated respectively by the amplitude modulated plane wave and focused ultrasound; ii) computation of the nonlinear acoustic wave propagation when the amplitude of the focused ultrasound field is modulated by a low-frequency signal, and iii) modeling of the ARF-induced motion in tissue-like solids for the purpose of quantifying their nonlinear elasticity via the magnitude of the ARF. Regarding the first part, a comparison with the existing theory of the ARF reveals a number of key features that are brought to light by the new formulation, including the contributions to the ARF of ultrasound modulation and thermal expansion, as well as the precise role of constitutive nonlinearities in generating the sustained body force in tissue-like solids by a focused ultrasound beam. In the second part, the hybrid time-frequency domain algorithm for the numerical analysis of the nonlinear wave equation is proposed. The approach is validated by comparing the results to the finite-difference modeling in time domain. Regarding the third objective, the Fourier transform approach is used to compute the ARF-induced shear wave motion in tissue-mimicking phantoms. A comparison between the experiment (tests performed at the Mayo Clinic) and model permitted the estimation of a particular coefficient of nonlinear tissue elasticity from the amplitude of the ARF-generated shear waves. For completeness, the ARF estimates of this coefficient are verified via an established technique known as acoustoelasticity.

TDIGG - TWO-DIMENSIONAL, INTERACTIVE GRID GENERATION CODE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vu, B. T.

1994-01-01

TDIGG is a fast and versatile program for generating two-dimensional computational grids for use with finite-difference flow-solvers. Both algebraic and elliptic grid generation systems are included. The method for grid generation by algebraic transformation is based on an interpolation algorithm and the elliptic grid generation is established by solving the partial differential equation (PDE). Non-uniform grid distributions are carried out using a hyperbolic tangent stretching function. For algebraic grid systems, interpolations in one direction (univariate) and two directions (bivariate) are considered. These interpolations are associated with linear or cubic Lagrangian/Hermite/Bezier polynomial functions. The algebraic grids can subsequently be smoothed using an elliptic solver. For elliptic grid systems, the PDE can be in the form of Laplace (zero forcing function) or Poisson. The forcing functions in the Poisson equation come from the boundary or the entire domain of the initial algebraic grids. A graphics interface procedure using the Silicon Graphics (GL) Library is included to allow users to visualize the grid variations at each iteration. This will allow users to interactively modify the grid to match their applications. TDIGG is written in FORTRAN 77 for Silicon Graphics IRIS series computers running IRIX. This package requires either MIT's X Window System, Version 11 Revision 4 or SGI (Motif) Window System. A sample executable is provided on the distribution medium. It requires 148K of RAM for execution. The standard distribution medium is a .25 inch streaming magnetic IRIX tape cartridge in UNIX tar format. This program was developed in 1992.

Electrostatics of proteins in dielectric solvent continua. I. Newton's third law marries qE forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stork, Martina; Tavan, Paul

2007-04-01

The authors reformulate and revise an electrostatic theory treating proteins surrounded by dielectric solvent continua [B. Egwolf and P. Tavan, J. Chem. Phys. 118, 2039 (2003)] to make the resulting reaction field (RF) forces compatible with Newton's third law. Such a compatibility is required for their use in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, in which the proteins are modeled by all-atom molecular mechanics force fields. According to the original theory the RF forces, which are due to the electric field generated by the solvent polarization and act on the partial charges of a protein, i.e., the so-called qE forces, can be quite accurately computed from Gaussian RF dipoles localized at the protein atoms. Using a slightly different approximation scheme also the RF energies of given protein configurations are obtained. However, because the qE forces do not account for the dielectric boundary pressure exerted by the solvent continuum on the protein, they do not obey the principle that actio equals reactio as required by Newton's third law. Therefore, their use in MD simulations is severely hampered. An analysis of the original theory has led the authors now to a reformulation removing the main difficulties. By considering the RF energy, which represents the dominant electrostatic contribution to the free energy of solvation for a given protein configuration, they show that its negative configurational gradient yields mean RF forces obeying the reactio principle. Because the evaluation of these mean forces is computationally much more demanding than that of the qE forces, they derive a suggestion how the qE forces can be modified to obey Newton's third law. Various properties of the thus established theory, particularly issues of accuracy and of computational efficiency, are discussed. A sample application to a MD simulation of a peptide in solution is described in the following paper [M. Stork and P. Tavan, J. Chem. Phys., 126, 165106 (2007).

pmx: Automated protein structure and topology generation for alchemical perturbations

PubMed Central

Gapsys, Vytautas; Michielssens, Servaas; Seeliger, Daniel; de Groot, Bert L

2015-01-01

Computational protein design requires methods to accurately estimate free energy changes in protein stability or binding upon an amino acid mutation. From the different approaches available, molecular dynamics-based alchemical free energy calculations are unique in their accuracy and solid theoretical basis. The challenge in using these methods lies in the need to generate hybrid structures and topologies representing two physical states of a system. A custom made hybrid topology may prove useful for a particular mutation of interest, however, a high throughput mutation analysis calls for a more general approach. In this work, we present an automated procedure to generate hybrid structures and topologies for the amino acid mutations in all commonly used force fields. The described software is compatible with the Gromacs simulation package. The mutation libraries are readily supported for five force fields, namely Amber99SB, Amber99SB*-ILDN, OPLS-AA/L, Charmm22*, and Charmm36. PMID:25487359

COEFUV: A Computer Implementation of a Generalized Unmanned Vehicle Cost Model.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-10-01

78 T N OMBER . C A FEUCNTER CLASSIF lED DAS-TRRNL mh~hhhh~hhE DAS-TR-78-4 DAS-TR-78-4 coI COEFUV: A COMPUTER IMPLEMENTATION OF A IM GENERALIZED ...34 and the time to generate them are important. Many DAS participants supported this effort. The authors wish to acknow- ledge Richard H. Anderson for...conflict and the on-going COMBAT ANGEL program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, there is not a generally accepted costing methodology for unmanned vehicles

Proceedings of the Conference on Computer Generated Forces and Behavioral Representation (6th), Held in Orlando, Florida, on 23-25 July 1996

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-07-01

JIATFE employs a mixture of DoD and DLEA assets and sensors to conduct routine patrol operations and respond to changing intelligence assessments...to evolve. These changes range from changing protocol data unit (PDU) formats to introduction of new behaviors, such as infrared sensor management...load, sensors , damage assessment, and physical status. In addition, the PDC contains the processes for computing physical state changes such as

Creation of Synthetic Surface Temperature and Precipitation Ensembles Through A Computationally Efficient, Mixed Method Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartin, C.; Lynch, C.; Kravitz, B.; Link, R. P.; Bond-Lamberty, B. P.

2017-12-01

Typically, uncertainty quantification of internal variability relies on large ensembles of climate model runs under multiple forcing scenarios or perturbations in a parameter space. Computationally efficient, standard pattern scaling techniques only generate one realization and do not capture the complicated dynamics of the climate system (i.e., stochastic variations with a frequency-domain structure). In this study, we generate large ensembles of climate data with spatially and temporally coherent variability across a subselection of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models. First, for each CMIP5 model we apply a pattern emulation approach to derive the model response to external forcing. We take all the spatial and temporal variability that isn't explained by the emulator and decompose it into non-physically based structures through use of empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). Then, we perform a Fourier decomposition of the EOF projection coefficients to capture the input fields' temporal autocorrelation so that our new emulated patterns reproduce the proper timescales of climate response and "memory" in the climate system. Through this 3-step process, we derive computationally efficient climate projections consistent with CMIP5 model trends and modes of variability, which address a number of deficiencies inherent in the ability of pattern scaling to reproduce complex climate model behavior.

Forced underwater laminar flows with active magnetohydrodynamic metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Culver, Dean; Urzhumov, Yaroslav

2017-12-01

Theory and practical implementations for wake-free propulsion systems are proposed and proven with computational fluid dynamic modeling. Introduced earlier, the concept of active hydrodynamic metamaterials is advanced by introducing magnetohydrodynamic metamaterials, structures with custom-designed volumetric distribution of Lorentz forces acting on a conducting fluid. Distributions of volume forces leading to wake-free, laminar flows are designed using multivariate optimization. Theoretical indications are presented that such flows can be sustained at arbitrarily high Reynolds numbers. Moreover, it is shown that in the limit Re ≫102 , a fixed volume force distribution may lead to a forced laminar flow across a wide range of Re numbers, without the need to reconfigure the force-generating metamaterial. Power requirements for such a device are studied as a function of the fluid conductivity. Implications to the design of distributed propulsion systems underwater and in space are discussed.

Introduction of a computer-based method for automated planning of reduction paths under consideration of simulated muscular forces.

PubMed

Buschbaum, Jan; Fremd, Rainer; Pohlemann, Tim; Kristen, Alexander

2017-08-01

Reduction is a crucial step in the surgical treatment of bone fractures. Finding an optimal path for restoring anatomical alignment is considered technically demanding because collisions as well as high forces caused by surrounding soft tissues can avoid desired reduction movements. The repetition of reduction movements leads to a trial-and-error process which causes a prolonged duration of surgery. By planning an appropriate reduction path-an optimal sequence of target-directed movements-these problems should be overcome. For this purpose, a computer-based method has been developed. Using the example of simple femoral shaft fractures, 3D models are generated out of CT images. A reposition algorithm aligns both fragments by reconstructing their broken edges. According to the criteria of a deduced planning strategy, a modified A*-algorithm searches collision-free route of minimal force from the dislocated into the computed target position. Muscular forces are considered using a musculoskeletal reduction model (OpenSim model), and bone collisions are detected by an appropriate method. Five femoral SYNBONE models were broken into different fracture classification types and were automatically reduced from ten randomly selected displaced positions. Highest mean translational and rotational error for achieving target alignment is [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Mean value and standard deviation of occurring forces are [Formula: see text] for M. tensor fasciae latae and [Formula: see text] for M. semitendinosus over all trials. These pathways are precise, collision-free, required forces are minimized, and thus regarded as optimal paths. A novel method for planning reduction paths under consideration of collisions and muscular forces is introduced. The results deliver additional knowledge for an appropriate tactical reduction procedure and can provide a basis for further navigated or robotic-assisted developments.

Molecular Dynamics Study of the Structure, Flexibility, and Hydrophilicity of PETIM Dendrimers: A Comparison with PAMAM Dendrimers.

PubMed

Kanchi, Subbarao; Suresh, Gorle; Priyakumar, U Deva; Ayappa, K G; Maiti, Prabal K

2015-10-15

A new class of dendrimers, the poly(propyl ether imine) (PETIM) dendrimer, has been shown to be a novel hyperbranched polymer having potential applications as a drug delivery vehicle. Structure and dynamics of the amine terminated PETIM dendrimer and their changes with respect to the dendrimer generation are poorly understood. Since most drugs are hydrophobic in nature, the extent of hydrophobicity of the dendrimer core is related to its drug encapsulation and retention efficacy. In this study, we carry out fully atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to characterize the structure of PETIM (G2-G6) dendrimers in salt solution as a function of dendrimer generation at different protonation levels. Structural properties such as radius of gyration (Rg), radial density distribution, aspect ratio, and asphericity are calculated. In order to assess the hydrophilicity of the dendrimer, we compute the number of bound water molecules in the interior of dendrimer as well as the number of dendrimer-water hydrogen bonds. We conclude that PETIM dendrimers have relatively greater hydrophobicity and flexibility when compared with their extensively investigated PAMAM counterparts. Hence PETIM dendrimers are expected to have stronger interactions with lipid membranes as well as improved drug encapsulation and retention properties when compared with PAMAM dendrimers. We compute the root-mean-square fluctuation of dendrimers as well as their entropy to quantify the flexibility of the dendrimer. Finally we note that structural and solvation properties computed using force field parameters derived based on the CHARMM general purpose force field were in good quantitative agreement with those obtained using the generalized Amber force field (GAFF).

Operational Test and Evaluation Handbook for Aircrew Training Devices. Volume I. Planning and Management.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-01

of i, nd to (! Lvel op an awareness of the T&E roles and responsioi Ii ties Viir~dte various Air Force organizations involved in the T&EC process... mathematical models to determine controller messages and issue controller messages using computer generated speech. AUTOMATED PERFORMANCE ALERTS: Signals

Young’s modulus calculations for cellulose Iß by MM3 and quantum mechanics

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Quantum mechanics (QM) and molecular mechanics (MM) calculations were performed to elucidate Young’s moduli for a series of cellulose Iß models. Computations using the second generation empirical force field MM3 with a disaccharide cellulose model, 1,4'-O-dimethyl-ß-cellobioside (DMCB), and an analo...

From Intuition to Evidence: A Data-Driven Approach to Transforming CS Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allevato, Anthony J.

2012-01-01

Educators in many disciplines are too often forced to rely on intuition about how students learn and the effectiveness of teaching to guide changes and improvements to their curricula. In computer science, systems that perform automated collection and assessment of programming assignments are seeing increased adoption, and these systems generate a…

Estimating Standardized Linear Contrasts of Means with Desired Precision

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bonett, Douglas G.

2009-01-01

L. Wilkinson and the Task Force on Statistical Inference (1999) recommended reporting confidence intervals for measures of effect sizes. If the sample size is too small, the confidence interval may be too wide to provide meaningful information. Recently, K. Kelley and J. R. Rausch (2006) used an iterative approach to computer-generate tables of…

Optimal propulsive flapping in Stokes flows.

PubMed

Was, Loïc; Lauga, Eric

2014-03-01

Swimming fish and flying insects use the flapping of fins and wings to generate thrust. In contrast, microscopic organisms typically deform their appendages in a wavelike fashion. Since a flapping motion with two degrees of freedom is able, in theory, to produce net forces from a time-periodic actuation at all Reynolds numbers, we compute in this paper the optimal flapping kinematics of a rigid spheroid in a Stokes flow. The hydrodynamics for the force generation and energetics of the flapping motion is solved exactly. We then compute analytically the gradient of a flapping efficiency in the space of all flapping gaits and employ it to derive numerically the optimal flapping kinematics as a function of the shape of the flapper and the amplitude of the motion. The kinematics of optimal flapping are observed to depend weakly on the flapper shape and are very similar to the figure-eight motion observed in the motion of insect wings. Our results suggest that flapping could be a exploited experimentally as a propulsion mechanism valid across the whole range of Reynolds numbers.

Generating Converged Accurate Free Energy Surfaces for Chemical Reactions with a Force-Matched Semiempirical Model.

PubMed

Kroonblawd, Matthew P; Pietrucci, Fabio; Saitta, Antonino Marco; Goldman, Nir

2018-04-10

We demonstrate the capability of creating robust density functional tight binding (DFTB) models for chemical reactivity in prebiotic mixtures through force matching to short time scale quantum free energy estimates. Molecular dynamics using density functional theory (DFT) is a highly accurate approach to generate free energy surfaces for chemical reactions, but the extreme computational cost often limits the time scales and range of thermodynamic states that can feasibly be studied. In contrast, DFTB is a semiempirical quantum method that affords up to a thousandfold reduction in cost and can recover DFT-level accuracy. Here, we show that a force-matched DFTB model for aqueous glycine condensation reactions yields free energy surfaces that are consistent with experimental observations of reaction energetics. Convergence analysis reveals that multiple nanoseconds of combined trajectory are needed to reach a steady-fluctuating free energy estimate for glycine condensation. Predictive accuracy of force-matched DFTB is demonstrated by direct comparison to DFT, with the two approaches yielding surfaces with large regions that differ by only a few kcal mol -1 .

Generating Converged Accurate Free Energy Surfaces for Chemical Reactions with a Force-Matched Semiempirical Model

DOE PAGES

Kroonblawd, Matthew P.; Pietrucci, Fabio; Saitta, Antonino Marco; ...

2018-03-15

Here, we demonstrate the capability of creating robust density functional tight binding (DFTB) models for chemical reactivity in prebiotic mixtures through force matching to short time scale quantum free energy estimates. Molecular dynamics using density functional theory (DFT) is a highly accurate approach to generate free energy surfaces for chemical reactions, but the extreme computational cost often limits the time scales and range of thermodynamic states that can feasibly be studied. In contrast, DFTB is a semiempirical quantum method that affords up to a thousandfold reduction in cost and can recover DFT-level accuracy. Here, we show that a force-matched DFTBmore » model for aqueous glycine condensation reactions yields free energy surfaces that are consistent with experimental observations of reaction energetics. Convergence analysis reveals that multiple nanoseconds of combined trajectory are needed to reach a steady-fluctuating free energy estimate for glycine condensation. Predictive accuracy of force-matched DFTB is demonstrated by direct comparison to DFT, with the two approaches yielding surfaces with large regions that differ by only a few kcal mol –1.« less

Generating Converged Accurate Free Energy Surfaces for Chemical Reactions with a Force-Matched Semiempirical Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kroonblawd, Matthew P.; Pietrucci, Fabio; Saitta, Antonino Marco

Here, we demonstrate the capability of creating robust density functional tight binding (DFTB) models for chemical reactivity in prebiotic mixtures through force matching to short time scale quantum free energy estimates. Molecular dynamics using density functional theory (DFT) is a highly accurate approach to generate free energy surfaces for chemical reactions, but the extreme computational cost often limits the time scales and range of thermodynamic states that can feasibly be studied. In contrast, DFTB is a semiempirical quantum method that affords up to a thousandfold reduction in cost and can recover DFT-level accuracy. Here, we show that a force-matched DFTBmore » model for aqueous glycine condensation reactions yields free energy surfaces that are consistent with experimental observations of reaction energetics. Convergence analysis reveals that multiple nanoseconds of combined trajectory are needed to reach a steady-fluctuating free energy estimate for glycine condensation. Predictive accuracy of force-matched DFTB is demonstrated by direct comparison to DFT, with the two approaches yielding surfaces with large regions that differ by only a few kcal mol –1.« less

Computational tools for calculating alternative muscle force patterns during motion: a comparison of possible solutions.

PubMed

Martelli, Saulo; Calvetti, Daniela; Somersalo, Erkki; Viceconti, Marco; Taddei, Fulvia

2013-08-09

Comparing the available electromyography (EMG) and the related uncertainties with the space of muscle forces potentially driving the same motion can provide insights into understanding human motion in healthy and pathological neuromotor conditions. However, it is not clear how effective the available computational tools are in completely sample the possible muscle forces. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of Metabolica and the Null-Space algorithm at generating a comprehensive spectrum of possible muscle forces for a representative motion frame. The hip force peak during a selected walking trial was identified using a lower-limb musculoskeletal model. The joint moments, the muscle lever arms, and the muscle force constraints extracted from the model constituted the indeterminate equilibrium equation at the joints. Two spectra, each containing 200,000 muscle force samples, were calculated using Metabolica and the Null-Space algorithm. The full hip force range was calculated using optimization and compared with the hip force ranges derived from the Metabolica and the Null-Space spectra. The Metabolica spectrum spanned a much larger force range than the NS spectrum, reaching 811N difference for the gluteus maximus intermediate bundle. The Metabolica hip force range exhibited a 0.3-0.4 BW error on the upper and lower boundaries of the full hip force range (3.4-11.3 BW), whereas the full range was imposed in the NS spectrum. The results suggest that Metabolica is well suited for exhaustively sample the spectrum of possible muscle recruitment strategy. Future studies will investigate the muscle force range in healthy and pathological neuromotor conditions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

GPU-based Green’s function simulations of shear waves generated by an applied acoustic radiation force in elastic and viscoelastic models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yiqun; Urban, Matthew W.; McGough, Robert J.

2018-05-01

Shear wave calculations induced by an acoustic radiation force are very time-consuming on desktop computers, and high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) achieve dramatic reductions in the computation time for these simulations. The acoustic radiation force is calculated using the fast near field method and the angular spectrum approach, and then the shear waves are calculated in parallel with Green’s functions on a GPU. This combination enables rapid evaluation of shear waves for push beams with different spatial samplings and for apertures with different f/#. Relative to shear wave simulations that evaluate the same algorithm on an Intel i7 desktop computer, a high performance nVidia GPU reduces the time required for these calculations by a factor of 45 and 700 when applied to elastic and viscoelastic shear wave simulation models, respectively. These GPU-accelerated simulations also compared to measurements in different viscoelastic phantoms, and the results are similar. For parametric evaluations and for comparisons with measured shear wave data, shear wave simulations with the Green’s function approach are ideally suited for high-performance GPUs.

Neuromechanic: a computational platform for simulation and analysis of the neural control of movement

PubMed Central

Bunderson, Nathan E.; Bingham, Jeffrey T.; Sohn, M. Hongchul; Ting, Lena H.; Burkholder, Thomas J.

2015-01-01

Neuromusculoskeletal models solve the basic problem of determining how the body moves under the influence of external and internal forces. Existing biomechanical modeling programs often emphasize dynamics with the goal of finding a feed-forward neural program to replicate experimental data or of estimating force contributions or individual muscles. The computation of rigid-body dynamics, muscle forces, and activation of the muscles are often performed separately. We have developed an intrinsically forward computational platform (Neuromechanic, www.neuromechanic.com) that explicitly represents the interdependencies among rigid body dynamics, frictional contact, muscle mechanics, and neural control modules. This formulation has significant advantages for optimization and forward simulation, particularly with application to neural controllers with feedback or regulatory features. Explicit inclusion of all state dependencies allows calculation of system derivatives with respect to kinematic states as well as muscle and neural control states, thus affording a wealth of analytical tools, including linearization, stability analyses and calculation of initial conditions for forward simulations. In this review, we describe our algorithm for generating state equations and explain how they may be used in integration, linearization and stability analysis tools to provide structural insights into the neural control of movement. PMID:23027632

Neuromechanic: a computational platform for simulation and analysis of the neural control of movement.

PubMed

Bunderson, Nathan E; Bingham, Jeffrey T; Sohn, M Hongchul; Ting, Lena H; Burkholder, Thomas J

2012-10-01

Neuromusculoskeletal models solve the basic problem of determining how the body moves under the influence of external and internal forces. Existing biomechanical modeling programs often emphasize dynamics with the goal of finding a feed-forward neural program to replicate experimental data or of estimating force contributions or individual muscles. The computation of rigid-body dynamics, muscle forces, and activation of the muscles are often performed separately. We have developed an intrinsically forward computational platform (Neuromechanic, www.neuromechanic.com) that explicitly represents the interdependencies among rigid body dynamics, frictional contact, muscle mechanics, and neural control modules. This formulation has significant advantages for optimization and forward simulation, particularly with application to neural controllers with feedback or regulatory features. Explicit inclusion of all state dependencies allows calculation of system derivatives with respect to kinematic states and muscle and neural control states, thus affording a wealth of analytical tools, including linearization, stability analyses and calculation of initial conditions for forward simulations. In this review, we describe our algorithm for generating state equations and explain how they may be used in integration, linearization, and stability analysis tools to provide structural insights into the neural control of movement. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dynamic characteristics of triaxial active control magnetic bearing with asymmetric structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakajima, Atsushi; Hirata, Katsuhiro; Niguchi, Noboru; Kato, Masayuki

2018-03-01

Supporting forces of magnetic bearings are lower than those of mechanical bearings. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a new three-axis active control magnetic bearing (3-axis AMB) with an asymmetric structure where its rotor is attracted only in one axial direction due to a negative pressure of fluid. Our proposed 3-axis AMB can generate a large suspension force in one axial direction due to the asymmetric structure. The performances of our proposed 3-axis AMB are computed through 3-D finite element analysis.

An experimental and three-dimensional computational study on the aerodynamic contribution to the passive pitching motion of flapping wings in hovering flies.

PubMed

Ishihara, D; Horie, T; Niho, T

2014-11-07

The relative importance of the wing's inertial and aerodynamic forces is the key to revealing how the kinematical characteristics of the passive pitching motion of insect flapping wings are generated, which is still unclear irrespective of its importance in the design of insect-like micro air vehicles. Therefore, we investigate three species of flies in order to reveal this, using a novel fluid-structure interaction analysis that consists of a dynamically scaled experiment and a three-dimensional finite element analysis. In the experiment, the dynamic similarity between the lumped torsional flexibility model as a first approximation of the dipteran wing and the actual insect is measured by the Reynolds number Re, the Strouhal number St, the mass ratio M, and the Cauchy number Ch. In the computation, the three-dimension is important in order to simulate the stable leading edge vortex and lift force in the present Re regime over 254. The drawback of the present experiment is the difficulty in satisfying the condition of M due to the limitation of available solid materials. The novelty of the present analysis is to complement this drawback using the computation. We analyze the following two cases: (a) The equilibrium between the wing's elastic and fluid forces is dynamically similar to that of the actual insect, while the wing's inertial force can be ignored. (b) All forces are dynamically similar to those of the actual insect. From the comparison between the results of cases (a) and (b), we evaluate the contributions of the equilibrium between the aerodynamic and the wing's elastic forces and the wing's inertial force to the passive pitching motion as 80-90% and 10-20%, respectively. It follows from these results that the dipteran passive pitching motion will be based on the equilibrium between the wing's elastic and aerodynamic forces, while it will be enhanced by the wing's inertial force.

KSC-00pp1576

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

This new specially equipped vehicle serves as a mobile command center for emergency preparedness staff and other support personnel when needed at KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It features a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or CCAFS

KSC00pp1576

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

This new specially equipped vehicle serves as a mobile command center for emergency preparedness staff and other support personnel when needed at KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It features a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or CCAFS

On grey levels in random CAPTCHA generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newton, Fraser; Kouritzin, Michael A.

2011-06-01

A CAPTCHA is an automatically generated test designed to distinguish between humans and computer programs; specifically, they are designed to be easy for humans but difficult for computer programs to pass in order to prevent the abuse of resources by automated bots. They are commonly seen guarding webmail registration forms, online auction sites, and preventing brute force attacks on passwords. In the following, we address the question: How does adding a grey level to random CAPTCHA generation affect the utility of the CAPTCHA? We treat the problem of generating the random CAPTCHA as one of random field simulation: An initial state of background noise is evolved over time using Gibbs sampling and an efficient algorithm for generating correlated random variables. This approach has already been found to yield highly-readable yet difficult-to-crack CAPTCHAs. We detail how the requisite parameters for introducing grey levels are estimated and how we generate the random CAPTCHA. The resulting CAPTCHA will be evaluated in terms of human readability as well as its resistance to automated attacks in the forms of character segmentation and optical character recognition.

Comparison Study of Three Different Image Reconstruction Algorithms for MAT-MI

PubMed Central

Xia, Rongmin; Li, Xu

2010-01-01

We report a theoretical study on magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI). According to the description of signal generation mechanism using Green’s function, the acoustic dipole model was proposed to describe acoustic source excited by the Lorentz force. Using Green’s function, three kinds of reconstruction algorithms based on different models of acoustic source (potential energy, vectored acoustic pressure, and divergence of Lorenz force) are deduced and compared, and corresponding numerical simulations were conducted to compare these three kinds of reconstruction algorithms. The computer simulation results indicate that the potential energy method and vectored pressure method can directly reconstruct the Lorentz force distribution and give a more accurate reconstruction of electrical conductivity. PMID:19846363

Generation of capillary instabilities by external disturbances in a liquid jet. Ph.D. Thesis - State Univ. of N.Y.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leib, S. J.

1985-01-01

The receptivity problem in a circular liquid jet is considered. A time harmonic axial pressure gradient is imposed on the steady, parallel flow of a jet of liquid emerging from a circular duct. Using a technique developed in plasma physics a casual solution to the forced problem is obtained over certain ranges of Weber number for a number of mean velocity profiles. This solution contains a term which grows exponentially in the downstream direction and can be identified with a capillary instability wave. Hence, it is found that the externally imposed disturbances can indeed trigger instability waves in a liquid jet. The amplitude of the instability wave generated relative to the amplitude of the forcing is computed numerically for a number of cases.

A theoretical prediction of the acoustic pressure generated by turbulence-flame front interactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huff, R. G.

1984-01-01

The equations of momentum annd continuity are combined and linearized yielding the one dimensional nonhomogeneous acoustic wave equation. Three terms in the non-homogeneous equation act as acoustic sources and are taken to be forcing functions acting on the homogeneous wave equation. The three source terms are: fluctuating entropy, turbulence gradients, and turbulence-flame interactions. Each source term is discussed. The turbulence-flame interaction source is used as the basis for computing the source acoustic pressure from the Fourier transformed wave equation. Pressure fluctuations created in turbopump gas generators and turbines may act as a forcing function for turbine and propellant tube vibrations in Earth to orbit space propulsion systems and could reduce their life expectancy. A preliminary assessment of the acoustic pressure fluctuations in such systems is presented.

A theoretical prediction of the acoustic pressure generated by turbulence-flame front interactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huff, R. G.

1984-01-01

The equations of momentum and continuity are combined and linearized yielding the one dimensional nonhomogeneous acoustic wave equation. Three terms in the non-homogeneous equation act as acoustic sources and are taken to be forcing functions acting on the homogeneous wave equation. The three source terms are: fluctuating entropy, turbulence gradients, and turbulence-flame interactions. Each source term is discussed. The turbulence-flame interaction source is used as the basis for computing the source acoustic pressure from the Fourier transformed wave equation. Pressure fluctuations created in turbopump gas generators and turbines may act as a forcing function for turbine and propellant tube vibrations in earth to orbit space propulsion systems and could reduce their life expectancy. A preliminary assessment of the acoustic pressure fluctuations in such systems is presented.

Model of Semidiurnal Pseudo Tide in the High-Latitude Upper Mesosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Talaat, E. R.; Mayr, H. G.

2011-01-01

We present numerical results for the m = 1 meridional winds of semi diurnal oscillations in the high-latitude upper mesosphere, which are generated in the Numerical Spectral Model (NSM) without solar excitations of the tides. Identified with heuristic computer runs, the pseudo tides attain amplitudes that are, at times, as large as the non-migrating tides produced with standard solar forcing. Under the influence of parameterized gravity waves, the nonlinear NSM generates internal oscillations like the quasi-biennial oscillation, that are produced with periods favored by the dynamical properties of the system. The Coriolis force would favor at polar latitudes the excitation of the 12-hour periodicity. This oscillation may help explain the large non-migrating semidiurnal tides that are observed in the region with ground-based and satellite measurements.

Generation of intermittent gravitocapillary waves via parametric forcing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castillo, Gustavo; Falcón, Claudio

2018-04-01

We report on the generation of an intermittent wave field driven by a horizontally moving wave maker interacting with Faraday waves. The spectrum of the local gravitocapillary surface wave fluctuations displays a power law in frequency for a wide range of forcing parameters. We compute the probability density function of the local surface height increments, which show that they change strongly across time scales. The structure functions of these increments are shown to display power laws as a function of the time lag, with exponents that are nonlinear functions of the order of the structure function. We argue that the origin of this scale-invariant intermittent spectrum is the Faraday wave pattern breakup due to its advection by the propagating gravity waves. Finally, some interpretations are proposed to explain the appearance of this intermittent spectrum.

Force reflecting hand controller for manipulator teleoperation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bryfogle, Mark D.

1991-01-01

A force reflecting hand controller based upon a six degree of freedom fully parallel mechanism, often termed a Stewart Platform, has been designed, constructed, and tested as an integrated system with a slave robot manipulator test bed. A force reflecting hand controller comprises a kinesthetic device capable of transmitting position and orientation commands to a slave robot manipulator while simultaneously representing the environmental interaction forces of the slave manipulator back to the operator through actuators driving the hand controller mechanism. The Stewart Platform was chosen as a novel approach to improve force reflecting teleoperation because of its inherently high ratio of load generation capability to system mass content and the correspondingly high dynamic bandwidth. An additional novelty of the program was to implement closed loop force and torque control about the hand controller mechanism by equipping the handgrip with a six degree of freedom force and torque measuring cell. The mechanical, electrical, computer, and control systems are discussed and system tests are presented.

Children with Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Experience Reduced Control of Isotonic Force

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Tanya T.; Levy, Susan S.; Riley, Edward P.; Thomas, Jennifer D.; Simmons, Roger W.

2013-01-01

Background Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure can result in diverse and extensive damage to the central nervous system, including the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex. Given that these brain regions are involved in the generation and maintenance of motor force, we predicted that prenatal alcohol exposure would adversely affect this parameter of motor control. We previously reported that children with gestational alcohol exposure experience significant deficits in regulating isometric (i.e., constant) force. The purpose of the present study was to determine if these children exhibit similar deficits when producing isotonic (i.e., graded) force. Methods Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure and typically developing children completed a series of isotonic force contractions by exerting force on a load cell to match a criterion target force displayed on a computer monitor. Two levels of target force (5% or 20% of maximum voluntary force) were investigated in combination with varying levels of visual feedback. Results Compared to controls, children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure generated isotonic force signals that were less accurate, more variable, and less complex in the time domain compared to control children. Specifically, interactions were found between group and visual feedback for response accuracy and signal complexity, suggesting that these children have greater difficulty altering their motor output when visual feedback is low. Conclusions These data suggest that prenatal alcohol exposure produces deficits in regulating isotonic force, which presumably result from alcohol-related damage to developing brain regions involved in motor control. These children will most likely experience difficulty performing basic motor skills and daily functional skills that require coordination of finely graded force. Therapeutic strategies designed to increase feedback and, consequently, facilitate visual-motor integration could improve isotonic force production in these children. PMID:22834891

Improved throughput traction microscopy reveals pivotal role for matrix stiffness in fibroblast contractility and TGF-β responsiveness

PubMed Central

Marinković, Aleksandar; Mih, Justin D.; Park, Jin-Ah; Liu, Fei

2012-01-01

Lung fibroblast functions such as matrix remodeling and activation of latent transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) are associated with expression of the myofibroblast phenotype and are directly linked to fibroblast capacity to generate force and deform the extracellular matrix. However, the study of fibroblast force-generating capacities through methods such as traction force microscopy is hindered by low throughput and time-consuming procedures. In this study, we improved at the detail level methods for higher-throughput traction measurements on polyacrylamide hydrogels using gel-surface-bound fluorescent beads to permit autofocusing and automated displacement mapping, and transduction of fibroblasts with a fluorescent label to streamline cell boundary identification. Together these advances substantially improve the throughput of traction microscopy and allow us to efficiently compute the forces exerted by lung fibroblasts on substrates spanning the stiffness range present in normal and fibrotic lung tissue. Our results reveal that lung fibroblasts dramatically alter the forces they transmit to the extracellular matrix as its stiffness changes, with very low forces generated on matrices as compliant as normal lung tissue. Moreover, exogenous TGF-β1 selectively accentuates tractions on stiff matrices, mimicking fibrotic lung, but not on physiological stiffness matrices, despite equivalent changes in Smad2/3 activation. Taken together, these results demonstrate a pivotal role for matrix mechanical properties in regulating baseline and TGF-β1-stimulated contraction of lung fibroblasts and suggest that stiff fibrotic lung tissue may promote myofibroblast activation through contractility-driven events, whereas normal lung tissue compliance may protect against such feedback amplification of fibroblast activation. PMID:22659883

Vibration attenuation of rotating machines by application of magnetorheological dampers to minimize energy losses in the rotor support

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zapoměl, J.; Ferfecki, P.

2016-09-01

A frequently used technological solution for minimization of undesirable effects caused by vibration of rotating machines consists in placing damping devices in the rotor supports. The application of magnetorheological squeeze film dampers enables their optimum performance to be achieved in a wide range of rotating speeds by adapting their damping effect to the current operating conditions. The damping force, which is produced by squeezing the layer of magnetorheological oil, can be controlled by changing magnetic flux passing through the lubricant. The force acting between the rotor and its frame is transmitted through the rolling element bearing, the lubricating layer and the squirrel spring. The loading of the bearing produces a time variable friction moment, energy losses, uneven rotor running, and has an influence on the rotor service life and the current fluctuation in electric circuits. The carried out research consisted in the development of a mathematical model of a magnetorheological squeeze film damper, its implementation into the computational models of rotor systems, and in performing the study on the dependence of the energy losses and variation of the friction moment on the damping force and its control. The new and computationally stable mathematical model of a magnetorheological squeeze film damper, its implementation in the computational models of rigid rotors and learning more on the energy losses generated in the rotor supports in dependence on the damping effect are the principal contributions of this paper. The results of the computational simulations prove that a suitable control of the damping force enables the energy losses to be reduced in a wide velocity range.

A 'Good' muscle in a 'Bad' environment: the importance of airway smooth muscle force adaptation to airway hyperresponsiveness.

PubMed

Bossé, Ynuk; Chapman, David G; Paré, Peter D; King, Gregory G; Salome, Cheryl M

2011-12-15

Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, with a consequent increase in spasmogens, and exaggerated airway narrowing in response to stimuli, termed airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). The nature of any relationship between inflammation and AHR is less clear. Recent ex vivo data has suggested a novel mechanism by which inflammation may lead to AHR, in which increased basal ASM-tone, due to the presence of spasmogens in the airways, may "strengthen" the ASM and ultimately lead to exaggerated airway narrowing. This phenomenon was termed "force adaptation" [Bossé, Y., Chin, L.Y., Paré, P.D., Seow, C.Y., 2009. Adaptation of airway smooth muscle to basal tone: relevance to airway hyperresponsiveness. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 40, 13-18]. However, it is unknown whether the magnitude of the effect of force adaptation ex vivo could contribute to exaggerated airway narrowing in vivo. Our aim was to utilize a computational model of ASM shortening in order to quantify the potential effect of force adaptation on airway narrowing when all other mechanical factors were kept constant. The shortening in the model is dictated by a balance between physiological loads and ASM force-generating capacity at different lengths. The results suggest that the magnitude of the effect of force adaptation on ASM shortening would lead to substantially more airway narrowing during bronchial challenge at any given airway generation. We speculate that the increased basal ASM-tone in asthma, due to the presence of inflammation-derived spasmogens, produces an increase in the force-generating capacity of ASM, predisposing to AHR during subsequent challenge. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An Optimal Basketball Free Throw

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seppala-Holtzman, David

2012-01-01

A basketball player attempting a free throw has two parameters under his or her control: the angle of elevation and the force with which the ball is thrown. We compute upper and lower bounds for the initial velocity for suitable values of the angle of elevation, generating a subset of the configuration space of all successful free throws. A…

Studies of the effects of gravitational and inertial forces on cardiovascular and respiratory dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, E. H.

1972-01-01

Developments in the following areas are discussed: television camera in dynamic angiography, dynamic computer generated displays for study of the human left ventricle, and status report on the work statement for the sixth year. A list of publications for the period 1 October 1971 to 1 October 1972 is included.

27ps DFT Molecular Dynamics Simulation of a-maltose: A Reduced Basis Set Study.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

DFT molecular dynamics simulations are time intensive when carried out on carbohydrates such as alpha-maltose, requiring up to three or more weeks on a fast 16-processor computer to obtain just 5ps of constant energy dynamics. In a recent publication [1] forces for dynamics were generated from B3LY...

Walking Ahead: The Headed Social Force Model.

PubMed

Farina, Francesco; Fontanelli, Daniele; Garulli, Andrea; Giannitrapani, Antonio; Prattichizzo, Domenico

2017-01-01

Human motion models are finding an increasing number of novel applications in many different fields, such as building design, computer graphics and robot motion planning. The Social Force Model is one of the most popular alternatives to describe the motion of pedestrians. By resorting to a physical analogy, individuals are assimilated to point-wise particles subject to social forces which drive their dynamics. Such a model implicitly assumes that humans move isotropically. On the contrary, empirical evidence shows that people do have a preferred direction of motion, walking forward most of the time. Lateral motions are observed only in specific circumstances, such as when navigating in overcrowded environments or avoiding unexpected obstacles. In this paper, the Headed Social Force Model is introduced in order to improve the realism of the trajectories generated by the classical Social Force Model. The key feature of the proposed approach is the inclusion of the pedestrians' heading into the dynamic model used to describe the motion of each individual. The force and torque representing the model inputs are computed as suitable functions of the force terms resulting from the traditional Social Force Model. Moreover, a new force contribution is introduced in order to model the behavior of people walking together as a single group. The proposed model features high versatility, being able to reproduce both the unicycle-like trajectories typical of people moving in open spaces and the point-wise motion patterns occurring in high density scenarios. Extensive numerical simulations show an increased regularity of the resulting trajectories and confirm a general improvement of the model realism.

Steady-state and dynamic models for particle engulfment during solidification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Yutao; Yeckel, Andrew; Derby, Jeffrey J.

2016-06-01

Steady-state and dynamic models are developed to study the physical mechanisms that determine the pushing or engulfment of a solid particle at a moving solid-liquid interface. The mathematical model formulation rigorously accounts for energy and momentum conservation, while faithfully representing the interfacial phenomena affecting solidification phase change and particle motion. A numerical solution approach is developed using the Galerkin finite element method and elliptic mesh generation in an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian implementation, thus allowing for a rigorous representation of forces and dynamics previously inaccessible by approaches using analytical approximations. We demonstrate that this model accurately computes the solidification interface shape while simultaneously resolving thin fluid layers around the particle that arise from premelting during particle engulfment. We reinterpret the significance of premelting via the definition an unambiguous critical velocity for engulfment from steady-state analysis and bifurcation theory. We also explore the complicated transient behaviors that underlie the steady states of this system and posit the significance of dynamical behavior on engulfment events for many systems. We critically examine the onset of engulfment by comparing our computational predictions to those obtained using the analytical model of Rempel and Worster [29]. We assert that, while the accurate calculation of van der Waals repulsive forces remains an open issue, the computational model developed here provides a clear benefit over prior models for computing particle drag forces and other phenomena needed for the faithful simulation of particle engulfment.

Optimization of the GBMV2 implicit solvent force field for accurate simulation of protein conformational equilibria.

PubMed

Lee, Kuo Hao; Chen, Jianhan

2017-06-15

Accurate treatment of solvent environment is critical for reliable simulations of protein conformational equilibria. Implicit treatment of solvation, such as using the generalized Born (GB) class of models arguably provides an optimal balance between computational efficiency and physical accuracy. Yet, GB models are frequently plagued by a tendency to generate overly compact structures. The physical origins of this drawback are relatively well understood, and the key to a balanced implicit solvent protein force field is careful optimization of physical parameters to achieve a sufficient level of cancellation of errors. The latter has been hampered by the difficulty of generating converged conformational ensembles of non-trivial model proteins using the popular replica exchange sampling technique. Here, we leverage improved sampling efficiency of a newly developed multi-scale enhanced sampling technique to re-optimize the generalized-Born with molecular volume (GBMV2) implicit solvent model with the CHARMM36 protein force field. Recursive optimization of key GBMV2 parameters (such as input radii) and protein torsion profiles (via the CMAP torsion cross terms) has led to a more balanced GBMV2 protein force field that recapitulates the structures and stabilities of both helical and β-hairpin model peptides. Importantly, this force field appears to be free of the over-compaction bias, and can generate structural ensembles of several intrinsically disordered proteins of various lengths that seem highly consistent with available experimental data. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Polymer translocation under a pulling force: Scaling arguments and threshold forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menais, Timothée

2018-02-01

DNA translocation through nanopores is one of the most promising strategies for next-generation sequencing technologies. Most experimental and numerical works have focused on polymer translocation biased by electrophoresis, where a pulling force acts on the polymer within the nanopore. An alternative strategy, however, is emerging, which uses optical or magnetic tweezers. In this case, the pulling force is exerted directly at one end of the polymer, which strongly modifies the translocation process. In this paper, we report numerical simulations of both linear and structured (mimicking DNA) polymer models, simple enough to allow for a statistical treatment of the pore structure effects on the translocation time probability distributions. Based on extremely extended computer simulation data, we (i) propose scaling arguments for an extension of the predicted translocation times τ ˜N2F-1 over the moderate forces range and (ii) analyze the effect of pore size and polymer structuration on translocation times τ .

Secure Multi-party Computation Protocol for Defense Applications in Military Operations Using Virtual Cryptography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pathak, Rohit; Joshi, Satyadhar

With the advent into the 20th century whole world has been facing the common dilemma of Terrorism. The suicide attacks on US twin towers 11 Sept. 2001, Train bombings in Madrid Spain 11 Mar. 2004, London bombings 7 Jul. 2005 and Mumbai attack 26 Nov. 2008 were some of the most disturbing, destructive and evil acts by terrorists in the last decade which has clearly shown their evil intent that they can go to any extent to accomplish their goals. Many terrorist organizations such as al Quaida, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Hezbollah, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Toiba, etc. are carrying out training camps and terrorist operations which are accompanied with latest technology and high tech arsenal. To counter such terrorism our military is in need of advanced defense technology. One of the major issues of concern is secure communication. It has to be made sure that communication between different military forces is secure so that critical information is not leaked to the adversary. Military forces need secure communication to shield their confidential data from terrorist forces. Leakage of concerned data can prove hazardous, thus preservation and security is of prime importance. There may be a need to perform computations that require data from many military forces, but in some cases the associated forces would not want to reveal their data to other forces. In such situations Secure Multi-party Computations find their application. In this paper, we propose a new highly scalable Secure Multi-party Computation (SMC) protocol and algorithm for Defense applications which can be used to perform computation on encrypted data. Every party encrypts their data in accordance with a particular scheme. This encrypted data is distributed among some created virtual parties. These Virtual parties send their data to the TTP through an Anonymizer layer. TTP performs computation on encrypted data and announces the result. As the data sent was encrypted its actual value can’t be known by TTP and with the use of Anonymizers we have covered the identity of true source of data. Modifier tokens are generated along encryption of data which are distributed among virtual parties, then sent to TTP and finally used in the computation. Thus without revealing the data, right result can be computed and privacy of the parties is maintained. We have also given a probabilistic security analysis of hacking the protocol and shown how zero hacking security can be achieved.

The R.E.D. tools: advances in RESP and ESP charge derivation and force field library building.

PubMed

Dupradeau, François-Yves; Pigache, Adrien; Zaffran, Thomas; Savineau, Corentin; Lelong, Rodolphe; Grivel, Nicolas; Lelong, Dimitri; Rosanski, Wilfried; Cieplak, Piotr

2010-07-28

Deriving atomic charges and building a force field library for a new molecule are key steps when developing a force field required for conducting structural and energy-based analysis using molecular mechanics. Derivation of popular RESP charges for a set of residues is a complex and error prone procedure because it depends on numerous input parameters. To overcome these problems, the R.E.D. Tools (RESP and ESP charge Derive, ) have been developed to perform charge derivation in an automatic and straightforward way. The R.E.D. program handles chemical elements up to bromine in the periodic table. It interfaces different quantum mechanical programs employed for geometry optimization and computing molecular electrostatic potential(s), and performs charge fitting using the RESP program. By defining tight optimization criteria and by controlling the molecular orientation of each optimized geometry, charge values are reproduced at any computer platform with an accuracy of 0.0001 e. The charges can be fitted using multiple conformations, making them suitable for molecular dynamics simulations. R.E.D. allows also for defining charge constraints during multiple molecule charge fitting, which are used to derive charges for molecular fragments. Finally, R.E.D. incorporates charges into a force field library, readily usable in molecular dynamics computer packages. For complex cases, such as a set of homologous molecules belonging to a common family, an entire force field topology database is generated. Currently, the atomic charges and force field libraries have been developed for more than fifty model systems and stored in the RESP ESP charge DDataBase. Selected results related to non-polarizable charge models are presented and discussed.

Mutually opposing forces during locomotion can eliminate the tradeoff between maneuverability and stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cowan, Noah; Sefati, Shahin; Neveln, Izaak; Roth, Eatai; Mitchell, Terence; Snyder, James; Maciver, Malcolm; Fortune, Eric

A surprising feature of animal locomotion is that organisms typically produce substantial forces in directions other than what is necessary to move the animal through its environment, such as perpendicular to, or counter to, the direction of travel. The effect of these forces has been difficult to observe because they are often mutually opposing and therefore cancel out. Using a combination of robotic physical modeling, computational modeling, and biological experiments, we discovered that these forces serve an important role: to simplify and enhance the control of locomotion. Specifically, we examined a well-suited model system, the glass knifefish Eigenmannia virescens, which produces mutually opposing forces during a hovering behavior. By systematically varying the locomotor parameters of our biomimetic robot, and measuring the resulting forces and kinematics, we demonstrated that the production and differential control of mutually opposing forces is a strategy that generates passive stabilization while simultaneously enhancing maneuverability. Mutually opposing forces during locomotion are widespread across animal taxa, and these results indicate that such forces can eliminate the tradeoff between stability and maneuverability, thereby simplifying robotic and neural control.

Development of Magnetorheological Resistive Exercise Device for Rowing Machine

PubMed Central

Žiliukas, Pranas

2016-01-01

Training equipment used by professional sportsmen has a great impact on their sport performance. Most universal exercisers may help only to improve the general physical condition due to the specific kinematics and peculiar resistance generated by their loading units. Training of effective techniques and learning of psychomotor skills are possible only when exercisers conform to the movements and resistance typical for particular sports kinematically and dynamically. Methodology of developing a magnetorheological resistive exercise device for generating the desired law of passive resistance force and its application in a lever-type rowing machine are described in the paper. The structural parameters of a controllable hydraulic cylinder type device were found by means of the computational fluid dynamics simulation performed by ANSYS CFX software. Parameters describing the magnetorheological fluid as non-Newtonian were determined by combining numerical and experimental research of the resistance force generated by the original magnetorheological damper. A structural scheme of the device control system was developed and the variation of the strength of magnetic field that affects the magnetorheological fluid circulating in the device was determined, ensuring a variation of the resistance force on the oar handle adequate for the resistance that occurs during a real boat rowing stroke. PMID:27293479

Development of Magnetorheological Resistive Exercise Device for Rowing Machine.

PubMed

Grigas, Vytautas; Šulginas, Anatolijus; Žiliukas, Pranas

2015-01-01

Training equipment used by professional sportsmen has a great impact on their sport performance. Most universal exercisers may help only to improve the general physical condition due to the specific kinematics and peculiar resistance generated by their loading units. Training of effective techniques and learning of psychomotor skills are possible only when exercisers conform to the movements and resistance typical for particular sports kinematically and dynamically. Methodology of developing a magnetorheological resistive exercise device for generating the desired law of passive resistance force and its application in a lever-type rowing machine are described in the paper. The structural parameters of a controllable hydraulic cylinder type device were found by means of the computational fluid dynamics simulation performed by ANSYS CFX software. Parameters describing the magnetorheological fluid as non-Newtonian were determined by combining numerical and experimental research of the resistance force generated by the original magnetorheological damper. A structural scheme of the device control system was developed and the variation of the strength of magnetic field that affects the magnetorheological fluid circulating in the device was determined, ensuring a variation of the resistance force on the oar handle adequate for the resistance that occurs during a real boat rowing stroke.

Force user's manual: A portable, parallel FORTRAN

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jordan, Harry F.; Benten, Muhammad S.; Arenstorf, Norbert S.; Ramanan, Aruna V.

1990-01-01

The use of Force, a parallel, portable FORTRAN on shared memory parallel computers is described. Force simplifies writing code for parallel computers and, once the parallel code is written, it is easily ported to computers on which Force is installed. Although Force is nearly the same for all computers, specific details are included for the Cray-2, Cray-YMP, Convex 220, Flex/32, Encore, Sequent, Alliant computers on which it is installed.

Assessment of RANS and LES Turbulence Modeling for Buoyancy-Aided/Opposed Forced and Mixed Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clifford, Corey; Kimber, Mark

2017-11-01

Over the last 30 years, an industry-wide shift within the nuclear community has led to increased utilization of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to supplement nuclear reactor safety analyses. One such area that is of particular interest to the nuclear community, specifically to those performing loss-of-flow accident (LOFA) analyses for next-generation very-high temperature reactors (VHTR), is the capacity of current computational models to predict heat transfer across a wide range of buoyancy conditions. In the present investigation, a critical evaluation of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and large-eddy simulation (LES) turbulence modeling techniques is conducted based on CFD validation data collected from the Rotatable Buoyancy Tunnel (RoBuT) at Utah State University. Four different experimental flow conditions are investigated: (1) buoyancy-aided forced convection; (2) buoyancy-opposed forced convection; (3) buoyancy-aided mixed convection; (4) buoyancy-opposed mixed convection. Overall, good agreement is found for both forced convection-dominated scenarios, but an overly-diffusive prediction of the normal Reynolds stress is observed for the RANS-based turbulence models. Low-Reynolds number RANS models perform adequately for mixed convection, while higher-order RANS approaches underestimate the influence of buoyancy on the production of turbulence.

Numerical investigation of pulmonary drug delivery under mechanical ventilation conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, Arindam; van Rhein, Timothy

2012-11-01

The effects of mechanical ventilation waveform on fluid flow and particle deposition were studied in a computer model of the human airways. The frequency with which aerosolized drugs are delivered to mechanically ventilated patients demonstrates the importance of understanding the effects of ventilation parameters. This study focuses specifically on the effects of mechanical ventilation waveforms using a computer model of the airways of patient undergoing mechanical ventilation treatment from the endotracheal tube to generation G7. Waveforms were modeled as those commonly used by commercial mechanical ventilators. Turbulence was modeled with LES. User defined particle force models were used to model the drag force with the Cunningham correction factor, the Saffman lift force, and Brownian motion force. The endotracheal tube (ETT) was found to be an important geometric feature, causing a fluid jet towards the right main bronchus, increased turbulence, and a recirculation zone in the right main bronchus. In addition to the enhanced deposition seen at the carinas of the airway bifurcations, enhanced deposition was also seen in the right main bronchus due to impaction and turbulent dispersion resulting from the fluid structures created by the ETT. Authors acknowledge financial support through University of Missouri Research Board Award.

Potentials of Mean Force With Ab Initio Mixed Hamiltonian Models of Solvation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dupuis, Michel; Schenter, Gregory K.; Garrett, Bruce C.

2003-08-01

We give an account of a computationally tractable and efficient procedure for the calculation of potentials of mean force using mixed Hamiltonian models of electronic structure where quantum subsystems are described with computationally intensive ab initio wavefunctions. The mixed Hamiltonian is mapped into an all-classical Hamiltonian that is amenable to a thermodynamic perturbation treatment for the calculation of free energies. A small number of statistically uncorrelated (solute-solvent) configurations are selected from the Monte Carlo random walk generated with the all-classical Hamiltonian approximation. Those are used in the averaging of the free energy using the mixed quantum/classical Hamiltonian. The methodology ismore » illustrated for the micro-solvated SN2 substitution reaction of methyl chloride by hydroxide. We also compare the potential of mean force calculated with the above protocol with an approximate formalism, one in which the potential of mean force calculated with the all-classical Hamiltonian is simply added to the energy of the isolated (non-solvated) solute along the reaction path. Interestingly the latter approach is found to be in semi-quantitative agreement with the full mixed Hamiltonian approximation.« less

Exploring the Flux Tube Paradigm in Solar-like Convection Zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, Maria A.; Nelson, Nicholas; Browning, Matthew

2017-08-01

In the solar context, important insight into the flux emergence process has been obtained by assuming the magnetism giving rise to sunspots consists partly of idealized flux tubes. Global-scale dynamo models are only now beginning to capture some aspects of flux emergence. In certain regimes, these simulations self-consistently generate magnetic flux structures that rise buoyantly through the computational domain. How similar are these dynamo-generated, rising flux structures to traditional flux tube models? The work we present here is a step toward addressing this question. We utilize the thin flux tube (TFT) approximation to simply model the evolution of flux tubes in a global, three-dimensional geometry. The TFTs are embedded in convective flows taken from a global dynamo simulation of a rapidly rotating Sun within which buoyant flux structures arise naturally from wreaths of magnetism. The initial conditions of the TFTs are informed by rising flux structures identified in the dynamo simulation. We compare the trajectories of the dynamo-generated flux loops with those computed through the TFT approach. We also assess the nature of the relevant forces acting on both sets of flux structures, such as buoyancy, the Coriolis force, and external forces imparted by the surrounding convection. To achieve the fast <15 day rise of the buoyant flux structures, we must suppress the large retrograde flow established inside the TFTs which occurs due to a strong conservation of angular momentum as they move outward. This tendency is common in flux tube models in solar-like convection zones, but is not present to the same degree in the dynamo-generated flux loops. We discuss the mechanisms that may be responsible for suppressing the axial flow inside the flux tube, and consider the implications this has regarding the role of the Coriolis force in explaining sunspot latitudes and the observed Joy’s Law trend of active regions. Our work aims to provide constraints, and possible calibrations, on the traditional flux tube model as it pertains to the Sun and other spotted stars.

A CFD-informed quasi-steady model of flapping wing aerodynamics.

PubMed

Nakata, Toshiyuki; Liu, Hao; Bomphrey, Richard J

2015-11-01

Aerodynamic performance and agility during flapping flight are determined by the combination of wing shape and kinematics. The degree of morphological and kinematic optimisation is unknown and depends upon a large parameter space. Aimed at providing an accurate and computationally inexpensive modelling tool for flapping-wing aerodynamics, we propose a novel CFD (computational fluid dynamics)-informed quasi-steady model (CIQSM), which assumes that the aerodynamic forces on a flapping wing can be decomposed into the quasi-steady forces and parameterised based on CFD results. Using least-squares fitting, we determine a set of proportional coefficients for the quasi-steady model relating wing kinematics to instantaneous aerodynamic force and torque; we calculate power with the product of quasi-steady torques and angular velocity. With the quasi-steady model fully and independently parameterised on the basis of high-fidelity CFD modelling, it is capable of predicting flapping-wing aerodynamic forces and power more accurately than the conventional blade element model (BEM) does. The improvement can be attributed to, for instance, taking into account the effects of the induced downwash and the wing tip vortex on the force generation and power consumption. Our model is validated by comparing the aerodynamics of a CFD model and the present quasi-steady model using the example case of a hovering hawkmoth. It demonstrates that the CIQSM outperforms the conventional BEM while remaining computationally cheap, and hence can be an effective tool for revealing the mechanisms of optimization and control of kinematics and morphology in flapping-wing flight for both bio-flyers and unmanned air systems.

A CFD-informed quasi-steady model of flapping wing aerodynamics

PubMed Central

Nakata, Toshiyuki; Liu, Hao; Bomphrey, Richard J.

2016-01-01

Aerodynamic performance and agility during flapping flight are determined by the combination of wing shape and kinematics. The degree of morphological and kinematic optimisation is unknown and depends upon a large parameter space. Aimed at providing an accurate and computationally inexpensive modelling tool for flapping-wing aerodynamics, we propose a novel CFD (computational fluid dynamics)-informed quasi-steady model (CIQSM), which assumes that the aerodynamic forces on a flapping wing can be decomposed into the quasi-steady forces and parameterised based on CFD results. Using least-squares fitting, we determine a set of proportional coefficients for the quasi-steady model relating wing kinematics to instantaneous aerodynamic force and torque; we calculate power with the product of quasi-steady torques and angular velocity. With the quasi-steady model fully and independently parameterised on the basis of high-fidelity CFD modelling, it is capable of predicting flapping-wing aerodynamic forces and power more accurately than the conventional blade element model (BEM) does. The improvement can be attributed to, for instance, taking into account the effects of the induced downwash and the wing tip vortex on the force generation and power consumption. Our model is validated by comparing the aerodynamics of a CFD model and the present quasi-steady model using the example case of a hovering hawkmoth. It demonstrates that the CIQSM outperforms the conventional BEM while remaining computationally cheap, and hence can be an effective tool for revealing the mechanisms of optimization and control of kinematics and morphology in flapping-wing flight for both bio-flyers and unmanned air systems. PMID:27346891

Study of the TRAC Airfoil Table Computational System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hu, Hong

1999-01-01

The report documents the study of the application of the TRAC airfoil table computational package (TRACFOIL) to the prediction of 2D airfoil force and moment data over a wide range of angle of attack and Mach number. The TRACFOIL generates the standard C-81 airfoil table for input into rotorcraft comprehensive codes such as CAM- RAD. The existing TRACFOIL computer package is successfully modified to run on Digital alpha workstations and on Cray-C90 supercomputers. A step-by-step instruction for using the package on both computer platforms is provided. Application of the newer version of TRACFOIL is made for two airfoil sections. The C-81 data obtained using the TRACFOIL method are compared with those of wind-tunnel data and results are presented.

Computational algorithms for simulations in atmospheric optics.

PubMed

Konyaev, P A; Lukin, V P

2016-04-20

A computer simulation technique for atmospheric and adaptive optics based on parallel programing is discussed. A parallel propagation algorithm is designed and a modified spectral-phase method for computer generation of 2D time-variant random fields is developed. Temporal power spectra of Laguerre-Gaussian beam fluctuations are considered as an example to illustrate the applications discussed. Implementation of the proposed algorithms using Intel MKL and IPP libraries and NVIDIA CUDA technology is shown to be very fast and accurate. The hardware system for the computer simulation is an off-the-shelf desktop with an Intel Core i7-4790K CPU operating at a turbo-speed frequency up to 5 GHz and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX-960 graphics accelerator with 1024 1.5 GHz processors.

The MusIC method: a fast and quasi-optimal solution to the muscle forces estimation problem.

PubMed

Muller, A; Pontonnier, C; Dumont, G

2018-02-01

The present paper aims at presenting a fast and quasi-optimal method of muscle forces estimation: the MusIC method. It consists in interpolating a first estimation in a database generated offline thanks to a classical optimization problem, and then correcting it to respect the motion dynamics. Three different cost functions - two polynomial criteria and a min/max criterion - were tested on a planar musculoskeletal model. The MusIC method provides a computation frequency approximately 10 times higher compared to a classical optimization problem with a relative mean error of 4% on cost function evaluation.

Using mixed reality, force feedback and tactile augmentation to improve the realism of medical simulation.

PubMed

Fisher, J Brian; Porter, Susan M

2002-01-01

This paper describes an application of a display approach which uses chromakey techniques to composite real and computer-generated images allowing a user to see his hands and medical instruments collocated with the display of virtual objects during a medical training simulation. Haptic feedback is provided through the use of a PHANTOM force feedback device in addition to tactile augmentation, which allows the user to touch virtual objects by introducing corresponding real objects in the workspace. A simplified catheter introducer insertion simulation was developed to demonstrate the capabilities of this approach.

Three-dimensional data-tracking dynamic optimization simulations of human locomotion generated by direct collocation.

PubMed

Lin, Yi-Chung; Pandy, Marcus G

2017-07-05

The aim of this study was to perform full-body three-dimensional (3D) dynamic optimization simulations of human locomotion by driving a neuromusculoskeletal model toward in vivo measurements of body-segmental kinematics and ground reaction forces. Gait data were recorded from 5 healthy participants who walked at their preferred speeds and ran at 2m/s. Participant-specific data-tracking dynamic optimization solutions were generated for one stride cycle using direct collocation in tandem with an OpenSim-MATLAB interface. The body was represented as a 12-segment, 21-degree-of-freedom skeleton actuated by 66 muscle-tendon units. Foot-ground interaction was simulated using six contact spheres under each foot. The dynamic optimization problem was to find the set of muscle excitations needed to reproduce 3D measurements of body-segmental motions and ground reaction forces while minimizing the time integral of muscle activations squared. Direct collocation took on average 2.7±1.0h and 2.2±1.6h of CPU time, respectively, to solve the optimization problems for walking and running. Model-computed kinematics and foot-ground forces were in good agreement with corresponding experimental data while the calculated muscle excitation patterns were consistent with measured EMG activity. The results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing direct collocation on a detailed neuromusculoskeletal model with foot-ground contact to accurately and efficiently generate 3D data-tracking dynamic optimization simulations of human locomotion. The proposed method offers a viable tool for creating feasible initial guesses needed to perform predictive simulations of movement using dynamic optimization theory. The source code for implementing the model and computational algorithm may be downloaded at http://simtk.org/home/datatracking. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New modified multi-level residue harmonic balance method for solving nonlinearly vibrating double-beam problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, Md. Saifur; Lee, Yiu-Yin

2017-10-01

In this study, a new modified multi-level residue harmonic balance method is presented and adopted to investigate the forced nonlinear vibrations of axially loaded double beams. Although numerous nonlinear beam or linear double-beam problems have been tackled and solved, there have been few studies of this nonlinear double-beam problem. The geometric nonlinear formulations for a double-beam model are developed. The main advantage of the proposed method is that a set of decoupled nonlinear algebraic equations is generated at each solution level. This heavily reduces the computational effort compared with solving the coupled nonlinear algebraic equations generated in the classical harmonic balance method. The proposed method can generate the higher-level nonlinear solutions that are neglected by the previous modified harmonic balance method. The results from the proposed method agree reasonably well with those from the classical harmonic balance method. The effects of damping, axial force, and excitation magnitude on the nonlinear vibrational behaviour are examined.

Modeling radiation forces acting on TOPEX/Poseidon for precision orbit determination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshall, J. A.; Luthcke, S. B.; Antreasian, P. G.; Rosborough, G. W.

1992-01-01

Geodetic satellites such as GEOSAT, SPOT, ERS-1, and TOPEX/Poseidon require accurate orbital computations to support the scientific data they collect. Until recently, gravity field mismodeling was the major source of error in precise orbit definition. However, albedo and infrared re-radiation, and spacecraft thermal imbalances produce in combination no more than a 6-cm radial root-mean-square (RMS) error over a 10-day period. This requires the development of nonconservative force models that take the satellite's complex geometry, attitude, and surface properties into account. For TOPEX/Poseidon, a 'box-wing' satellite form was investigated that models the satellite as a combination of flat plates arranged in a box shape with a connected solar array. The nonconservative forces acting on each of the eight surfaces are computed independently, yielding vector accelerations which are summed to compute the total aggregate effect on the satellite center-of-mass. In order to test the validity of this concept, 'micro-models' based on finite element analysis of TOPEX/Poseidon were used to generate acceleration histories in a wide variety of orbit orientations. These profiles are then compared to the box-wing model. The results of these simulations and their implication on the ability to precisely model the TOPEX/Poseidon orbit are discussed.

Spatial and temporal modulation of joint stiffness during multijoint movement.

PubMed

Mah, C D

2001-02-01

Joint stiffness measurements during small transient perturbations have suggested that stiffness during movement is different from that observed during posture. These observations are problematic for theories like the classical equilibrium point hypothesis, which suggest that desired trajectories during movement are enforced by joint stiffness. We measured arm impedances during large, slow perturbations to obtain detailed information about the spatial and temporal modulation of stiffness and viscosity during movement. While our measurements of stiffness magnitudes during movement generally agreed with the results of measurements using fast perturbations, they revealed that joint stiffness undergoes stereotyped changes in magnitude and aspect ratio which depend on the direction of movement and show a strong dependence on joint angles. Movement simulations using measured parameters show that the measured modulation of impedance acts as an energy conserving force field to constrain movement. This mechanism allows for a computationally simplified account of the execution of multijoint movement. While our measurements do not rule out a role for afferent feedback in force generation, the observed stereotyped restoring forces can allow a dramatic relaxation of the accuracy requirements for forces generated by other control mechanisms, such as inverse dynamical models.

The brain adjusts grip forces differently according to gravity and inertia: a parabolic flight experiment

PubMed Central

White, Olivier

2015-01-01

In everyday life, one of the most frequent activities involves accelerating and decelerating an object held in precision grip. In many contexts, humans scale and synchronize their grip force (GF), normal to the finger/object contact, in anticipation of the expected tangential load force (LF), resulting from the combination of the gravitational and the inertial forces. In many contexts, GF and LF are linearly coupled. A few studies have examined how we adjust the parameters–gain and offset–of this linear relationship. However, the question remains open as to how the brain adjusts GF regardless of whether LF is generated by different combinations of weight and inertia. Here, we designed conditions to generate equivalent magnitudes of LF by independently varying mass and movement frequency. In a control experiment, we directly manipulated gravity in parabolic flights, while other factors remained constant. We show with a simple computational approach that, to adjust GF, the brain is sensitive to how LFs are produced at the fingertips. This provides clear evidence that the analysis of the origin of LF is performed centrally, and not only at the periphery. PMID:25717293

Computer Generated Image: Relative Training Effectiveness of Day Versus Night Visual Scenes. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Elizabeth L.; Cataneo, Daniel F.

A study was conducted by the Air Force to determine the extent to which takeoff/landing skills learned in a simulator equipped with a night visual system would transfer to daytime performance in the aircraft. A transfer-of-training design was used to assess the differential effectiveness of simulator training with a day versus a night…

Factors which influence the behavior of turbofan forced mixer nozzles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, B. H.; Povinelli, L. A.

1981-01-01

A finite difference procedure was used to compute the mixing for three experimentally tested mixer geometries. Good agreement was obtained between analysis and experiment when the mechanisms responsible for secondary flow generation were properly modeled. Vorticity generation due to flow turning and vorticity generated within the centerbody lobe passage were found to be important. Results are presented for two different temperature ratios between fan and core streams and for two different free stream turbulence levels. It was concluded that the dominant mechanisms in turbofan mixers is associated with the secondary flows arising within the lobe region and their development within the mixing section.

DelPhi webserver: Comprehensive suite for electrostatic calculations of biological macromolecules and their complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witham, Shawn; Boylen, Brett; Owesen, Barr; Rocchia, Walter; Alexov, Emil

2011-03-01

Electrostatic forces and energies are two of the major components that contribute to the stability, function and interaction of biological macromolecules. The calculations of the electrostatic potential distribution in such systems, which are comprised of irregularly shaped objects immersed in a water phase, is not a trivial task. In addition, an accurate model requires any missing hydrogen atoms of the corresponding structural files (Protein Data Bank, or, PDB files) to be generated in silico and, if necessary, missing atoms or residues to be predicted as well. Here we report a comprehensive suite, an academic DelPhi webserver, which allows the users to upload their structural file, calculate the components of the electrostatic energy, generate the corresponding potential (and/or concentration/dielectric constant) distribution map, and choose the appropriate force field. The webserver utilizes modern technology to take user input and construct an algorithm that suits the users specific needs. The webserver uses Clemson University's Palmetto Supercomputer Cluster to handle the DelPhi calculations, which can range anywhere from small and short computation times, to extensive and computationally demanding runtimes. The work was supported by a grant from NIGMS, NIH, grant number 1R01GM093937-01.

Augmented Computer Mouse Would Measure Applied Force

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Larry C. H.

1993-01-01

Proposed computer mouse measures force of contact applied by user. Adds another dimension to two-dimensional-position-measuring capability of conventional computer mouse; force measurement designated to represent any desired continuously variable function of time and position, such as control force, acceleration, velocity, or position along axis perpendicular to computer video display. Proposed mouse enhances sense of realism and intuition in interaction between operator and computer. Useful in such applications as three-dimensional computer graphics, computer games, and mathematical modeling of dynamics.

GENIE - Generation of computational geometry-grids for internal-external flow configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soni, B. K.

1988-01-01

Progress realized in the development of a master geometry-grid generation code GENIE is presented. The grid refinement process is enhanced by developing strategies to utilize bezier curves/surfaces and splines along with weighted transfinite interpolation technique and by formulating new forcing function for the elliptic solver based on the minimization of a non-orthogonality functional. A two step grid adaptation procedure is developed by optimally blending adaptive weightings with weighted transfinite interpolation technique. Examples of 2D-3D grids are provided to illustrate the success of these methods.

The new Mobile Command Center at KSC is important addition to emergency preparedness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This new specially equipped vehicle serves as a mobile command center for emergency preparedness staff and other support personnel when needed at KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It features a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or CCAFS.

KSC00pp1574

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

Charles Street, Roger Scheidt and Robert ZiBerna, the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC, sit in the conference room inside the Mobile Command Center, a specially equipped vehicle. Nicknamed “The Brute,” it also features computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

KSC00pp1573

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

Robert ZiBerna, Roger Scheidt and Charles Street, the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC, practice for an emergency scenario inside the Mobile Command Center, a specially equipped vehicle. It features a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

KSC-00pp1574

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

Charles Street, Roger Scheidt and Robert ZiBerna, the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC, sit in the conference room inside the Mobile Command Center, a specially equipped vehicle. Nicknamed “The Brute,” it also features computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

KSC-00pp1573

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

Robert ZiBerna, Roger Scheidt and Charles Street, the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC, practice for an emergency scenario inside the Mobile Command Center, a specially equipped vehicle. It features a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

Nonlinear state-space modelling of the kinematics of an oscillating circular cylinder in a fluid flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Decuyper, J.; De Troyer, T.; Runacres, M. C.; Tiels, K.; Schoukens, J.

2018-01-01

The flow-induced vibration of bluff bodies is an important problem of many marine, civil, or mechanical engineers. In the design phase of such structures, it is vital to obtain good predictions of the fluid forces acting on the structure. Current methods rely on computational fluid dynamic simulations (CFD), with a too high computational cost to be effectively used in the design phase or for control applications. Alternative methods use heuristic mathematical models of the fluid forces, but these lack the accuracy (they often assume the system to be linear) or flexibility to be useful over a wide operating range. In this work we show that it is possible to build an accurate, flexible and low-computational-cost mathematical model using nonlinear system identification techniques. This model is data driven: it is trained over a user-defined region of interest using data obtained from experiments or simulations, or both. Here we use a Van der Pol oscillator as well as CFD simulations of an oscillating circular cylinder to generate the training data. Then a discrete-time polynomial nonlinear state-space model is fit to the data. This model relates the oscillation of the cylinder to the force that the fluid exerts on the cylinder. The model is finally validated over a wide range of oscillation frequencies and amplitudes, both inside and outside the so-called lock-in region. We show that forces simulated by the model are in good agreement with the data obtained from CFD.

Effects of cross-bridge compliance on the force-velocity relationship and muscle power output

PubMed Central

Fenwick, Axel J.; Wood, Alexander M.

2017-01-01

Muscles produce force and power by utilizing chemical energy through ATP hydrolysis. During concentric contractions (shortening), muscles generate less force compared to isometric contractions, but consume greater amounts of energy as shortening velocity increases. Conversely, more force is generated and less energy is consumed during eccentric muscle contractions (lengthening). This relationship between force, energy use, and the velocity of contraction has important implications for understanding muscle efficiency, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this behavior remain poorly understood. Here we used spatially-explicit, multi-filament models of Ca2+-regulated force production within a half-sarcomere to simulate how force production, energy utilization, and the number of bound cross-bridges are affected by dynamic changes in sarcomere length. These computational simulations show that cross-bridge binding increased during slow-velocity concentric and eccentric contractions, compared to isometric contractions. Over the full ranges of velocities that we simulated, cross-bridge cycling and energy utilization (i.e. ATPase rates) increased during shortening, and decreased during lengthening. These findings are consistent with the Fenn effect, but arise from a complicated relationship between velocity-dependent cross-bridge recruitment and cross-bridge cycling kinetics. We also investigated how force production, power output, and energy utilization varied with cross-bridge and myofilament compliance, which is impossible to address under typical experimental conditions. These important simulations show that increasing cross-bridge compliance resulted in greater cross-bridge binding and ATPase activity, but less force was generated per cross-bridge and throughout the sarcomere. These data indicate that the efficiency of force production decreases in a velocity-dependent manner, and that this behavior is sensitive to cross-bridge compliance. In contrast, significant effects of myofilament compliance on force production were only observed during isometric contractions, suggesting that changes in myofilament compliance may not influence power output during non-isometric contractions as greatly as changes in cross-bridge compliance. These findings advance our understanding of how cross-bridge and myofilament properties underlie velocity-dependent changes in contractile efficiency during muscle movement. PMID:29284062

Effects of cross-bridge compliance on the force-velocity relationship and muscle power output.

PubMed

Fenwick, Axel J; Wood, Alexander M; Tanner, Bertrand C W

2017-01-01

Muscles produce force and power by utilizing chemical energy through ATP hydrolysis. During concentric contractions (shortening), muscles generate less force compared to isometric contractions, but consume greater amounts of energy as shortening velocity increases. Conversely, more force is generated and less energy is consumed during eccentric muscle contractions (lengthening). This relationship between force, energy use, and the velocity of contraction has important implications for understanding muscle efficiency, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this behavior remain poorly understood. Here we used spatially-explicit, multi-filament models of Ca2+-regulated force production within a half-sarcomere to simulate how force production, energy utilization, and the number of bound cross-bridges are affected by dynamic changes in sarcomere length. These computational simulations show that cross-bridge binding increased during slow-velocity concentric and eccentric contractions, compared to isometric contractions. Over the full ranges of velocities that we simulated, cross-bridge cycling and energy utilization (i.e. ATPase rates) increased during shortening, and decreased during lengthening. These findings are consistent with the Fenn effect, but arise from a complicated relationship between velocity-dependent cross-bridge recruitment and cross-bridge cycling kinetics. We also investigated how force production, power output, and energy utilization varied with cross-bridge and myofilament compliance, which is impossible to address under typical experimental conditions. These important simulations show that increasing cross-bridge compliance resulted in greater cross-bridge binding and ATPase activity, but less force was generated per cross-bridge and throughout the sarcomere. These data indicate that the efficiency of force production decreases in a velocity-dependent manner, and that this behavior is sensitive to cross-bridge compliance. In contrast, significant effects of myofilament compliance on force production were only observed during isometric contractions, suggesting that changes in myofilament compliance may not influence power output during non-isometric contractions as greatly as changes in cross-bridge compliance. These findings advance our understanding of how cross-bridge and myofilament properties underlie velocity-dependent changes in contractile efficiency during muscle movement.

Controlling under-actuated robot arms using a high speed dynamics process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jain, Abhinandan (Inventor); Rodriguez, Guillermo (Inventor)

1994-01-01

The invention controls an under-actuated manipulator by first obtaining predetermined active joint accelerations of the active joints and the passive joint friction forces of the passive joints, then computing articulated body qualities for each of the joints from the current positions of the links, and finally computing from the articulated body qualities and from the active joint accelerations and the passive joint forces, active joint forces of the active joints. Ultimately, the invention transmits servo commands to the active joint forces thus computed to the respective ones of the joint servos. The computation of the active joint forces is accomplished using a recursive dynamics algorithm. In this computation, an inward recursion is first carried out for each link, beginning with the outermost link in order to compute the residual link force of each link from the active joint acceleration if the corresponding joint is active, or from the known passive joint force if the corresponding joint is passive. Then, an outward recursion is carried out for each link in which the active joint force is computed from the residual link force if the corresponding joint is active or the passive joint acceleration is computed from the residual link force if the corresponding joint is passive.

Space Software for Automotive Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

John Thousand of Wolverine Western Corp. put his aerospace group to work on an unfamiliar job, designing a brake drum using computer design techniques. Computer design involves creation of a mathematical model of a product and analyzing its effectiveness in simulated operation. Technique enables study of performance and structural behavior of a number of different designs before settling on a final configuration. Wolverine employees attacked a traditional brake drum problem, the sudden buildup of heat during fast and repeated braking. Part of brake drum not confined tends to change its shape under combination of heat, physical pressure and rotational forces, a condition known as bellmouthing. Since bellmouthing is a major factor in braking effectiveness, a solution of problem would be a major advance in automotive engineering. A former NASA employee, now a Wolverine employee, knew of a series of NASA computer programs ideally suited to confronting bellmouthing. Originally developed as aids to rocket engine nozzle design, it's capable of analyzing problems generated in a rocket engine or automotive brake drum by heat, expansion, pressure and rotational forces. Use of these computer programs led to new brake drum concept featuring a more durable axle, and heat transfer ribs, or fins, on hub of drum.

Quantum decision-maker theory and simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zak, Michail; Meyers, Ronald E.; Deacon, Keith S.

2000-07-01

A quantum device simulating the human decision making process is introduced. It consists of quantum recurrent nets generating stochastic processes which represent the motor dynamics, and of classical neural nets describing the evolution of probabilities of these processes which represent the mental dynamics. The autonomy of the decision making process is achieved by a feedback from the mental to motor dynamics which changes the stochastic matrix based upon the probability distribution. This feedback replaces unavailable external information by an internal knowledge- base stored in the mental model in the form of probability distributions. As a result, the coupled motor-mental dynamics is described by a nonlinear version of Markov chains which can decrease entropy without an external source of information. Applications to common sense based decisions as well as to evolutionary games are discussed. An example exhibiting self-organization is computed using quantum computer simulation. Force on force and mutual aircraft engagements using the quantum decision maker dynamics are considered.

Solar Synthesis of PbS-SnS2 Superstructure Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Brontvein, Olga; Albu-Yaron, Ana; Levy, Moshe; Feuerman, Daniel; Popovitz-Biro, Ronit; Tenne, Reshef; Enyashin, Andrey; Gordon, Jeffrey M

2015-08-25

We report the synthesis and supporting density-functional-theory computations for a closed-cage, misfit layered-compound superstructure from PbS-SnS2, generated by highly concentrated sunlight from a precursor mixture of Pb, SnS2, and graphite. The unique reactor conditions created in our solar furnace are found to be particularly conducive to the formation of these nanomaterials. Detailed structural and chemical characterization revealed a spontaneous inside-out formation mechanism, with a broad range of nonhollow fullerene-like structures starting at a diameter of ∼20 nm and a wall thickness of ∼5 layers. The computations also reveal a counterintuitive charge transfer pathway from the SnS2 layers to the PbS layers, which indicates that, in contrast to binary-layered compounds where it is principally van der Waals forces that hold the layers together, polar forces appear to be as important in stabilizing superstructures of misfit layered compounds.

A numerical investigation of flow around octopus-like arms: near-wake vortex patterns and force development.

PubMed

Kazakidi, A; Vavourakis, V; Tsakiris, D P; Ekaterinaris, J A

2015-01-01

The fluid dynamics of cephalopods has so far received little attention in the literature, due to their complexity in structure and locomotion. The flow around octopuses, in particular, can be complicated due to their agile and dexterous arms, which frequently display some of the most diverse mechanisms of motion. The study of this flow amounts to a specific instance of the hydrodynamics problem for rough tapered cylinder geometries. The outstanding manipulative and locomotor skills of octopuses could inspire the development of advanced robotic arms, able to operate in fluid environments. Our primary aim was to study the hydrodynamic characteristics of such bio-inspired robotic models and to derive the hydrodynamic force coefficients as a concise description of the vortical flow effects. Utilizing computational fluid dynamic methods, the coefficients were computed on realistic morphologies of octopus-like arm models undergoing prescribed solid-body movements; such motions occur in nature for short durations in time, e.g. during reaching movements and exploratory behaviors. Numerical simulations were performed on translating, impulsively rotating, and maneuvering arms, around which the flow field structures were investigated. The results reveal in detail the generation of complex vortical flow structures around the moving arms. Hydrodynamic forces acting on a translating arm depend on the angle of incidence; forces generated during impulsive rotations of the arms are independent of their exact morphology and the angle of rotation; periodic motions based on a slow recovery and a fast power stroke are able to produce considerable propulsive thrust while harmonic motions are not. Parts of these results have been employed in bio-inspired models of underwater robotic mechanisms. This investigation may further assist elucidating the hydrodynamics underlying aspects of octopus locomotion and exploratory behaviors.

gCUP: rapid GPU-based HIV-1 co-receptor usage prediction for next-generation sequencing.

PubMed

Olejnik, Michael; Steuwer, Michel; Gorlatch, Sergei; Heider, Dominik

2014-11-15

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has a large potential in HIV diagnostics, and genotypic prediction models have been developed and successfully tested in the recent years. However, albeit being highly accurate, these computational models lack computational efficiency to reach their full potential. In this study, we demonstrate the use of graphics processing units (GPUs) in combination with a computational prediction model for HIV tropism. Our new model named gCUP, parallelized and optimized for GPU, is highly accurate and can classify >175 000 sequences per second on an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460. The computational efficiency of our new model is the next step to enable NGS technologies to reach clinical significance in HIV diagnostics. Moreover, our approach is not limited to HIV tropism prediction, but can also be easily adapted to other settings, e.g. drug resistance prediction. The source code can be downloaded at http://www.heiderlab.de d.heider@wz-straubing.de. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Development of a model of the coronary arterial tree for the 4D XCAT phantom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fung, George S. K.; Segars, W. Paul; Gullberg, Grant T.; Tsui, Benjamin M. W.

2011-09-01

A detailed three-dimensional (3D) model of the coronary artery tree with cardiac motion has great potential for applications in a wide variety of medical imaging research areas. In this work, we first developed a computer-generated 3D model of the coronary arterial tree for the heart in the extended cardiac-torso (XCAT) phantom, thereby creating a realistic computer model of the human anatomy. The coronary arterial tree model was based on two datasets: (1) a gated cardiac dual-source computed tomography (CT) angiographic dataset obtained from a normal human subject and (2) statistical morphometric data of porcine hearts. The initial proximal segments of the vasculature and the anatomical details of the boundaries of the ventricles were defined by segmenting the CT data. An iterative rule-based generation method was developed and applied to extend the coronary arterial tree beyond the initial proximal segments. The algorithm was governed by three factors: (1) statistical morphometric measurements of the connectivity, lengths and diameters of the arterial segments; (2) avoidance forces from other vessel segments and the boundaries of the myocardium, and (3) optimality principles which minimize the drag force at the bifurcations of the generated tree. Using this algorithm, the 3D computational model of the largest six orders of the coronary arterial tree was generated, which spread across the myocardium of the left and right ventricles. The 3D coronary arterial tree model was then extended to 4D to simulate different cardiac phases by deforming the original 3D model according to the motion vector map of the 4D cardiac model of the XCAT phantom at the corresponding phases. As a result, a detailed and realistic 4D model of the coronary arterial tree was developed for the XCAT phantom by imposing constraints of anatomical and physiological characteristics of the coronary vasculature. This new 4D coronary artery tree model provides a unique simulation tool that can be used in the development and evaluation of instrumentation and methods for imaging normal and pathological hearts with myocardial perfusion defects.

SOMAR-LES: A framework for multi-scale modeling of turbulent stratified oceanic flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chalamalla, Vamsi K.; Santilli, Edward; Scotti, Alberto; Jalali, Masoud; Sarkar, Sutanu

2017-12-01

A new multi-scale modeling technique, SOMAR-LES, is presented in this paper. Localized grid refinement gives SOMAR (the Stratified Ocean Model with Adaptive Resolution) access to small scales of the flow which are normally inaccessible to general circulation models (GCMs). SOMAR-LES drives a LES (Large Eddy Simulation) on SOMAR's finest grids, forced with large scale forcing from the coarser grids. Three-dimensional simulations of internal tide generation, propagation and scattering are performed to demonstrate this multi-scale modeling technique. In the case of internal tide generation at a two-dimensional bathymetry, SOMAR-LES is able to balance the baroclinic energy budget and accurately model turbulence losses at only 10% of the computational cost required by a non-adaptive solver running at SOMAR-LES's fine grid resolution. This relative cost is significantly reduced in situations with intermittent turbulence or where the location of the turbulence is not known a priori because SOMAR-LES does not require persistent, global, high resolution. To illustrate this point, we consider a three-dimensional bathymetry with grids adaptively refined along the tidally generated internal waves to capture remote mixing in regions of wave focusing. The computational cost in this case is found to be nearly 25 times smaller than that of a non-adaptive solver at comparable resolution. In the final test case, we consider the scattering of a mode-1 internal wave at an isolated two-dimensional and three-dimensional topography, and we compare the results with Legg (2014) numerical experiments. We find good agreement with theoretical estimates. SOMAR-LES is less dissipative than the closure scheme employed by Legg (2014) near the bathymetry. Depending on the flow configuration and resolution employed, a reduction of more than an order of magnitude in computational costs is expected, relative to traditional existing solvers.

Understanding the interplay of weak forces in [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement for stereospecific synthesis of diamines.

PubMed

So, Soon Mog; Mui, Leo; Kim, Hyunwoo; Chin, Jik

2012-08-21

Chiral diamines are important building blocks for constructing stereoselective catalysts, including transition metal based catalysts and organocatalysts that facilitate oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, and C-C bond forming reactions. These molecules are also critical components in the synthesis of drugs, including antiviral agents such as Tamiflu and Relenza and anticancer agents such as oxaliplatin and nutlin-3. The diaza-Cope rearrangement reaction provides one of the most versatile methods for rapidly generating a wide variety of chiral diamines stereospecifically and under mild conditions. Weak forces such as hydrogen bonding, electronic, steric, oxyanionic, and conjugation effects can drive this equilibrium process to completion. In this Account, we examine the effect of these individual weak forces on the value of the equilibrium constant for the diaza-Cope rearrangement reaction using both computational and experimental methods. The availability of a wide variety of aldehydes and diamines allows for the facile synthesis of the diimines needed to study the weak forces. Furthermore, because the reaction generally takes place cleanly at ambient temperature, we can easily measure equilibrium constants for rearrangement of the diimines. We use the Hammett equation to further examine the electronic and oxyanionic effects. In addition, computations and experiments provide us with new insights into the origin and extent of stereospecificity for this rearrangement reaction. The diaza-Cope rearrangement, with its unusual interplay between weak forces and the equilibrium constant of the reaction, provides a rare opportunity to study the effects of the fundamental weak forces on a chemical reaction. Among these many weak forces that affect the diaza-Cope rearrangement, the anion effect is the strongest (10.9 kcal/mol) followed by the resonance-assisted hydrogen-bond effect (7.1 kcal/mol), the steric effect (5.7 kcal/mol), the conjugation effect (5.5 kcal/mol), and the electronic effect (3.2 kcal/mol). Based on both computation and experimental data, the effects of these weak forces are additive. Understanding the interplay of the weak forces in the [3,3]-sigmatropic reaction is interesting in its own right and also provides valuable insights for the synthesis of chiral diamine based drugs and catalysts in excellent yield and enantiopurity.

Predictive Simulations of Neuromuscular Coordination and Joint-Contact Loading in Human Gait.

PubMed

Lin, Yi-Chung; Walter, Jonathan P; Pandy, Marcus G

2018-04-18

We implemented direct collocation on a full-body neuromusculoskeletal model to calculate muscle forces, ground reaction forces and knee contact loading simultaneously for one cycle of human gait. A data-tracking collocation problem was solved for walking at the normal speed to establish the practicality of incorporating a 3D model of articular contact and a model of foot-ground interaction explicitly in a dynamic optimization simulation. The data-tracking solution then was used as an initial guess to solve predictive collocation problems, where novel patterns of movement were generated for walking at slow and fast speeds, independent of experimental data. The data-tracking solutions accurately reproduced joint motion, ground forces and knee contact loads measured for two total knee arthroplasty patients walking at their preferred speeds. RMS errors in joint kinematics were < 2.0° for rotations and < 0.3 cm for translations while errors in the model-computed ground-reaction and knee-contact forces were < 0.07 BW and < 0.4 BW, respectively. The predictive solutions were also consistent with joint kinematics, ground forces, knee contact loads and muscle activation patterns measured for slow and fast walking. The results demonstrate the feasibility of performing computationally-efficient, predictive, dynamic optimization simulations of movement using full-body, muscle-actuated models with realistic representations of joint function.

A globally calibrated scheme for generating daily meteorology from monthly statistics: Global-WGEN (GWGEN) v1.0

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sommer, Philipp S.; Kaplan, Jed O.

2017-10-01

While a wide range of Earth system processes occur at daily and even subdaily timescales, many global vegetation and other terrestrial dynamics models historically used monthly meteorological forcing both to reduce computational demand and because global datasets were lacking. Recently, dynamic land surface modeling has moved towards resolving daily and subdaily processes, and global datasets containing daily and subdaily meteorology have become available. These meteorological datasets, however, cover only the instrumental era of the last approximately 120 years at best, are subject to considerable uncertainty, and represent extremely large data files with associated computational costs of data input/output and file transfer. For periods before the recent past or in the future, global meteorological forcing can be provided by climate model output, but the quality of these data at high temporal resolution is low, particularly for daily precipitation frequency and amount. Here, we present GWGEN, a globally applicable statistical weather generator for the temporal downscaling of monthly climatology to daily meteorology. Our weather generator is parameterized using a global meteorological database and simulates daily values of five common variables: minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, and wind speed. GWGEN is lightweight, modular, and requires a minimal set of monthly mean variables as input. The weather generator may be used in a range of applications, for example, in global vegetation, crop, soil erosion, or hydrological models. While GWGEN does not currently perform spatially autocorrelated multi-point downscaling of daily weather, this additional functionality could be implemented in future versions.

Fast generation of computer-generated hologram by graphics processing unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuda, Sho; Fujii, Tomohiko; Yamaguchi, Takeshi; Yoshikawa, Hiroshi

2009-02-01

A cylindrical hologram is well known to be viewable in 360 deg. This hologram depends high pixel resolution.Therefore, Computer-Generated Cylindrical Hologram (CGCH) requires huge calculation amount.In our previous research, we used look-up table method for fast calculation with Intel Pentium4 2.8 GHz.It took 480 hours to calculate high resolution CGCH (504,000 x 63,000 pixels and the average number of object points are 27,000).To improve quality of CGCH reconstructed image, fringe pattern requires higher spatial frequency and resolution.Therefore, to increase the calculation speed, we have to change the calculation method. In this paper, to reduce the calculation time of CGCH (912,000 x 108,000 pixels), we employ Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).It took 4,406 hours to calculate high resolution CGCH on Xeon 3.4 GHz.Since GPU has many streaming processors and a parallel processing structure, GPU works as the high performance parallel processor.In addition, GPU gives max performance to 2 dimensional data and streaming data.Recently, GPU can be utilized for the general purpose (GPGPU).For example, NVIDIA's GeForce7 series became a programmable processor with Cg programming language.Next GeForce8 series have CUDA as software development kit made by NVIDIA.Theoretically, calculation ability of GPU is announced as 500 GFLOPS. From the experimental result, we have achieved that 47 times faster calculation compared with our previous work which used CPU.Therefore, CGCH can be generated in 95 hours.So, total time is 110 hours to calculate and print the CGCH.

Effects of Computer-Aided Interlimb Force Coupling Training on Paretic Hand and Arm Motor Control following Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Lin, Chueh-Ho; Chou, Li-Wei; Luo, Hong-Ji; Tsai, Po-Yi; Lieu, Fu-Kong; Chiang, Shang-Lin; Sung, Wen-Hsu

2015-01-01

Objective We investigated the training effects of interlimb force coupling training on paretic upper extremity outcomes in patients with chronic stroke and analyzed the relationship between motor recovery of the paretic hand, arm and functional performances on paretic upper limb. Design A randomized controlled trial with outcome assessment at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention. Setting Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University. Participants Thirty-three subjects with chronic stroke were recruited and randomly assigned to training (n = 16) and control groups (n = 17). Interventions The computer-aided interlimb force coupling training task with visual feedback included different grip force generation methods on both hands. Main Outcome Measures The Barthel Index (BI), the upper extremity motor control Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE), the Motor Assessment Score (MAS), and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). All assessments were executed by a blinded evaluator, and data management and statistical analysis were also conducted by a blinded researcher. Results The training group demonstrated greater improvement on the FMA-UE (p<.001), WMFT (p<.001), MAS (p = .004) and BI (p = .037) than the control group after 4 weeks of intervention. In addition, a moderate correlation was found between the improvement of scores for hand scales of the FMA and other portions of the FMA UE (r = .528, p = .018) or MAS (r = .596, p = .015) in the training group. Conclusion Computer-aided interlimb force coupling training improves the motor recovery of a paretic hand, and facilitates motor control and enhances functional performance in the paretic upper extremity of people with chronic stroke. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02247674. PMID:26193492

Simplifying silicon burning: Application of quasi-equilibrium to (alpha) network nucleosynthesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hix, W. R.; Thielemann, F.-K.; Khokhlov, A. M.; Wheeler, J. C.

1997-01-01

While the need for accurate calculation of nucleosynthesis and the resulting rate of thermonuclear energy release within hydrodynamic models of stars and supernovae is clear, the computational expense of these nucleosynthesis calculations often force a compromise in accuracy to reduce the computational cost. To redress this trade-off of accuracy for speed, the authors present an improved nuclear network which takes advantage of quasi- equilibrium in order to reduce the number of independent nuclei, and hence the computational cost of nucleosynthesis, without significant reduction in accuracy. In this paper they will discuss the first application of this method, the further reduction in size of the minimal alpha network. The resultant QSE- reduced alpha network is twice as fast as the conventional alpha network it replaces and requires the tracking of half as many abundance variables, while accurately estimating the rate of energy generation. Such reduction in cost is particularly necessary for future generation of multi-dimensional models for supernovae.

Rotational foot placement specifies the lever arm of the ground reaction force during the push-off phase of walking initiation.

PubMed

Erdemir, Ahmet; Piazza, Stephen J

2002-06-01

The lever arm of the ground reaction force (GRF) about the talocrural joint axis is a functionally important indicator of the nature of foot loading. Walking initiation experiments (ten subjects; age, 23-29 years) were completed to demonstrate that rotational foot placement is a possible strategy to specify the lever arm. Externally-rotated foot placement resulted in larger lever arms during push-off. A computer simulation of push-off revealed that a decreased lever arm reduces the plantarflexion moment necessary to maintain a constant forward velocity, while increasing the required plantarflexion velocity. Shortening of the foot thus diminishes the muscular force demand but also requires high muscle fiber shortening velocities that may limit the force generating capacity of plantar flexors. Decreased plantar flexion moment and slow walking previously noted in partial-foot amputees may result from shortened lever arms in this manner.

Digital Avionics Information System (DAIS): Life Cycle Cost Impact Modeling System (LCCIM)--A Managerial Overview. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goclowski, John C.; Baran, H. Anthony

This report gives a managerial overview of the Life Cycle Cost Impact Modeling System (LCCIM), which was designed to provide the Air Force with an in-house capability of assessing the life cycle cost impact of weapon system design alternatives. LCCIM consists of computer programs and the analyses which the user must perform to generate input data.…

Generation of Controllable Time-Mean Microvortices to Mimic Insect Flights

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

force to drive the suspended MEMs-based microplate to in-plane resonance. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Fluid Mechanics, Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs), Microvortices...suspended MEMS-based microplate to in-plane resonance. Briefly, AC current flows through suspended beam-like microelectrode structure – a microplate ... microplate . As a result, the observed flow features are time-mean microvortices. Computational effort centers around optimization of a range of

The influence of arc plasma parameters on the form of a welding pool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frolov, V. Ya.; Toropchin, A. I.

2015-07-01

The influence of the Marangoni force on the form of a welding pool has been considered. Results of computer simulation of the processes of welding arc generation with a non-consumable tungsten electrode in inert gas are shown. The experimental results are reported and comparatively analyzed. The calculations were carried out in a package of applied programs at various currents.

Cognitive Sciences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Session MP4 includes short reports on: (1) Face Recognition in Microgravity: Is Gravity Direction Involved in the Inversion Effect?; (2) Motor Timing under Microgravity; (3) Perceived Self-Motion Assessed by Computer-Generated Animations: Complexity and Reliability; (4) Prolonged Weightlessness Reference Frames and Visual Symmetry Detection; (5) Mental Representation of Gravity During a Locomotor Task; and (6) Haptic Perception in Weightlessness: A Sense of Force or a Sense of Effort?

Computer method for identification of boiler transfer functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miles, J. H.

1971-01-01

An iterative computer method is described for identifying boiler transfer functions using frequency response data. An objective penalized performance measure and a nonlinear minimization technique are used to cause the locus of points generated by a transfer function to resemble the locus of points obtained from frequency response measurements. Different transfer functions can be tried until a satisfactory empirical transfer function to the system is found. To illustrate the method, some examples and some results from a study of a set of data consisting of measurements of the inlet impedance of a single tube forced flow boiler with inserts are given.

Impact of hydrodynamic stresses on bacterial flagella

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Debasish; Riley, Emily; Lauga, Eric

2017-11-01

The locomotion of bacteria powered by helical filaments, such as Escherichia coli, critically involves the generation of flows and hydrodynamic stresses which lead to forces and moments balanced by the moment applied by the bacterial rotary motor (which is embedded in the cell wall) and the deformation of the short flexible hook. In this talk we use numerical computations to accurately compute these hydrodynamic stresses, to show how they critically lead to fluid-structure instabilities at the whole-cell level, and enquire if they can be used to rationalise experimental measurements of bacterial motor torques. ERC Consolidator Grant.

Achieving realistic performance and decison-making capabilities in computer-generated air forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banks, Sheila B.; Stytz, Martin R.; Santos, Eugene, Jr.; Zurita, Vincent B.; Benslay, James L., Jr.

1997-07-01

For a computer-generated force (CGF) system to be useful in training environments, it must be able to operate at multiple skill levels, exhibit competency at assigned missions, and comply with current doctrine. Because of the rapid rate of change in distributed interactive simulation (DIS) and the expanding set of performance objectives for any computer- generated force, the system must also be modifiable at reasonable cost and incorporate mechanisms for learning. Therefore, CGF applications must have adaptable decision mechanisms and behaviors and perform automated incorporation of past reasoning and experience into its decision process. The CGF must also possess multiple skill levels for classes of entities, gracefully degrade its reasoning capability in response to system stress, possess an expandable modular knowledge structure, and perform adaptive mission planning. Furthermore, correctly performing individual entity behaviors is not sufficient. Issues related to complex inter-entity behavioral interactions, such as the need to maintain formation and share information, must also be considered. The CGF must also be able to acceptably respond to unforeseen circumstances and be able to make decisions in spite of uncertain information. Because of the need for increased complexity in the virtual battlespace, the CGF should exhibit complex, realistic behavior patterns within the battlespace. To achieve these necessary capabilities, an extensible software architecture, an expandable knowledge base, and an adaptable decision making mechanism are required. Our lab has addressed these issues in detail. The resulting DIS-compliant system is called the automated wingman (AW). The AW is based on fuzzy logic, the common object database (CODB) software architecture, and a hierarchical knowledge structure. We describe the techniques we used to enable us to make progress toward a CGF entity that satisfies the requirements presented above. We present our design and implementation of an adaptable decision making mechanism that uses multi-layered, fuzzy logic controlled situational analysis. Because our research indicates that fuzzy logic can perform poorly under certain circumstances, we combine fuzzy logic inferencing with adversarial game tree techniques for decision making in strategic and tactical engagements. We describe the approach we employed to achieve this fusion. We also describe the automated wingman's system architecture and knowledge base architecture.

GENIE(++): A Multi-Block Structured Grid System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Tonya; Nadenthiran, Naren; Thornburg, Hugh; Soni, Bharat K.

1996-01-01

The computer code GENIE++ is a continuously evolving grid system containing a multitude of proven geometry/grid techniques. The generation process in GENIE++ is based on an earlier version. The process uses several techniques either separately or in combination to quickly and economically generate sculptured geometry descriptions and grids for arbitrary geometries. The computational mesh is formed by using an appropriate algebraic method. Grid clustering is accomplished with either exponential or hyperbolic tangent routines which allow the user to specify a desired point distribution. Grid smoothing can be accomplished by using an elliptic solver with proper forcing functions. B-spline and Non-Uniform Rational B-splines (NURBS) algorithms are used for surface definition and redistribution. The built in sculptured geometry definition with desired distribution of points, automatic Bezier curve/surface generation for interior boundaries/surfaces, and surface redistribution is based on NURBS. Weighted Lagrance/Hermite transfinite interpolation methods, interactive geometry/grid manipulation modules, and on-line graphical visualization of the generation process are salient features of this system which result in a significant time savings for a given geometry/grid application.

ATK-ForceField: a new generation molecular dynamics software package

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Julian; Hamaekers, Jan; Chill, Samuel T.; Smidstrup, Søren; Bulin, Johannes; Thesen, Ralph; Blom, Anders; Stokbro, Kurt

2017-12-01

ATK-ForceField is a software package for atomistic simulations using classical interatomic potentials. It is implemented as a part of the Atomistix ToolKit (ATK), which is a Python programming environment that makes it easy to create and analyze both standard and highly customized simulations. This paper will focus on the atomic interaction potentials, molecular dynamics, and geometry optimization features of the software, however, many more advanced modeling features are available. The implementation details of these algorithms and their computational performance will be shown. We present three illustrative examples of the types of calculations that are possible with ATK-ForceField: modeling thermal transport properties in a silicon germanium crystal, vapor deposition of selenium molecules on a selenium surface, and a simulation of creep in a copper polycrystal.

Computer aiding for low-altitude helicopter flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swenson, Harry N.

1991-01-01

A computer-aiding concept for low-altitude helicopter flight was developed and evaluated in a real-time piloted simulation. The concept included an optimal control trajectory-generated algorithm based on dynamic programming, and a head-up display (HUD) presentation of a pathway-in-the-sky, a phantom aircraft, and flight-path vector/predictor symbol. The trajectory-generation algorithm uses knowledge of the global mission requirements, a digital terrain map, aircraft performance capabilities, and advanced navigation information to determine a trajectory between mission waypoints that minimizes threat exposure by seeking valleys. The pilot evaluation was conducted at NASA Ames Research Center's Sim Lab facility in both the fixed-base Interchangeable Cab (ICAB) simulator and the moving-base Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) by pilots representing NASA, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Air Force. The pilots manually tracked the trajectory generated by the algorithm utilizing the HUD symbology. They were able to satisfactorily perform the tracking tasks while maintaining a high degree of awareness of the outside world.

2001: Things to come.

PubMed

Apuzzo, M L; Liu, C Y

2001-10-01

THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES elements in the definition of modernity and emerging futurism in neurological surgery. In particular, it describes evolution, discovery, and paradigm shifts in the field and forces responsible for their realization. It analyzes the cyclical reinvention of the discipline experienced during the past generation and attempts to identify apertures to the near and more remote future. Subsequently, it focuses on forces and discovery in computational science, imaging, molecular science, biomedical engineering, and information processing as they relate to the theme of minimalism that is evident in the field. These areas are explained in the light of future possibilities offered by the emerging field of nanotechnology with molecular engineering.

Automatic Reconstruction of Spacecraft 3D Shape from Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poelman, C.; Radtke, R.; Voorhees, H.

We describe a system that computes the three-dimensional (3D) shape of a spacecraft from a sequence of uncalibrated, two-dimensional images. While the mathematics of multi-view geometry is well understood, building a system that accurately recovers 3D shape from real imagery remains an art. A novel aspect of our approach is the combination of algorithms from computer vision, photogrammetry, and computer graphics. We demonstrate our system by computing spacecraft models from imagery taken by the Air Force Research Laboratory's XSS-10 satellite and DARPA's Orbital Express satellite. Using feature tie points (each identified in two or more images), we compute the relative motion of each frame and the 3D location of each feature using iterative linear factorization followed by non-linear bundle adjustment. The "point cloud" that results from this traditional shape-from-motion approach is typically too sparse to generate a detailed 3D model. Therefore, we use the computed motion solution as input to a volumetric silhouette-carving algorithm, which constructs a solid 3D model based on viewpoint consistency with the image frames. The resulting voxel model is then converted to a facet-based surface representation and is texture-mapped, yielding realistic images from arbitrary viewpoints. We also illustrate other applications of the algorithm, including 3D mensuration and stereoscopic 3D movie generation.

Centripetal Acceleration Reaction: An Effective and Robust Mechanism for Flapping Flight in Insects

PubMed Central

Zhang, Chao; Hedrick, Tyson L.; Mittal, Rajat

2015-01-01

Despite intense study by physicists and biologists, we do not fully understand the unsteady aerodynamics that relate insect wing morphology and kinematics to lift generation. Here, we formulate a force partitioning method (FPM) and implement it within a computational fluid dynamic model to provide an unambiguous and physically insightful division of aerodynamic force into components associated with wing kinematics, vorticity, and viscosity. Application of the FPM to hawkmoth and fruit fly flight shows that the leading-edge vortex is the dominant mechanism for lift generation for both these insects and contributes between 72–85% of the net lift. However, there is another, previously unidentified mechanism, the centripetal acceleration reaction, which generates up to 17% of the net lift. The centripetal acceleration reaction is similar to the classical inviscid added-mass in that it depends only on the kinematics (i.e. accelerations) of the body, but is different in that it requires the satisfaction of the no-slip condition, and a combination of tangential motion and rotation of the wing surface. Furthermore, the classical added-mass force is identically zero for cyclic motion but this is not true of the centripetal acceleration reaction. Furthermore, unlike the lift due to vorticity, centripetal acceleration reaction lift is insensitive to Reynolds number and to environmental flow perturbations, making it an important contributor to insect flight stability and miniaturization. This force mechanism also has broad implications for flow-induced deformation and vibration, underwater locomotion and flows involving bubbles and droplets. PMID:26252016

On hydrodynamics of drag and lift of the human arm.

PubMed

Gardano, Paola; Dabnichki, Peter

2006-01-01

The work presents results on drag and lift measurement conducted in a low speed wind tunnel on a replica of the entire human arm. The selected model positions were identical to those during purely rotational front crawl stroke in quasi-static conditions. A computational fluid dynamics model using Fluent showed close correspondence with the experimental results and confirmed the suitability of low speed wind tunnel for the drag and lift measurement in quasi-static conditions. The obtained profiles of the hydrodynamic forces were similar to the dynamic data presented in an earlier study suggesting that shape drag is a major contributing factor in propulsive force generation. The aim of this study was to underline the importance of the entire arm analysis, the elbow angle and a newly defined angle of attack representing the angle of shoulder rotation. It was found that both the maximum value of the drag force at 160 degrees elbow flexion angle and the momentum generated by it exceed the respective magnitudes for the fully extended arm. The latter is underlined by a prolonged plateau of near maximum drag that was obtained at shoulder angle range of 50-140 degrees suggesting that optimal arm configuration in terms of propulsive force generation requires elbow flexion. Furthermore it was found that drag trend is not consistent with the widely assumed and used sinus wave profile. A gap in the existing experimental research was filled as for the first time the entire arm lift and drag was measured across the entire stroke range.

Quantifying the Frictional Forces between Skin and Nonwoven Fabrics

PubMed Central

Jayawardana, Kavinda; Ovenden, Nicholas C.; Cottenden, Alan

2017-01-01

When a compliant sheet of material is dragged over a curved surface of a body, the frictional forces generated can be many times greater than they would be for a planar interface. This phenomenon is known to contribute to the abrasion damage to skin often suffered by wearers of incontinence pads and bed/chairbound people susceptible to pressure sores. Experiments that attempt to quantify these forces often use a simple capstan-type equation to obtain a characteristic coefficient of friction. In general, the capstan approach assumes the ratio of applied tensions depends only on the arc of contact and the coefficient of friction, and ignores other geometric and physical considerations; this approach makes it straightforward to obtain explicitly a coefficient of friction from the tensions measured. In this paper, two mathematical models are presented that compute the material displacements and surface forces generated by, firstly, a membrane under tension in moving contact with a rigid obstacle and, secondly, a shell-membrane under tension in contact with a deformable substrate. The results show that, while the use of a capstan equation remains fairly robust in some cases, effects such as the curvature and flaccidness of the underlying body, and the mass density of the fabric can lead to significant variations in stresses generated in the contact region. Thus, the coefficient of friction determined by a capstan model may not be an accurate reflection of the true frictional behavior of the contact region. PMID:28321192

Centripetal Acceleration Reaction: An Effective and Robust Mechanism for Flapping Flight in Insects.

PubMed

Zhang, Chao; Hedrick, Tyson L; Mittal, Rajat

2015-01-01

Despite intense study by physicists and biologists, we do not fully understand the unsteady aerodynamics that relate insect wing morphology and kinematics to lift generation. Here, we formulate a force partitioning method (FPM) and implement it within a computational fluid dynamic model to provide an unambiguous and physically insightful division of aerodynamic force into components associated with wing kinematics, vorticity, and viscosity. Application of the FPM to hawkmoth and fruit fly flight shows that the leading-edge vortex is the dominant mechanism for lift generation for both these insects and contributes between 72-85% of the net lift. However, there is another, previously unidentified mechanism, the centripetal acceleration reaction, which generates up to 17% of the net lift. The centripetal acceleration reaction is similar to the classical inviscid added-mass in that it depends only on the kinematics (i.e. accelerations) of the body, but is different in that it requires the satisfaction of the no-slip condition, and a combination of tangential motion and rotation of the wing surface. Furthermore, the classical added-mass force is identically zero for cyclic motion but this is not true of the centripetal acceleration reaction. Furthermore, unlike the lift due to vorticity, centripetal acceleration reaction lift is insensitive to Reynolds number and to environmental flow perturbations, making it an important contributor to insect flight stability and miniaturization. This force mechanism also has broad implications for flow-induced deformation and vibration, underwater locomotion and flows involving bubbles and droplets.

From the track to the ocean: Using flow control to improve marine bio-logging tags for cetaceans

PubMed Central

Fiore, Giovani; Anderson, Erik; Garborg, C. Spencer; Murray, Mark; Johnson, Mark; Moore, Michael J.; Howle, Laurens

2017-01-01

Bio-logging tags are an important tool for the study of cetaceans, but superficial tags inevitably increase hydrodynamic loading. Substantial forces can be generated by tags on fast-swimming animals, potentially affecting behavior and energetics or promoting early tag removal. Streamlined forms have been used to reduce loading, but these designs can accelerate flow over the top of the tag. This non-axisymmetric flow results in large lift forces (normal to the animal) that become the dominant force component at high speeds. In order to reduce lift and minimize total hydrodynamic loading this work presents a new tag design (Model A) that incorporates a hydrodynamic body, a channel to reduce fluid speed differences above and below the housing and wing to redirect flow to counter lift. Additionally, three derivatives of the Model A design were used to examine the contribution of individual flow control features to overall performance. Hydrodynamic loadings of four models were compared using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The Model A design eliminated all lift force and generated up to ~30 N of downward force in simulated 6 m/s aligned flow. The simulations were validated using particle image velocimetry (PIV) to experimentally characterize the flow around the tag design. The results of these experiments confirm the trends predicted by the simulations and demonstrate the potential benefit of flow control elements for the reduction of tag induced forces on the animal. PMID:28196148

The new Mobile Command Center at KSC is important addition to emergency preparedness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Charles Street, Roger Scheidt and Robert ZiBerna, the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC, sit in the conference room inside the Mobile Command Center, a specially equipped vehicle. Nicknamed '''The Brute,''' it also features computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The new Mobile Command Center at KSC is important addition to emergency preparedness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Robert ZiBerna, Roger Scheidt and Charles Street, the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC, practice for an emergency scenario inside the Mobile Command Center, a specially equipped vehicle. It features a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Single frequency GPS measurements in real-time artificial satellite orbit determination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiaradia, orbit determination A. P. M.; Kuga, H. K.; Prado, A. F. B. A.

2003-07-01

A simplified and compact algorithm with low computational cost providing an accuracy around tens of meters for artificial satellite orbit determination in real-time and on-board is developed in this work. The state estimation method is the extended Kalman filter. The Cowell's method is used to propagate the state vector, through a simple Runge-Kutta numerical integrator of fourth order with fixed step size. The modeled forces are due to the geopotential up to 50th order and degree of JGM-2 model. To time-update the state error covariance matrix, it is considered a simplified force model. In other words, in computing the state transition matrix, the effect of J 2 (Earth flattening) is analytically considered, which unloads dramatically the processing time. In the measurement model, the single frequency GPS pseudorange is used, considering the effects of the ionospheric delay, clock offsets of the GPS and user satellites, and relativistic effects. To validate this model, real live data are used from Topex/Poseidon satellite and the results are compared with the Topex/Poseidon Precision Orbit Ephemeris (POE) generated by NASA/JPL, for several test cases. It is concluded that this compact algorithm enables accuracies of tens of meters with such simplified force model, analytical approach for computing the transition matrix, and a cheap GPS receiver providing single frequency pseudorange measurements.

Integration of Research for an Exhaust Thermoelectric Generator and the Outer Flow Field of a Car

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, T.; Su, C. Q.; Deng, Y. D.; Wang, Y. P.

2017-05-01

The exhaust thermoelectric generator (TEG) can generate electric power from a car engine's waste heat. It is important to maintain a sufficient temperature difference across the thermoelectric modules. The radiator is connected to the cooling units of the thermoelectric modules and used to take away the heat from the TEG system. This paper focuses on the research for the integration of a TEG radiator and the flow field of the car chassis, aiming to cool the radiator by the high speed flow around the chassis. What is more, the TEG radiator is designed as a spoiler to optimize the flow field around the car chassis and even reduce the aerodynamic drag. Concentrating on the flow pressure of the radiator and the aerodynamic drag force, a sedan model with eight different schemes of radiator configurations are studied by computational fluid dynamics simulation. Finally, the simulation results indicate that a reasonable radiator configuration can not only generate high flow pressure to improve the cooling performance, which provides a better support for the TEG system, but also acts as a spoiler to reduce the aerodynamic drag force.

Computational Fluid Dynamics of Developing Avian Outflow Tract Heart Valves

PubMed Central

Bharadwaj, Koonal N.; Spitz, Cassie; Shekhar, Akshay; Yalcin, Huseyin C.; Butcher, Jonathan T.

2012-01-01

Hemodynamic forces play an important role in sculpting the embryonic heart and its valves. Alteration of blood flow patterns through the hearts of embryonic animal models lead to malformations that resemble some clinical congenital heart defects, but the precise mechanisms are poorly understood. Quantitative understanding of the local fluid forces acting in the heart has been elusive because of the extremely small and rapidly changing anatomy. In this study, we combine multiple imaging modalities with computational simulation to rigorously quantify the hemodynamic environment within the developing outflow tract (OFT) and its eventual aortic and pulmonary valves. In vivo Doppler ultrasound generated velocity profiles were applied to Micro-Computed Tomography generated 3D OFT lumen geometries from Hamburger-Hamilton (HH) stage 16 to 30 chick embryos. Computational fluid dynamics simulation initial conditions were iterated until local flow profiles converged with in vivo Doppler flow measurements. Results suggested that flow in the early tubular OFT (HH16 and HH23) was best approximated by Poiseuille flow, while later embryonic OFT septation (HH27, HH30) was mimicked by plug flow conditions. Peak wall shear stress (WSS) values increased from 18.16 dynes/cm2 at HH16 to 671.24 dynes/cm2 at HH30. Spatiotemporally averaged WSS values also showed a monotonic increase from 3.03 dynes/cm2 at HH16 to 136.50 dynes/cm2 at HH30. Simulated velocity streamlines in the early heart suggest a lack of mixing, which differed from classical ink injections. Changes in local flow patterns preceded and correlated with key morphogenetic events such as OFT septation and valve formation. This novel method to quantify local dynamic hemodynamics parameters affords insight into sculpting role of blood flow in the embryonic heart and provides a quantitative baseline dataset for future research. PMID:22535311

Computations of unsteady multistage compressor flows in a workstation environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gundy-Burlet, Karen L.

1992-01-01

High-end graphics workstations are becoming a necessary tool in the computational fluid dynamics environment. In addition to their graphic capabilities, workstations of the latest generation have powerful floating-point-operation capabilities. As workstations become common, they could provide valuable computing time for such applications as turbomachinery flow calculations. This report discusses the issues involved in implementing an unsteady, viscous multistage-turbomachinery code (STAGE-2) on workstations. It then describes work in which the workstation version of STAGE-2 was used to study the effects of axial-gap spacing on the time-averaged and unsteady flow within a 2 1/2-stage compressor. The results included time-averaged surface pressures, time-averaged pressure contours, standard deviation of pressure contours, pressure amplitudes, and force polar plots.

Air Force Science & Technology Issues & Opportunities Regarding High Performance Embedded Computing

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-23

Challenges by Domain * Air: Persistent air dominance is at risk * Increasingly effective air defenses * Proliferation of 5th generation fighters, cheap cruise missiles, and UASs * Light-speed war possibilities are terrifying * Space: Now a contested domain * Increasingly important * Increasingly vulnerable * Cyber: Cyber warfare has begun * We don’t control the battlespace * We rely on it more and more * We can’t find the enemy.

Single-Spin Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-08-31

computational load and noise outside the passband and generating lock-in (synchronous detection) signals for online diagnostics, system identification... Online . 20. We thank J. Sidles, K. Holczer, and A. Hero for discussions and D. Pearson and M. Sherwood for technical assistance. This work was...Office. Supporting Online Material www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/307/5708/408/ DC1 Materials and Methods Figs. S1 and S2 References 25 October 2004

Simulating Flying Insects Using Dynamics and Data-Driven Noise Modeling to Generate Diverse Collective Behaviors

PubMed Central

Ren, Jiaping; Wang, Xinjie; Manocha, Dinesh

2016-01-01

We present a biologically plausible dynamics model to simulate swarms of flying insects. Our formulation, which is based on biological conclusions and experimental observations, is designed to simulate large insect swarms of varying densities. We use a force-based model that captures different interactions between the insects and the environment and computes collision-free trajectories for each individual insect. Furthermore, we model the noise as a constructive force at the collective level and present a technique to generate noise-induced insect movements in a large swarm that are similar to those observed in real-world trajectories. We use a data-driven formulation that is based on pre-recorded insect trajectories. We also present a novel evaluation metric and a statistical validation approach that takes into account various characteristics of insect motions. In practice, the combination of Curl noise function with our dynamics model is used to generate realistic swarm simulations and emergent behaviors. We highlight its performance for simulating large flying swarms of midges, fruit fly, locusts and moths and demonstrate many collective behaviors, including aggregation, migration, phase transition, and escape responses. PMID:27187068

Automated Training of ReaxFF Reactive Force Fields for Energetics of Enzymatic Reactions.

PubMed

Trnka, Tomáš; Tvaroška, Igor; Koča, Jaroslav

2018-01-09

Computational studies of the reaction mechanisms of various enzymes are nowadays based almost exclusively on hybrid QM/MM models. Unfortunately, the success of this approach strongly depends on the selection of the QM region, and computational cost is a crucial limiting factor. An interesting alternative is offered by empirical reactive molecular force fields, especially the ReaxFF potential developed by van Duin and co-workers. However, even though an initial parametrization of ReaxFF for biomolecules already exists, it does not provide the desired level of accuracy. We have conducted a thorough refitting of the ReaxFF force field to improve the description of reaction energetics. To minimize the human effort required, we propose a fully automated approach to generate an extensive training set comprised of thousands of different geometries and molecular fragments starting from a few model molecules. Electrostatic parameters were optimized with QM electrostatic potentials as the main target quantity, avoiding excessive dependence on the choice of reference atomic charges and improving robustness and transferability. The remaining force field parameters were optimized using the VD-CMA-ES variant of the CMA-ES optimization algorithm. This method is able to optimize hundreds of parameters simultaneously with unprecedented speed and reliability. The resulting force field was validated on a real enzymatic system, ppGalNAcT2 glycosyltransferase. The new force field offers excellent qualitative agreement with the reference QM/MM reaction energy profile, matches the relative energies of intermediate and product minima almost exactly, and reduces the overestimation of transition state energies by 27-48% compared with the previous parametrization.

Force Control Characteristics for Generation and Relaxation in the Lower Limb.

PubMed

Ohtaka, Chiaki; Fujiwara, Motoko

2018-05-29

We investigated the characteristics for force generation and relaxation using graded isometric contractions of the knee extensors. Participants performed the following tasks as quickly and accurately as possible. For the force generation task, force was increased from 0% to 20%, 40% and 60% of the maximal voluntary force (MVF). For the force relaxation task, force was decreased from 60% to 40%, 20% and 0%. The following parameters of the recorded force were calculated: error, time, and rate of force development. The error was consistently greater for force relaxation than generation. Reaction and adjustment times were independent of the tasks. The control strategy was markedly different for force relaxation and generation, this tendency was particularly evident for the lower limb compared to the upper limb.

Velocity Deficits in the Wake of Model Lemon Shark Dorsal Fins Measured with Particle Image Velocimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terry, K. N.; Turner, V.; Hackett, E.

2017-12-01

Aquatic animals' morphology provides inspiration for human technological developments, as their bodies have evolved and become adapted for efficient swimming. Lemon sharks exhibit a uniquely large second dorsal fin that is nearly the same size as the first fin, the hydrodynamic role of which is unknown. This experimental study looks at the drag forces on a scale model of the Lemon shark's unique two-fin configuration in comparison to drag forces on a more typical one-fin configuration. The experiments were performed in a recirculating water flume, where the wakes behind the scale models are measured using particle image velocimetry. The experiments are performed at three different flow speeds for both fin configurations. The measured instantaneous 2D distributions of the streamwise and wall-normal velocity components are ensemble averaged to generate streamwise velocity vertical profiles. In addition, velocity deficit profiles are computed from the difference between these mean streamwise velocity profiles and the free stream velocity, which is computed based on measured flow rates during the experiments. Results show that the mean velocities behind the fin and near the fin tip are smallest and increase as the streamwise distance from the fin tip increases. The magnitude of velocity deficits increases with increasing flow speed for both fin configurations, but at all flow speeds, the two-fin configurations generate larger velocity deficits than the one-fin configurations. Because the velocity deficit is directly proportional to the drag force, these results suggest that the two-fin configuration produces more drag.

Angled injection: Hybrid fluid film bearings for cryogenic applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanAndres, Luis

1995-01-01

A computational bulk-flow analysis for prediction of the force coefficients of hybrid fluid film bearings with angled orifice injection is presented. Past measurements on water-lubricated hybrid bearings with angle orifice injection have demonstrated improved rotordynamic performance with virtual elimination of cross-coupled stiffness coefficients and nul or negative whirl frequency ratios. A simple analysis reveals that the fluid momentum exchange at the orifice discharge produces a pressure rise in the recess which retards the shear flow induced by journal rotation, and consequently, reduces cross-coupling forces. The predictions from the model correlate well with experimental measurements from a radial and 45 deg angled orifice injection, five recess water hybrid bearings (C = 125 microns) operating at 10.2, 17.4, and 24.6 krpm and with nominal supply pressures equal to 4, 5.5, and 7 MPa. An application example for a liquid oxygen six recess/pad hybrid journal bearing shows the advantages of tangential orifice injection on the rotordynamic force coefficients and stability indicator for forward whirl motions and without performance degradation on direct stiffness and damping coefficients. The computer program generated, 'hydrojet,' extends and complements previously developed codes.

Computational Simulation on Facial Expressions and Experimental Tensile Strength for Silicone Rubber as Artificial Skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amijoyo Mochtar, Andi

2018-02-01

Applications of robotics have become important for human life in recent years. There are many specification of robots that have been improved and encriched with the technology advances. One of them are humanoid robot with facial expression which closer with the human facial expression naturally. The purpose of this research is to make computation on facial expressions and conduct the tensile strength for silicone rubber as artificial skin. Facial expressions were calculated by determining dimension, material properties, number of node elements, boundary condition, force condition, and analysis type. A Facial expression robot is determined by the direction and the magnitude external force on the driven point. The expression face of robot is identical with the human facial expression where the muscle structure in face according to the human face anatomy. For developing facial expression robots, facial action coding system (FACS) in approached due to follow expression human. The tensile strength is conducting due to check the proportional force of artificial skin that can be applied on the future of robot facial expression. Combining of calculated and experimental results can generate reliable and sustainable robot facial expression that using silicone rubber as artificial skin.

The Craik-Leibovich Vortex Force as a Skin Effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malecha, Ziemowit; Chini, Gregory; Julien, Keith

2013-11-01

The Craik-Leibovich (CL) equations are a surface-wave filtered version of the instantaneous Navier-Stokes equations in which the rectified effects of the surface waves are captured through a so-called ``vortex force'' term: the cross-product of the Stokes, or Lagrangian, mass drift associated with the filtered surface waves and the filtered vorticity vector. For locally generated wind waves, the Stokes drift is very strongly surface confined. In this scenario, the induced body force may be represented as a surface, or skin, effect. Using matched asymptotic analysis in this limit, we derive effective boundary conditions (BCs) for the flow beneath the Stokes drift layer (i.e. in the bulk of the mixed layer). We establish the regime of validity of the resulting formulation by performing linear stability analyses and numerical simulations of both the asymptotic model and the full CL equations for a variety of vertical Stokes drift profiles. The effective BC formulation offers both theoretical and computational advantages, and should be particularly useful for LES of Langmuir turbulence for which the need to resolve very small scale near-surface flow structures imposes severe computational constraints. GPC would like to acknowledge funding from the NSF award 0934827, administered by the Physical Oceanography Program.

Reconstruction of Energy Surfaces from Friction Force Microscopy Measurements with the Jarzynski Equality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berkovich, Ronen; Klafter, Joseph; Urbakh, Michael

Free energy is one of the most fundamental thermodynamic functions, determining relative phase stability and serving as a generating function for other thermodynamic quantities. The calculation of free energies is a challenging enterprise. In equilibrium statistical mechanics, the free energy is related to the canonical partition function. The partition function itself involves integrations over all degrees of freedom in the system and, in most cases, cannot be easily calculated directly. In 1997, Jarzynski proved a remarkable equality that allows computing the equilibrium free-energy difference between two states from the probability distribution of the nonequilibrium work done on the system to switch between the two states. The Jarzynski equality provides a powerful free-energy difference estimator from a set of irreversible experiments. This method is closely related to free-energy perturbation approach, which is also a computational technique for estimating free-energy differences. The ability to map potential profiles and topologies is of major significance to areas as diverse as biological recognition and nanoscale friction. This capability has been demonstrated for frictional studies where a force between the tip of the scanning force microscope and the surface is probed. The surface free-energy corrugation produces a detectable friction forces. Thus, friction force microscopy (FFM) should be able to discriminate between energetically different areas on the probed surface. Here, we apply the Jarzynski equality for the analysis of FFM measurements and thus obtain a variation of the free energy along a surface.

Analysis of dynamic cantilever behavior in tapping mode atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Deng, Wenqi; Zhang, Guang-Ming; Murphy, Mark F; Lilley, Francis; Harvey, David M; Burton, David R

2015-10-01

Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides phase images in addition to height and amplitude images. Although the behavior of tapping mode AFM has been investigated using mathematical modeling, comprehensive understanding of the behavior of tapping mode AFM still poses a significant challenge to the AFM community, involving issues such as the correct interpretation of the phase images. In this paper, the cantilever's dynamic behavior in tapping mode AFM is studied through a three dimensional finite element method. The cantilever's dynamic displacement responses are firstly obtained via simulation under different tip-sample separations, and for different tip-sample interaction forces, such as elastic force, adhesion force, viscosity force, and the van der Waals force, which correspond to the cantilever's action upon various different representative computer-generated test samples. Simulated results show that the dynamic cantilever displacement response can be divided into three zones: a free vibration zone, a transition zone, and a contact vibration zone. Phase trajectory, phase shift, transition time, pseudo stable amplitude, and frequency changes are then analyzed from the dynamic displacement responses that are obtained. Finally, experiments are carried out on a real AFM system to support the findings of the simulations. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Validation of Magnetic Resonance Thermometry by Computational Fluid Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rydquist, Grant; Owkes, Mark; Verhulst, Claire M.; Benson, Michael J.; Vanpoppel, Bret P.; Burton, Sascha; Eaton, John K.; Elkins, Christopher P.

2016-11-01

Magnetic Resonance Thermometry (MRT) is a new experimental technique that can create fully three-dimensional temperature fields in a noninvasive manner. However, validation is still required to determine the accuracy of measured results. One method of examination is to compare data gathered experimentally to data computed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In this study, large-eddy simulations have been performed with the NGA computational platform to generate data for a comparison with previously run MRT experiments. The experimental setup consisted of a heated jet inclined at 30° injected into a larger channel. In the simulations, viscosity and density were scaled according to the local temperature to account for differences in buoyant and viscous forces. A mesh-independent study was performed with 5 mil-, 15 mil- and 45 mil-cell meshes. The program Star-CCM + was used to simulate the complete experimental geometry. This was compared to data generated from NGA. Overall, both programs show good agreement with the experimental data gathered with MRT. With this data, the validity of MRT as a diagnostic tool has been shown and the tool can be used to further our understanding of a range of flows with non-trivial temperature distributions.

Force Field for Water Based on Neural Network.

PubMed

Wang, Hao; Yang, Weitao

2018-05-18

We developed a novel neural network based force field for water based on training with high level ab initio theory. The force field was built based on electrostatically embedded many-body expansion method truncated at binary interactions. Many-body expansion method is a common strategy to partition the total Hamiltonian of large systems into a hierarchy of few-body terms. Neural networks were trained to represent electrostatically embedded one-body and two-body interactions, which require as input only one and two water molecule calculations at the level of ab initio electronic structure method CCSD/aug-cc-pVDZ embedded in the molecular mechanics water environment, making it efficient as a general force field construction approach. Structural and dynamic properties of liquid water calculated with our force field show good agreement with experimental results. We constructed two sets of neural network based force fields: non-polarizable and polarizable force fields. Simulation results show that the non-polarizable force field using fixed TIP3P charges has already behaved well, since polarization effects and many-body effects are implicitly included due to the electrostatic embedding scheme. Our results demonstrate that the electrostatically embedded many-body expansion combined with neural network provides a promising and systematic way to build the next generation force fields at high accuracy and low computational costs, especially for large systems.

Explicit polarization: a quantum mechanical framework for developing next generation force fields.

PubMed

Gao, Jiali; Truhlar, Donald G; Wang, Yingjie; Mazack, Michael J M; Löffler, Patrick; Provorse, Makenzie R; Rehak, Pavel

2014-09-16

Conspectus Molecular mechanical force fields have been successfully used to model condensed-phase and biological systems for a half century. By means of careful parametrization, such classical force fields can be used to provide useful interpretations of experimental findings and predictions of certain properties. Yet, there is a need to further improve computational accuracy for the quantitative prediction of biomolecular interactions and to model properties that depend on the wave functions and not just the energy terms. A new strategy called explicit polarization (X-Pol) has been developed to construct the potential energy surface and wave functions for macromolecular and liquid-phase simulations on the basis of quantum mechanics rather than only using quantum mechanical results to fit analytic force fields. In this spirit, this approach is called a quantum mechanical force field (QMFF). X-Pol is a general fragment method for electronic structure calculations based on the partition of a condensed-phase or macromolecular system into subsystems ("fragments") to achieve computational efficiency. Here, intrafragment energy and the mutual electronic polarization of interfragment interactions are treated explicitly using quantum mechanics. X-Pol can be used as a general, multilevel electronic structure model for macromolecular systems, and it can also serve as a new-generation force field. As a quantum chemical model, a variational many-body (VMB) expansion approach is used to systematically improve interfragment interactions, including exchange repulsion, charge delocalization, dispersion, and other correlation energies. As a quantum mechanical force field, these energy terms are approximated by empirical functions in the spirit of conventional molecular mechanics. This Account first reviews the formulation of X-Pol, in the full variationally correct version, in the faster embedded version, and with systematic many-body improvements. We discuss illustrative examples involving water clusters (which show the power of two-body corrections), ethylmethylimidazolium acetate ionic liquids (which reveal that the amount of charge transfer between anion and cation is much smaller than what has been assumed in some classical simulations), and a solvated protein in aqueous solution (which shows that the average charge distribution of carbonyl groups along the polypeptide chain depends strongly on their position in the sequence, whereas they are fixed in most classical force fields). The development of QMFFs also offers an opportunity to extend the accuracy of biochemical simulations to areas where classical force fields are often insufficient, especially in the areas of spectroscopy, reactivity, and enzyme catalysis.

Theory of the locomotion of nematodes

PubMed Central

Niebur, Ernst; Erdös, Paul

1991-01-01

We develop a model of the undulatory locomotion of nematodes, in particular that of Caenorhabditis elegans, based on mechanics. The model takes into account the most important forces acting on a moving worm and allows the computer simulation of a creeping nematode. These forces are produced by the interior pressure in the liquid-filled body cavity, the elasticity of the cuticle, the excitation of certain sets of muscles and the friction between the body and its support. We propose that muscle excitation patterns can be generated by stretch receptor control. By solving numerically the equations of motion of the model of the nematode, we demonstrate that these muscle excitation patterns are suitable for the propulsion of the animal. PMID:19431807

Human and Robotic Space Mission Use Cases for High-Performance Spaceflight Computing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Some, Raphael; Doyle, Richard; Bergman, Larry; Whitaker, William; Powell, Wesley; Johnson, Michael; Goforth, Montgomery; Lowry, Michael

2013-01-01

Spaceflight computing is a key resource in NASA space missions and a core determining factor of spacecraft capability, with ripple effects throughout the spacecraft, end-to-end system, and mission. Onboard computing can be aptly viewed as a "technology multiplier" in that advances provide direct dramatic improvements in flight functions and capabilities across the NASA mission classes, and enable new flight capabilities and mission scenarios, increasing science and exploration return. Space-qualified computing technology, however, has not advanced significantly in well over ten years and the current state of the practice fails to meet the near- to mid-term needs of NASA missions. Recognizing this gap, the NASA Game Changing Development Program (GCDP), under the auspices of the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate, commissioned a study on space-based computing needs, looking out 15-20 years. The study resulted in a recommendation to pursue high-performance spaceflight computing (HPSC) for next-generation missions, and a decision to partner with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) in this development.

Computational strategies for three-dimensional flow simulations on distributed computer systems. Ph.D. Thesis Semiannual Status Report, 15 Aug. 1993 - 15 Feb. 1994

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weed, Richard Allen; Sankar, L. N.

1994-01-01

An increasing amount of research activity in computational fluid dynamics has been devoted to the development of efficient algorithms for parallel computing systems. The increasing performance to price ratio of engineering workstations has led to research to development procedures for implementing a parallel computing system composed of distributed workstations. This thesis proposal outlines an ongoing research program to develop efficient strategies for performing three-dimensional flow analysis on distributed computing systems. The PVM parallel programming interface was used to modify an existing three-dimensional flow solver, the TEAM code developed by Lockheed for the Air Force, to function as a parallel flow solver on clusters of workstations. Steady flow solutions were generated for three different wing and body geometries to validate the code and evaluate code performance. The proposed research will extend the parallel code development to determine the most efficient strategies for unsteady flow simulations.

Effects of internal tidal dissipation and self-attraction and loading on semidiurnal tides in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea and East China Sea: a numerical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teng, Fei; Fang, Guohong; Xu, Xiaoqing

2017-09-01

A parameterized internal tide dissipation term and self-attraction and loading (SAL) tide term are introduced in a barotropic numerical model to investigate the dynamics of semidiurnal tidal constituents M 2 and S 2 in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea and East China Sea (BYECS). The optimal parameters for bottom friction and internal dissipation are obtained through a series of numerical computations. Numerical simulation shows that the tide-generating force contributes 1.2% of M 2 power for the entire BYECS and up to 2.8% for the East China Sea deep basin. SAL tide contributes 4.4% of M 2 power for the BYECS and up to 9.3% for the East China Sea deep basin. Bottom friction plays a major role in dissipating tidal energy in the shelf regions, and the internal tide effect is important in the deep water regions. Numerical experiments show that artificial removal of tide-generating force in the BYECS can cause a significant difference (as much as 30 cm) in model output. Artificial removal of SAL tide in the BYECS can cause even greater difference, up to 40 cm. This indicates that SAL tide should be taken into account in numerical simulations, especially if the tide-generating force is considered.

Direct Numerical Simulation of Oscillatory Flow Over a Wavy, Rough, and Permeable Bottom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzuoli, Marco; Blondeaux, Paolo; Simeonov, Julian; Calantoni, Joseph

2018-03-01

The results of a direct numerical simulation of oscillatory flow over a wavy bottom composed of different layers of spherical particles are described. The amplitude of wavy bottom is much smaller in scale than typical bed forms such as sand ripples. The spherical particles are packed in such a way to reproduce a bottom profile observed during an experiment conducted in a laboratory flow tunnel with well-sorted coarse sand. The amplitude and period of the external forcing flow as well as the size of the particles are set equal to the experimental values and the computed velocity field is compared with the measured velocity profiles. The direct numerical simulation allows for the evaluation of quantities, which are difficult to measure in a laboratory experiment (e.g., vorticity, seepage flow velocity, and hydrodynamic force acting on sediment particles). In particular, attention is focused on the coherent vortex structures generated by the vorticity shed by both the spherical particles and the bottom waviness. Results show that the wavy bottom triggers transition to turbulence. Moreover, the forces acting on the spherical particles are computed to investigate the mechanisms through which they are possibly mobilized by the oscillatory flow. It was found that forces capable of mobilizing surface particles are strongly correlated with the particle position above the mean bed elevation and the passage of coherent vortices above them.

Evidence of isometric function of the flexor hallucis longus muscle in normal gait.

PubMed

Kirane, Y M; Michelson, J D; Sharkey, N A

2008-01-01

Studying mechanics of the muscles spanning multiple joints provides insights into intersegmental dynamics and movement coordination. Multiarticular muscles are thought to function at "near-isometric" lengths to transfer mechanical energy between the adjacent body segments. Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) is a multiarticular flexor of the great toe; however, its potential isometric function has received little attention. We used a robotic loading apparatus to investigate FHL mechanics during simulated walking in cadaver feet, and hypothesized that physiological force transmission across the foot can occur with isometric FHL function. The extrinsic foot tendons, stripped of the muscle fibers, were connected to computer-controlled linear actuators. The FHL activity was controlled using force-feedback (FC) based upon electromyographic data from healthy subjects, and subsequently, isometric positional feedback (PC), maintaining the FHL myotendinous junction stationary during simulated walking. Tendon forces and excursions were recorded, as were the strains within the first metatarsal. Forces in the metatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joint were derived from these strains. The FHL tendon excursion under FC was 6.57+/-3.13mm. The forces generated in the FHL tendon, metatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joint with the FHL under isometric PC were not significantly different in pattern from FC. These observations provide evidence that physiological forces could be generated along the great toe with isometric FHL function. A length servo mechanism such as the stretch reflex could likely control the isometric FHL function during in vivo locomotion; this could have interesting implications regarding the conditions of impaired stretch reflex such as spastic paresis and peripheral neuropathies.

Stability of steady hand force production explored across spaces and methods of analysis.

PubMed

de Freitas, Paulo B; Freitas, Sandra M S F; Lewis, Mechelle M; Huang, Xuemei; Latash, Mark L

2018-06-01

We used the framework of the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) hypothesis and explored the reliability of several outcome variables across different spaces of analysis during a very simple four-finger accurate force production task. Fourteen healthy, young adults performed the accurate force production task with each hand on 3 days. Small spatial finger perturbations were generated by the "inverse piano" device three times per trial (lifting the fingers 1 cm/0.5 s and lowering them). The data were analyzed using the following main methods: (1) computation of indices of the structure of inter-trial variance and motor equivalence in the space of finger forces and finger modes, and (2) analysis of referent coordinates and apparent stiffness values for the hand. Maximal voluntary force and the index of enslaving (unintentional finger force production) showed good to excellent reliability. Strong synergies stabilizing total force were reflected in both structure of variance and motor equivalence indices. Variance within the UCM and the index of motor equivalent motion dropped over the trial duration and showed good to excellent reliability. Variance orthogonal to the UCM and the index of non-motor equivalent motion dropped over the 3 days and showed poor to moderate reliability. Referent coordinate and apparent stiffness indices co-varied strongly and both showed good reliability. In contrast, the computed index of force stabilization showed poor reliability. The findings are interpreted within the scheme of neural control with referent coordinates involving the hierarchy of two basic commands, the r-command and c-command. The data suggest natural drifts in the finger force space, particularly within the UCM. We interpret these drifts as reflections of a trade-off between stability and optimization of action. The implications of these findings for the UCM framework and future clinical applications are explored in the discussion. Indices of the structure of variance and motor equivalence show good reliability and can be recommended for applied studies.

A novel toolpath force prediction algorithm using CAM volumetric data for optimizing robotic arthroplasty.

PubMed

Kianmajd, Babak; Carter, David; Soshi, Masakazu

2016-10-01

Robotic total hip arthroplasty is a procedure in which milling operations are performed on the femur to remove material for the insertion of a prosthetic implant. The robot performs the milling operation by following a sequential list of tool motions, also known as a toolpath, generated by a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. The purpose of this paper is to explain a new toolpath force prediction algorithm that predicts cutting forces, which results in improving the quality and safety of surgical systems. With a custom macro developed in the CAM system's native application programming interface, cutting contact patch volume was extracted from CAM simulations. A time domain cutting force model was then developed through the use of a cutting force prediction algorithm. The second portion validated the algorithm by machining a hip canal in simulated bone using a CNC machine. Average cutting forces were measured during machining using a dynamometer and compared to the values predicted from CAM simulation data using the proposed method. The results showed the predicted forces matched the measured forces in both magnitude and overall pattern shape. However, due to inconsistent motion control, the time duration of the forces was slightly distorted. Nevertheless, the algorithm effectively predicted the forces throughout an entire hip canal procedure. This method provides a fast and easy technique for predicting cutting forces during orthopedic milling by utilizing data within a CAM software.

Developing an Effective and Efficient Real Time Strategy Agent for Use as a Computer Generated Force

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

Coello, Carlos A., Gary B. Lamont, and David A. Van Veldhuizen . Evolution- ary Algorithms for Solving Multi-Objective Problems (Genetic and...Practice. Oxford Univer- sity Press, 1996. 4. Bakkes, Sander, Philip Kerbusch, Pieter Spronck, and Jaap van den Herik. “Au- tomatically Evaluating...Pieter Spronck, and Jaap van den Herik. “Phase-dependent Evaluation in RTS games”. Proceedings of the 19th Belgian-Dutch Conference on Artificial

Salvage and Recovery Data Book -- Static Lift Forces.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-06-01

developed. Computer studies at the Naval Civil Engine ering Laboratory - ‘(reference 4) indicate that a winch whic h would accommodate line oscillations...open to au m alysis amid solution thmrou gh a study of system dynamics. These unfortummate occurrences . whic lm have imivolved bot h hard and soft...Recent studies have eli minated all but lithium hydride. The others are either inferior to hydrazine as a buoyancy generator , not well-behaved in

Advanced Training Techniques Using Computer Generated Imagery.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-15

Annual Technical Report for Period- 16 May 1980 - 15 July 1981 LJ Prepared for AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Director of Life Sciences Building...Simulation Management Branch, ATC, Randolph AFB, TX 78148, November 1977. Allbee, K. F., Semple C. A.; Aircrew Training Devices Life Cycle Cost and Worth...in Simulator Design and Application, Life Sciences, Inc., 227 Lood 820 NE, Hurst, Texas 76053, AFOSR-TR-77- 0965, 30 September 1976 McDonnell Aircraft

A Non-Equilibrium Sediment Transport Model for Coastal Inlets and Navigation Channels

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

exchange of water , sediment, and nutrients between estuaries and the ocean. Because of the multiple interacting forces (waves, wind, tide, river...in parallel using OpenMP. The CMS takes advantage of the Surface- water Modeling System (SMS) interface for grid generation and model setup, as well...as for plotting and post- processing (Zundel, 2000). The circulation model in the CMS (called CMS-Flow) computes the unsteady water level and

Force sensor

DOEpatents

Grahn, A.R.

1993-05-11

A force sensor and related method for determining force components is described. The force sensor includes a deformable medium having a contact surface against which a force can be applied, a signal generator for generating signals that travel through the deformable medium to the contact surface, a signal receptor for receiving the signal reflected from the contact surface, a generation controller, a reception controller, and a force determination apparatus. The signal generator has one or more signal generation regions for generating the signals. The generation controller selects and activates the signal generation regions. The signal receptor has one or more signal reception regions for receiving signals and for generating detections signals in response thereto. The reception controller selects signal reception regions and detects the detection signals. The force determination apparatus measures signal transit time by timing activation and detection and, optionally, determines force components for selected cross-field intersections. The timer which times by activation and detection can be any means for measuring signal transit time. A cross-field intersection is defined by the overlap of a signal generation region and a signal reception region.

Force sensor

DOEpatents

Grahn, Allen R.

1993-01-01

A force sensor and related method for determining force components. The force sensor includes a deformable medium having a contact surface against which a force can be applied, a signal generator for generating signals that travel through the deformable medium to the contact surface, a signal receptor for receiving the signal reflected from the contact surface, a generation controller, a reception controller, and a force determination apparatus. The signal generator has one or more signal generation regions for generating the signals. The generation controller selects and activates the signal generation regions. The signal receptor has one or more signal reception regions for receiving signals and for generating detections signals in response thereto. The reception controller selects signal reception regions and detects the detection signals. The force determination apparatus measures signal transit time by timing activation and detection and, optionally, determines force components for selected cross-field intersections. The timer which times by activation and detection can be any means for measuring signal transit time. A cross-field intersection is defined by the overlap of a signal generation region and a signal reception region.

Error-enhancing robot therapy to induce motor control improvement in childhood onset primary dystonia.

PubMed

Casellato, Claudia; Pedrocchi, Alessandra; Zorzi, Giovanna; Rizzi, Giorgio; Ferrigno, Giancarlo; Nardocci, Nardo

2012-07-23

Robot-generated deviating forces during multijoint reaching movements have been applied to investigate motor control and to tune neuromotor adaptation. Can the application of force to limbs improve motor learning? In this framework, the response to altered dynamic environments of children affected by primary dystonia has never been studied. As preliminary pilot study, eleven children with primary dystonia and eleven age-matched healthy control subjects were asked to perform upper limb movements, triangle-reaching (three directions) and circle-writing, using a haptic robot interacting with ad-hoc developed task-specific visual interfaces. Three dynamic conditions were provided, null additive external force (A), constant disturbing force (B) and deactivation of the additive external force again (C). The path length for each trial was computed, from the recorded position data and interaction events. The results show that the disturbing force affects significantly the movement outcomes in healthy but not in dystonic subjects, already compromised in the reference condition: the external alteration uncalibrates the healthy sensorimotor system, while the dystonic one is already strongly uncalibrated. The lack of systematic compensation for perturbation effects during B condition is reflected into the absence of after-effects in C condition, which would be the evidence that CNS generates a prediction of the perturbing forces using an internal model of the environment.The most promising finding is that in dystonic population the altered dynamic exposure seems to induce a subsequent improvement, i.e. a beneficial after-effect in terms of optimal path control, compared with the correspondent reference movement outcome. The short-time error-enhancing training in dystonia could represent an effective approach for motor performance improvement, since the exposure to controlled dynamic alterations induces a refining of the existing but strongly imprecise motor scheme and sensorimotor patterns.

Error-enhancing robot therapy to induce motor control improvement in childhood onset primary dystonia

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Robot-generated deviating forces during multijoint reaching movements have been applied to investigate motor control and to tune neuromotor adaptation. Can the application of force to limbs improve motor learning? In this framework, the response to altered dynamic environments of children affected by primary dystonia has never been studied. Methods As preliminary pilot study, eleven children with primary dystonia and eleven age-matched healthy control subjects were asked to perform upper limb movements, triangle-reaching (three directions) and circle-writing, using a haptic robot interacting with ad-hoc developed task-specific visual interfaces. Three dynamic conditions were provided, null additive external force (A), constant disturbing force (B) and deactivation of the additive external force again (C). The path length for each trial was computed, from the recorded position data and interaction events. Results The results show that the disturbing force affects significantly the movement outcomes in healthy but not in dystonic subjects, already compromised in the reference condition: the external alteration uncalibrates the healthy sensorimotor system, while the dystonic one is already strongly uncalibrated. The lack of systematic compensation for perturbation effects during B condition is reflected into the absence of after-effects in C condition, which would be the evidence that CNS generates a prediction of the perturbing forces using an internal model of the environment. The most promising finding is that in dystonic population the altered dynamic exposure seems to induce a subsequent improvement, i.e. a beneficial after-effect in terms of optimal path control, compared with the correspondent reference movement outcome. Conclusions The short-time error-enhancing training in dystonia could represent an effective approach for motor performance improvement, since the exposure to controlled dynamic alterations induces a refining of the existing but strongly imprecise motor scheme and sensorimotor patterns. PMID:22824547

The feasibility of an efficient drug design method with high-performance computers.

PubMed

Yamashita, Takefumi; Ueda, Akihiko; Mitsui, Takashi; Tomonaga, Atsushi; Matsumoto, Shunji; Kodama, Tatsuhiko; Fujitani, Hideaki

2015-01-01

In this study, we propose a supercomputer-assisted drug design approach involving all-atom molecular dynamics (MD)-based binding free energy prediction after the traditional design/selection step. Because this prediction is more accurate than the empirical binding affinity scoring of the traditional approach, the compounds selected by the MD-based prediction should be better drug candidates. In this study, we discuss the applicability of the new approach using two examples. Although the MD-based binding free energy prediction has a huge computational cost, it is feasible with the latest 10 petaflop-scale computer. The supercomputer-assisted drug design approach also involves two important feedback procedures: The first feedback is generated from the MD-based binding free energy prediction step to the drug design step. While the experimental feedback usually provides binding affinities of tens of compounds at one time, the supercomputer allows us to simultaneously obtain the binding free energies of hundreds of compounds. Because the number of calculated binding free energies is sufficiently large, the compounds can be classified into different categories whose properties will aid in the design of the next generation of drug candidates. The second feedback, which occurs from the experiments to the MD simulations, is important to validate the simulation parameters. To demonstrate this, we compare the binding free energies calculated with various force fields to the experimental ones. The results indicate that the prediction will not be very successful, if we use an inaccurate force field. By improving/validating such simulation parameters, the next prediction can be made more accurate.

Novel permanent magnet linear motor with isolated movers: analytical, numerical and experimental study.

PubMed

Yan, Liang; Peng, Juanjuan; Jiao, Zongxia; Chen, Chin-Yin; Chen, I-Ming

2014-10-01

This paper proposes a novel permanent magnet linear motor possessing two movers and one stator. The two movers are isolated and can interact with the stator poles to generate independent forces and motions. Compared with conventional multiple motor driving system, it helps to increase the system compactness, and thus improve the power density and working efficiency. The magnetic field distribution is obtained by using equivalent magnetic circuit method. Following that, the formulation of force output considering armature reaction is carried out. Then inductances are analyzed with finite element method to investigate the relationships of the two movers. It is found that the mutual-inductances are nearly equal to zero, and thus the interaction between the two movers is negligible. A research prototype of the linear motor and a measurement apparatus on thrust force have been developed. Both numerical computation and experiment measurement are conducted to validate the analytical model of thrust force. Comparison shows that the analytical model matches the numerical and experimental results well.

Air Force construction automation/robotics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nease, A. D.; Alexander, E. F.

1993-01-01

The Air Force has several missions which generate unique requirements that are being met through the development of construction robotic technology. One especially important mission will be the conduct of Department of Defense (DOD) space activities. Space operations and other missions place construction/repair equipment operators in dangerous environments and potentially harmful situations. Additionally, force reductions require that human resources be leveraged to the maximum extent possible, and more stringent construction repair requirements push for increased automation. To solve these problems, the U.S. Air Force is undertaking a research and development effort at Tyndall AFB, FL, to develop robotic construction/repair equipment. This development effort involves the following technologies: teleoperation, telerobotics, construction operations (excavation, grading, leveling, tool change), robotic vehicle communications, vehicle navigation, mission/vehicle task control architecture, and associated computing environment. The ultimate goal is the fielding of a robotic repair capability operating at the level of supervised autonomy. This paper will discuss current and planned efforts in space construction/repair, explosive ordnance disposal, hazardous waste cleanup, and fire fighting.

Mechanisms of in vivo muscle fatigue in humans: investigating age‐related fatigue resistance with a computational model

PubMed Central

Callahan, Damien M.; Umberger, Brian R.

2016-01-01

Key points Muscle fatigue can be defined as the transient decrease in maximal force that occurs in response to muscle use. Fatigue develops because of a complex set of changes within the neuromuscular system that are difficult to evaluate simultaneously in humans.The skeletal muscle of older adults fatigues less than that of young adults during static contractions. The potential sources of this difference are multiple and intertwined.To evaluate the individual mechanisms of fatigue, we developed an integrative computational model based on neural, biochemical, morphological and physiological properties of human skeletal muscle.Our results indicate first that the model provides accurate predictions of fatigue and second that the age‐related resistance to fatigue is due largely to a lower reliance on glycolytic metabolism during contraction.This model should prove useful for generating hypotheses for future experimental studies into the mechanisms of muscle fatigue. Abstract During repeated or sustained muscle activation, force‐generating capacity becomes limited in a process referred to as fatigue. Multiple factors, including motor unit activation patterns, muscle fibre contractile properties and bioenergetic function, can impact force‐generating capacity and thus the potential to resist fatigue. Given that neuromuscular fatigue depends on interrelated factors, quantifying their independent effects on force‐generating capacity is not possible in vivo. Computational models can provide insight into complex systems in which multiple inputs determine discrete outputs. However, few computational models to date have investigated neuromuscular fatigue by incorporating the multiple levels of neuromuscular function known to impact human in vivo function. To address this limitation, we present a computational model that predicts neural activation, biomechanical forces, intracellular metabolic perturbations and, ultimately, fatigue during repeated isometric contractions. This model was compared with metabolic and contractile responses to repeated activation using values reported in the literature. Once validated in this way, the model was modified to reflect age‐related changes in neuromuscular function. Comparisons between initial and age‐modified simulations indicated that the age‐modified model predicted less fatigue during repeated isometric contractions, consistent with reports in the literature. Together, our simulations suggest that reduced glycolytic flux is the greatest contributor to the phenomenon of age‐related fatigue resistance. In contrast, oxidative resynthesis of phosphocreatine between intermittent contractions and inherent buffering capacity had minimal impact on predicted fatigue during isometric contractions. The insights gained from these simulations cannot be achieved through traditional in vivo or in vitro experimentation alone. PMID:26824934

An Empirical Polarizable Force Field Based on the Classical Drude Oscillator Model: Development History and Recent Applications

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Molecular mechanics force fields that explicitly account for induced polarization represent the next generation of physical models for molecular dynamics simulations. Several methods exist for modeling induced polarization, and here we review the classical Drude oscillator model, in which electronic degrees of freedom are modeled by charged particles attached to the nuclei of their core atoms by harmonic springs. We describe the latest developments in Drude force field parametrization and application, primarily in the last 15 years. Emphasis is placed on the Drude-2013 polarizable force field for proteins, DNA, lipids, and carbohydrates. We discuss its parametrization protocol, development history, and recent simulations of biologically interesting systems, highlighting specific studies in which induced polarization plays a critical role in reproducing experimental observables and understanding physical behavior. As the Drude oscillator model is computationally tractable and available in a wide range of simulation packages, it is anticipated that use of these more complex physical models will lead to new and important discoveries of the physical forces driving a range of chemical and biological phenomena. PMID:26815602

An automated two-dimensional optical force clamp for single molecule studies.

PubMed Central

Lang, Matthew J; Asbury, Charles L; Shaevitz, Joshua W; Block, Steven M

2002-01-01

We constructed a next-generation optical trapping instrument to study the motility of single motor proteins, such as kinesin moving along a microtubule. The instrument can be operated as a two-dimensional force clamp, applying loads of fixed magnitude and direction to motor-coated microscopic beads moving in vitro. Flexibility and automation in experimental design are achieved by computer control of both the trap position, via acousto-optic deflectors, and the sample position, using a three-dimensional piezo stage. Each measurement is preceded by an initialization sequence, which includes adjustment of bead height relative to the coverslip using a variant of optical force microscopy (to +/-4 nm), a two-dimensional raster scan to calibrate position detector response, and adjustment of bead lateral position relative to the microtubule substrate (to +/-3 nm). During motor-driven movement, both the trap and stage are moved dynamically to apply constant force while keeping the trapped bead within the calibrated range of the detector. We present details of force clamp operation and preliminary data showing kinesin motor movement subject to diagonal and forward loads. PMID:12080136

A convex optimization method for self-organization in dynamic (FSO/RF) wireless networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Llorca, Jaime; Davis, Christopher C.; Milner, Stuart D.

2008-08-01

Next generation communication networks are becoming increasingly complex systems. Previously, we presented a novel physics-based approach to model dynamic wireless networks as physical systems which react to local forces exerted on network nodes. We showed that under clear atmospheric conditions the network communication energy can be modeled as the potential energy of an analogous spring system and presented a distributed mobility control algorithm where nodes react to local forces driving the network to energy minimizing configurations. This paper extends our previous work by including the effects of atmospheric attenuation and transmitted power constraints in the optimization problem. We show how our new formulation still results in a convex energy minimization problem. Accordingly, an updated force-driven mobility control algorithm is presented. Forces on mobile backbone nodes are computed as the negative gradient of the new energy function. Results show how in the presence of atmospheric obscuration stronger forces are exerted on network nodes that make them move closer to each other, avoiding loss of connectivity. We show results in terms of network coverage and backbone connectivity and compare the developed algorithms for different scenarios.

The new Mobile Command Center at KSC is important addition to emergency preparedness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Charles Street, part of the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC, uses a phone on the specially equipped emergency response vehicle. The vehicle, nicknamed '''The Brute,''' serves as a mobile command center for emergency preparedness staff and other support personnel when needed. It features a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

A new approach for vibration control in large space structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kumar, K.; Cochran, J. E., Jr.

1987-01-01

An approach for augmenting vibration damping characteristics in space structures with large panels is presented. It is based on generation of bending moments rather than forces. The moments are generated using bimetallic strips, suitably mounted at selected stations on both sides of the large panels, under the influence of differential solar heating, giving rise to thermal gradients and stresses. The collocated angular velocity sensors are utilized in conjunction with mini-servos to regulate the control moments by flipping the bimetallic strips. A simple computation of the rate of dissipation of vibrational energy is undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

A hypersonic lift mechanism with decoupled lift and drag surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, YiZhe; Xu, ZhiQi; Li, ShaoGuang; Li, Juan; Bai, ChenYuan; Wu, ZiNiu

2013-05-01

In the present study, we propose a novel lift mechanism for which the lifting surface produces only lift. This is achieved by mounting a two-dimensional shock-shock interaction generator below the lifting surface. The shock-shock interaction theory in conjunction with a three dimensional correction and checked with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to analyze the lift and drag forces as function of the geometrical parameters and inflow Mach number. Through this study, though limited to only inviscid flow, we conclude that it is possible to obtain a high lift to drag ratio by suitably arranging the shock interaction generator.

KSC-00pp1572

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

Charles Street, part of the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC, uses a phone on the specially equipped emergency response vehicle. The vehicle, nicknamed “The Brute,” serves as a mobile command center for emergency preparedness staff and other support personnel when needed. It features a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

KSC00pp1572

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

Charles Street, part of the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC, uses a phone on the specially equipped emergency response vehicle. The vehicle, nicknamed “The Brute,” serves as a mobile command center for emergency preparedness staff and other support personnel when needed. It features a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine. It also can generate power with its onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

Adaptive thinking & leadership simulation game training for special forces officers.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raybourn, Elaine Marie; Mendini, Kip; Heneghan, Jerry

Complex problem solving approaches and novel strategies employed by the military at the squad, team, and commander level are often best learned experimentally. Since live action exercises can be costly, advances in simulation game training technology offer exciting ways to enhance current training. Computer games provide an environment for active, critical learning. Games open up possibilities for simultaneous learning on multiple levels; players may learn from contextual information embedded in the dynamics of the game, the organic process generated by the game, and through the risks, benefits, costs, outcomes, and rewards of alternative strategies that result from decision making. Inmore » the present paper we discuss a multiplayer computer game simulation created for the Adaptive Thinking & Leadership (ATL) Program to train Special Forces Team Leaders. The ATL training simulation consists of a scripted single-player and an immersive multiplayer environment for classroom use which leverages immersive computer game technology. We define adaptive thinking as consisting of competencies such as negotiation and consensus building skills, the ability to communicate effectively, analyze ambiguous situations, be self-aware, think innovatively, and critically use effective problem solving skills. Each of these competencies is an essential element of leader development training for the U.S. Army Special Forces. The ATL simulation is used to augment experiential learning in the curriculum for the U.S. Army JFK Special Warfare Center & School (SWCS) course in Adaptive Thinking & Leadership. The school is incorporating the ATL simulation game into two additional training pipelines (PSYOPS and Civil Affairs Qualification Courses) that are also concerned with developing cultural awareness, interpersonal communication adaptability, and rapport-building skills. In the present paper, we discuss the design, development, and deployment of the training simulation, and emphasize how the multiplayer simulation game is successfully used in the Special Forces Officer training program.« less

Modeling of Passive Forces of Machine Tool Covers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolar, Petr; Hudec, Jan; Sulitka, Matej

The passive forces acting against the drive force are phenomena that influence dynamical properties and precision of linear axes equipped with feed drives. Covers are one of important sources of passive forces in machine tools. The paper describes virtual evaluation of cover passive forces using the cover complex model. The model is able to compute interaction between flexible cover segments and sealing wiper. The result is deformation of cover segments and wipers which is used together with measured friction coefficient for computation of cover total passive force. This resulting passive force is dependent on cover position. Comparison of computational results and measurement on the real cover is presented in the paper.

Method to predict external store carriage characteristics at transonic speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosen, Bruce S.

1988-01-01

Development of a computational method for prediction of external store carriage characteristics at transonic speeds is described. The geometric flexibility required for treatment of pylon-mounted stores is achieved by computing finite difference solutions on a five-level embedded grid arrangement. A completely automated grid generation procedure facilitates applications. Store modeling capability consists of bodies of revolution with multiple fore and aft fins. A body-conforming grid improves the accuracy of the computed store body flow field. A nonlinear relaxation scheme developed specifically for modified transonic small disturbance flow equations enhances the method's numerical stability and accuracy. As a result, treatment of lower aspect ratio, more highly swept and tapered wings is possible. A limited supersonic freestream capability is also provided. Pressure, load distribution, and force/moment correlations show good agreement with experimental data for several test cases. A detailed computer program description for the Transonic Store Carriage Loads Prediction (TSCLP) Code is included.

All-atom calculation of protein free-energy profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orioli, S.; Ianeselli, A.; Spagnolli, G.; Faccioli, P.

2017-10-01

The Bias Functional (BF) approach is a variational method which enables one to efficiently generate ensembles of reactive trajectories for complex biomolecular transitions, using ordinary computer clusters. For example, this scheme was applied to simulate in atomistic detail the folding of proteins consisting of several hundreds of amino acids and with experimental folding time of several minutes. A drawback of the BF approach is that it produces trajectories which do not satisfy microscopic reversibility. Consequently, this method cannot be used to directly compute equilibrium observables, such as free energy landscapes or equilibrium constants. In this work, we develop a statistical analysis which permits us to compute the potential of mean-force (PMF) along an arbitrary collective coordinate, by exploiting the information contained in the reactive trajectories calculated with the BF approach. We assess the accuracy and computational efficiency of this scheme by comparing its results with the PMF obtained for a small protein by means of plain molecular dynamics.

Computer program for assessing the theoretical performance of a three dimensional inlet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agnone, A. M.; Kung, F.

1972-01-01

A computer program for determining the theoretical performance of a three dimensional inlet is presented. An analysis for determining the capture area, ram force, spillage force, and surface pressure force is presented, along with the necessary computer program. A sample calculation is also included.

Structural Optimization of a Force Balance Using a Computational Experiment Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, P. A.; DeLoach, R.

2002-01-01

This paper proposes a new approach to force balance structural optimization featuring a computational experiment design. Currently, this multi-dimensional design process requires the designer to perform a simplification by executing parameter studies on a small subset of design variables. This one-factor-at-a-time approach varies a single variable while holding all others at a constant level. Consequently, subtle interactions among the design variables, which can be exploited to achieve the design objectives, are undetected. The proposed method combines Modern Design of Experiments techniques to direct the exploration of the multi-dimensional design space, and a finite element analysis code to generate the experimental data. To efficiently search for an optimum combination of design variables and minimize the computational resources, a sequential design strategy was employed. Experimental results from the optimization of a non-traditional force balance measurement section are presented. An approach to overcome the unique problems associated with the simultaneous optimization of multiple response criteria is described. A quantitative single-point design procedure that reflects the designer's subjective impression of the relative importance of various design objectives, and a graphical multi-response optimization procedure that provides further insights into available tradeoffs among competing design objectives are illustrated. The proposed method enhances the intuition and experience of the designer by providing new perspectives on the relationships between the design variables and the competing design objectives providing a systematic foundation for advancements in structural design.

Creating Weather System Ensembles Through Synergistic Process Modeling and Machine Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, B.; Posselt, D. J.; Nguyen, H.; Wu, L.; Su, H.; Braverman, A. J.

2017-12-01

Earth's weather and climate are sensitive to a variety of control factors (e.g., initial state, forcing functions, etc). Characterizing the response of the atmosphere to a change in initial conditions or model forcing is critical for weather forecasting (ensemble prediction) and climate change assessment. Input - response relationships can be quantified by generating an ensemble of multiple (100s to 1000s) realistic realizations of weather and climate states. Atmospheric numerical models generate simulated data through discretized numerical approximation of the partial differential equations (PDEs) governing the underlying physics. However, the computational expense of running high resolution atmospheric state models makes generation of more than a few simulations infeasible. Here, we discuss an experiment wherein we approximate the numerical PDE solver within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model using neural networks trained on a subset of model run outputs. Once trained, these neural nets can produce large number of realization of weather states from a small number of deterministic simulations with speeds that are orders of magnitude faster than the underlying PDE solver. Our neural network architecture is inspired by the governing partial differential equations. These equations are location-invariant, and consist of first and second derivations. As such, we use a 3x3 lon-lat grid of atmospheric profiles as the predictor in the neural net to provide the network the information necessary to compute the first and second moments. Results indicate that the neural network algorithm can approximate the PDE outputs with high degree of accuracy (less than 1% error), and that this error increases as a function of the prediction time lag.

Using virtual environment technology for preadapting astronauts to the novel sensory conditions of microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duncan, K. M.; Harm, D. L.; Crosier, W. G.; Worthington, J. W.

1993-01-01

A unique training device is being developed at the Johnson Space Center Neurosciences Laboratory to help reduce or eliminate Space Motion Sickness (SMS) and spatial orientation disturbances that occur during spaceflight. The Device for Orientation and Motion Environments Preflight Adaptation Trainer (DOME PAT) uses virtual reality technology to simulate some sensory rearrangements experienced by astronauts in microgravity. By exposing a crew member to this novel environment preflight, it is expected that he/she will become partially adapted, and thereby suffer fewer symptoms inflight. The DOME PAT is a 3.7 m spherical dome, within which a 170 by 100 deg field of view computer-generated visual database is projected. The visual database currently in use depicts the interior of a Shuttle spacelab. The trainee uses a six degree-of-freedom, isometric force hand controller to navigate through the virtual environment. Alternatively, the trainee can be 'moved' about within the virtual environment by the instructor, or can look about within the environment by wearing a restraint that controls scene motion in response to head movements. The computer system is comprised of four personal computers that provide the real time control and user interface, and two Silicon Graphics computers that generate the graphical images. The image generator computers use custom algorithms to compensate for spherical image distortion, while maintaining a video update rate of 30 Hz. The DOME PAT is the first such system known to employ virtual reality technology to reduce the untoward effects of the sensory rearrangement associated with exposure to microgravity, and it does so in a very cost-effective manner.

Bipolarization and Poleward Flux Correlate during Xenopus Extract Spindle AssemblyV⃞

PubMed Central

Mitchison, T.J.; Maddox, P.; Groen, A.; Cameron, L.; Perlman, Z.; Ohi, R.; Desai, A.; Salmon, E.D.; Kapoor, T.M.

2004-01-01

We investigated the mechanism by which meiotic spindles become bipolar and the correlation between bipolarity and poleward flux, using Xenopus egg extracts. By speckle microscopy and computational alignment, we find that monopolar sperm asters do not show evidence for flux, partially contradicting previous work. We account for the discrepancy by describing spontaneous bipolarization of sperm asters that was missed previously. During spontaneous bipolarization, onset of flux correlated with onset of bipolarity, implying that antiparallel microtubule organization may be required for flux. Using a probe for TPX2 in addition to tubulin, we describe two pathways that lead to spontaneous bipolarization, new pole assembly near chromatin, and pole splitting. By inhibiting the Ran pathway with excess importin-alpha, we establish a role for chromatin-derived, antiparallel overlap bundles in generating the sliding force for flux, and we examine these bundles by electron microscopy. Our results highlight the importance of two processes, chromatin-initiated microtubule nucleation, and sliding forces generated between antiparallel microtubules, in self-organization of spindle bipolarity and poleward flux. PMID:15385629

Robustness of Modeling of Out-of-Service Gas Mechanical Face Seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, Itzhak

2007-01-01

Gas lubricated mechanical face seal are ubiquitous in many high performance applications such as compressors and gas turbines. The literature contains various analyses of seals having orderly face patterns (radial taper, waves, spiral grooves, etc.). These are useful for design purposes and for performance predictions. However, seals returning from service (or from testing) inevitably contain wear tracks and warped faces that depart from the aforementioned orderly patterns. Questions then arise as to the heat generated at the interface, leakage rates, axial displacement and tilts, minimum film thickness, contact forces, etc. This work describes an analysis of seals that may inherit any (i.e., random) face pattern. A comprehensive computer code is developed, based upon the Newton- Raphson method, which solves for the equilibrium of the axial force and tilting moments that are generated by asperity contact and fluid film effects. A contact mechanics model is incorporated along with a finite volume method that solves the compressible Reynolds equation. Results are presented for a production seal that has sustained a testing cycle.

Dry wind tunnel system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Ping-Chih (Inventor)

2013-01-01

This invention is a ground flutter testing system without a wind tunnel, called Dry Wind Tunnel (DWT) System. The DWT system consists of a Ground Vibration Test (GVT) hardware system, a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) force controller software, and a real-time unsteady aerodynamic force generation software, that is developed from an aerodynamic reduced order model (ROM). The ground flutter test using the DWT System operates on a real structural model, therefore no scaled-down structural model, which is required by the conventional wind tunnel flutter test, is involved. Furthermore, the impact of the structural nonlinearities on the aeroelastic stability can be included automatically. Moreover, the aeroservoelastic characteristics of the aircraft can be easily measured by simply including the flight control system in-the-loop. In addition, the unsteady aerodynamics generated computationally is interference-free from the wind tunnel walls. Finally, the DWT System can be conveniently and inexpensively carried out as a post GVT test with the same hardware, only with some possible rearrangement of the shakers and the inclusion of additional sensors.

Measurements on a guitar string as an example of a physical nonlinear driven oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlà, Marcello; Straulino, Samuele

2017-08-01

An experimental study is described to characterize the oscillation of a guitar string around resonance. A periodic force was applied to the string, generated by the electromagnetic interaction between an alternating current flowing in the string and a magnetic field. The oscillation was studied by measuring the voltage induced in the string itself, which is proportional to the velocity. Accurate quantitative data were obtained for the velocity, both modulus and phase, with a time resolution of 3 ms, corresponding to the oscillation period. The measuring instrument was a personal computer with its sound card and an electronic amplifier, both used to generate the excitation current and record the velocity signal, while performing the required frequency sweep. The study covered an excitation force range more than two and half decades wide (51 dB). The experimental results showed very good agreement with the theoretical behavior of a Duffing oscillator with nonlinear damping over about two decades.

Numerical analysis of tangential slot blowing on a generic chined forebody

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agosta, Roxana M.

1994-01-01

A numerical study is performed to investigate the effects of tangential slot blowing on a generic chined forebody. The Reynolds-averaged, thin-layer, Navier-Stokes equations are solved to obtain the high-angle-of-attack viscous flow field about a generic chined forebody. Tangential slot blowing is investigated as a means of forebody flow control to generate side force and yawing moment on the forebody. The effects of jet mass flow ratios, angle of attack, and blowing slot location in the axial and circumferential directions are studied. The computed results are compared with available wind tunnel experimental data. The solutions with and without blowing are also analyzed using helicity density contours, surface flow patterns, and off-surface instantaneous streamlines. The results of this analysis provide details of the flow field about the generic chined forebody, as well as show that tangential slot blowing can be used as a means of forebody flow control to generate side force and yawing moment.

Rotational effect of buoyancy in frontcrawl: Does it really cause the legs to sink?

PubMed

Yanai, T

2001-02-01

The purposes of this study were to quantify the rotational effect of buoyant force (buoyant torque) during the performance of front crawl and to reexamine the mechanics of horizontal alignment of the swimmers. Three-dimensional videography was used to measure the position and orientation of the body segments of 11 competitive swimmers performing front crawl stroke at a sub-maximum sprinting speed. The dimensions of each body segment were defined mathematically to match the body segment parameters (mass, density, and centroid position) reported in the literature. The buoyant force and torque were computed for every video-field (60fields/s), assuming that the water surface followed a sine curve along the length of the swimmer. The average buoyant torque over the stroke cycle (mean=22Nm) was directed to raise the legs and lower the head, primarily because the recovery arm and a part of the head were lifted out of the water and the center of buoyancy shifted toward the feet. This finding contradicts the prevailing speculation that buoyancy only causes the legs to sink throughout the stroke cycle. On the basis of a theoretical analysis of the results, it is postulated that the buoyant torque, and perhaps the forces generated by kicks, function to counteract the torque generated by the hydrodynamic forces acting on the hands, so as to maintain the horizontal alignment of the body in front crawl.

Easy Volcanic Aerosol (EVA v1.0): an idealized forcing generator for climate simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toohey, Matthew; Stevens, Bjorn; Schmidt, Hauke; Timmreck, Claudia

2016-11-01

Stratospheric sulfate aerosols from volcanic eruptions have a significant impact on the Earth's climate. To include the effects of volcanic eruptions in climate model simulations, the Easy Volcanic Aerosol (EVA) forcing generator provides stratospheric aerosol optical properties as a function of time, latitude, height, and wavelength for a given input list of volcanic eruption attributes. EVA is based on a parameterized three-box model of stratospheric transport and simple scaling relationships used to derive mid-visible (550 nm) aerosol optical depth and aerosol effective radius from stratospheric sulfate mass. Precalculated look-up tables computed from Mie theory are used to produce wavelength-dependent aerosol extinction, single scattering albedo, and scattering asymmetry factor values. The structural form of EVA and the tuning of its parameters are chosen to produce best agreement with the satellite-based reconstruction of stratospheric aerosol properties following the 1991 Pinatubo eruption, and with prior millennial-timescale forcing reconstructions, including the 1815 eruption of Tambora. EVA can be used to produce volcanic forcing for climate models which is based on recent observations and physical understanding but internally self-consistent over any timescale of choice. In addition, EVA is constructed so as to allow for easy modification of different aspects of aerosol properties, in order to be used in model experiments to help advance understanding of what aspects of the volcanic aerosol are important for the climate system.

Myosin II Dynamics during Embryo Morphogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasza, Karen

2013-03-01

During embryonic morphogenesis, the myosin II motor protein generates forces that help to shape tissues, organs, and the overall body form. In one dramatic example in the Drosophila melanogaster embryo, the epithelial tissue that will give rise to the body of the adult animal elongates more than two-fold along the head-to-tail axis in less than an hour. This elongation is accomplished primarily through directional rearrangements of cells within the plane of the tissue. Just prior to elongation, polarized assemblies of myosin II accumulate perpendicular to the elongation axis. The contractile forces generated by myosin activity orient cell movements along a common axis, promoting local cell rearrangements that contribute to global tissue elongation. The molecular and mechanical mechanisms by which myosin drives this massive change in embryo shape are poorly understood. To investigate these mechanisms, we generated a collection of transgenic flies expressing variants of myosin II with altered motor function and regulation. We found that variants that are predicted to have increased myosin activity cause defects in tissue elongation. Using biophysical approaches, we found that these myosin variants also have decreased turnover dynamics within cells. To explore the mechanisms by which molecular-level myosin dynamics are translated into tissue-level elongation, we are using time-lapse confocal imaging to observe cell movements in embryos with altered myosin activity. We are utilizing computational approaches to quantify the dynamics and directionality of myosin localization and cell rearrangements. These studies will help elucidate how myosin-generated forces control cell movements within tissues. This work is in collaboration with J. Zallen at the Sloan-Kettering Institute.

Wave Dynamics and Transport in the Stratosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holton, James R.; Alexander, M. Joan

1999-01-01

The report discusses: (1) Gravity waves generated by tropical convection: A study in which a two-dimensional cloud-resolving model was used to examine the possible role of gravity waves generated by a simulated tropical squall line in forcing the quasi-biennial oscillation was completed. (2) Gravity wave ray tracing studies:It was developed a linear ray tracing model of gravity wave propagation to extend the nonlinear storm model results into the mesosphere and thermosphere. (3) tracer filamentation: Vertical soundings of stratospheric ozone often exhibit laminated tracer structures characterized by strong vertical tracer gradients. (4) Mesospheric gravity wave modeling studies: Although our emphasis in numerical simulation of gravity waves generated by convection has shifted from simulation of idealized two-dimensional squall lines to the most realistic (and complex) study of wave generation by three-dimensional storms. (5) Gravity wave climatology studies: Mr. Alexander applied a linear gravity wave propagation model together with observations of the background wind and stability fields to compute climatologies of gravity wave activity for comparison to observations. (6) Convective forcing of gravity waves: Theoretical study of gravity wave forcing by convective heat sources has completed. (7) Gravity waves observation from UARS: The objective of this work is to apply ray tracing, and other model technique, in order to determine to what extend the horizontal and vertical variation in satellite observed distribution of small-scale temperature variance can be attributed to gravity waves from particular sources. (8) The annual and interannual variations in temperature and mass flux near the tropical tropopause. and (9) Three dimensional cloud model.

Design and performance evaluation of a master controller for endovascular catheterization.

PubMed

Guo, Jin; Guo, Shuxiang; Tamiya, Takashi; Hirata, Hideyuki; Ishihara, Hidenori

2016-01-01

It is difficult to manipulate a flexible catheter to target a position within a patient's complicated and delicate vessels. However, few researchers focused on the controller designs with much consideration of the natural catheter manipulation skills obtained from manual catheterization. Also, the existing catheter motion measurement methods probably lead to the difficulties in designing the force feedback device. Additionally, the commercially available systems are too expensive which makes them cost prohibitive to most hospitals. This paper presents a simple and cost-effective master controller for endovascular catheterization that can allow the interventionalists to apply the conventional pull, push and twist of the catheter used in current practice. A catheter-sensing unit (used to measure the motion of the catheter) and a force feedback unit (used to provide a sense of resistance force) are both presented. A camera was used to allow a contactless measurement avoiding additional friction, and the force feedback in the axial direction was provided by the magnetic force generated between the permanent magnets and the powered coil. Performance evaluation of the controller was evaluated by first conducting comparison experiments to quantify the accuracy of the catheter-sensing unit, and then conducting several experiments to evaluate the force feedback unit. From the experimental results, the minimum and the maximum errors of translational displacement were 0.003 mm (0.01 %) and 0.425 mm (1.06 %), respectively. The average error was 0.113 mm (0.28 %). In terms of rotational angles, the minimum and the maximum errors were 0.39°(0.33 %) and 7.2°(6 %), respectively. The average error was 3.61°(3.01 %). The force resolution was approximately 25 mN and a maximum current of 3A generated an approximately 1.5 N force. Based on analysis of requirements and state-of-the-art computer-assisted and robot-assisted training systems for endovascular catheterization, a new master controller with force feedback interface was proposed to maintain the natural endovascular catheterization skills of the interventionalists.

The Dynamics of Voluntary Force Production in Afferented Muscle Influence Involuntary Tremor

PubMed Central

Laine, Christopher M.; Nagamori, Akira; Valero-Cuevas, Francisco J.

2016-01-01

Voluntary control of force is always marked by some degree of error and unsteadiness. Both neural and mechanical factors contribute to these fluctuations, but how they interact to produce them is poorly understood. In this study, we identify and characterize a previously undescribed neuromechanical interaction where the dynamics of voluntary force production suffice to generate involuntary tremor. Specifically, participants were asked to produce isometric force with the index finger and use visual feedback to track a sinusoidal target spanning 5–9% of each individual's maximal voluntary force level. Force fluctuations and EMG activity over the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle were recorded and their frequency content was analyzed as a function of target phase. Force variability in either the 1–5 or 6–15 Hz frequency ranges tended to be largest at the peaks and valleys of the target sinusoid. In those same periods, FDS EMG activity was synchronized with force fluctuations. We then constructed a physiologically-realistic computer simulation in which a muscle-tendon complex was set inside of a feedback-driven control loop. Surprisingly, the model sufficed to produce phase-dependent modulation of tremor similar to that observed in humans. Further, the gain of afferent feedback from muscle spindles was critical for appropriately amplifying and shaping this tremor. We suggest that the experimentally-induced tremor may represent the response of a viscoelastic muscle-tendon system to dynamic drive, and therefore does not fall into known categories of tremor generation, such as tremorogenic descending drive, stretch-reflex loop oscillations, motor unit behavior, or mechanical resonance. Our findings motivate future efforts to understand tremor from a perspective that considers neuromechanical coupling within the context of closed-loop control. The strategy of combining experimental recordings with physiologically-sound simulations will enable thorough exploration of neural and mechanical contributions to force control in health and disease. PMID:27594832

GPU accelerated generation of digitally reconstructed radiographs for 2-D/3-D image registration.

PubMed

Dorgham, Osama M; Laycock, Stephen D; Fisher, Mark H

2012-09-01

Recent advances in programming languages for graphics processing units (GPUs) provide developers with a convenient way of implementing applications which can be executed on the CPU and GPU interchangeably. GPUs are becoming relatively cheap, powerful, and widely available hardware components, which can be used to perform intensive calculations. The last decade of hardware performance developments shows that GPU-based computation is progressing significantly faster than CPU-based computation, particularly if one considers the execution of highly parallelisable algorithms. Future predictions illustrate that this trend is likely to continue. In this paper, we introduce a way of accelerating 2-D/3-D image registration by developing a hybrid system which executes on the CPU and utilizes the GPU for parallelizing the generation of digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs). Based on the advancements of the GPU over the CPU, it is timely to exploit the benefits of many-core GPU technology by developing algorithms for DRR generation. Although some previous work has investigated the rendering of DRRs using the GPU, this paper investigates approximations which reduce the computational overhead while still maintaining a quality consistent with that needed for 2-D/3-D registration with sufficient accuracy to be clinically acceptable in certain applications of radiation oncology. Furthermore, by comparing implementations of 2-D/3-D registration on the CPU and GPU, we investigate current performance and propose an optimal framework for PC implementations addressing the rigid registration problem. Using this framework, we are able to render DRR images from a 256×256×133 CT volume in ~24 ms using an NVidia GeForce 8800 GTX and in ~2 ms using NVidia GeForce GTX 580. In addition to applications requiring fast automatic patient setup, these levels of performance suggest image-guided radiation therapy at video frame rates is technically feasible using relatively low cost PC architecture.

Optimized coordination of brakes and active steering for a 4WS passenger car.

PubMed

Tavasoli, Ali; Naraghi, Mahyar; Shakeri, Heman

2012-09-01

Optimum coordination of individual brakes and front/rear steering subsystems is presented. The integrated control strategy consists of three modules. A coordinated high-level control determines the body forces/moment required to achieve vehicle motion objectives. The body forces/moment are allocated to braking and steering subsystems through an intermediate unit, which integrates available subsystems based on phase plane notion in an optimal manner. To this end, an optimization problem including several equality and inequality constraints is defined and solved analytically, such that a real-time implementation can be realized without the use of numeric optimization software. A low-level slip-ratio controller works to generate the desired longitudinal forces at small longitudinal slip-ratios, while averting wheel locking at large slip-ratios. The efficiency of the suggested approach is demonstrated through computer simulations. Copyright © 2012 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Substructure analysis using NICE/SPAR and applications of force to linear and nonlinear structures. [spacecraft masts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Razzaq, Zia; Prasad, Venkatesh; Darbhamulla, Siva Prasad; Bhati, Ravinder; Lin, Cai

1987-01-01

Parallel computing studies are presented for a variety of structural analysis problems. Included are the substructure planar analysis of rectangular panels with and without a hole, the static analysis of space mast, using NICE/SPAR and FORCE, and substructure analysis of plane rigid-jointed frames using FORCE. The computations are carried out on the Flex/32 MultiComputer using one to eighteen processors. The NICE/SPAR runstream samples are documented for the panel problem. For the substructure analysis of plane frames, a computer program is developed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a substructuring technique when FORCE is enforced. Ongoing research activities for an elasto-plastic stability analysis problem using FORCE, and stability analysis of the focus problem using NICE/SPAR are briefly summarized. Speedup curves for the panel, the mast, and the frame problems provide a basic understanding of the effectiveness of parallel computing procedures utilized or developed, within the domain of the parameters considered. Although the speedup curves obtained exhibit various levels of computational efficiency, they clearly demonstrate the excellent promise which parallel computing holds for the structural analysis problem. Source code is given for the elasto-plastic stability problem and the FORCE program.

Stationary Apparatus Would Apply Forces of Walking to Feet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hauss, Jessica; Wood, John; Budinoff, Jason; Correia, Michael; Albrecht, Rudolf

2006-01-01

A proposed apparatus would apply controlled cyclic forces to both feet for the purpose of preventing the loss of bone density in a human subject whose bones are not subjected daily to the mechanical loads of normal activity in normal Earth gravitation. The apparatus was conceived for use by astronauts on long missions in outer space; it could also be used by bedridden patients on Earth, including patients too weak to generate the necessary forces by their own efforts. The apparatus (see figure) would be a modified version of a bicycle-like exercise machine, called the cycle ergometer with vibration isolation system (CEVIS), now aboard the International Space Station. Attached to each CEVIS pedal would be a computer-controlled stress/ vibration exciter connected to the heel portion of a special-purpose pedal. The user would wear custom shoes that would amount to standard bicycle shoes equipped with cleats for secure attachment of the balls of the feet to the special- purpose pedals. If possible, prior to use of the apparatus, the human subject would wear a portable network of recording accelerometers, while walking, jogging, and running. The information thus gathered would be fed to the computer, wherein it would be used to make the exciters apply forces and vibrations closely approximating the forces and vibrations experienced by that individual during normal exercise. It is anticipated that like the forces applied to bones during natural exercise, these artificial forces would stimulate the production of osteoblasts (bone-forming cells), as needed to prevent or retard loss of bone mass. In addition to helping to prevent deterioration of bones, the apparatus could be used in treating a person already suffering from osteoporosis. For this purpose, the magnitude of the applied forces could be reduced, if necessary, to a level at which weak hip and leg bones would still be stimulated to produce osteoblasts without exposing them to the full stresses of walking and thereby risking fracture.

Simulation of the effects of different pilot helmets on neck loading during air combat.

PubMed

Mathys, R; Ferguson, S J

2012-09-21

New generation pilot helmets with mounted devices enhance the capabilities of pilots substantially. However, the additional equipment increases the helmet weight and shifts its center of mass forward. Two helmets with different mass properties were modeled to simulate their effects on the pilot's neck. A musculoskeletal computer model was used, with the methods of inverse dynamics and static optimization, to compute the muscle activations and joint reaction forces for a given range of quasi-static postures at various accelerations experienced during air combat. Head postures which induce much higher loads on the cervical spine than encountered in a neutral position could be identified. The increased weight and the forward shift of the center of mass of a new generation helmet lead to higher muscle activations and higher joint reaction loads over a wide range of head and neck movements. The muscle activations required to balance the head and neck in extreme postures increased the compressive force at the T1-C7 level substantially, while in a neutral posture the muscle activations remained low. The lateral neck muscles can reach activations of 100% and cause compressive joint forces up to 1100N during extensive rotations and extensions at high 'vertical' accelerations (Gz). The calculated values have to be interpreted with care as the model has not been validated. Nevertheless, this systematic analysis could separate the effects of head posture, acceleration and helmet mass on neck loading. More reliable data about mass properties and muscle morphometry with a more detailed motion analysis would help to refine the existing model. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Local traction force in the proximal leading process triggers nuclear translocation during neuronal migration.

PubMed

Umeshima, Hiroki; Nomura, Ken-Ichi; Yoshikawa, Shuhei; Hörning, Marcel; Tanaka, Motomu; Sakuma, Shinya; Arai, Fumihito; Kaneko, Makoto; Kengaku, Mineko

2018-04-05

Somal translocation in long bipolar neurons is regulated by actomyosin contractile forces, yet the precise spatiotemporal sites of force generation are unknown. Here we investigate the force dynamics generated during somal translocation using traction force microscopy. Neurons with a short leading process generated a traction force in the growth cone and counteracting forces in the leading and trailing processes. In contrast, neurons with a long leading process generated a force dipole with opposing traction forces in the proximal leading process during nuclear translocation. Transient accumulation of actin filaments was observed at the dipole center of the two opposing forces, which was abolished by inhibition of myosin II activity. A swelling in the leading process emerged and generated a traction force that pulled the nucleus when nuclear translocation was physically hampered. The traction force in the leading process swelling was uncoupled from somal translocation in neurons expressing a dominant negative mutant of the KASH protein, which disrupts the interaction between cytoskeletal components and the nuclear envelope. Our results suggest that the leading process is the site of generation of actomyosin-dependent traction force in long bipolar neurons, and that the traction force is transmitted to the nucleus via KASH proteins. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. and Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.

On the Relevancy of Efficient, Integrated Computer and Network Monitoring in HEP Distributed Online Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carvalho, D.; Gavillet, Ph.; Delgado, V.; Albert, J. N.; Bellas, N.; Javello, J.; Miere, Y.; Ruffinoni, D.; Smith, G.

Large Scientific Equipments are controlled by Computer Systems whose complexity is growing driven, on the one hand by the volume and variety of the information, its distributed nature, the sophistication of its treatment and, on the other hand by the fast evolution of the computer and network market. Some people call them genetically Large-Scale Distributed Data Intensive Information Systems or Distributed Computer Control Systems (DCCS) for those systems dealing more with real time control. Taking advantage of (or forced by) the distributed architecture, the tasks are more and more often implemented as Client-Server applications. In this framework the monitoring of the computer nodes, the communications network and the applications becomes of primary importance for ensuring the safe running and guaranteed performance of the system. With the future generation of HEP experiments, such as those at the LHC in view, it is proposed to integrate the various functions of DCCS monitoring into one general purpose Multi-layer System.

A computer method of finding valuations forcing validity of LC formulae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godlewski, Łukasz; Świetorzecka, Kordula; Mulawka, Jan

2014-11-01

The purpose of this paper is to present the computer implementation of a system known as LC temporal logic [1]. Firstly, to become familiar with some theoretical issues, a short introduction to this logic is discussed. The algorithms allowing a deep analysis of the formulae of LC logic are considered. In particular we discuss how to determine if a formula is a tautology, contrtautology or it is satisfable. Next, we show how to find all valuations to satisfy the formula. Finally, we consider finding histories generated by the formula and transforming these histories into the state machine. Moreover, a description of the experiments that verify the implementation are briefly presented.

Analog and numerical experiments investigating force chain influences on bed conditions in granular flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Estep, J.; Dufek, J.

2013-12-01

Granular flows are fundamental processes in several terrestrial and planetary natural events; including surficial flows on volcanic edifices, debris flows, landslides, dune formation, rock falls, sector collapses, and avalanches. Often granular flows can be two-phase, whereby interstitial fluids occupy void space within the particulates. The mobility of granular flows has received significant attention, however the physics that govern their internal behavior remain poorly understood. Here we extend upon previous research showing that force chains can transmit extreme localized forces to the substrates of free surface granular flows, and we combine experimental and computational approaches to further investigate the forces at the bed of simplified granular flows. Analog experiments resolve discrete bed forces via a photoelastic technique, while numerical experiments validate laboratory tests using discrete element model (DEM) simulations. The current work investigates (1) the role of distributed grain sizes on force transmission via force chains, and (2) how the inclusion of interstitial fluids effects force chain development. We also include 3D numerical simulations to apply observed 2D characteristics into real world perspective, and ascertain if the added dimension alters force chain behavior. Previous research showed that bed forces generated by force chain structures can transiently greatly exceed (by several 100%) the bed forces predicted from continuum approaches, and that natural materials are more prone to excessive bed forces than photoelastic materials due to their larger contact stiffnesses. This work suggests that force chain activity may play an important role in the bed physics of dense granular flows by influencing substrate entrainment. Photoelastic experiment image showing force chains in gravity driven granular flow.

Multicore job scheduling in the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forti, A.; Pérez-Calero Yzquierdo, A.; Hartmann, T.; Alef, M.; Lahiff, A.; Templon, J.; Dal Pra, S.; Gila, M.; Skipsey, S.; Acosta-Silva, C.; Filipcic, A.; Walker, R.; Walker, C. J.; Traynor, D.; Gadrat, S.

2015-12-01

After the successful first run of the LHC, data taking is scheduled to restart in Summer 2015 with experimental conditions leading to increased data volumes and event complexity. In order to process the data generated in such scenario and exploit the multicore architectures of current CPUs, the LHC experiments have developed parallelized software for data reconstruction and simulation. However, a good fraction of their computing effort is still expected to be executed as single-core tasks. Therefore, jobs with diverse resources requirements will be distributed across the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG), making workload scheduling a complex problem in itself. In response to this challenge, the WLCG Multicore Deployment Task Force has been created in order to coordinate the joint effort from experiments and WLCG sites. The main objective is to ensure the convergence of approaches from the different LHC Virtual Organizations (VOs) to make the best use of the shared resources in order to satisfy their new computing needs, minimizing any inefficiency originated from the scheduling mechanisms, and without imposing unnecessary complexities in the way sites manage their resources. This paper describes the activities and progress of the Task Force related to the aforementioned topics, including experiences from key sites on how to best use different batch system technologies, the evolution of workload submission tools by the experiments and the knowledge gained from scale tests of the different proposed job submission strategies.

Inelastic behavior of structural components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hussain, N.; Khozeimeh, K.; Toridis, T. G.

1980-01-01

A more accurate procedure was developed for the determination of the inelastic behavior of structural components. The actual stress-strain curve for the mathematical of the structure was utilized to generate the force-deformation relationships for the structural elements, rather than using simplified models such as elastic-plastic, bilinear and trilinear approximations. relationships were generated for beam elements with various types of cross sections. In the generational of these curves, stress or load reversals, kinematic hardening and hysteretic behavior were taken into account. Intersections between loading and unloading branches were determined through an iterative process. Using the inelastic properties obtained, the plastic static response of some simple structural systems composed of beam elements was computed. Results were compared with known solutions, indicating a considerable improvement over response predictions obtained by means of simplified approximations used in previous investigations.

Investigation of electrodynamic stabilization and control of long orbiting tethers. [space shuttle payloads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnold, D. A.; Dobrowolny, M.

1981-01-01

An algorithm for using electric currents to control pendular oscillations induced by various perturbing forces on the Skyhook wire is considered. Transverse and vertical forces on the tether; tether instability modes and causes during retrieval by space shuttle; simple and spherical pendulum motion and vector damping; and current generation and control are discussed. A computer program for numerical integration of the in-plane and out-of-plane displacements of the tether vs time was developed for heuristic study. Some techniques for controlling instabilities during payload retrieval and methods for employing the tether for launching satellites from the space shuttle are considered. Derivations and analyses of a general nature used in all of the areas studied are included.

Characterization of Radial Curved Fin Heat Sink under Natural and Forced Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khadke, Rishikesh; Bhole, Kiran

2018-02-01

Heat exchangers are important structures widely used in power plants, food industries, refrigeration, and air conditioners and now widely used in computing systems. Finned type of heat sink is widely used in computing systems. The main aim of the design of the heat sink is to maintain the optimum temperature level. To achieve this goal so many geometrical configurations are implemented. This paper presents a characterization of radially curved fin heat sink under natural and forced convection. Forced convection is studied for the optimization of temperature for better efficiency. The different alternatives in geometry are considered in characterization are heat intensity, the height of the fin and speed of the fan. By recognizing these alternatives the heat sink is characterized by the heat flux usually generated in high-end PCs. The temperature drop characteristics across height and radial direction are presented for the constant heat input and air flow in the heat sink. The effect of dimensionless elevation height (0 ≤ Z* ≤ 1) and Elenbaas Number (0.4 ≤ El ≤ 2.8) of the heat sink were investigated for study of the Nusselt number. Based on experimental characterization, process plan has been developed for the selection of the similar heat sinks for desired output (heat dissipation and temperature distribution).

Controlling Flexible Robot Arms Using High Speed Dynamics Process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jain, Abhinandan (Inventor)

1996-01-01

A robot manipulator controller for a flexible manipulator arm having plural bodies connected at respective movable hinges and flexible in plural deformation modes corresponding to respective modal spatial influence vectors relating deformations of plural spaced nodes of respective bodies to the plural deformation modes, operates by computing articulated body quantities for each of the bodies from respective modal spatial influence vectors, obtaining specified body forces for each of the bodies, and computing modal deformation accelerations of the nodes and hinge accelerations of the hinges from the specified body forces, from the articulated body quantities and from the modal spatial influence vectors. In one embodiment of the invention, the controller further operates by comparing the accelerations thus computed to desired manipulator motion to determine a motion discrepancy, and correcting the specified body forces so as to reduce the motion discrepancy. The manipulator bodies and hinges are characterized by respective vectors of deformation and hinge configuration variables, and computing modal deformation accelerations and hinge accelerations is carried out for each one of the bodies beginning with the outermost body by computing a residual body force from a residual body force of a previous body and from the vector of deformation and hinge configuration variables, computing a resultant hinge acceleration from the body force, the residual body force and the articulated hinge inertia, and revising the residual body force modal body acceleration.

Molecular interactions and residues involved in force generation in the T4 viral DNA packaging motor.

PubMed

Migliori, Amy D; Smith, Douglas E; Arya, Gaurav

2014-12-12

Many viruses utilize molecular motors to package their genomes into preformed capsids. A striking feature of these motors is their ability to generate large forces to drive DNA translocation against entropic, electrostatic, and bending forces resisting DNA confinement. A model based on recently resolved structures of the bacteriophage T4 motor protein gp17 suggests that this motor generates large forces by undergoing a conformational change from an extended to a compact state. This transition is proposed to be driven by electrostatic interactions between complementarily charged residues across the interface between the N- and C-terminal domains of gp17. Here we use atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate in detail the molecular interactions and residues involved in such a compaction transition of gp17. We find that although electrostatic interactions between charged residues contribute significantly to the overall free energy change of compaction, interactions mediated by the uncharged residues are equally if not more important. We identify five charged residues and six uncharged residues at the interface that play a dominant role in the compaction transition and also reveal salt bridging, van der Waals, and solvent hydrogen-bonding interactions mediated by these residues in stabilizing the compact form of gp17. The formation of a salt bridge between Glu309 and Arg494 is found to be particularly crucial, consistent with experiments showing complete abrogation in packaging upon Glu309Lys mutation. The computed contributions of several other residues are also found to correlate well with single-molecule measurements of impairments in DNA translocation activity caused by site-directed mutations. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bite Forces and Their Measurement in Dogs and Cats.

PubMed

Kim, Se Eun; Arzi, Boaz; Garcia, Tanya C; Verstraete, Frank J M

2018-01-01

Bite force is generated by the interaction of the masticatory muscles, the mandibles and maxillae, the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), and the teeth. Several methods to measure bite forces in dogs and cats have been described. Direct in vivo measurement of a bite in dogs has been done; however, bite forces were highly variable due to animal volition, situation, or specific measurement technique. Bite force has been measured in vivo from anesthetized dogs by electrical stimulation of jaw adductor muscles, but this may not be reflective of volitional bite force during natural activity. In vitro bite forces have been estimated by calculation of the force produced using mechanical equations representing the jaw adductor muscles and of the mandible and skull structure Bite force can be estimated in silico using finite element analysis (FEA) of the computed model of the anatomical structures. FEA can estimate bite force in extinct species; however, estimates may be lower than the measurements in live animals and would have to be validated specifically in domestic dogs and cats to be reliable. The main factors affecting the bite forces in dogs and cats are body weight and the skull's morphology and size. Other factors such as oral pain, TMJ disorders, masticatory muscle atrophy, and malocclusion may also affect bite force. Knowledge of bite forces in dogs and cats is essential for various clinical and research fields such as the development of implants, materials, and surgical techniques as well as for forensic medicine. This paper is a summary of current knowledge of bite forces in dogs and cats, including the effect of measurement methods and of other factors.

Military simulation - Pushing the visual technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyle, D.

1984-02-01

A full mission flight simulator has been developed for the U.S. Air Force's B-52 bomber crews which requires more computational capacity than is used aboard the Space Shuttle, employing a total of 14 computers capable of over 5 million operations/sec. The system encompasses a flight deck, in which the pilots train, an offensive station simulator, which is operated by the navigator and weaponry officer, and a defensive station simulator, operated by the electronic warfare (EW) officer and communications officer. Instructors control the computer-generated images simulating the external environment from three consoles corresponding to the three simulator units. In each simulated mission, the crews release bombs and air-launched cruise missiles, and fire short range attack missiles and the B-52 tail guns. The threats simulated include hostile aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, and antiaircraft artillery, together with EW activity.

Rubbery computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Katherine E.; Henke, E.-F. Markus; Slipher, Geoffrey A.; Anderson, Iain A.

2017-04-01

Electromechanically coupled dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) and dielectric elastomer switches (DESs) may form digital logic circuitry made entirely of soft and flexible materials. The expansion in planar area of a DEA exerts force across a DES, which is a soft electrode with strain-dependent resistivity. When compressed, the DES drops steeply in resistance and changes state from non-conducting to conducting. Logic operators may be achieved with different arrangements of interacting DE actuators and switches. We demonstrate combinatorial logic elements, including the fundamental Boolean logic gates, as well as sequential logic elements, including latches and flip-flops. With both data storage and signal processing abilities, the necessary calculating components of a soft computer are available. A noteworthy advantage of a soft computer with mechanosensitive DESs is the potential for responding to environmental strains while locally processing information and generating a reaction, like a muscle reflex.

Experimental and computational studies on the DNA translocation mechanism of the T4 viral packaging motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Migliori, Amy; Arya, Gaurav; Smith, Douglas E.

2012-10-01

Bacteriophage T4 is a double stranded DNA virus that infects E.coli by injecting the viral genome through the cellular wall of a host cell. The T4 genome must be ejected from the viral capsid with sufficient force to ensure infection. To generate high ejection forces, the genome is packaged to high density within the viral capsid. A DNA translocation motor, in which the protein gp17 hydrolyzes ATP and binds to the DNA, is responsible for translocating the genome into the capsid during viral maturation of T4. This motor generates forces in excess of 60 pN and packages DNA at rates exceeding 2000 base pairs/second (bp/s)1. Understanding these small yet powerful motors is important, as they have many potential applications. Though much is known about the activity of these motors from bulk and single molecule biophysical techniques, little is known about their detailed molecular mechanism. Recently, two structures of gp17 have been obtained: a high-resolution X-ray crystallographic structure showing a monomeric compacted form of the enzyme, and a cryo-electron microscopic structure of the extended form of gp17 in complex with actively packaging prohead complexes. Comparison of these two structures indicates several key differences, and a model has been proposed to explain the translocation action of the motor2. Key to this model are a set of residues forming ion pairs across two domains of the gp17 molecule that are proposed to be involved in force generation by causing the collapse of the extended form of gp17. Using a dual optical trap to measure the rates of DNA packaging and the generated forces, we present preliminary mutational data showing that these several of these ion pairs are important to motor function. We have also performed preliminary free energy calculations on the extended and collapsed state of gp17, to confirm that these interdomain ion pairs have large contributions to the change in free energy that occurs upon the collapse of gp17 during the proposed ratcheting mechanism.

A comparison of methods for computing the sigma-coordinate pressure gradient force for flow over sloped terrain in a hybrid theta-sigma model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, D. R.; Uccellini, L. W.

1983-01-01

In connection with the employment of the sigma coordinates introduced by Phillips (1957), problems can arise regarding an accurate finite-difference computation of the pressure gradient force. Over steeply sloped terrain, the calculation of the sigma-coordinate pressure gradient force involves computing the difference between two large terms of opposite sign which results in large truncation error. To reduce the truncation error, several finite-difference methods have been designed and implemented. The present investigation has the objective to provide another method of computing the sigma-coordinate pressure gradient force. Phillips' method is applied for the elimination of a hydrostatic component to a flux formulation. The new technique is compared with four other methods for computing the pressure gradient force. The work is motivated by the desire to use an isentropic and sigma-coordinate hybrid model for experiments designed to study flow near mountainous terrain.

How muscle fiber lengths and velocities affect muscle force generation as humans walk and run at different speeds

PubMed Central

Arnold, Edith M.; Hamner, Samuel R.; Seth, Ajay; Millard, Matthew; Delp, Scott L.

2013-01-01

SUMMARY The lengths and velocities of muscle fibers have a dramatic effect on muscle force generation. It is unknown, however, whether the lengths and velocities of lower limb muscle fibers substantially affect the ability of muscles to generate force during walking and running. We examined this issue by developing simulations of muscle–tendon dynamics to calculate the lengths and velocities of muscle fibers from electromyographic recordings of 11 lower limb muscles and kinematic measurements of the hip, knee and ankle made as five subjects walked at speeds of 1.0–1.75 m s−1 and ran at speeds of 2.0–5.0 m s−1. We analyzed the simulated fiber lengths, fiber velocities and forces to evaluate the influence of force–length and force–velocity properties on force generation at different walking and running speeds. The simulations revealed that force generation ability (i.e. the force generated per unit of activation) of eight of the 11 muscles was significantly affected by walking or running speed. Soleus force generation ability decreased with increasing walking speed, but the transition from walking to running increased the force generation ability by reducing fiber velocities. Our results demonstrate the influence of soleus muscle architecture on the walk-to-run transition and the effects of muscle–tendon compliance on the plantarflexors' ability to generate ankle moment and power. The study presents data that permit lower limb muscles to be studied in unprecedented detail by relating muscle fiber dynamics and force generation to the mechanical demands of walking and running. PMID:23470656

Controlling flexible robot arms using a high speed dynamics process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jain, Abhinandan (Inventor); Rodriguez, Guillermo (Inventor)

1992-01-01

Described here is a robot controller for a flexible manipulator arm having plural bodies connected at respective movable hinges, and flexible in plural deformation modes. It is operated by computing articulated body qualities for each of the bodies from the respective modal spatial influence vectors, obtaining specified body forces for each of the bodies, and computing modal deformation accelerations of the nodes and hinge accelerations of the hinges from the specified body forces, from the articulated body quantities and from the modal spatial influence vectors. In one embodiment of the invention, the controller further operates by comparing the accelerations thus computed to desired manipulator motion to determine a motion discrepancy, and correcting the specified body forces so as to reduce the motion discrepancy. The manipulator bodies and hinges are characterized by respective vectors of deformation and hinge configuration variables. Computing modal deformation accelerations and hinge accelerations is carried out for each of the bodies, beginning with the outermost body by computing a residual body force from a residual body force of a previous body, computing a resultant hinge acceleration from the body force, and then, for each one of the bodies beginning with the innermost body, computing a modal body acceleration from a modal body acceleration of a previous body, computing a modal deformation acceleration and hinge acceleration from the resulting hinge acceleration and from the modal body acceleration.

Report of the Task Force on Computer Charging.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Computer Co-ordination Group, Ottawa (Ontario).

The objectives of the Task Force on Computer Charging as approved by the Committee of Presidents of Universities of Ontario were: (1) to identify alternative methods of costing computing services; (2) to identify alternative methods of pricing computing services; (3) to develop guidelines for the pricing of computing services; (4) to identify…

Response to reflected-force feedback to fingers in teleoperations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutter, P. H.; Iatridis, J. C.; Thakor, N. V.

1989-01-01

Reflected-force feedback is an important aspect of teleoperations. The objective is to determine the ability of the human operator to respond to that force. Telerobotics operation is simulated by computer control of a motor-driven device with capabilities for programmable force feedback and force measurement. A computer-controlled motor drive is developed that provides forces against the fingers as well as (angular) position control. A load cell moves in a circular arc as it is pushed by a finger and measures reaction forces on the finger. The force exerted by the finger on the load cell and the angular position are digitized and recorded as a function of time by the computer. Flexure forces of the index, long and ring fingers of the human hand in opposition to the motor driven load cell are investigated. Results of the following experiments are presented: (1) Exertion of maximum finger force as a function of angle; (2) Exertion of target finger force against a computer controlled force; and (3) Test of the ability to move to a target force against a force that is a function of position. Averaged over ten individuals, the maximum force that could be exerted by the index or long finger is about 50 Newtons, while that of the ring finger is about 40 Newtons. From the tests of the ability of a subject to exert a target force, it was concluded that reflected-force feedback can be achieved with the direct kinesthetic perception of force without the use of tactile or visual clues.

Assessing the potential for improved scramjet performance through application of electromagnetic flow control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindsey, Martin Forrester

Sustained hypersonic flight using scramjet propulsion is the key technology bridging the gap between turbojets and the exoatmospheric environment where a rocket is required. Recent efforts have focused on electromagnetic (EM) flow control to mitigate the problems of high thermomechanical loads and low propulsion efficiencies associated with scramjet propulsion. This research effort is the first flight-scale, three-dimensional computational analysis of a realistic scramjet to determine how EM flow control can improve scramjet performance. Development of a quasi-one dimensional design tool culminated in the first open source geometry of an entire scramjet flowpath. This geometry was then tested extensively with the Air Force Research Laboratory's three-dimensional Navier-Stokes and EM coupled computational code. As part of improving the model fidelity, a loosely coupled algorithm was developed to incorporate thermochemistry. This resulted in the only open-source model of fuel injection, mixing and combustion in a magnetogasdynamic (MGD) flow controlled engine. In addition, a control volume analysis tool with an electron beam ionization model was presented for the first time in the context of the established computational method used. Local EM flow control within the internal inlet greatly impacted drag forces and wall heat transfer but was only marginally successful in raising the average pressure entering the combustor. The use of an MGD accelerator to locally increase flow momentum was an effective approach to improve flow into the scramjet's isolator. Combustor-based MGD generators proved superior to the inlet generator with respect to power density and overall engine efficiency. MGD acceleration was shown to be ineffective in improving overall performance, with all of the bypass engines having approximately 33% more drag than baseline and none of them achieving a self-powered state.

Aerodynamic stability analysis of NASA J85-13/planar pressure pulse generator installation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chung, K.; Hosny, W. M.; Steenken, W. G.

1980-01-01

A digital computer simulation model for the J85-13/Planar Pressure Pulse Generator (P3 G) test installation was developed by modifying an existing General Electric compression system model. This modification included the incorporation of a novel method for describing the unsteady blade lift force. This approach significantly enhanced the capability of the model to handle unsteady flows. In addition, the frequency response characteristics of the J85-13/P3G test installation were analyzed in support of selecting instrumentation locations to avoid standing wave nodes within the test apparatus and thus, low signal levels. The feasibility of employing explicit analytical expression for surge prediction was also studied.

GPU acceleration for digitally reconstructed radiographs using bindless texture objects and CUDA/OpenGL interoperability.

PubMed

Abdellah, Marwan; Eldeib, Ayman; Owis, Mohamed I

2015-01-01

This paper features an advanced implementation of the X-ray rendering algorithm that harnesses the giant computing power of the current commodity graphics processors to accelerate the generation of high resolution digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs). The presented pipeline exploits the latest features of NVIDIA Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) architectures, mainly bindless texture objects and dynamic parallelism. The rendering throughput is substantially improved by exploiting the interoperability mechanisms between CUDA and OpenGL. The benchmarks of our optimized rendering pipeline reflect its capability of generating DRRs with resolutions of 2048(2) and 4096(2) at interactive and semi interactive frame-rates using an NVIDIA GeForce 970 GTX device.

Motor unit firing rate patterns during voluntary muscle force generation: a simulation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Xiaogang; Rymer, William Z.; Suresh, Nina L.

2014-04-01

Objective. Muscle force is generated by a combination of motor unit (MU) recruitment and changes in the discharge rate of active MUs. There have been two basic MU recruitment and firing rate paradigms reported in the literature, which describe the control of the MUs during force generation. The first (termed the reverse ‘onion skin’ profile), exhibits lower firing rates for lower threshold units, with higher firing rates occurring in higher threshold units. The second (termed the ‘onion skin’ profile), exhibits an inverse arrangement, with lower threshold units reaching higher firing rates. Approach. Using a simulation of the MU activity in a hand muscle, this study examined the force generation capacity and the variability of the muscle force magnitude at different excitation levels of the MU pool under these two different MU control paradigms. We sought to determine which rate/recruitment scheme was more efficient for force generation, and which scheme gave rise to the lowest force variability. Main results. We found that the force output of both firing patterns leads to graded force output at low excitation levels, and that the force generation capacity of the two different paradigms diverged around 50% excitation. In the reverse ‘onion skin’ pattern, at 100% excitation, the force output reached up to 88% of maximum force, whereas for the ‘onion skin’ pattern, the force output only reached up to 54% of maximum force at 100% excitation. The force variability was lower at the low to moderate force levels under the ‘onion skin’ paradigm than with the reverse ‘onion skin’ firing patterns, but this effect was reversed at high force levels. Significance. This study captures the influence of MU recruitment and firing rate organization on muscle force properties, and our results suggest that the different firing organizations can be beneficial at different levels of voluntary muscle force generation and perhaps for different tasks.

Theoretical and experimental studies in support of the geophysical fluid flow experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hart, J.; Toomre, J.; Gilman, P.

1984-01-01

Computer programming was completed for digital acquisition of temperature and velocity data generated by the Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell (GFFC) during the upcoming Spacelab 3 mission. A set of scenarios was developed which covers basic electro-hydrodynamic instability, highly supercritical convection with isothermal boundaries, convection with imposed thermal forcing, and some stably stratified runs to look at large-scale thermohaline ocean circulations. The extent to which the GFFC experimental results apply to more complicated circumstances within the Sun or giant planets was assessed.

Flutter Generator Control and Force Computer.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-07-01

exciter module 2. Mechanical load 3. Rectifier and triac 4. Overall system 5. Velocity control 6. Microprocessor 7. Operation in 1 ’g’ environment 8...amplifier Output voltage from the rectifier/ triac circuit (figure 3) is a function of the conduction angle of each triac . In a 400 Hz 3-phase system...3IIGCICI FIRING CIRCUIT FIRING CIRCUIT TO MOTOR Figure 3. Rectifier and triac _____ -=low AEL-0242-TNI Figure 4 DEMAND(V V49 -9 APIFE M O T OR

Numerical tools to predict the environmental loads for offshore structures under extreme weather conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yanling

2018-05-01

In this paper, the extreme waves were generated using the open source computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tools — OpenFOAM and Waves2FOAM — using linear and nonlinear NewWave input. They were used to conduct the numerical simulation of the wave impact process. Numerical tools based on first-order (with and without stretching) and second-order NewWave are investigated. The simulation to predict force loading for the offshore platform under the extreme weather condition is implemented and compared.

Using Computational Fluid Dynamics-Rigid Body Dynamic (CFD-RBD) Results to Generate Aerodynamic Models for Projectile Flight Simulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

also relatively easy to change the wind tunnel model to allow detailed parametric effects to be investigated. The main disadvantage of wind tunnel...as Magnus force and moment coefficients are difficult to obtain in a wind tunnel and require a complex physical wind tunnel model. Over the past...7) The terms containing YPAC constitute the Magnus air load acting at the Magnus center of pressure while the terms containing 0 2, ,X X NAC C C

KSC-00pp1575

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

This camper-equipped truck known as “Old Blue” served as mobile field command center for the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC. It has been replaced with a larger vehicle that includes a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine, plus its own onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

KSC00pp1575

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-09-21

This camper-equipped truck known as “Old Blue” served as mobile field command center for the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC. It has been replaced with a larger vehicle that includes a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine, plus its own onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

Polarizable Force Field for DNA Based on the Classical Drude Oscillator: I. Refinement Using Quantum Mechanical Base Stacking and Conformational Energetics.

PubMed

Lemkul, Justin A; MacKerell, Alexander D

2017-05-09

Empirical force fields seek to relate the configuration of a set of atoms to its energy, thus yielding the forces governing its dynamics, using classical physics rather than more expensive quantum mechanical calculations that are computationally intractable for large systems. Most force fields used to simulate biomolecular systems use fixed atomic partial charges, neglecting the influence of electronic polarization, instead making use of a mean-field approximation that may not be transferable across environments. Recent hardware and software developments make polarizable simulations feasible, and to this end, polarizable force fields represent the next generation of molecular dynamics simulation technology. In this work, we describe the refinement of a polarizable force field for DNA based on the classical Drude oscillator model by targeting quantum mechanical interaction energies and conformational energy profiles of model compounds necessary to build a complete DNA force field. The parametrization strategy employed in the present work seeks to correct weak base stacking in A- and B-DNA and the unwinding of Z-DNA observed in the previous version of the force field, called Drude-2013. Refinement of base nonbonded terms and reparametrization of dihedral terms in the glycosidic linkage, deoxyribofuranose rings, and important backbone torsions resulted in improved agreement with quantum mechanical potential energy surfaces. Notably, we expand on previous efforts by explicitly including Z-DNA conformational energetics in the refinement.

R.E.D. Server: a web service for deriving RESP and ESP charges and building force field libraries for new molecules and molecular fragments.

PubMed

Vanquelef, Enguerran; Simon, Sabrina; Marquant, Gaelle; Garcia, Elodie; Klimerak, Geoffroy; Delepine, Jean Charles; Cieplak, Piotr; Dupradeau, François-Yves

2011-07-01

R.E.D. Server is a unique, open web service, designed to derive non-polarizable RESP and ESP charges and to build force field libraries for new molecules/molecular fragments. It provides to computational biologists the means to derive rigorously molecular electrostatic potential-based charges embedded in force field libraries that are ready to be used in force field development, charge validation and molecular dynamics simulations. R.E.D. Server interfaces quantum mechanics programs, the RESP program and the latest version of the R.E.D. tools. A two step approach has been developed. The first one consists of preparing P2N file(s) to rigorously define key elements such as atom names, topology and chemical equivalencing needed when building a force field library. Then, P2N files are used to derive RESP or ESP charges embedded in force field libraries in the Tripos mol2 format. In complex cases an entire set of force field libraries or force field topology database is generated. Other features developed in R.E.D. Server include help services, a demonstration, tutorials, frequently asked questions, Jmol-based tools useful to construct PDB input files and parse R.E.D. Server outputs as well as a graphical queuing system allowing any user to check the status of R.E.D. Server jobs.

Experimental Stage Separation Tool Development in NASA Langley's Aerothermodynamics Laboratory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murphy, Kelly J.; Scallion, William I.

2005-01-01

As part of the research effort at NASA in support of the stage separation and ascent aerothermodynamics research program, proximity testing of a generic bimese wing-body configuration was conducted in NASA Langley's Aerothermodynamics Laboratory in the 20-Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel. The objective of this work is the development of experimental tools and testing methodologies to apply to hypersonic stage separation problems for future multi-stage launch vehicle systems. Aerodynamic force and moment proximity data were generated at a nominal Mach number of 6 over a small range of angles of attack. The generic bimese configuration was tested in a belly-to-belly and back-to-belly orientation at 86 relative proximity locations. Over 800 aerodynamic proximity data points were taken to serve as a database for code validation. Longitudinal aerodynamic data generated in this test program show very good agreement with viscous computational predictions. Thus a framework has been established to study separation problems in the hypersonic regime using coordinated experimental and computational tools.

Integrating Multibody Simulation and CFD: toward Complex Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pieri, Stefano; Poloni, Carlo; Mühlmeier, Martin

This paper describes the use of integrated multidisciplinary analysis and optimization of a race car model on a predefined circuit. The objective is the definition of the most efficient geometric configuration that can guarantee the lowest lap time. In order to carry out this study it has been necessary to interface the design optimization software modeFRONTIER with the following softwares: CATIA v5, a three dimensional CAD software, used for the definition of the parametric geometry; A.D.A.M.S./Motorsport, a multi-body dynamic simulation software; IcemCFD, a mesh generator, for the automatic generation of the CFD grid; CFX, a Navier-Stokes code, for the fluid-dynamic forces prediction. The process integration gives the possibility to compute, for each geometrical configuration, a set of aerodynamic coefficients that are then used in the multiboby simulation for the computation of the lap time. Finally an automatic optimization procedure is started and the lap-time minimized. The whole process is executed on a Linux cluster running CFD simulations in parallel.

Mapping of Mechanical Strains and Stresses around Quiescent Engineered Three-Dimensional Epithelial Tissues

PubMed Central

Gjorevski, Nikolce; Nelson, Celeste M.

2012-01-01

Understanding how physical signals guide biological processes requires qualitative and quantitative knowledge of the mechanical forces generated and sensed by cells in a physiologically realistic three-dimensional (3D) context. Here, we used computational modeling and engineered epithelial tissues of precise geometry to define the experimental parameters that are required to measure directly the mechanical stress profile of 3D tissues embedded within native type I collagen. We found that to calculate the stresses accurately in these settings, we had to account for mechanical heterogeneities within the matrix, which we visualized and quantified using confocal reflectance and atomic force microscopy. Using this technique, we were able to obtain traction forces at the epithelium-matrix interface, and to resolve and quantify patterns of mechanical stress throughout the surrounding matrix. We discovered that whereas single cells generate tension by contracting and pulling on the matrix, the contraction of multicellular tissues can also push against the matrix, causing emergent compression. Furthermore, tissue geometry defines the spatial distribution of mechanical stress across the epithelium, which communicates mechanically over distances spanning hundreds of micrometers. Spatially resolved mechanical maps can provide insight into the types and magnitudes of physical parameters that are sensed and interpreted by multicellular tissues during normal and pathological processes. PMID:22828342

Computer simulations of polymer chain structure and dynamics on a hypersphere in four-space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Râsmark, Per Johan; Ekholm, Tobias; Elvingson, Christer

2005-05-01

There is a rapidly growing interest in performing computer simulations in a closed space, avoiding periodic boundary conditions. To extend the range of potential systems to include also macromolecules, we describe an algorithm for computer simulations of polymer chain molecules on S3, a hypersphere in four dimensions. In particular, we show how to generate initial conformations with a bond angle distribution given by the persistence length of the chain and how to calculate the bending forces for a molecule moving on S3. Furthermore, we discuss how to describe the shape of a macromolecule on S3, by deriving the radius of gyration tensor in this non-Euclidean space. The results from both Monte Carlo and Brownian dynamics simulations in the infinite dilution limit show that the results on S3 and in R3 coincide, both with respect to the size and shape as well as for the diffusion coefficient. All data on S3 can also be described by master curves by suitable scaling by the corresponding values in R3. We thus show how to extend the use of spherical boundary conditions, which are most effective for calculating electrostatic forces, to polymer chain molecules, making it possible to perform simulations on S3 also for polyelectrolyte systems.

A parabolic velocity-decomposition method for wind turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mittal, Anshul; Briley, W. Roger; Sreenivas, Kidambi; Taylor, Lafayette K.

2017-02-01

An economical parabolized Navier-Stokes approximation for steady incompressible flow is combined with a compatible wind turbine model to simulate wind turbine flows, both upstream of the turbine and in downstream wake regions. The inviscid parabolizing approximation is based on a Helmholtz decomposition of the secondary velocity vector and physical order-of-magnitude estimates, rather than an axial pressure gradient approximation. The wind turbine is modeled by distributed source-term forces incorporating time-averaged aerodynamic forces generated by a blade-element momentum turbine model. A solution algorithm is given whose dependent variables are streamwise velocity, streamwise vorticity, and pressure, with secondary velocity determined by two-dimensional scalar and vector potentials. In addition to laminar and turbulent boundary-layer test cases, solutions for a streamwise vortex-convection test problem are assessed by mesh refinement and comparison with Navier-Stokes solutions using the same grid. Computed results for a single turbine and a three-turbine array are presented using the NREL offshore 5-MW baseline wind turbine. These are also compared with an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solution computed with full rotor resolution. On balance, the agreement in turbine wake predictions for these test cases is very encouraging given the substantial differences in physical modeling fidelity and computer resources required.

Survey and Analysis of Environmental Requirements for Shipboard Electronic Equipment Applications. Appendix A. Volume 2.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-31

INTELLIGENT SCSI DMV-719 MAS MIL CONTROLLER DY-4 SYSTEMS BYTE-WIDE MEMORY CARD DMV-536 MEM MIL DY-4 SYSTEMS POWER SUPPLY UNIT DMV-870 PWR MIL P age No. 5 06/10...FORCE COMPUTERS PROCESSOR CPU-386 SERIES SBC COM FORCE COMPUTERS ADVANCED SYSTEM CONTROL ASCU -1/2 SBC COM UNITI FORCE COMPUTERS GRAPHICS CONTROLLER AGC...RECORD VENDOR: JANZ COMPUTER AG DIVISION: VENDOR ADDRESS: Im Doerener Feld 3 D-4790 Paderborn Germany MARKETING: Johannes Kunz TECHNICAL: Arnulf

Tactile feedback is an effective instrument for the training of grasping with a prosthesis at low- and medium-force levels.

PubMed

De Nunzio, Alessandro Marco; Dosen, Strahinja; Lemling, Sabrina; Markovic, Marko; Schweisfurth, Meike Annika; Ge, Nan; Graimann, Bernhard; Falla, Deborah; Farina, Dario

2017-08-01

Grasping is a complex task routinely performed in an anticipatory (feedforward) manner, where sensory feedback is responsible for learning and updating the internal model of grasp dynamics. This study aims at evaluating whether providing a proportional tactile force feedback during the myoelectric control of a prosthesis facilitates learning a stable internal model of the prosthesis force control. Ten able-bodied subjects controlled a sensorized myoelectric prosthesis performing four blocks of consecutive grasps at three levels of target force (30, 50, and 70%), repeatedly closing the fully opened hand. In the first and third block, the subjects received tactile and visual feedback, respectively, while during the second and fourth block, the feedback was removed. The subjects also performed an additional block with no feedback 1 day after the training (Retest). The median and interquartile range of the generated forces was computed to assess the accuracy and precision of force control. The results demonstrated that the feedback was indeed an effective instrument for the training of prosthesis control. After the training, the subjects were still able to accurately generate the desired force for the low and medium target (30 and 50% of maximum force available in a prosthesis), despite the feedback being removed within the session and during the retest (low target force). However, the training was substantially less successful for high forces (70% of prosthesis maximum force), where subjects exhibited a substantial loss of accuracy as soon as the feedback was removed. The precision of control decreased with higher forces and it was consistent across conditions, determined by an intrinsic variability of repeated myoelectric grasping. This study demonstrated that the subject could rely on the tactile feedback to adjust the motor command to the prosthesis across trials. The subjects adjusted the mean level of muscle activation (accuracy), whereas the precision could not be modulated as it depends on the intrinsic myoelectric variability. They were also able to maintain the feedforward command even after the feedback was removed, demonstrating thereby a stable learning, but the retention depended on the level of the target force. This is an important insight into the role of feedback as an instrument for learning of anticipatory prosthesis force control.

Optimal Interpolation scheme to generate reference crop evapotranspiration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomas-Burguera, Miquel; Beguería, Santiago; Vicente-Serrano, Sergio; Maneta, Marco

2018-05-01

We used an Optimal Interpolation (OI) scheme to generate a reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo) grid, forcing meteorological variables, and their respective error variance in the Iberian Peninsula for the period 1989-2011. To perform the OI we used observational data from the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and outputs from a physically-based climate model. To compute ETo we used five OI schemes to generate grids for the five observed climate variables necessary to compute ETo using the FAO-recommended form of the Penman-Monteith equation (FAO-PM). The granularity of the resulting grids are less sensitive to variations in the density and distribution of the observational network than those generated by other interpolation methods. This is because our implementation of the OI method uses a physically-based climate model as prior background information about the spatial distribution of the climatic variables, which is critical for under-observed regions. This provides temporal consistency in the spatial variability of the climatic fields. We also show that increases in the density and improvements in the distribution of the observational network reduces substantially the uncertainty of the climatic and ETo estimates. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of observational uncertainties and network densification suggests the existence of a trade-off between quantity and quality of observations.

Computational analysis of forebody tangential slot blowing on the high alpha research vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gee, Ken

1995-01-01

A numerical analysis of forebody tangential slot blowing as a means of generating side force and yawing moment is conducted using an aircraft geometry. The Reynolds-averaged, thin-layer, Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a partially flux-split, approximately-factored algorithm. An algebraic turbulence model is used to determine the turbulent eddy viscosity values. Solutions are obtained using both patched and overset grid systems. In the patched grid model, and actuator plane is used to introduce jet variables into the flow field. The overset grid model is used to model the physical slot geometry and facilitate modeling of the full aircraft configuration. A slot optimization study indicates that a short slot located close to the nose of the aircraft provided the most side force and yawing moment per unit blowing coefficient. Comparison of computed surface pressure with that obtained in full-scale wind tunnel tests produce good agreement, indicating the numerical method and grid system used in the study are valid. Full aircraft computations resolve the changes in vortex burst point due to blowing. A time-accurate full-aircraft solution shows the effect of blowing on the changes in the frequency of the aerodynamic loads over the vertical tails. A study of the effects of freestream Mach number and various jet parameters indicates blowing remains effective through the transonic Mach range. An investigation of the force onset time lag associated with forebody blowing shows the lag to be minimal. The knowledge obtained in this study may be applied to the design of a forebody tangential slot blowing system for use on flight aircraft.

Development of glue type potentials for the Al-Pb system: computer simulation of Pb/Al interfaces and phase diagram calculation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landa, Alex; Wynblatt, Paul; Siegel, Donald; Adams, Jim; Johnson, Erik; Dahmen, Uli

2000-03-01

Empirical many-body potentials have been constructed for the Al-Pb system using the ``force matching" method. The potentials have been fitted to a set of the ground state physical quantities calculated within ab initio approach and a massive quantum mechanical forces database for samples of bulk Al-Pb liquid alloys generated using ab initio molecular dynamics program VASP. Monte Carlo simulations using these potentials have been employed to compute an Al-Pb phase diagram, which is in fair agreement with experimental data, and to model the structure of (111) and (100) Pb/Al interfaces. The calculated free energy ratios for the Pb/Al 100 and 111 interfaces are in good agreement with recent high-resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements. The constructed glue potentials correctly reflects the large change in anisotropy which is observed experimentally between isolated Pb crystals and Pb crystals embedded in Al. Support by the DOE under grants DE-FG02-99ER45773 and DE-AC03-76SF00098, the NSF under grant DMR9619353 and the Danish Natural Sciences Research Council.

Display integration for ground combat vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Busse, David J.

1998-09-01

The United States Army's requirement to employ high resolution target acquisition sensors and information warfare to increase its dominance over enemy forces has led to the need to integrate advanced display devices into ground combat vehicle crew stations. The Army's force structure require the integration of advanced displays on both existing and emerging ground combat vehicle systems. The fielding of second generation target acquisition sensors, color digital terrain maps and high volume digital command and control information networks on these platforms define display performance requirements. The greatest challenge facing the system integrator is the development and integration of advanced displays that meet operational, vehicle and human computer interface performance requirements for the ground combat vehicle fleet. The subject of this paper is to address those challenges: operational and vehicle performance, non-soldier centric crew station configurations, display performance limitations related to human computer interfaces and vehicle physical environments, display technology limitations and the Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition reform initiatives. How the ground combat vehicle Program Manager and system integrator are addressing these challenges are discussed through the integration of displays on fielded, current and future close combat vehicle applications.

Quelling Cabin Noise in Turboprop Aircraft via Active Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kincaid, Rex K.; Laba, Keith E.; Padula, Sharon L.

1997-01-01

Cabin noise in turboprop aircraft causes passenger discomfort, airframe fatigue, and employee scheduling constraints due to OSHA standards for exposure to high levels of noise. The noise levels in the cabins of turboprop aircraft are typically 10 to 30 decibels louder than commercial jet noise levels. However. unlike jet noise the turboprop noise spectrum is dominated by a few low frequency tones. Active structural acoustic control is a method in which the control inputs (used to reduce interior noise) are applied directly to a vibrating structural acoustic system. The control concept modeled in this work is the application of in-plane force inputs to piezoceramic patches bonded to the wall of a vibrating cylinder. The goal is to determine the force inputs and locations for the piezoceramic actuators so that: (1) the interior noise is effectively damped; (2) the level of vibration of the cylinder shell is not increased; and (3) the power requirements needed to drive the actuators are not excessive. Computational experiments for data taken from a computer generated model and from a laboratory test article at NASA Langley Research Center are provided.

Force Field Accelerated Density Functional Theory Molecular Dynamics for Simulation of Reactive Systems at Extreme Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindsey, Rebecca; Goldman, Nir; Fried, Laurence

2017-06-01

Atomistic modeling of chemistry at extreme conditions remains a challenge, despite continuing advances in computing resources and simulation tools. While first principles methods provide a powerful predictive tool, the time and length scales associated with chemistry at extreme conditions (ns and μm, respectively) largely preclude extension of such models to molecular dynamics. In this work, we develop a simulation approach that retains the accuracy of density functional theory (DFT) while decreasing computational effort by several orders of magnitude. We generate n-body descriptions for atomic interactions by mapping forces arising from short density functional theory (DFT) trajectories on to simple Chebyshev polynomial series. We examine the importance of including greater than 2-body interactions, model transferability to different state points, and discuss approaches to ensure smooth and reasonable model shape outside of the distance domain sampled by the DFT training set. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Longitudinal magnet forces?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graneau, P.

1984-03-01

The Ampere electrodynamics of metallic conductors and experiments supporting it predict that the interaction of a current-carrying wire with its own magnetic field should produce longitudinal mechanical forces in the conductor, existing in addition to the transverse Lorentz forces. The longitudinal forces should stretch the conductor and have been referred to as Ampere tension. In 1964 it was discovered that a current pulse would break a straight copper wire into many fragments without visible melting. A metallurgical examination of the pieces confirmed that the metal parted in the solid state. The same observation has now been made with aluminum wires. In the latest experiments the wire was bent into a semicircle and arc-connected to a capacitor discharge circuit. The arc connections ruled out rupture by Lorentz hoop tension and indicated the longitudinal forces may also arise in circular magnet windings. Explanations of wire fragmentation by thermal shock, longitudinal stress waves, Lorentz pinch-off, bending stresses, and material defects have been considered and found unconvincing. Computed Ampere tensions would be sufficient to fracture hot wires. The Ampere tension would double the hoop tension normally expected in dipole magnets. This should be borne in mind in the design of large dipole magnets contemplated for MHD power generators and railgun accelerators.

Dynamic Simulation of Random Packing of Polydispersive Fine Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferraz, Carlos Handrey Araujo; Marques, Samuel Apolinário

2018-02-01

In this paper, we perform molecular dynamic (MD) simulations to study the two-dimensional packing process of both monosized and random size particles with radii ranging from 1.0 to 7.0 μm. The initial positions as well as the radii of five thousand fine particles were defined inside a rectangular box by using a random number generator. Both the translational and rotational movements of each particle were considered in the simulations. In order to deal with interacting fine particles, we take into account both the contact forces and the long-range dispersive forces. We account for normal and static/sliding tangential friction forces between particles and between particle and wall by means of a linear model approach, while the long-range dispersive forces are computed by using a Lennard-Jones-like potential. The packing processes were studied assuming different long-range interaction strengths. We carry out statistical calculations of the different quantities studied such as packing density, mean coordination number, kinetic energy, and radial distribution function as the system evolves over time. We find that the long-range dispersive forces can strongly influence the packing process dynamics as they might form large particle clusters, depending on the intensity of the long-range interaction strength.

Guidelines for Computing Longitudinal Dynamic Stability Characteristics of a Subsonic Transport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, Joseph R.; Frank, Neal T.; Murphy, Patrick C.

2010-01-01

A systematic study is presented to guide the selection of a numerical solution strategy for URANS computation of a subsonic transport configuration undergoing simulated forced oscillation about its pitch axis. Forced oscillation is central to the prevalent wind tunnel methodology for quantifying aircraft dynamic stability derivatives from force and moment coefficients, which is the ultimate goal for the computational simulations. Extensive computations are performed that lead in key insights of the critical numerical parameters affecting solution convergence. A preliminary linear harmonic analysis is included to demonstrate the potential of extracting dynamic stability derivatives from computational solutions.

Motility of catalytic nanoparticles through self-generated forces.

PubMed

Paxton, Walter F; Sen, Ayusman; Mallouk, Thomas E

2005-11-04

Small-scale synthetic motors capable of generating their own motive forces by exploiting the chemical free energy of their environment represent an important step in developing practical nanomachines. Catalytic particles are capable of generating concentration and other gradients that can be used to self-propel small objects. However, the autonomous movement of catalytic nanoparticles by self-generated forces is a relatively unexplored area in colloid and interfacial chemistry. This paper explores the potential of catalytically self-generated forces for propulsion of small objects through fluids.

Design analysis of a self-acting spiral-groove ring seal for counter-rotating shafts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dirusso, E.

1983-01-01

A self-acting spiral groove inter-shaft ring seal of nominal 16.33 cm (6.43 in.) diameter for sealing fan bleed air between counter-rotating hafts in advanced turbofan engines was analyzed. The analysis focused on the lift force characteristics of the spiral grooves. A NASA Lewis developed computer program for predicting the performance of gas lubricated face seals was used to optimize the spiral groove geometry to produce maximum lift force. Load capacity curves (lift force as function of film thickness) were generated for four advanced turbofan engine operating conditions at relative seal speeds ranging from 17,850 to 29,800 rpm, sealed air pressures from 6 to 42 N/sq cm (9 to 60 psi) absolute and temperatures from 95 deg to 327 C (203 deg to 620 F). The relative seal sliding speed range was 152 to 255 m/sec (500 to 836 ft/sec). The analysis showed that the spiral grooves are capable of producing sufficient lift force such that the ring seal will operate in a noncontacting mode over the operating range of typical advanced turbofan engines.

Design analysis of a self-acting spiral-groove ring seal for counter-rotating shafts. [o ring seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dirusso, E.

1983-01-01

A self-acting spiral groove inter-shaft ring seal of nominal 16.33 cm (6.43 in.) diameter for sealing fan bleed air between counter rotating shafts in advanced turbofan engines was analyzed. The analysis focused on the lift force characteristics of the spiral grooves. A NASA Lewis developed computer program for predicting the performance of gas lubricated face seals was used to optimize the spiral groove geometry to produce maximum lift force. Load capacity curves (lift force as function of film thickness) were generated for four advanced turbofan engine operating conditions at relative seal speeds ranging from 17,850 to 29,800 rpm, sealed air pressures from 6 to 42 N/sq cm (9 to 60 psi) absolute and temperatures from 95 to 327 C (203 to 620 F). The relative seal sliding speed range was 152 to 255 m/sec (500 to 836 ft/sec). The analysis showed that the spiral grooves are capable of producing sufficient lift force such that the ring seal will operate in a noncontacting mode over the operating range of typical advanced turbofan engines.

Spin-dependent excitation of plasma modes in non-neutral ion plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sawyer, Brian C.; Britton, Joe W.; Bollinger, John J.

2011-10-01

We report on a new technique for exciting and sensitively detecting plasma modes in small, cold non-neutral ion plasmas. The technique uses an optical dipole force generated from laser beams to excite plasma modes. By making the force spin- dependent (i.e. depend on the internal state of the atomic ion) very small mode excitations (<100 nm) can be detected through spin-motion entanglement. Even when the optical dipole force is homogeneous throughout the plasma, short wavelength modes on the order of the interparticle spacing can in principle be excited and detected through the spin dependence of the force. We use this technique to study the drumhead modes of single plane triangular arrays of a few hundred Be+ ions. Spin-dependent mode excitation is interesting in this system because it provides a means of engineering an Ising interaction on a 2-D triangular lattice. For the case of an anti-ferromagnetic interaction, this system exhibits spin frustration on a scale that is at present computationally intractable. Work supported by the DARPA OLE program and NIST.

Implementation of a three degree of freedom, motor/brake hybrid force output device for virtual environment control tasks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russo, Massimo; Tadros, Alfred; Flowers, Woodie; Zeltzer, David

1991-01-01

The advent of high resolution, physical model based computer graphics has left a gap in the design of input/output technology appropriate for interacting with such complex virtual world models. Since virtual worlds consist of physical models, it is appropriate to output the inherent force information necessary for the simulation to the user. The detailed design, construction, and control of a three degree freedom force output joystick will be presented. A novel kinematic design allows all three axes to be uncoupled, so that the system inertia matrix is diagonal. The two planar axes are actuated through an offset gimbal, and the third through a sleeved cable. To compensate for friction and inertia effects, this transmission is controlled by a force feedforward and a closed force feedback proportional loop. Workspace volume is a cone of 512 cubic inches, and the device bandwidth is maximized at 60 Hz for the two planar and 30 Hz for the third axis. Each axis is controlled by a motor/proportional magnetic particle brake combination fixed to the base. The innovative use of motors and brakes allows objects with high resistive torque requirements to be simulated without the stability and related safety issues involved with high torque, energy storing motors alone. Position, velocity, and applied endpoint force are sensed directly. Different control strategies are discussed and implemented, with an emphasis on how virtual environment force information, generated by the MIT Media Lab Computer Graphics and Animation Group BOLIO system, is transmitted to the device controller. The design constraints for a kinesthetic force feedback device can be summarized as: How can the symbiosis between the sense of presence in the virtual environment be maximized without compromising the interaction task under the constraints of the mechanical device limitations? Research in this field will yield insights to the optimal human sensory feedback mix for a wide spectrum of control and interaction problems. A flexible research tool that is designed as an easily reproducible product prototype has been constructed to explore the variety of possible force interaction.

Deflection and Supporting Force Analysis of a Slender Beam under Combined Transverse and Tensile Axial Loads

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-01

force T > 0 case (this study) ............................................. 3 3.3 Nonlinear FEA solution for tension force T ≥ 0 case...6 3.4 Computed analytical and nonlinear FEA results...4.1 Analytical modal solution for tension force T = 0 case (textbook) ................................... 8 4.2 Computed nonlinear FEA results for

Incorporating Manual and Autonomous Code Generation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McComas, David

1998-01-01

Code can be generated manually or using code-generated software tools, but how do you interpret the two? This article looks at a design methodology that combines object-oriented design with autonomic code generation for attitude control flight software. Recent improvements in space flight computers are allowing software engineers to spend more time engineering the applications software. The application developed was the attitude control flight software for an astronomical satellite called the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP). The MAP flight system is being designed, developed, and integrated at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The MAP controls engineers are using Integrated Systems Inc.'s MATRIXx for their controls analysis. In addition to providing a graphical analysis for an environment, MATRIXx includes an autonomic code generation facility called AutoCode. This article examines the forces that shaped the final design and describes three highlights of the design process: (1) Defining the manual to autonomic code interface; (2) Applying object-oriented design to the manual flight code; (3) Implementing the object-oriented design in C.

Report on the Audit of the Use of Mobile Computers -- Air Force

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-15

We are providing this final report on the Audit of the Use of Mobile Computers--Air Force for your review and comments. The audit was conducted from...November 1989 through August 1990. The audit was part of our review of the use of mobile computers throughout DoD. Our overall objectives were to...operate, and maintain. The audit showed that the Air Force needed to retain no more than 5 of the 18 TSS’s. This would save the Air Force $27.3 million (Enclosure 2).

Computational model for noncontact atomic force microscopy: energy dissipation of cantilever.

PubMed

Senda, Yasuhiro; Blomqvist, Janne; Nieminen, Risto M

2016-09-21

We propose a computational model for noncontact atomic force microscopy (AFM) in which the atomic force between the cantilever tip and the surface is calculated using a molecular dynamics method, and the macroscopic motion of the cantilever is modeled by an oscillating spring. The movement of atoms in the tip and surface is connected with the oscillating spring using a recently developed coupling method. In this computational model, the oscillation energy is dissipated, as observed in AFM experiments. We attribute this dissipation to the hysteresis and nonconservative properties of the interatomic force that acts between the atoms in the tip and sample surface. The dissipation rate strongly depends on the parameters used in the computational model.

Flow Simulation of N3-X Hybrid Wing-Body Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Hyoungjin; Liou, Meng-Sing

2013-01-01

System studies show that a N3-X hybrid wing-body aircraft with a turboelectric distributed propulsion system using a mail-slot inlet/nozzle nacelle can meet the environmental and performance goals for N+3 generation transports (three generations beyond the current air transport technology level) set by NASA s Subsonic Fixed Wing Project. In this study, a Navier-Stokes flow simulation of N3-X on hybrid unstructured meshes was conducted, including the mail-slot propulsor. The geometry of the mail-slot propulsor was generated by a CAD (Computer-Aided Design)-free shape parameterization. A body force approach was used for a more realistic and efficient simulation of the turning and loss effects of the fan blades and the inlet-fan interactions. Flow simulation results of the N3-X demonstrates the validity of the present approach.

Measurement of hydrodynamic force generation by swimming dolphins using bubble DPIV.

PubMed

Fish, Frank E; Legac, Paul; Williams, Terrie M; Wei, Timothy

2014-01-15

Attempts to measure the propulsive forces produced by swimming dolphins have been limited. Previous uses of computational hydrodynamic models and gliding experiments have provided estimates of thrust production by dolphins, but these were indirect tests that relied on various assumptions. The thrust produced by two actively swimming bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) was directly measured using digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV). For dolphins swimming in a large outdoor pool, the DPIV method used illuminated microbubbles that were generated in a narrow sheet from a finely porous hose and a compressed air source. The movement of the bubbles was tracked with a high-speed video camera. Dolphins swam at speeds of 0.7 to 3.4 m s(-1) within the bubble sheet oriented along the midsagittal plane of the animal. The wake of the dolphin was visualized as the microbubbles were displaced because of the action of the propulsive flukes and jet flow. The oscillations of the dolphin flukes were shown to generate strong vortices in the wake. Thrust production was measured from the vortex strength through the Kutta-Joukowski theorem of aerodynamics. The dolphins generated up to 700 N during small amplitude swimming and up to 1468 N during large amplitude starts. The results of this study demonstrated that bubble DPIV can be used effectively to measure the thrust produced by large-bodied dolphins.

Generation and use of human 3D-CAD models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grotepass, Juergen; Speyer, Hartmut; Kaiser, Ralf

2002-05-01

Individualized Products are one of the ten mega trends of the 21st Century with human modeling as the key issue for tomorrow's design and product development. The use of human modeling software for computer based ergonomic simulations within the production process increases quality while reducing costs by 30- 50 percent and shortening production time. This presentation focuses on the use of human 3D-CAD models for both, the ergonomic design of working environments and made to measure garment production. Today, the entire production chain can be designed, individualized models generated and analyzed in 3D computer environments. Anthropometric design for ergonomics is matched to human needs, thus preserving health. Ergonomic simulation includes topics as human vision, reachability, kinematics, force and comfort analysis and international design capabilities. In German more than 17 billions of Mark are moved to other industries, because clothes do not fit. Individual clothing tailored to the customer's preference means surplus value, pleasure and perfect fit. The body scanning technology is the key to generation and use of human 3D-CAD models for both, the ergonomic design of working environments and made to measure garment production.

A multi-criteria approach to camera motion design for volume data animation.

PubMed

Hsu, Wei-Hsien; Zhang, Yubo; Ma, Kwan-Liu

2013-12-01

We present an integrated camera motion design and path generation system for building volume data animations. Creating animations is an essential task in presenting complex scientific visualizations. Existing visualization systems use an established animation function based on keyframes selected by the user. This approach is limited in providing the optimal in-between views of the data. Alternatively, computer graphics and virtual reality camera motion planning is frequently focused on collision free movement in a virtual walkthrough. For semi-transparent, fuzzy, or blobby volume data the collision free objective becomes insufficient. Here, we provide a set of essential criteria focused on computing camera paths to establish effective animations of volume data. Our dynamic multi-criteria solver coupled with a force-directed routing algorithm enables rapid generation of camera paths. Once users review the resulting animation and evaluate the camera motion, they are able to determine how each criterion impacts path generation. In this paper, we demonstrate how incorporating this animation approach with an interactive volume visualization system reduces the effort in creating context-aware and coherent animations. This frees the user to focus on visualization tasks with the objective of gaining additional insight from the volume data.

PointCom: semi-autonomous UGV control with intuitive interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rohde, Mitchell M.; Perlin, Victor E.; Iagnemma, Karl D.; Lupa, Robert M.; Rohde, Steven M.; Overholt, James; Fiorani, Graham

2008-04-01

Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) will play an important role in the nation's next-generation ground force. Advances in sensing, control, and computing have enabled a new generation of technologies that bridge the gap between manual UGV teleoperation and full autonomy. In this paper, we present current research on a unique command and control system for UGVs named PointCom (Point-and-Go Command). PointCom is a semi-autonomous command system for one or multiple UGVs. The system, when complete, will be easy to operate and will enable significant reduction in operator workload by utilizing an intuitive image-based control framework for UGV navigation and allowing a single operator to command multiple UGVs. The project leverages new image processing algorithms for monocular visual servoing and odometry to yield a unique, high-performance fused navigation system. Human Computer Interface (HCI) techniques from the entertainment software industry are being used to develop video-game style interfaces that require little training and build upon the navigation capabilities. By combining an advanced navigation system with an intuitive interface, a semi-autonomous control and navigation system is being created that is robust, user friendly, and less burdensome than many current generation systems. mand).

Molecular dynamics simulation of diffusion of gases in a carbon-nanotube-polymer composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Seong Y.; Sahimi, Muhammad; Tsotsis, Theodore T.; Kim, Nayong

2007-07-01

Extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to compute the solubilities and self-diffusivities of CO2 and CH4 in amorphous polyetherimide (PEI) and mixed-matrix PEI generated by inserting single-walled carbon nanotubes into the polymer. Atomistic models of PEI and its composites were generated using energy minimizations, MD simulations, and the polymer-consistent force field. Two types of polymer composite were generated by inserting (7,0) and (12,0) zigzag carbon nanotubes into the PEI structure. The morphologies of PEI and its composites were characterized by their densities, radial distribution functions, and the accessible free volumes, which were computed with probe molecules of different sizes. The distributions of the cavity volumes were computed using the Voronoi tessellation method. The computed self-diffusivities of the gases in the polymer composites are much larger than those in pure PEI. We find, however, that the increase is not due to diffusion of the gases through the nanotubes which have smooth energy surfaces and, therefore, provide fast transport paths. Instead, the MD simulations indicate a squeezing effect of the nanotubes on the polymer matrix that changes the composite polymers’ free-volume distributions and makes them more sharply peaked. The presence of nanotubes also creates several cavities with large volumes that give rise to larger diffusivities in the polymer composites. This effect is due to the repulsive interactions between the polymer and the nanotubes. The solubilities of the gases in the polymer composites are also larger than those in pure PEI, hence indicating larger gas permeabilities for mixed-matrix PEI than PEI itself.

Computing Thermal Imbalance Forces On Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vigue, Yvonne; Schutz, Robert E.; Sewell, Granville; Abusali, Pothai A. M.

1994-01-01

HEAT.PRO computer program calculates imbalance force caused by heating of surfaces of satellite. Calculates thermal imbalance force and determines its effect on orbit of satellite, especially where shadow cast by Earth Causes periodic changes in thermal environment around satellite. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Origins of the Mechanochemical Coupling of Peptide Bond Formation to Protein Synthesis.

PubMed

Fritch, Benjamin; Kosolapov, Andrey; Hudson, Phillip; Nissley, Daniel A; Woodcock, H Lee; Deutsch, Carol; O'Brien, Edward P

2018-04-18

Mechanical forces acting on the ribosome can alter the speed of protein synthesis, indicating that mechanochemistry can contribute to translation control of gene expression. The naturally occurring sources of these mechanical forces, the mechanism by which they are transmitted 10 nm to the ribosome's catalytic core, and how they influence peptide bond formation rates are largely unknown. Here, we identify a new source of mechanical force acting on the ribosome by using in situ experimental measurements of changes in nascent-chain extension in the exit tunnel in conjunction with all-atom and coarse-grained computer simulations. We demonstrate that when the number of residues composing a nascent chain increases, its unstructured segments outside the ribosome exit tunnel generate piconewtons of force that are fully transmitted to the ribosome's P-site. The route of force transmission is shown to be through the nascent polypetide's backbone, not through the wall of the ribosome's exit tunnel. Utilizing quantum mechanical calculations we find that a consequence of such a pulling force is to decrease the transition state free energy barrier to peptide bond formation, indicating that the elongation of a nascent chain can accelerate translation. Since nascent protein segments can start out as largely unfolded structural ensembles, these results suggest a pulling force is present during protein synthesis that can modulate translation speed. The mechanism of force transmission we have identified and its consequences for peptide bond formation should be relevant regardless of the source of the pulling force.

Effect of rotation rate on the forces of a rotating cylinder: Simulation and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, John A.; Ou, Yuh-Roung

1993-01-01

In this paper we present numerical solutions to several optimal control problems for an unsteady viscous flow. The main thrust of this work is devoted to simulation and control of an unsteady flow generated by a circular cylinder undergoing rotary motion. By treating the rotation rate as a control variable, we can formulate two optimal control problems and use a central difference/pseudospectral transform method to numerically compute the optimal control rates. Several types of rotations are considered as potential controls, and we show that a proper synchronization of forcing frequency with the natural vortex shedding frequency can greatly influence the flow. The results here indicate that using moving boundary controls for such systems may provide a feasible mechanism for flow control.

Fast optimization algorithms and the cosmological constant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Ning; Bousso, Raphael; Jordan, Stephen; Lackey, Brad

2017-11-01

Denef and Douglas have observed that in certain landscape models the problem of finding small values of the cosmological constant is a large instance of a problem that is hard for the complexity class NP (Nondeterministic Polynomial-time). The number of elementary operations (quantum gates) needed to solve this problem by brute force search exceeds the estimated computational capacity of the observable Universe. Here we describe a way out of this puzzling circumstance: despite being NP-hard, the problem of finding a small cosmological constant can be attacked by more sophisticated algorithms whose performance vastly exceeds brute force search. In fact, in some parameter regimes the average-case complexity is polynomial. We demonstrate this by explicitly finding a cosmological constant of order 10-120 in a randomly generated 1 09-dimensional Arkani-Hamed-Dimopoulos-Kachru landscape.

Modern design of a fast front-end computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šoštarić, Z.; Anic̈ić, D.; Sekolec, L.; Su, J.

1994-12-01

Front-end computers (FEC) at Paul Scherrer Institut provide access to accelerator CAMAC-based sensors and actuators by way of a local area network. In the scope of the new generation FEC project, a front-end is regarded as a collection of services. The functionality of one such service is described in terms of Yourdon's environment, behaviour, processor and task models. The computational model (software representation of the environment) of the service is defined separately, using the information model of the Shlaer-Mellor method, and Sather OO language. In parallel with the analysis and later with the design, a suite of test programmes was developed to evaluate the feasibility of different computing platforms for the project and a set of rapid prototypes was produced to resolve different implementation issues. The past and future aspects of the project and its driving forces are presented. Justification of the choice of methodology, platform and requirement, is given. We conclude with a description of the present state, priorities and limitations of our project.

Automated Generation of Message-Passing Programs: An Evaluation Using CAPTools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hribar, Michelle R.; Jin, Haoqiang; Yan, Jerry C.; Saini, Subhash (Technical Monitor)

1998-01-01

Scientists at NASA Ames Research Center have been developing computational aeroscience applications on highly parallel architectures over the past ten years. During that same time period, a steady transition of hardware and system software also occurred, forcing us to expend great efforts into migrating and re-coding our applications. As applications and machine architectures become increasingly complex, the cost and time required for this process will become prohibitive. In this paper, we present the first set of results in our evaluation of interactive parallelization tools. In particular, we evaluate CAPTool's ability to parallelize computational aeroscience applications. CAPTools was tested on serial versions of the NAS Parallel Benchmarks and ARC3D, a computational fluid dynamics application, on two platforms: the SGI Origin 2000 and the Cray T3E. This evaluation includes performance, amount of user interaction required, limitations and portability. Based on these results, a discussion on the feasibility of computer aided parallelization of aerospace applications is presented along with suggestions for future work.

Design and analysis of a global sub-mesoscale and tidal dynamics admitting virtual ocean.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menemenlis, D.; Hill, C. N.

2016-02-01

We will describe the techniques used to realize a global kilometerscale ocean model configuration that includes representation of sea-ice and tidal excitation, and spans scales from planetary gyres to internal tides. A simulation using this model configuration provides a virtual ocean that admits some sub-mesoscale dynamics and tidal energetics not normally represented in global calculations. This extends simulated ocean behavior beyond broadly quasi-geostrophic flows and provides a preliminary example of a next generation computational approach to explicitly probing the interactions between instabilities that are usually parameterized and dominant energetic scales in the ocean. From previous process studies we have ascertained that this can lead to a qualitative improvement in the realism of many significant processes including geostrophic eddy dynamics, shelf-break exchange and topographic mixing. Computationally we exploit high-degrees of parallelism in both numerical evaluation and in recording model state to persistent disk storage. Together this allows us to compute and record a full three-dimensional model trajectory at hourly frequency for a timeperiod of 5 months with less than 9 million core hours of parallel computer time, using the present generation NASA Ames Research Center facilities. We have used this capability to create a 5 month trajectory archive, sampled at high spatial and temporal frequency for an ocean configuration that is initialized from a realistic data-assimilated state and driven with reanalysis surface forcing from ECMWF. The resulting database of model state provides a novel virtual laboratory for exploring coupling across scales in the ocean, and for testing ideas on the relationship between small scale fluxes and large scale state. The computation is complemented by counterpart computations that are coarsened two and four times respectively. In this presentation we will review the computational and numerical technologies employed and show how the high spatio-temporal frequency archive of model state can provide a new and promising tool for researching richer ocean dynamics at scale. We will also outline how computations of this nature could be combined with next generation computer hardware plans to help inform important climate process questions.

Use of Nonequilibrium Work Methods to Compute Free Energy Differences Between Molecular Mechanical and Quantum Mechanical Representations of Molecular Systems.

PubMed

Hudson, Phillip S; Woodcock, H Lee; Boresch, Stefan

2015-12-03

Carrying out free energy simulations (FES) using quantum mechanical (QM) Hamiltonians remains an attractive, albeit elusive goal. Renewed efforts in this area have focused on using "indirect" thermodynamic cycles to connect "low level" simulation results to "high level" free energies. The main obstacle to computing converged free energy results between molecular mechanical (MM) and QM (ΔA(MM→QM)), as recently demonstrated by us and others, is differences in the so-called "stiff" degrees of freedom (e.g., bond stretching) between the respective energy surfaces. Herein, we demonstrate that this problem can be efficiently circumvented using nonequilibrium work (NEW) techniques, i.e., Jarzynski's and Crooks' equations. Initial applications of computing ΔA(NEW)(MM→QM), for blocked amino acids alanine and serine as well as to generate butane's potentials of mean force via the indirect QM/MM FES method, showed marked improvement over traditional FES approaches.

Distributed Computing Framework for Synthetic Radar Application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gurrola, Eric M.; Rosen, Paul A.; Aivazis, Michael

2006-01-01

We are developing an extensible software framework, in response to Air Force and NASA needs for distributed computing facilities for a variety of radar applications. The objective of this work is to develop a Python based software framework, that is the framework elements of the middleware that allows developers to control processing flow on a grid in a distributed computing environment. Framework architectures to date allow developers to connect processing functions together as interchangeable objects, thereby allowing a data flow graph to be devised for a specific problem to be solved. The Pyre framework, developed at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and now being used as the basis for next-generation radar processing at JPL, is a Python-based software framework. We have extended the Pyre framework to include new facilities to deploy processing components as services, including components that monitor and assess the state of the distributed network for eventual real-time control of grid resources.

Pressure gradients fail to predict diffusio-osmosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yawei; Ganti, Raman; Frenkel, Daan

2018-05-01

We present numerical simulations of diffusio-osmotic flow, i.e. the fluid flow generated by a concentration gradient along a solid-fluid interface. In our study, we compare a number of distinct approaches that have been proposed for computing such flows and compare them with a reference calculation based on direct, non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. As alternatives, we consider schemes that compute diffusio-osmotic flow from the gradient of the chemical potentials of the constituent species and from the gradient of the component of the pressure tensor parallel to the interface. We find that the approach based on treating chemical potential gradients as external forces acting on various species agrees with the direct simulations, thereby supporting the approach of Marbach et al (2017 J. Chem. Phys. 146 194701). In contrast, an approach based on computing the gradients of the microscopic pressure tensor does not reproduce the direct non-equilibrium results.

TADS: A CFD-based turbomachinery and analysis design system with GUI. Volume 2: User's manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myers, R. A.; Topp, D. A.; Delaney, R. A.

1995-01-01

The primary objective of this study was the development of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based turbomachinery airfoil analysis and design system, controlled by a graphical user interface (GUI). The computer codes resulting from this effort are referred to as the Turbomachinery Analysis and Design System (TADS). This document is intended to serve as a user's manual for the computer programs which comprise the TADS system. TADS couples a throughflow solver (ADPAC) with a quasi-3D blade-to-blade solver (RVCQ3D) in an interactive package. Throughflow analysis capability was developed in ADPAC through the addition of blade force and blockage terms to the governing equations. A GUI was developed to simplify user input and automate the many tasks required to perform turbomachinery analysis and design. The coupling of various programs was done in a way that alternative solvers or grid generators could be easily incorporated into the TADS framework.

Logic circuits from zero forcing.

PubMed

Burgarth, Daniel; Giovannetti, Vittorio; Hogben, Leslie; Severini, Simone; Young, Michael

We design logic circuits based on the notion of zero forcing on graphs; each gate of the circuits is a gadget in which zero forcing is performed. We show that such circuits can evaluate every monotone Boolean function. By using two vertices to encode each logical bit, we obtain universal computation. We also highlight a phenomenon of "back forcing" as a property of each function. Such a phenomenon occurs in a circuit when the input of gates which have been already used at a given time step is further modified by a computation actually performed at a later stage. Finally, we show that zero forcing can be also used to implement reversible computation. The model introduced here provides a potentially new tool in the analysis of Boolean functions, with particular attention to monotonicity. Moreover, in the light of applications of zero forcing in quantum mechanics, the link with Boolean functions may suggest a new directions in quantum control theory and in the study of engineered quantum spin systems. It is an open technical problem to verify whether there is a link between zero forcing and computation with contact circuits.

Unsteady Aerodynamic Force Sensing from Strain Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pak, Chan-Gi

2017-01-01

A simple approach for computing unsteady aerodynamic forces from simulated measured strain data is proposed in this study. First, the deflection and slope of the structure are computed from the unsteady strain using the two-step approach. Velocities and accelerations of the structure are computed using the autoregressive moving average model, on-line parameter estimator, low-pass filter, and a least-squares curve fitting method together with analytical derivatives with respect to time. Finally, aerodynamic forces over the wing are computed using modal aerodynamic influence coefficient matrices, a rational function approximation, and a time-marching algorithm.

GRID: a high-resolution protein structure refinement algorithm.

PubMed

Chitsaz, Mohsen; Mayo, Stephen L

2013-03-05

The energy-based refinement of protein structures generated by fold prediction algorithms to atomic-level accuracy remains a major challenge in structural biology. Energy-based refinement is mainly dependent on two components: (1) sufficiently accurate force fields, and (2) efficient conformational space search algorithms. Focusing on the latter, we developed a high-resolution refinement algorithm called GRID. It takes a three-dimensional protein structure as input and, using an all-atom force field, attempts to improve the energy of the structure by systematically perturbing backbone dihedrals and side-chain rotamer conformations. We compare GRID to Backrub, a stochastic algorithm that has been shown to predict a significant fraction of the conformational changes that occur with point mutations. We applied GRID and Backrub to 10 high-resolution (≤ 2.8 Å) crystal structures from the Protein Data Bank and measured the energy improvements obtained and the computation times required to achieve them. GRID resulted in energy improvements that were significantly better than those attained by Backrub while expending about the same amount of computational resources. GRID resulted in relaxed structures that had slightly higher backbone RMSDs compared to Backrub relative to the starting crystal structures. The average RMSD was 0.25 ± 0.02 Å for GRID versus 0.14 ± 0.04 Å for Backrub. These relatively minor deviations indicate that both algorithms generate structures that retain their original topologies, as expected given the nature of the algorithms. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An Operationally Based Vision Assessment Simulator for Domes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Archdeacon, John; Gaska, James; Timoner, Samson

2012-01-01

The Operational Based Vision Assessment (OBVA) simulator was designed and built by NASA and the United States Air Force (USAF) to provide the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) with a scientific testing laboratory to study human vision and testing standards in an operationally relevant environment. This paper describes the general design objectives and implementation characteristics of the simulator visual system being created to meet these requirements. A key design objective for the OBVA research simulator is to develop a real-time computer image generator (IG) and display subsystem that can display and update at 120 frame s per second (design target), or at a minimum, 60 frames per second, with minimal transport delay using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology. There are three key parts of the OBVA simulator that are described in this paper: i) the real-time computer image generator, ii) the various COTS technology used to construct the simulator, and iii) the spherical dome display and real-time distortion correction subsystem. We describe the various issues, possible COTS solutions, and remaining problem areas identified by NASA and the USAF while designing and building the simulator for future vision research. We also describe the critically important relationship of the physical display components including distortion correction for the dome consistent with an objective of minimizing latency in the system. The performance of the automatic calibration system used in the dome is also described. Various recommendations for possible future implementations shall also be discussed.

Cerebrospinal fluid from subarachnoid haemorrhage patients causes excessive oxidative metabolism compared to vascular smooth muscle force generation.

PubMed

Pyne, G J; Cadoux-Hudson, T A; Clark, J F

2001-01-01

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients can stimulate vascular smooth muscle to generate force in vitro. CSF from SAH patients suffering from delayed ischaemic neurological deficits due to cerebral vasospasm can generate near maximal force in vitro and previous experiments have ascribed this generation of force to be a calcium mediated event. The intracellular calcium concentration has been demonstrated to rise during the vasospastic process. Calcium also stimulates oxidative metabolism as does adenosine diphosphate (ADP), the product of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. Significant alteration in high energy metabolites such as ATP, ADP and phosphocreatine have also been demonstrated in various models of SAH mediated vasospasm. Vascular smooth muscle predominantly uses oxidative metabolism for force generation and reserves glycolytic metabolism for ion homeostasis. A decrease in oxidative metabolism during force generation would imply failing mitochondria and increased glycolytic high-energy phosphate supply. Increased oxidative metabolism would imply a decreased efficiency of the contractile apparatus or mitochondria. The aim of this study was to see if SAH CSF stimulation of porcine carotid artery oxidative metabolism was altered during force generation when compared with incremental calcium stimulation with potassium chloride depolarisation. CSF from patients (n = 10) who had subarachnoid haemorrhage stimulated force generation but with a significant 'right shift' in oxygen consumption. This 'right shift' is indicative of an increased energy cost for contractile work. These results suggest that vascular smooth muscle contractile apparatus, when stimulated by subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid, is consuming excess adenosine triphosphate during force generation.

Palpation simulator with stable haptic feedback.

PubMed

Kim, Sang-Youn; Ryu, Jee-Hwan; Lee, WooJeong

2015-01-01

The main difficulty in constructing palpation simulators is to compute and to generate stable and realistic haptic feedback without vibration. When a user haptically interacts with highly non-homogeneous soft tissues through a palpation simulator, a sudden change of stiffness in target tissues causes unstable interaction with the object. We propose a model consisting of a virtual adjustable damper and an energy measuring element. The energy measuring element gauges energy which is stored in a palpation simulator and the virtual adjustable damper dissipates the energy to achieve stable haptic interaction. To investigate the haptic behavior of the proposed method, impulse and continuous inputs are provided to target tissues. If a haptic interface point meets with the hardest portion in the target tissues modeled with a conventional method, we observe unstable motion and feedback force. However, when the target tissues are modeled with the proposed method, a palpation simulator provides stable interaction without vibration. The proposed method overcomes a problem in conventional haptic palpation simulators where unstable force or vibration can be generated if there is a big discrepancy in material property between an element and its neighboring elements in target tissues.

The effect of the electric wind on the spatial distribution of chemical species in the positive corona discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanallah, K.; Pontiga, F.; Bouazza, M. R.; Chen, J. H.

2017-08-01

The electrohydrodynamic air flow generated by a positive corona discharge, and its effect on the spatial distribution of chemical species within a wire-plate corona reactor, have been numerically simulated. The computational model is based on the solutions of the Navier-Stokes equation and the continuity equation of each chemical species generated by the electrical discharge. A simplified analytical expression of the electric force density, which only requires the current density as the input parameter, has been used in the Navier-Stokes equation to obtain the velocity field. For the solution of the continuity equations, a plasma chemistry model that includes the most important reactions between electrons, atoms and molecules in air has been used. Similar to the electric force, the electron density distribution has been approximated by using a semi-analytical expression appropriate for the electrode geometry. The results of the study show that the spatial distribution of chemical species can be very different, and depends on the interplay between the electrohydrodynamic flow, the chemical kinetics of the species and its characteristic lifetime.

Probabilistic sampling of protein conformations: new hope for brute force?

PubMed

Feldman, Howard J; Hogue, Christopher W V

2002-01-01

Protein structure prediction from sequence alone by "brute force" random methods is a computationally expensive problem. Estimates have suggested that it could take all the computers in the world longer than the age of the universe to compute the structure of a single 200-residue protein. Here we investigate the use of a faster version of our FOLDTRAJ probabilistic all-atom protein-structure-sampling algorithm. We have improved the method so that it is now over twenty times faster than originally reported, and capable of rapidly sampling conformational space without lattices. It uses geometrical constraints and a Leonard-Jones type potential for self-avoidance. We have also implemented a novel method to add secondary structure-prediction information to make protein-like amounts of secondary structure in sampled structures. In a set of 100,000 probabilistic conformers of 1VII, 1ENH, and 1PMC generated, the structures with smallest Calpha RMSD from native are 3.95, 5.12, and 5.95A, respectively. Expanding this test to a set of 17 distinct protein folds, we find that all-helical structures are "hit" by brute force more frequently than beta or mixed structures. For small helical proteins or very small non-helical ones, this approach should have a "hit" close enough to detect with a good scoring function in a pool of several million conformers. By fitting the distribution of RMSDs from the native state of each of the 17 sets of conformers to the extreme value distribution, we are able to estimate the size of conformational space for each. With a 0.5A RMSD cutoff, the number of conformers is roughly 2N where N is the number of residues in the protein. This is smaller than previous estimates, indicating an average of only two possible conformations per residue when sterics are accounted for. Our method reduces the effective number of conformations available at each residue by probabilistic bias, without requiring any particular discretization of residue conformational space, and is the fastest method of its kind. With computer speeds doubling every 18 months and parallel and distributed computing becoming more practical, the brute force approach to protein structure prediction may yet have some hope in the near future. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Force transmission in epithelial tissues.

PubMed

Vasquez, Claudia G; Martin, Adam C

2016-03-01

In epithelial tissues, cells constantly generate and transmit forces between each other. Forces generated by the actomyosin cytoskeleton regulate tissue shape and structure and also provide signals that influence cells' decisions to divide, die, or differentiate. Forces are transmitted across epithelia because cells are mechanically linked through junctional complexes, and forces can propagate through the cell cytoplasm. Here, we review some of the molecular mechanisms responsible for force generation, with a specific focus on the actomyosin cortex and adherens junctions. We then discuss evidence for how these mechanisms promote cell shape changes and force transmission in tissues. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ocean Wave Simulation Based on Wind Field

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Ocean wave simulation has a wide range of applications in movies, video games and training systems. Wind force is the main energy resource for generating ocean waves, which are the result of the interaction between wind and the ocean surface. While numerous methods to handle simulating oceans and other fluid phenomena have undergone rapid development during the past years in the field of computer graphic, few of them consider to construct ocean surface height field from the perspective of wind force driving ocean waves. We introduce wind force to the construction of the ocean surface height field through applying wind field data and wind-driven wave particles. Continual and realistic ocean waves result from the overlap of wind-driven wave particles, and a strategy was proposed to control these discrete wave particles and simulate an endless ocean surface. The results showed that the new method is capable of obtaining a realistic ocean scene under the influence of wind fields at real time rates. PMID:26808718

A high-resolution OGCM simulation of the Tropical Pacific Ocean during the 1985-1994 TOGA period. Part I: Long equatorial waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boulanger, J. P.; Delecluse, F.; Maes, C.; Levy, C.

1995-01-01

A high resolution oceanic general circulation model of the three topical oceans is used to investigate long equatorial wave activity in the Pacific Ocean during the 1985-1994 TOGA period. Zonal wind stress forcing and simulated dynamic height are interpreted using techniques previously applied to data. Kelvin and first Rossby waves are observed propagating during all the period. A seasonal cycle and interannual anomalies are computed for each long equatorial wave. The east Pacific basin is mainly dominated by seasonal cycle variations while strong interannual anomalies are observed west of the dateline. Long wave interannual anomalies are then compared to wave coefficients simulated by a simple wind-forced model. Our results outline the major role played by wind forcing on interannual time scales in generating long equatorial waves. However, near both eastern and western boundaries, some differences can be attributed to long wave reflections. A comparison to wave coefficients calculated from GEOSAT sea-level data gives some insight of the model behavior.

Motion synthesis and force distribution analysis for a biped robot.

PubMed

Trojnacki, Maciej T; Zielińska, Teresa

2011-01-01

In this paper, the method of generating biped robot motion using recorded human gait is presented. The recorded data were modified taking into account the velocity available for robot drives. Data includes only selected joint angles, therefore the missing values were obtained considering the dynamic postural stability of the robot, which means obtaining an adequate motion trajectory of the so-called Zero Moment Point (ZMT). Also, the method of determining the ground reaction forces' distribution during the biped robot's dynamic stable walk is described. The method was developed by the authors. Following the description of equations characterizing the dynamics of robot's motion, the values of the components of ground reaction forces were symbolically determined as well as the coordinates of the points of robot's feet contact with the ground. The theoretical considerations have been supported by computer simulation and animation of the robot's motion. This was done using Matlab/Simulink package and Simulink 3D Animation Toolbox, and it has proved the proposed method.

Ocean Wave Simulation Based on Wind Field.

PubMed

Li, Zhongyi; Wang, Hao

2016-01-01

Ocean wave simulation has a wide range of applications in movies, video games and training systems. Wind force is the main energy resource for generating ocean waves, which are the result of the interaction between wind and the ocean surface. While numerous methods to handle simulating oceans and other fluid phenomena have undergone rapid development during the past years in the field of computer graphic, few of them consider to construct ocean surface height field from the perspective of wind force driving ocean waves. We introduce wind force to the construction of the ocean surface height field through applying wind field data and wind-driven wave particles. Continual and realistic ocean waves result from the overlap of wind-driven wave particles, and a strategy was proposed to control these discrete wave particles and simulate an endless ocean surface. The results showed that the new method is capable of obtaining a realistic ocean scene under the influence of wind fields at real time rates.

Understanding the influence of all nodes in a network

PubMed Central

Lawyer, Glenn

2015-01-01

Centrality measures such as the degree, k-shell, or eigenvalue centrality can identify a network's most influential nodes, but are rarely usefully accurate in quantifying the spreading power of the vast majority of nodes which are not highly influential. The spreading power of all network nodes is better explained by considering, from a continuous-time epidemiological perspective, the distribution of the force of infection each node generates. The resulting metric, the expected force, accurately quantifies node spreading power under all primary epidemiological models across a wide range of archetypical human contact networks. When node power is low, influence is a function of neighbor degree. As power increases, a node's own degree becomes more important. The strength of this relationship is modulated by network structure, being more pronounced in narrow, dense networks typical of social networking and weakening in broader, looser association networks such as the Internet. The expected force can be computed independently for individual nodes, making it applicable for networks whose adjacency matrix is dynamic, not well specified, or overwhelmingly large. PMID:25727453

Transient multi-physics analysis of a magnetorheological shock absorber with the inverse Jiles-Atherton hysteresis model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Jiajia; Li, Yancheng; Li, Zhaochun; Wang, Jiong

2015-10-01

This paper presents multi-physics modeling of an MR absorber considering the magnetic hysteresis to capture the nonlinear relationship between the applied current and the generated force under impact loading. The magnetic field, temperature field, and fluid dynamics are represented by the Maxwell equations, conjugate heat transfer equations, and Navier-Stokes equations. These fields are coupled through the apparent viscosity and the magnetic force, both of which in turn depend on the magnetic flux density and the temperature. Based on a parametric study, an inverse Jiles-Atherton hysteresis model is used and implemented for the magnetic field simulation. The temperature rise of the MR fluid in the annular gap caused by core loss (i.e. eddy current loss and hysteresis loss) and fluid motion is computed to investigate the current-force behavior. A group of impulsive tests was performed for the manufactured MR absorber with step exciting currents. The numerical and experimental results showed good agreement, which validates the effectiveness of the proposed multi-physics FEA model.

Force generation within tissues during development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasza, Karen

During embryonic development, multicellular tissues physically change shape, move, and grow. Changes in epithelial tissue organization are often accomplished by local movements of cells that are driven largely by forces generated by the motor protein myosin II. These forces are patterned to orient cell movements, resulting in changes in tissue shape and organization to build functional tissues and organs. To investigate the mechanisms of force generation in vivo, we use the fruit fly embryo as a model system. Spatial patterns of forces orient cell movements to drive rapid tissue elongation along the head-to-tail axis of the embryo. I will describe how studying embryos generated with engineered myosin variants provides insight into where, when, and how forces are generated to efficiently reorganize tissues. We found that a myosin variant that is locked-in to the active or ``on'' state accelerates cell movements, while two mutant myosin variants associated with human disease produce slowed cell movement. These myosin variants all disrupt tissue elongation, but live imaging and biophysical measurements reveal distinct effects on myosin organization and dynamics within cells and uncover mechanisms that control the spatial and temporal patterns of force generation. These studies shed light not only on how defects in force generation contribute to disease but also on physical principles at work in active, living materials.

Benchmarking fully analytic DFT force fields for vibrational spectroscopy: A study on halogenated compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pietropolli Charmet, Andrea; Cornaton, Yann

2018-05-01

This work presents an investigation of the theoretical predictions yielded by anharmonic force fields having the cubic and quartic force constants are computed analytically by means of density functional theory (DFT) using the recursive scheme developed by M. Ringholm et al. (J. Comput. Chem. 35 (2014) 622). Different functionals (namely B3LYP, PBE, PBE0 and PW86x) and basis sets were used for calculating the anharmonic vibrational spectra of two halomethanes. The benchmark analysis carried out demonstrates the reliability and overall good performances offered by hybrid approaches, where the harmonic data obtained at the coupled cluster with single and double excitations level of theory augmented by a perturbational estimate of the effects of connected triple excitations, CCSD(T), are combined with the fully analytic higher order force constants yielded by DFT functionals. These methods lead to reliable and computationally affordable calculations of anharmonic vibrational spectra with an accuracy comparable to that yielded by hybrid force fields having the anharmonic force fields computed at second order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) level of theory using numerical differentiation but without the corresponding potential issues related to computational costs and numerical errors.

Work and power analysis of the golf swing.

PubMed

Nesbit, Steven M; Serrano, Monika

2005-12-01

A work and power (energy) analysis of the golf swing is presented as a method for evaluating the mechanics of the golf swing. Two computer models were used to estimate the energy production, transfers, and conversions within the body and the golf club by employing standard methods of mechanics to calculate work of forces and torques, kinetic energies, strain energies, and power during the golf swing. A detailed model of the golf club determined the energy transfers and conversions within the club during the downswing. A full-body computer model of the golfer determined the internal work produced at the body joints during the downswing. Four diverse amateur subjects were analyzed and compared using these two models. The energy approach yielded new information on swing mechanics, determined the force and torque components that accelerated the club, illustrated which segments of the body produced work, determined the timing of internal work generation, measured swing efficiencies, calculated shaft energy storage and release, and proved that forces and range of motion were equally important in developing club head velocity. A more comprehensive description of the downswing emerged from information derived from an energy based analysis. Key PointsFull-Body Model of the golf swing.Energy analysis of the golf swing.Work of the body joints dDuring the golf swing.Comparisons of subject work and power characteristics.

Work and Power Analysis of the Golf Swing

PubMed Central

Nesbit, Steven M.; Serrano, Monika

2005-01-01

A work and power (energy) analysis of the golf swing is presented as a method for evaluating the mechanics of the golf swing. Two computer models were used to estimate the energy production, transfers, and conversions within the body and the golf club by employing standard methods of mechanics to calculate work of forces and torques, kinetic energies, strain energies, and power during the golf swing. A detailed model of the golf club determined the energy transfers and conversions within the club during the downswing. A full-body computer model of the golfer determined the internal work produced at the body joints during the downswing. Four diverse amateur subjects were analyzed and compared using these two models. The energy approach yielded new information on swing mechanics, determined the force and torque components that accelerated the club, illustrated which segments of the body produced work, determined the timing of internal work generation, measured swing efficiencies, calculated shaft energy storage and release, and proved that forces and range of motion were equally important in developing club head velocity. A more comprehensive description of the downswing emerged from information derived from an energy based analysis. Key Points Full-Body Model of the golf swing. Energy analysis of the golf swing. Work of the body joints dDuring the golf swing. Comparisons of subject work and power characteristics. PMID:24627666

Respiratory impedance is correlated with airway narrowing in asthma using three-dimensional computed tomography.

PubMed

Karayama, M; Inui, N; Mori, K; Kono, M; Hozumi, H; Suzuki, Y; Furuhashi, K; Hashimoto, D; Enomoto, N; Fujisawa, T; Nakamura, Y; Watanabe, H; Suda, T

2018-03-01

Respiratory impedance comprises the resistance and reactance of the respiratory system and can provide detailed information on respiratory function. However, details of the relationship between impedance and morphological airway changes in asthma are unknown. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between imaging-based airway changes and respiratory impedance in patients with asthma. Respiratory impedance and spirometric data were evaluated in 72 patients with asthma and 29 reference subjects. We measured the intraluminal area (Ai) and wall thickness (WT) of third- to sixth-generation bronchi using three-dimensional computed tomographic analyses, and values were adjusted by body surface area (BSA, Ai/BSA, and WT/the square root (√) of BSA). Asthma patients had significantly increased respiratory impedance, decreased Ai/BSA, and increased WT/√BSA, as was the case in those without airflow limitation as assessed by spirometry. Ai/BSA was inversely correlated with respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20). R20 had a stronger correlation with Ai/BSA than did R5. Ai/BSA was positively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio, percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and percentage predicted mid-expiratory flow. WT/√BSA had no significant correlation with spirometry or respiratory impedance. Respiratory resistance is associated with airway narrowing. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Analysis of Gas-Particle Flows through Multi-Scale Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Yile

Multi-scale structures are inherent in gas-solid flows, which render the modeling efforts challenging. On one hand, detailed simulations where the fine structures are resolved and particle properties can be directly specified can account for complex flow behaviors, but they are too computationally expensive to apply for larger systems. On the other hand, coarse-grained simulations demand much less computations but they necessitate constitutive models which are often not readily available for given particle properties. The present study focuses on addressing this issue, as it seeks to provide a general framework through which one can obtain the required constitutive models from detailed simulations. To demonstrate the viability of this general framework in which closures can be proposed for different particle properties, we focus on the van der Waals force of interaction between particles. We start with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) - Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations where the fine structures are resolved and van der Waals force between particles can be directly specified, and obtain closures for stress and drag that are required for coarse-grained simulations. Specifically, we develop a new cohesion model that appropriately accounts for van der Waals force between particles to be used for CFD-DEM simulations. We then validate this cohesion model and the CFD-DEM approach by showing that it can qualitatively capture experimental results where the addition of small particles to gas fluidization reduces bubble sizes. Based on the DEM and CFD-DEM simulation results, we propose stress models that account for the van der Waals force between particles. Finally, we apply machine learning, specifically neural networks, to obtain a drag model that captures the effects from fine structures and inter-particle cohesion. We show that this novel approach using neural networks, which can be readily applied for other closures other than drag here, can take advantage of the large amount of data generated from simulations, and therefore offer superior modeling performance over traditional approaches.

High-Resiliency and Auto-Scaling of Large-Scale Cloud Computing for OCO-2 L2 Full Physics Processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hua, H.; Manipon, G.; Starch, M.; Dang, L. B.; Southam, P.; Wilson, B. D.; Avis, C.; Chang, A.; Cheng, C.; Smyth, M.; McDuffie, J. L.; Ramirez, P.

2015-12-01

Next generation science data systems are needed to address the incoming flood of data from new missions such as SWOT and NISAR where data volumes and data throughput rates are order of magnitude larger than present day missions. Additionally, traditional means of procuring hardware on-premise are already limited due to facilities capacity constraints for these new missions. Existing missions, such as OCO-2, may also require high turn-around time for processing different science scenarios where on-premise and even traditional HPC computing environments may not meet the high processing needs. We present our experiences on deploying a hybrid-cloud computing science data system (HySDS) for the OCO-2 Science Computing Facility to support large-scale processing of their Level-2 full physics data products. We will explore optimization approaches to getting best performance out of hybrid-cloud computing as well as common issues that will arise when dealing with large-scale computing. Novel approaches were utilized to do processing on Amazon's spot market, which can potentially offer ~10X costs savings but with an unpredictable computing environment based on market forces. We will present how we enabled high-tolerance computing in order to achieve large-scale computing as well as operational cost savings.

Computer-Assisted Instruction in the Context of the Advanced Instructional System: Authoring Support Software. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Montgomery, Ann D.; Judd, Wilson A.

This report details the design, development, and implementation of computer software to support the cost-effective production of computer assisted instruction (CAI) within the context of the Advanced Instructional System (AIS) located at Lowry Air Force Base. The report supplements the computer managed Air Force technical training that is…

Brute force meets Bruno force in parameter optimisation: introduction of novel constraints for parameter accuracy improvement by symbolic computation.

PubMed

Nakatsui, M; Horimoto, K; Lemaire, F; Ürgüplü, A; Sedoglavic, A; Boulier, F

2011-09-01

Recent remarkable advances in computer performance have enabled us to estimate parameter values by the huge power of numerical computation, the so-called 'Brute force', resulting in the high-speed simultaneous estimation of a large number of parameter values. However, these advancements have not been fully utilised to improve the accuracy of parameter estimation. Here the authors review a novel method for parameter estimation using symbolic computation power, 'Bruno force', named after Bruno Buchberger, who found the Gröbner base. In the method, the objective functions combining the symbolic computation techniques are formulated. First, the authors utilise a symbolic computation technique, differential elimination, which symbolically reduces an equivalent system of differential equations to a system in a given model. Second, since its equivalent system is frequently composed of large equations, the system is further simplified by another symbolic computation. The performance of the authors' method for parameter accuracy improvement is illustrated by two representative models in biology, a simple cascade model and a negative feedback model in comparison with the previous numerical methods. Finally, the limits and extensions of the authors' method are discussed, in terms of the possible power of 'Bruno force' for the development of a new horizon in parameter estimation.

Hydrodynamic Contributions to Amoeboid Cell Motility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Owen; Guy, Robert

2011-11-01

Understanding the methods by which cells move is a fundamental problem in modern biology. Recent evidence has shown that the fluid dynamics of cytoplasm can play a vital role in cellular motility. The slime mold Physarum polycephalum provides an excellent model organism for the study of amoeboid motion. In this research, we use both analytic and computational models to investigate intracellular fluid flow in a simple model of Physarum. In both models, of we are specifically interested in stresses generated by cytoplasmic flow which act in the direction of cellular motility. In our numerical model, the Immersed Boundary Method is used to account for such stresses. We investigate the relationship between contraction waves, low waves and locomotive forces, and attempt characterize conditions necessary to generate directed motion.

Modeling Forces and Moments at the Base of a Rat Vibrissa during Noncontact Whisking and Whisking against an Object

PubMed Central

Quist, Brian W.; Seghete, Vlad; Huet, Lucie A.; Murphey, Todd D.

2014-01-01

During exploratory behavior, rats brush and tap their whiskers against objects, and the mechanical signals so generated constitute the primary sensory variables upon which these animals base their vibrissotactile perception of the world. To date, however, we lack a general dynamic model of the vibrissa that includes the effects of inertia, damping, and collisions. We simulated vibrissal dynamics to compute the time-varying forces and bending moment at the vibrissa base during both noncontact (free-air) whisking and whisking against an object (collision). Results show the following: (1) during noncontact whisking, mechanical signals contain components at both the whisking frequency and also twice the whisking frequency (the latter could code whisking speed); (2) when rats whisk rhythmically against an object, the intrinsic dynamics of the vibrissa can be as large as many of the mechanical effects of the collision, however, the axial force could still generate responses that reliably indicate collision based on thresholding; and (3) whisking velocity will have only a small effect on the transient response generated during a whisker–object collision. Instead, the transient response will depend in large part on how the rat chooses to decelerate its vibrissae after the collision. The model allows experimentalists to estimate error bounds on quasi-static descriptions of vibrissal shape, and its predictions can be used to bound realistic expectations from neurons that code vibrissal sensing. We discuss the implications of these results under the assumption that primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal ganglion are sensitive to various combinations of mechanical signals. PMID:25057187

Dynamically balanced absolute sea level of the global ocean derived from near-surface velocity observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niiler, Pearn P.; Maximenko, Nikolai A.; McWilliams, James C.

2003-11-01

The 1992-2002 time-mean absolute sea level distribution of the global ocean is computed for the first time from observations of near-surface velocity. For this computation, we use the near-surface horizontal momentum balance. The velocity observed by drifters is used to compute the Coriolis force and the force due to acceleration of water parcels. The anomaly of horizontal pressure gradient is derived from satellite altimetry and corrects the temporal bias in drifter data distribution. NCEP reanalysis winds are used to compute the force due to Ekman currents. The mean sea level gradient force, which closes the momentum balance, is integrated for mean sea level. We find that our computation agrees, within uncertainties, with the sea level computed from the geostrophic, hydrostatic momentum balance using historical mean density, except in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. A consistent horizontally and vertically dynamically balanced, near-surface, global pressure field has now been derived from observations.

Lenz's Law: Feel the Force.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sawicki, Charles A.

1996-01-01

Describes a simple, inexpensive system that allows students to have hands-on contact with simple experiments involving forces generated by induced currents. Discusses the use of a dynamic force sensor in making quantitative measurements of the forces generated. (JRH)

ff14ipq: A Self-Consistent Force Field for Condensed-Phase Simulations of Proteins

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

We present the ff14ipq force field, implementing the previously published IPolQ charge set for simulations of complete proteins. Minor modifications to the charge derivation scheme and van der Waals interactions between polar atoms are introduced. Torsion parameters are developed through a generational learning approach, based on gas-phase MP2/cc-pVTZ single-point energies computed of structures optimized by the force field itself rather than the quantum benchmark. In this manner, we sacrifice information about the true quantum minima in order to ensure that the force field maintains optimal agreement with the MP2/cc-pVTZ benchmark for the ensembles it will actually produce in simulations. A means of making the gas-phase torsion parameters compatible with solution-phase IPolQ charges is presented. The ff14ipq model is an alternative to ff99SB and other Amber force fields for protein simulations in programs that accommodate pair-specific Lennard–Jones combining rules. The force field gives strong performance on α-helical and β-sheet oligopeptides as well as globular proteins over microsecond time scale simulations, although it has not yet been tested in conjunction with lipid and nucleic acid models. We show how our choices in parameter development influence the resulting force field and how other choices that may have appeared reasonable would actually have led to poorer results. The tools we developed may also aid in the development of future fixed-charge and even polarizable biomolecular force fields. PMID:25328495

A grouping method based on grid density and relationship for crowd evacuation simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yan; Liu, Hong; Liu, Guang-peng; Li, Liang; Moore, Philip; Hu, Bin

2017-05-01

Psychological factors affect the movement of people in the competitive or panic mode of evacuation, in which the density of pedestrians is relatively large and the distance among them is small. In this paper, a crowd is divided into groups according to their social relations to simulate the actual movement of crowd evacuation more realistically and increase the attractiveness of the group based on social force model. The force of group attraction is the synthesis of two forces; one is the attraction of the individuals generated by their social relations to gather, and the other is that of the group leader to the individuals within the group to ensure that the individuals follow the leader. The synthetic force determines the trajectory of individuals. The evacuation process is demonstrated using the improved social force model. In the improved social force model, the individuals with close social relations gradually present a closer and coordinated action while following the leader. In this paper, a grouping algorithm is proposed based on grid density and relationship via computer simulation to illustrate the features of the improved social force model. The definition of the parameters involved in the algorithm is given, and the effect of relational value on the grouping is tested. Reasonable numbers of grids and weights are selected. The effectiveness of the algorithm is shown through simulation experiments. A simulation platform is also established using the proposed grouping algorithm and the improved social force model for crowd evacuation simulation.

Forces and moments generated by the human arm: Variability and control

PubMed Central

Xu, Y; Terekhov, AV; Latash, ML; Zatsiorsky, VM

2012-01-01

This is an exploratory study of the accurate endpoint force vector production by the human arm in isometric conditions. We formulated three common-sense hypotheses and falsified them in the experiment. The subjects (n=10) exerted static forces on the handle in eight directions in a horizontal plane for 25 seconds. The forces were of 4 magnitude levels (10 %, 20%, 30% and 40% of individual MVC). The torsion moment on the handle (grasp moment) was not specified in the instruction. The two force components and the grasp moment were recorded, and the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joint torques were computed. The following main facts were observed: (a) While the grasp moment was not prescribed by the instruction, it was always produced. The moment magnitude and direction depended on the instructed force magnitude and direction. (b) The within-trial angular variability of the exerted force vector (angular precision) did not depend on the target force magnitude (a small negative correlation was observed). (c) Across the target force directions, the variability of the exerted force magnitude and directional variability exhibited opposite trends: In the directions where the variability of force magnitude was maximal, the directional variability was minimal and vice versa. (d) The time profiles of joint torques in the trials were always positively correlated, even for the force directions where flexion torque was produced at one joint and extension torque was produced at the other joint. (e) The correlations between the grasp moment and the wrist torque were negative across the tasks and positive within the individual trials. (f) In static serial kinematic chains, the pattern of the joint torques distribution could not be explained by an optimization cost function additive with respect to the torques. Plans for several future experiments have been suggested. PMID:23080084

Tinker-HP: a massively parallel molecular dynamics package for multiscale simulations of large complex systems with advanced point dipole polarizable force fields.

PubMed

Lagardère, Louis; Jolly, Luc-Henri; Lipparini, Filippo; Aviat, Félix; Stamm, Benjamin; Jing, Zhifeng F; Harger, Matthew; Torabifard, Hedieh; Cisneros, G Andrés; Schnieders, Michael J; Gresh, Nohad; Maday, Yvon; Ren, Pengyu Y; Ponder, Jay W; Piquemal, Jean-Philip

2018-01-28

We present Tinker-HP, a massively MPI parallel package dedicated to classical molecular dynamics (MD) and to multiscale simulations, using advanced polarizable force fields (PFF) encompassing distributed multipoles electrostatics. Tinker-HP is an evolution of the popular Tinker package code that conserves its simplicity of use and its reference double precision implementation for CPUs. Grounded on interdisciplinary efforts with applied mathematics, Tinker-HP allows for long polarizable MD simulations on large systems up to millions of atoms. We detail in the paper the newly developed extension of massively parallel 3D spatial decomposition to point dipole polarizable models as well as their coupling to efficient Krylov iterative and non-iterative polarization solvers. The design of the code allows the use of various computer systems ranging from laboratory workstations to modern petascale supercomputers with thousands of cores. Tinker-HP proposes therefore the first high-performance scalable CPU computing environment for the development of next generation point dipole PFFs and for production simulations. Strategies linking Tinker-HP to Quantum Mechanics (QM) in the framework of multiscale polarizable self-consistent QM/MD simulations are also provided. The possibilities, performances and scalability of the software are demonstrated via benchmarks calculations using the polarizable AMOEBA force field on systems ranging from large water boxes of increasing size and ionic liquids to (very) large biosystems encompassing several proteins as well as the complete satellite tobacco mosaic virus and ribosome structures. For small systems, Tinker-HP appears to be competitive with the Tinker-OpenMM GPU implementation of Tinker. As the system size grows, Tinker-HP remains operational thanks to its access to distributed memory and takes advantage of its new algorithmic enabling for stable long timescale polarizable simulations. Overall, a several thousand-fold acceleration over a single-core computation is observed for the largest systems. The extension of the present CPU implementation of Tinker-HP to other computational platforms is discussed.

Nonequilibrium Tuning of the Thermal Casimir Effect.

PubMed

Dean, David S; Lu, Bing-Sui; Maggs, A C; Podgornik, Rudolf

2016-06-17

In net-neutral systems correlations between charge fluctuations generate strong attractive thermal Casimir forces and engineering these forces to optimize nanodevice performance is an important challenge. We show how the normal and lateral thermal Casimir forces between two plates containing Brownian charges can be modulated by decorrelating the system through the application of an electric field, which generates a nonequilibrium steady state with a constant current in one or both plates, reducing the ensuing fluctuation-generated normal force while at the same time generating a lateral drag force. This hypothesis is confirmed by detailed numerical simulations as well as an analytical approach based on stochastic density functional theory.

Time-Domain Method for Computing Forces and Moments Acting on Three Dimensional Surface-Piercing Ship Hulls with Forward Speed.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

where 4BD represents the instantaneous effect of the body, while OFS represents the free surface disturbance generated by the body over all previous...acceleration boundary condition. This deter- mines the time-derivative of the body-induced component of the flow, 4BD (as well as OBD through integration...panel with uniform density ei acting over a surface of area Ai is replaced by a single point source with strength s i(t) - A i(a i(t n ) + (t-t n ) G( td

Breaking CFD Bottlenecks in Gas-Turbine Flow-Path Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Roger L.; Dannenhoffer, John F., III; Clark, John P.

2010-01-01

New ideas are forthcoming to break existing bottlenecks in using CFD during design. CAD-based automated grid generation. Multi-disciplinary use of embedded, overset grids to eliminate complex gridding problems. Use of time-averaged detached-eddy simulations as norm instead of "steady" RANS to include effects of self-excited unsteadiness. Combined GPU/Core parallel computing to provide over an order of magnitude increase in performance/price ratio. Gas-turbine applications are shown here but these ideas can be used for other Air Force, Navy, and NASA applications.

The new Mobile Command Center at KSC is important addition to emergency preparedness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This camper-equipped truck known as '''Old Blue''' served as mobile field command center for the Emergency Preparedness team at KSC. It has been replaced with a larger vehicle that includes a conference room, computer work stations, mobile telephones and a fax machine, plus its own onboard generator. Besides being ready to respond in case of emergencies during launches, the vehicle must be ready to help address fires, security threats, chemical spills, terrorist attaches, weather damage or other critical situations that might face KSC or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

EOSPEC: a complementary toolbox for MODTRAN calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dion, Denis

2016-09-01

For more than a decade, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) has been developing a Library of computer models for the calculations of atmospheric effects on EO-IR sensor performances. The Library, called EOSPEC-LIB (EO-IR Sensor PErformance Computation LIBrary) has been designed as a complement to MODTRAN, the radiative transfer code developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and Spectral Science Inc. in the USA. The Library comprises modules for the definition of the atmospheric conditions, including aerosols, and provides modules for the calculation of turbulence and fine refraction effects. SMART (Suite for Multi-resolution Atmospheric Radiative Transfer), a key component of EOSPEC, allows one to perform fast computations of transmittances and radiances using MODTRAN through a wide-band correlated-k computational approach. In its most recent version, EOSPEC includes a MODTRAN toolbox whose functions help generate in a format compatible to MODTRAN 5 and 6 atmospheric and aerosol profiles, user-defined refracted optical paths and inputs for configuring the MODTRAN sea radiance (BRDF) model. The paper gives an overall description of the EOSPEC features and capacities. EOSPEC provides augmented capabilities for computations in the lower atmosphere, and for computations in maritime environments.

Spatial Modeling for Resources Framework (SMRF): A modular framework for developing spatial forcing data in mountainous terrain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Havens, S.; Marks, D. G.; Kormos, P.; Hedrick, A. R.; Johnson, M.; Robertson, M.; Sandusky, M.

2017-12-01

In the Western US, operational water supply managers rely on statistical techniques to forecast the volume of water left to enter the reservoirs. As the climate changes and the demand increases for stored water utilized for irrigation, flood control, power generation, and ecosystem services, water managers have begun to move from statistical techniques towards using physically based models. To assist with the transition, a new open source framework was developed, the Spatial Modeling for Resources Framework (SMRF), to automate and simplify the most common forcing data distribution methods. SMRF is computationally efficient and can be implemented for both research and operational applications. Currently, SMRF is able to generate all of the forcing data required to run physically based snow or hydrologic models at 50-100 m resolution over regions of 500-10,000 km2, and has been successfully applied in real time and historical applications for the Boise River Basin in Idaho, USA, the Tuolumne River Basin and San Joaquin in California, USA, and Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed in Idaho, USA. These applications use meteorological station measurements and numerical weather prediction model outputs as input data. SMRF has significantly streamlined the modeling workflow, decreased model set up time from weeks to days, and made near real-time application of physics-based snow and hydrologic models possible.

Mesoscopic model of actin-based propulsion.

PubMed

Zhu, Jie; Mogilner, Alex

2012-01-01

Two theoretical models dominate current understanding of actin-based propulsion: microscopic polymerization ratchet model predicts that growing and writhing actin filaments generate forces and movements, while macroscopic elastic propulsion model suggests that deformation and stress of growing actin gel are responsible for the propulsion. We examine both experimentally and computationally the 2D movement of ellipsoidal beads propelled by actin tails and show that neither of the two models can explain the observed bistability of the orientation of the beads. To explain the data, we develop a 2D hybrid mesoscopic model by reconciling these two models such that individual actin filaments undergoing nucleation, elongation, attachment, detachment and capping are embedded into the boundary of a node-spring viscoelastic network representing the macroscopic actin gel. Stochastic simulations of this 'in silico' actin network show that the combined effects of the macroscopic elastic deformation and microscopic ratchets can explain the observed bistable orientation of the actin-propelled ellipsoidal beads. To test the theory further, we analyze observed distribution of the curvatures of the trajectories and show that the hybrid model's predictions fit the data. Finally, we demonstrate that the model can explain both concave-up and concave-down force-velocity relations for growing actin networks depending on the characteristic time scale and network recoil. To summarize, we propose that both microscopic polymerization ratchets and macroscopic stresses of the deformable actin network are responsible for the force and movement generation.

Wing kinematics measurement and aerodynamics of a dragonfly in turning flight.

PubMed

Li, Chengyu; Dong, Haibo

2017-02-03

This study integrates high-speed photogrammetry, 3D surface reconstruction, and computational fluid dynamics to explore a dragonfly (Erythemis Simplicicollis) in free flight. Asymmetric wing kinematics and the associated aerodynamic characteristics of a turning dragonfly are analyzed in detail. Quantitative measurements of wing kinematics show that compared to the outer wings, the inner wings sweep more slowly with a higher angle of attack during the downstroke, whereas they flap faster with a lower angle of attack during the upstroke. The inner-outer asymmetries of wing deviations result in an oval wingtip trajectory for the inner wings and a figure-eight wingtip trajectory for the outer wings. Unsteady aerodynamics calculations indicate significantly asymmetrical force production between the inner and outer wings, especially for the forewings. Specifically, the magnitude of the drag force on the inner forewing is approximately 2.8 times greater than that on the outer forewing during the downstroke. In the upstroke, the outer forewing generates approximately 1.9 times greater peak thrust than the inner forewing. To keep the body aloft, the forewings contribute approximately 64% of the total lift, whereas the hindwings provide 36%. The effect of forewing-hindwing interaction on the aerodynamic performance is also examined. It is found that the hindwings can benefit from this interaction by decreasing power consumption by 13% without sacrificing force generation.

Magnetic resonance force microscopy quantum computer with tellurium donors in silicon.

PubMed

Berman, G P; Doolen, G D; Hammel, P C; Tsifrinovich, V I

2001-03-26

We propose a magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM)-based nuclear spin quantum computer using tellurium impurities in silicon. This approach to quantum computing combines well-developed silicon technology and expected advances in MRFM. Our proposal does not use electrostatic gates to realize quantum logic operations.

The Distributed Diagonal Force Decomposition Method for Parallelizing Molecular Dynamics Simulations

PubMed Central

Boršnik, Urban; Miller, Benjamin T.; Brooks, Bernard R.; Janežič, Dušanka

2011-01-01

Parallelization is an effective way to reduce the computational time needed for molecular dynamics simulations. We describe a new parallelization method, the distributed-diagonal force decomposition method, with which we extend and improve the existing force decomposition methods. Our new method requires less data communication during molecular dynamics simulations than replicated data and current force decomposition methods, increasing the parallel efficiency. It also dynamically load-balances the processors' computational load throughout the simulation. The method is readily implemented in existing molecular dynamics codes and it has been incorporated into the CHARMM program, allowing its immediate use in conjunction with the many molecular dynamics simulation techniques that are already present in the program. We also present the design of the Force Decomposition Machine, a cluster of personal computers and networks that is tailored to running molecular dynamics simulations using the distributed diagonal force decomposition method. The design is expandable and provides various degrees of fault resilience. This approach is easily adaptable to computers with Graphics Processing Units because it is independent of the processor type being used. PMID:21793007

Computing fluid-particle interaction forces for nano-suspension droplet spreading: molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Weizhou; Shi, Baiou; Webb, Edmund

2017-11-01

Recently, there are many experimental and theoretical studies to understand and control the dynamic spreading of nano-suspension droplets on solid surfaces. However, fundamental understanding of driving forces dictating the kinetics of nano-suspension wetting and spreading, especially capillary forces that manifest during the process, is lacking. Here, we present results from atomic scale simulations that were used to compute forces between suspended particles and advancing liquid fronts. The role of nano-particle size, particle loading, and interaction strength on forces computed from simulations will be discussed. Results demonstrate that increasing the particle size dramatically changes observed wetting behavior from depinning to pinning. From simulations on varying particle size, a relationship between computed forces and particle size is advanced and compared to existing expressions in the literature. High particle loading significantly slowed spreading kinetics, by introducing tortuous transport paths for liquid delivery to the advancing contact line. Lastly, we show how weakening the interaction between the particle and the underlying substrate can change a system from exhibiting pinning behavior to de-pinning.

DGDFT: A massively parallel method for large scale density functional theory calculations.

PubMed

Hu, Wei; Lin, Lin; Yang, Chao

2015-09-28

We describe a massively parallel implementation of the recently developed discontinuous Galerkin density functional theory (DGDFT) method, for efficient large-scale Kohn-Sham DFT based electronic structure calculations. The DGDFT method uses adaptive local basis (ALB) functions generated on-the-fly during the self-consistent field iteration to represent the solution to the Kohn-Sham equations. The use of the ALB set provides a systematic way to improve the accuracy of the approximation. By using the pole expansion and selected inversion technique to compute electron density, energy, and atomic forces, we can make the computational complexity of DGDFT scale at most quadratically with respect to the number of electrons for both insulating and metallic systems. We show that for the two-dimensional (2D) phosphorene systems studied here, using 37 basis functions per atom allows us to reach an accuracy level of 1.3 × 10(-4) Hartree/atom in terms of the error of energy and 6.2 × 10(-4) Hartree/bohr in terms of the error of atomic force, respectively. DGDFT can achieve 80% parallel efficiency on 128,000 high performance computing cores when it is used to study the electronic structure of 2D phosphorene systems with 3500-14 000 atoms. This high parallel efficiency results from a two-level parallelization scheme that we will describe in detail.

Optimal Shape Design of Mail-Slot Nacelle on N3-X Hybrid Wing-Body Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Hyoungjin; Liou, Meng-Sing

2013-01-01

System studies show that a N3-X hybrid wing-body aircraft with a turboelectric distributed propulsion system using a mail-slot inlet/nozzle nacelle can meet the environmental and performance goals for N+3 generation transports (three generations beyond the current air transport technology level) set by NASA's Subsonic Fixed Wing Project. In this study, a Navier-Stokes flow simulation of N3-X on hybrid unstructured meshes was conducted, including the mail-slot propulsor. The geometry of the mail-slot propulsor was generated by a CAD (Computer-Aided Design)-free shape parameterization. A novel body force model generation approach was suggested for a more realistic and efficient simulation of the flow turning, pressure rise and loss effects of the fan blades and the inlet-fan interactions. Flow simulation results of the N3-X demonstrates the validity of the present approach. An optimal Shape design of the mail-slot nacelle surface was conducted to reduce strength of shock waves and flow separations on the cowl surface.

Multiscale mechanobiology: computational models for integrating molecules to multicellular systems

PubMed Central

Mak, Michael; Kim, Taeyoon

2015-01-01

Mechanical signals exist throughout the biological landscape. Across all scales, these signals, in the form of force, stiffness, and deformations, are generated and processed, resulting in an active mechanobiological circuit that controls many fundamental aspects of life, from protein unfolding and cytoskeletal remodeling to collective cell motions. The multiple scales and complex feedback involved present a challenge for fully understanding the nature of this circuit, particularly in development and disease in which it has been implicated. Computational models that accurately predict and are based on experimental data enable a means to integrate basic principles and explore fine details of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction in and across all levels of biological systems. Here we review recent advances in these models along with supporting and emerging experimental findings. PMID:26019013

Efficient computation of k-Nearest Neighbour Graphs for large high-dimensional data sets on GPU clusters.

PubMed

Dashti, Ali; Komarov, Ivan; D'Souza, Roshan M

2013-01-01

This paper presents an implementation of the brute-force exact k-Nearest Neighbor Graph (k-NNG) construction for ultra-large high-dimensional data cloud. The proposed method uses Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and is scalable with multi-levels of parallelism (between nodes of a cluster, between different GPUs on a single node, and within a GPU). The method is applicable to homogeneous computing clusters with a varying number of nodes and GPUs per node. We achieve a 6-fold speedup in data processing as compared with an optimized method running on a cluster of CPUs and bring a hitherto impossible [Formula: see text]-NNG generation for a dataset of twenty million images with 15 k dimensionality into the realm of practical possibility.

Explicit polarization (X-Pol) potential using ab initio molecular orbital theory and density functional theory.

PubMed

Song, Lingchun; Han, Jaebeom; Lin, Yen-lin; Xie, Wangshen; Gao, Jiali

2009-10-29

The explicit polarization (X-Pol) method has been examined using ab initio molecular orbital theory and density functional theory. The X-Pol potential was designed to provide a novel theoretical framework for developing next-generation force fields for biomolecular simulations. Importantly, the X-Pol potential is a general method, which can be employed with any level of electronic structure theory. The present study illustrates the implementation of the X-Pol method using ab initio Hartree-Fock theory and hybrid density functional theory. The computational results are illustrated by considering a set of bimolecular complexes of small organic molecules and ions with water. The computed interaction energies and hydrogen bond geometries are in good accord with CCSD(T) calculations and B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ optimizations.

Gravity-dependent estimates of object mass underlie the generation of motor commands for horizontal limb movements.

PubMed

Crevecoeur, F; McIntyre, J; Thonnard, J-L; Lefèvre, P

2014-07-15

Moving requires handling gravitational and inertial constraints pulling on our body and on the objects that we manipulate. Although previous work emphasized that the brain uses internal models of each type of mechanical load, little is known about their interaction during motor planning and execution. In this report, we examine visually guided reaching movements in the horizontal plane performed by naive participants exposed to changes in gravity during parabolic flight. This approach allowed us to isolate the effect of gravity because the environmental dynamics along the horizontal axis remained unchanged. We show that gravity has a direct effect on movement kinematics, with faster movements observed after transitions from normal gravity to hypergravity (1.8g), followed by significant movement slowing after the transition from hypergravity to zero gravity. We recorded finger forces applied on an object held in precision grip and found that the coupling between grip force and inertial loads displayed a similar effect, with an increase in grip force modulation gain under hypergravity followed by a reduction of modulation gain after entering the zero-gravity environment. We present a computational model to illustrate that these effects are compatible with the hypothesis that participants partially attribute changes in weight to changes in mass and scale incorrectly their motor commands with changes in gravity. These results highlight a rather direct internal mapping between the force generated during stationary holding against gravity and the estimation of inertial loads that limb and hand motor commands must overcome. Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society.

Evaluation of simulation alternatives for the brute-force ray-tracing approach used in backlight design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desnijder, Karel; Hanselaer, Peter; Meuret, Youri

2016-04-01

A key requirement to obtain a uniform luminance for a side-lit LED backlight is the optimised spatial pattern of structures on the light guide that extract the light. The generation of such a scatter pattern is usually performed by applying an iterative approach. In each iteration, the luminance distribution of the backlight with a particular scatter pattern is analysed. This is typically performed with a brute-force ray-tracing algorithm, although this approach results in a time-consuming optimisation process. In this study, the Adding-Doubling method is explored as an alternative way for evaluating the luminance of a backlight. Due to the similarities between light propagating in a backlight with extraction structures and light scattering in a cloud of light scatterers, the Adding-Doubling method which is used to model the latter could also be used to model the light distribution in a backlight. The backlight problem is translated to a form upon which the Adding-Doubling method is directly applicable. The calculated luminance for a simple uniform extraction pattern with the Adding-Doubling method matches the luminance generated by a commercial raytracer very well. Although successful, no clear computational advantage over ray tracers is realised. However, the dynamics of light propagation in a light guide as used the Adding-Doubling method, also allow to enhance the efficiency of brute-force ray-tracing algorithms. The performance of this enhanced ray-tracing approach for the simulation of backlights is also evaluated against a typical brute-force ray-tracing approach.

A method to encapsulate model structural uncertainty in ensemble projections of future climate: EPIC v1.0

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Jared; Bodeker, Greg E.; Kremser, Stefanie; Tait, Andrew

2017-12-01

A method, based on climate pattern scaling, has been developed to expand a small number of projections of fields of a selected climate variable (X) into an ensemble that encapsulates a wide range of indicative model structural uncertainties. The method described in this paper is referred to as the Ensemble Projections Incorporating Climate model uncertainty (EPIC) method. Each ensemble member is constructed by adding contributions from (1) a climatology derived from observations that represents the time-invariant part of the signal; (2) a contribution from forced changes in X, where those changes can be statistically related to changes in global mean surface temperature (Tglobal); and (3) a contribution from unforced variability that is generated by a stochastic weather generator. The patterns of unforced variability are also allowed to respond to changes in Tglobal. The statistical relationships between changes in X (and its patterns of variability) and Tglobal are obtained in a training phase. Then, in an implementation phase, 190 simulations of Tglobal are generated using a simple climate model tuned to emulate 19 different global climate models (GCMs) and 10 different carbon cycle models. Using the generated Tglobal time series and the correlation between the forced changes in X and Tglobal, obtained in the training phase, the forced change in the X field can be generated many times using Monte Carlo analysis. A stochastic weather generator is used to generate realistic representations of weather which include spatial coherence. Because GCMs and regional climate models (RCMs) are less likely to correctly represent unforced variability compared to observations, the stochastic weather generator takes as input measures of variability derived from observations, but also responds to forced changes in climate in a way that is consistent with the RCM projections. This approach to generating a large ensemble of projections is many orders of magnitude more computationally efficient than running multiple GCM or RCM simulations. Such a large ensemble of projections permits a description of a probability density function (PDF) of future climate states rather than a small number of individual story lines within that PDF, which may not be representative of the PDF as a whole; the EPIC method largely corrects for such potential sampling biases. The method is useful for providing projections of changes in climate to users wishing to investigate the impacts and implications of climate change in a probabilistic way. A web-based tool, using the EPIC method to provide probabilistic projections of changes in daily maximum and minimum temperatures for New Zealand, has been developed and is described in this paper.

[Design and Implementation of a Portable Forced Oscillation Respiration Resistance Detector].

PubMed

Zhou, Chuiliu; Wan, Wu; Xie, Liansheng; Zeng, Bixin

2016-10-01

This paper proposes a forced oscillation respiration resistance detector which has the characteristics of portable and friendly interface,with remote transmission function.STM32 is used to produce single frequency or complex frequency oscillation signal.In the experiments,the signal was magnified by the power amplifier to drive speaker to generate oscillates airflow into the subject’s oral cavity.The analog to digital coverter of STM32 was used to measure the signals obtained by the pressure sensor and the flow sensor,and then the operation parameters were to be displayed on the TFT-LCD touch screen,and could also be transferred to the master computer.Simulated lung and volunteerism were used to verify the reliability of the detector.The test results showed that the system was reliable,and it achieved the significance in respiratory impedance detecting.

Comparison of broadband noise mechanisms, analyses, and experiments on helicopters, propellers, and wind turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

George, A. R.; Chou, S.-T.

1983-01-01

Experimental data on broadband noise from airfoils are compared, together with analytical methods, in order to identify the mechanisms of noise emission. Rotor noise is categorized into discrete frequency, impulsive, and broadband components, the last having a continuous spectrum originating from a random source. The results of computer simulations of different rotor blade types which produce broadband noise were compared with experimental data and among themselves in terms of predictions of the spectra obtained. Consideration was given to the overall sound pressure level, unsteady turbulence forces, rotational forces, inflow turbulence, self-generated turbulence, and turbulence in the flow. Data are presented for a helicopter rotor and light aircraft propeller. The most significant source was found to be inflow turbulence induced lift fluctuations in helicopter rotors and boundary layer trailing edge noise on large wind energy conversion systems

Improved design of a cone-shaped rotating disk for shear force loading in a cell culture plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keawprachum, Boonrit; Limjeerajarus, Nuttapol; Nakalekha Limjeerajarus, Chalida; Srisungsitthisunti, Pornsak

2018-01-01

In our previous study, a cone-shaped rotating disk had been designed and proposed for generating shear force on the cell in a cell culture plate. This study aims to improve the design of the rotating disk that could provide a better uniformity of shear stress distribution. The top of the cone was designed to be trimmed off to obtain a flat head area. The effect of tilt angle (θ) was numerically studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique in ANSYS-Fluent software. The results revealed that for 500 rpm, the new designed rotating disk with a height of cone-shaped top to the plate bottom h = 1 mm and θ = 25° provided the best uniformity of 0.820 which was better than that of the previously designed.

Disuse bone loss in hindquarter suspended rats: partial weightbearing, exercise and ibandronate treatment as countermeasures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schultheis, L.; Ruff, C. B.; Rastogi, S.; Bloomfield, S.; Hogan, H. A.; Fedarko, N.; Thierry-Palmer, M.; Ruiz, J.; Bauss, F.; Shapiro, J. R.

2000-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential countermeasures for bone loss during long-term space missions in the hindquarter suspended rat, including partial weight bearing (surrogate for artificial gravity) episodic full weight bearing (2 hour/day full weight bearing) and treatment with the third generation bisphosphonate ibandronate (Roche). Graded mechanical loading was studied by housing the animals on a novel servo controlled force plate system which permitted the titration of mechanical force at varying frequency and amplitude and different levels of weight bearing. The force plate, which forms the cage floor, is a glass platform supported by an 18" diameter speaker cone filled with expanding polyurethane foam. An infrared optical sensor attached to the speaker cone yields a voltage linearly related to vertical displacement of the glass platform. The dynamic force on the paw was computed as a product of the apparent mass of the animal on the platform at rest and the acceleration of the platform determined from the second derivative of the optical sensor output. The mass of the animal on the platform was varied by adjusting tension on the tether suspending the animal. Mechanical impact loading was titrated with the force plate resonating at different frequencies, including 3 Hz and 16 Hz.

Structure-function relationship of skeletal muscle provides inspiration for design of new artificial muscle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yingxin; Zhang, Chi

2015-03-01

A variety of actuator technologies have been developed to mimic biological skeletal muscle that generates force in a controlled manner. Force generation process of skeletal muscle involves complicated biophysical and biochemical mechanisms; therefore, it is impossible to replace biological muscle. In biological skeletal muscle tissue, the force generation of a muscle depends not only on the force generation capacity of the muscle fiber, but also on many other important factors, including muscle fiber type, motor unit recruitment, architecture, structure and morphology of skeletal muscle, all of which have significant impact on the force generation of the whole muscle or force transmission from muscle fibers to the tendon. Such factors have often been overlooked, but can be incorporated in artificial muscle design, especially with the discovery of new smart materials and the development of innovative fabrication and manufacturing technologies. A better understanding of the physiology and structure-function relationship of skeletal muscle will therefore benefit the artificial muscle design. In this paper, factors that affect muscle force generation are reviewed. Mathematical models used to model the structure-function relationship of skeletal muscle are reviewed and discussed. We hope the review will provide inspiration for the design of a new generation of artificial muscle by incorporating the structure-function relationship of skeletal muscle into the design of artificial muscle.

Methane Adsorption in Zr-Based MOFs: Comparison and Critical Evaluation of Force Fields

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The search for nanoporous materials that are highly performing for gas storage and separation is one of the contemporary challenges in material design. The computational tools to aid these experimental efforts are widely available, and adsorption isotherms are routinely computed for huge sets of (hypothetical) frameworks. Clearly the computational results depend on the interactions between the adsorbed species and the adsorbent, which are commonly described using force fields. In this paper, an extensive comparison and in-depth investigation of several force fields from literature is reported for the case of methane adsorption in the Zr-based Metal–Organic Frameworks UiO-66, UiO-67, DUT-52, NU-1000, and MOF-808. Significant quantitative differences in the computed uptake are observed when comparing different force fields, but most qualitative features are common which suggests some predictive power of the simulations when it comes to these properties. More insight into the host–guest interactions is obtained by benchmarking the force fields with an extensive number of ab initio computed single molecule interaction energies. This analysis at the molecular level reveals that especially ab initio derived force fields perform well in reproducing the ab initio interaction energies. Finally, the high sensitivity of uptake predictions on the underlying potential energy surface is explored. PMID:29170687

Effect of radius of gyration on a wing rotating at low Reynolds number: A computational study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tudball Smith, Daniel; Rockwell, Donald; Sheridan, John; Thompson, Mark

2017-06-01

This computational study analyzes the effect of variation of the radius of gyration (rg), expressed as the Rossby number Ro=rg/C , with C the chord, on the aerodynamics of a rotating wing at a Reynolds number of 1400. The wing is represented as an aspect-ratio-unity rectangular flat plate aligned at 45 ∘ . This plate is accelerated near impulsively to a constant rotational velocity and the flow is allowed to develop. Flow structures are analyzed and force coefficients evaluated. Trends in velocity field degradation with increasing Ro are consistent with previous experimental studies. At low Ro the flow structure generated initially is mostly retained with a strong laminar leading-edge vortex (LEV) and tip vortex (TV). As both Ro and travel distance increase, the flow structure degrades such that at high Ro it begins to resemble that of a translating wing. Additionally, the present study has shown the following. (i) At low Ro the LEV and TV structure is laminar and steady; as Ro increases this structure breaks down, and the location at which it breaks down shifts closer to the wing root. (ii) For moderate Ro of 1.4 and higher, the LEV is no longer steady but enters a shedding regime fed by the leading-edge shear layer. (iii) At the lowest Ro of 0.7 the lift force rises during start-up and then stabilizes, consistent with the flow structure being retained, while for higher Ro a force peak occurs after the initial acceleration is complete, followed by a reduction in lift which appears to correspond to shedding of excess leading-edge vorticity generated during start-up. (iv) All rotating wings produced greater lift than a translating wing, this increase varied from ˜65 % at the lowest Ro=0.7 down to ˜5 % for the highest Ro examined of 9.1.

Computational ligand-based rational design: Role of conformational sampling and force fields in model development.

PubMed

Shim, Jihyun; Mackerell, Alexander D

2011-05-01

A significant number of drug discovery efforts are based on natural products or high throughput screens from which compounds showing potential therapeutic effects are identified without knowledge of the target molecule or its 3D structure. In such cases computational ligand-based drug design (LBDD) can accelerate the drug discovery processes. LBDD is a general approach to elucidate the relationship of a compound's structure and physicochemical attributes to its biological activity. The resulting structure-activity relationship (SAR) may then act as the basis for the prediction of compounds with improved biological attributes. LBDD methods range from pharmacophore models identifying essential features of ligands responsible for their activity, quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) yielding quantitative estimates of activities based on physiochemical properties, and to similarity searching, which explores compounds with similar properties as well as various combinations of the above. A number of recent LBDD approaches involve the use of multiple conformations of the ligands being studied. One of the basic components to generate multiple conformations in LBDD is molecular mechanics (MM), which apply an empirical energy function to relate conformation to energies and forces. The collection of conformations for ligands is then combined with functional data using methods ranging from regression analysis to neural networks, from which the SAR is determined. Accordingly, for effective application of LBDD for SAR determinations it is important that the compounds be accurately modelled such that the appropriate range of conformations accessible to the ligands is identified. Such accurate modelling is largely based on use of the appropriate empirical force field for the molecules being investigated and the approaches used to generate the conformations. The present chapter includes a brief overview of currently used SAR methods in LBDD followed by a more detailed presentation of issues and limitations associated with empirical energy functions and conformational sampling methods.

Distance geometry protocol to generate conformations of natural products to structurally interpret ion mobility-mass spectrometry collision cross sections.

PubMed

Stow, Sarah M; Goodwin, Cody R; Kliman, Michal; Bachmann, Brian O; McLean, John A; Lybrand, Terry P

2014-12-04

Ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) allows the separation of ionized molecules based on their charge-to-surface area (IM) and mass-to-charge ratio (MS), respectively. The IM drift time data that is obtained is used to calculate the ion-neutral collision cross section (CCS) of the ionized molecule with the neutral drift gas, which is directly related to the ion conformation and hence molecular size and shape. Studying the conformational landscape of these ionized molecules computationally provides interpretation to delineate the potential structures that these CCS values could represent, or conversely, structural motifs not consistent with the IM data. A challenge in the IM-MS community is the ability to rapidly compute conformations to interpret natural product data, a class of molecules exhibiting a broad range of biological activity. The diversity of biological activity is, in part, related to the unique structural characteristics often observed for natural products. Contemporary approaches to structurally interpret IM-MS data for peptides and proteins typically utilize molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to sample conformational space. However, MD calculations are computationally expensive, they require a force field that accurately describes the molecule of interest, and there is no simple metric that indicates when sufficient conformational sampling has been achieved. Distance geometry is a computationally inexpensive approach that creates conformations based on sampling different pairwise distances between the atoms within the molecule and therefore does not require a force field. Progressively larger distance bounds can be used in distance geometry calculations, providing in principle a strategy to assess when all plausible conformations have been sampled. Our results suggest that distance geometry is a computationally efficient and potentially superior strategy for conformational analysis of natural products to interpret gas-phase CCS data.

Distance Geometry Protocol to Generate Conformations of Natural Products to Structurally Interpret Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Collision Cross Sections

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) allows the separation of ionized molecules based on their charge-to-surface area (IM) and mass-to-charge ratio (MS), respectively. The IM drift time data that is obtained is used to calculate the ion-neutral collision cross section (CCS) of the ionized molecule with the neutral drift gas, which is directly related to the ion conformation and hence molecular size and shape. Studying the conformational landscape of these ionized molecules computationally provides interpretation to delineate the potential structures that these CCS values could represent, or conversely, structural motifs not consistent with the IM data. A challenge in the IM-MS community is the ability to rapidly compute conformations to interpret natural product data, a class of molecules exhibiting a broad range of biological activity. The diversity of biological activity is, in part, related to the unique structural characteristics often observed for natural products. Contemporary approaches to structurally interpret IM-MS data for peptides and proteins typically utilize molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to sample conformational space. However, MD calculations are computationally expensive, they require a force field that accurately describes the molecule of interest, and there is no simple metric that indicates when sufficient conformational sampling has been achieved. Distance geometry is a computationally inexpensive approach that creates conformations based on sampling different pairwise distances between the atoms within the molecule and therefore does not require a force field. Progressively larger distance bounds can be used in distance geometry calculations, providing in principle a strategy to assess when all plausible conformations have been sampled. Our results suggest that distance geometry is a computationally efficient and potentially superior strategy for conformational analysis of natural products to interpret gas-phase CCS data. PMID:25360896

A Digital Computer Approach to the Unsymmetric Rigid Body Problem.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-03-01

FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE , OHIO 45433 A 82 04 19 027 NOTICE When Government drawings, specifications, or other data are...Laboratory (AFWAL/AAA) March 1982 Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratories (AFSC) 13. NUMBER OF PAGES Wright-Patterson Air Force Base , Ohio 45433 67 14...reverse aide it necessary and Identify by block number ) The use of a computer approximation technique based on trial functions is investigated for the

Sensitivity Analysis for Coupled Aero-structural Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giunta, Anthony A.

1999-01-01

A novel method has been developed for calculating gradients of aerodynamic force and moment coefficients for an aeroelastic aircraft model. This method uses the Global Sensitivity Equations (GSE) to account for the aero-structural coupling, and a reduced-order modal analysis approach to condense the coupling bandwidth between the aerodynamic and structural models. Parallel computing is applied to reduce the computational expense of the numerous high fidelity aerodynamic analyses needed for the coupled aero-structural system. Good agreement is obtained between aerodynamic force and moment gradients computed with the GSE/modal analysis approach and the same quantities computed using brute-force, computationally expensive, finite difference approximations. A comparison between the computational expense of the GSE/modal analysis method and a pure finite difference approach is presented. These results show that the GSE/modal analysis approach is the more computationally efficient technique if sensitivity analysis is to be performed for two or more aircraft design parameters.

Gravitational waveforms for neutron star binaries from binary black hole simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkett, Kevin; Scheel, Mark; Haas, Roland; Ott, Christian; Bernuzzi, Sebastiano; Brown, Duncan; Szilagyi, Bela; Kaplan, Jeffrey; Lippuner, Jonas; Muhlberger, Curran; Foucart, Francois; Duez, Matthew

2016-03-01

Gravitational waves from binary neutron star (BNS) and black-hole/neutron star (BHNS) inspirals are primary sources for detection by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. The tidal forces acting on the neutron stars induce changes in the phase evolution of the gravitational waveform, and these changes can be used to constrain the nuclear equation of state. Current methods of generating BNS and BHNS waveforms rely on either computationally challenging full 3D hydrodynamical simulations or approximate analytic solutions. We introduce a new method for computing inspiral waveforms for BNS/BHNS systems by adding the post-Newtonian (PN) tidal effects to full numerical simulations of binary black holes (BBHs), effectively replacing the non-tidal terms in the PN expansion with BBH results. Comparing a waveform generated with this method against a full hydrodynamical simulation of a BNS inspiral yields a phase difference of < 1 radian over ~ 15 orbits. The numerical phase accuracy required of BNS simulations to measure the accuracy of the method we present here is estimated as a function of the tidal deformability parameter λ.

Gravitational waveforms for neutron star binaries from binary black hole simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkett, Kevin; Scheel, Mark A.; Haas, Roland; Ott, Christian D.; Bernuzzi, Sebastiano; Brown, Duncan A.; Szilágyi, Béla; Kaplan, Jeffrey D.; Lippuner, Jonas; Muhlberger, Curran D.; Foucart, Francois; Duez, Matthew D.

2016-02-01

Gravitational waves from binary neutron star (BNS) and black hole/neutron star (BHNS) inspirals are primary sources for detection by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. The tidal forces acting on the neutron stars induce changes in the phase evolution of the gravitational waveform, and these changes can be used to constrain the nuclear equation of state. Current methods of generating BNS and BHNS waveforms rely on either computationally challenging full 3D hydrodynamical simulations or approximate analytic solutions. We introduce a new method for computing inspiral waveforms for BNS/BHNS systems by adding the post-Newtonian (PN) tidal effects to full numerical simulations of binary black holes (BBHs), effectively replacing the nontidal terms in the PN expansion with BBH results. Comparing a waveform generated with this method against a full hydrodynamical simulation of a BNS inspiral yields a phase difference of <1 radian over ˜15 orbits. The numerical phase accuracy required of BNS simulations to measure the accuracy of the method we present here is estimated as a function of the tidal deformability parameter λ .

A study about the split drag flaps deflections to directional motion of UiTM's blended wing body aircraft based on computational fluid dynamics simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamad, Firdaus; Wisnoe, Wirachman; Nasir, Rizal E. M.; Kuntjoro, Wahyu

2012-06-01

This paper discusses on the split drag flaps to the yawing motion of BWB aircraft. This study used split drag flaps instead of vertical tail and rudder with the intention to generate yawing moment. These features are installed near the tips of the wing. Yawing moment is generated by the combination of side and drag forces which are produced upon the split drag flaps deflection. This study is carried out using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach and applied to low subsonic speed (0.1 Mach number) with various sideslip angles (β) and total flaps deflections (δT). For this research, the split drag flaps deflections are varied up to ±30°. Data in terms of dimensionless coefficient such as drag coefficient (CD), side coefficient (CS) and yawing moment coefficient (Cn) were used to observe the effect of the split drag flaps. From the simulation results, these split drag flaps are proven to be effective from ±15° deflections or 30° total deflections.

Simulation of a flow around biting teeth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narusawa, Hideaki; Yamamoto, Eriko; Kuwahara, Kunio

2008-11-01

We simulated a flow around biting teeth. The decayed tooth is a disease that a majority of people are annoyed. These are often generated from a deep groove at occlusal surface. It is known that a person who bites well doesn't suffer from a decayed tooth easily. Biting forces reach as much as 60 kg/cm^2 by an adult male, and when chewing, upper and lower teeth approach to bite by those forces. The crushed food mixed with saliva becomes high viscosity fluid, and is pushed out of ditches of teeth in the direction of the cheek or the tongue. Teeth with complex three dimension curved surface are thought to form venturi at this time, and to generate big pressure partially. An excellent dental articulation will possibly help a natural generation of a flow to remove dental plaque, i.e. the cause of the decayed tooth. Moreover, the relation of this flow with the destruction of the filled metal or the polymer is doubted. In this research, we try to clarify the pressure distributions by this flow generation as well as its dynamics when chewing. One of our goals is to enable an objective design of the shape of the dental fillings and the artificial tooth. Tooth has a very small uneven ground and a bluff body. In this case, to calculate a computational numerical simulation to solve the Navier-Stokes equations three dimension Cartesian coordinate system is employed.

Ground Reaction Forces Generated During Rhythmical Squats as a Dynamic Loads of the Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pantak, Marek

2017-10-01

Dynamic forces generated by moving persons can lead to excessive vibration of the long span, slender and lightweight structure such as floors, stairs, stadium stands and footbridges. These dynamic forces are generated during walking, running, jumping and rhythmical body swaying in vertical or horizontal direction etc. In the paper the mathematical models of the Ground Reaction Forces (GRFs) generated during squats have been presented. Elaborated models was compared to the GRFs measured during laboratory tests carried out by author in wide range of frequency using force platform. Moreover, the GRFs models were evaluated during dynamic numerical analyses and dynamic field tests of the exemplary structure (steel footbridge).

A Neural Circuit for Angular Velocity Computation

PubMed Central

Snider, Samuel B.; Yuste, Rafael; Packer, Adam M.

2010-01-01

In one of the most remarkable feats of motor control in the animal world, some Diptera, such as the housefly, can accurately execute corrective flight maneuvers in tens of milliseconds. These reflexive movements are achieved by the halteres, gyroscopic force sensors, in conjunction with rapidly tunable wing steering muscles. Specifically, the mechanosensory campaniform sensilla located at the base of the halteres transduce and transform rotation-induced gyroscopic forces into information about the angular velocity of the fly's body. But how exactly does the fly's neural architecture generate the angular velocity from the lateral strain forces on the left and right halteres? To explore potential algorithms, we built a neuromechanical model of the rotation detection circuit. We propose a neurobiologically plausible method by which the fly could accurately separate and measure the three-dimensional components of an imposed angular velocity. Our model assumes a single sign-inverting synapse and formally resembles some models of directional selectivity by the retina. Using multidimensional error analysis, we demonstrate the robustness of our model under a variety of input conditions. Our analysis reveals the maximum information available to the fly given its physical architecture and the mathematics governing the rotation-induced forces at the haltere's end knob. PMID:21228902

A neural circuit for angular velocity computation.

PubMed

Snider, Samuel B; Yuste, Rafael; Packer, Adam M

2010-01-01

In one of the most remarkable feats of motor control in the animal world, some Diptera, such as the housefly, can accurately execute corrective flight maneuvers in tens of milliseconds. These reflexive movements are achieved by the halteres, gyroscopic force sensors, in conjunction with rapidly tunable wing steering muscles. Specifically, the mechanosensory campaniform sensilla located at the base of the halteres transduce and transform rotation-induced gyroscopic forces into information about the angular velocity of the fly's body. But how exactly does the fly's neural architecture generate the angular velocity from the lateral strain forces on the left and right halteres? To explore potential algorithms, we built a neuromechanical model of the rotation detection circuit. We propose a neurobiologically plausible method by which the fly could accurately separate and measure the three-dimensional components of an imposed angular velocity. Our model assumes a single sign-inverting synapse and formally resembles some models of directional selectivity by the retina. Using multidimensional error analysis, we demonstrate the robustness of our model under a variety of input conditions. Our analysis reveals the maximum information available to the fly given its physical architecture and the mathematics governing the rotation-induced forces at the haltere's end knob.

Oscillatory magnetic tweezers based on ferromagnetic beads and simple coaxial coils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trepat, Xavier; Grabulosa, Mireia; Buscemi, Lara; Rico, Fèlix; Fabry, Ben; Fredberg, Jeffrey J.; Farré, Ramon

2003-09-01

We report the design and validation of simple magnetic tweezers for oscillating ferromagnetic beads in the piconewton and nanometer scales. The system is based on a single pair of coaxial coils operating in two sequential modes: permanent magnetization of the beads through a large and brief pulse of magnetic field and generation of magnetic gradients to produce uniaxial oscillatory forces. By using this two step method, the magnetic moment of the beads remains constant during measurements. Therefore, the applied force can be computed and varies linearly with the driving signal. No feedback control is required to produce well defined force oscillations over a wide bandwidth. The design of the coils was optimized to obtain high magnetic fields (280 mT) and gradients (2 T/m) with high homogeneity (5% variation) within the sample. The magnetic tweezers were implemented in an inverted optical microscope with a videomicroscopy-based multiparticle tracking system. The apparatus was validated with 4.5 μm magnetite beads obtaining forces up to ˜2 pN and subnanometer resolution. The applicability of the device includes microrheology of biopolymer and cell cytoplasm, molecular mechanics, and mechanotransduction in living cells.

Suction forces generated by passive bile bag drainage on a model of post-subdural hematoma evacuation.

PubMed

Tenny, Steven O; Thorell, William E

2018-05-05

Passive drainage systems are commonly used after subdural hematoma evacuation but there is a dearth of published data regarding the suction forces created. We set out to quantify the suction forces generated by a passive drainage system. We created a model of passive drainage after subdural hematoma evacuation. We measured the maximum suction force generated with a bile bag drain for both empty drain tubing and fluid-filled drain tube causing a siphoning effect. We took measurements at varying heights of the bile bag to analyze if bile bag height changed suction forces generated. An empty bile bag with no fluid in the drainage tube connected to a rigid, fluid-filled model creates minimal suction force of 0.9 mmHg (95% CI 0.64-1.16 mmHg). When fluid fills the drain tubing, a siphoning effect is created and can generate suction forces ranging from 18.7 to 30.6 mmHg depending on the relative position of the bile bag and filled amount of the bile bag. The suction forces generated are statistically different if the bile bag is 50 cm below, level with or 50 cm above the experimental model. Passive bile bag drainage does not generate significant suction on a fluid-filled rigid model if the drain tubing is empty. If fluid fills the drain tubing then siphoning occurs and can increase the suction force of a passive bile bag drainage system to levels comparable to partially filled Jackson-Pratt bulb drainage.

Analytical approach to entropy generation and heat transfer in CNT-nanofluid dynamics through a ciliated porous medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akbar, Noreen Sher; Shoaib, M.; Tripathi, Dharmendra; Bhushan, Shashi; Bég, O. Anwar

2018-04-01

The transportation of biological and industrial nanofluids by natural propulsion like cilia movement and self-generated contraction-relaxation of flexible walls has significant applications in numerous emerging technologies. Inspired by multi-disciplinary progress and innovation in this direction, a thermo-fluid mechanical model is proposed to study the entropy generation and convective heat transfer of nanofluids fabricated by the dispersion of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) nanoparticles in water as the base fluid. The regime studied comprises heat transfer and steady, viscous, incompressible flow, induced by metachronal wave propulsion due to beating cilia, through a cylindrical tube containing a sparse (i.e., high permeability) homogenous porous medium. The flow is of the creeping type and is restricted under the low Reynolds number and long wavelength approximations. Slip effects at the wall are incorporated and the generalized Darcy drag-force model is utilized to mimic porous media effects. Cilia boundary conditions for velocity components are employed to determine analytical solutions to the resulting non-dimensionalized boundary value problem. The influence of pertinent physical parameters on temperature, axial velocity, pressure rise and pressure gradient, entropy generation function, Bejan number and stream-line distributions are computed numerically. A comparative study between SWCNT-nanofluids and pure water is also computed. The computations demonstrate that axial flow is accelerated with increasing slip parameter and Darcy number and is greater for SWCNT-nanofluids than for pure water. Furthermore the size of the bolus for SWCNT-nanofluids is larger than that of the pure water. The study is applicable in designing and fabricating nanoscale and microfluidics devices, artificial cilia and biomimetic micro-pumps.

Analytical approach to entropy generation and heat transfer in CNT-nanofluid dynamics through a ciliated porous medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akbar, Noreen Sher; Shoaib, M.; Tripathi, Dharmendra; Bhushan, Shashi; Bég, O. Anwar

2018-03-01

The transportation of biological and industrial nanofluids by natural propulsion like cilia movement and self-generated contraction-relaxation of flexible walls has significant applications in numerous emerging technologies. Inspired by multi-disciplinary progress and innovation in this direction, a thermo-fluid mechanical model is proposed to study the entropy generation and convective heat transfer of nanofluids fabricated by the dispersion of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) nanoparticles in water as the base fluid. The regime studied comprises heat transfer and steady, viscous, incompressible flow, induced by metachronal wave propulsion due to beating cilia, through a cylindrical tube containing a sparse (i.e., high permeability) homogenous porous medium. The flow is of the creeping type and is restricted under the low Reynolds number and long wavelength approximations. Slip effects at the wall are incorporated and the generalized Darcy drag-force model is utilized to mimic porous media effects. Cilia boundary conditions for velocity components are employed to determine analytical solutions to the resulting non-dimensionalized boundary value problem. The influence of pertinent physical parameters on temperature, axial velocity, pressure rise and pressure gradient, entropy generation function, Bejan number and stream-line distributions are computed numerically. A comparative study between SWCNT-nanofluids and pure water is also computed. The computations demonstrate that axial flow is accelerated with increasing slip parameter and Darcy number and is greater for SWCNT-nanofluids than for pure water. Furthermore the size of the bolus for SWCNT-nanofluids is larger than that of the pure water. The study is applicable in designing and fabricating nanoscale and microfluidics devices, artificial cilia and biomimetic micro-pumps.

Computation of supersonic laminar viscous flow past a pointed cone at angle of attack in spinning and coning motion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agarwal, R.; Rakich, J. V.

1978-01-01

Computational results obtained with a parabolic Navier-Stokes marching code are presented for supersonic viscous flow past a pointed cone at angle of attack undergoing a combined spinning and coning motion. The code takes into account the asymmetries in the flow field resulting from the motion and computes the asymmetric shock shape, crossflow and streamwise shear, heat transfer, crossflow separation and vortex structure. The side force and moment are also computed. Reasonably good agreement is obtained with the side force measurements of Schiff and Tobak. Comparison is also made with the only available numerical inviscid analysis. It is found that the asymmetric pressure loads due to coning motion are much larger than all other viscous forces due to spin and coning, making viscous forces negligible in the combined motion.

The eddy cannon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pichevin, Thierry; Nof, Doron

1996-09-01

A new nonlinear mechanism for the generation of "Meddies" by a cape is proposed. The essence of the new process is that the flow-force associated with any steady current that curves back on itself around a cape cannot be balanced without generating and shedding eddies. The process is modeled as follows. A westward flowing density current advances along a zonal wall and turns eastward after reaching the edge of the wall (i.e. the Cape of St Vincent). Integration of the steady (and inviscid) momentum equation along the wall gives the long-shore flow-force and shows that, no matter what the details of the turning process are, such a scenario is impossible. It corresponds to an unbalanced flow-force and, therefore, cannot exist. Namely, in an analogy to a rocket, the zonal longshore current forces the entire system to the west. A flow field that can compensate for such a force is westward drifting eddies that push the system to the east. In a similar fashion to the backward push associated with a firing cannon, the westward moving eddies (bullets) balance the integrated momentum of the flow around the cape. Nonlinear solutions are constructed analytically using an approach that enables one to compute the eddies' size and generation frequency without solving for the incredibly complicated details of the generation process itself. The method takes advantage of the fact that, after each eddy is generated, the system returns to its original structure. It is based on the integration of the momentum equation (for periodic flows) over a control volume and a perturbation expansion in ɛ, the ratio between the eddies' westward drift and the parent current speed. It is found that, because of the relatively small size of the Mediterranean eddies, β is not a sufficiently strong mechanism to remove the eddies (from the Cape of St Vincent) at the observed frequency. It is, therefore, concluded that westward advection must also take place. Specifically, it is found that an advection of 2 cm s -1 will remove (and generate) a Meddy once every 50 days or so and an advection of 5 cm s -1 will remove a Meddy every 17 days. "Kitchen-type" laboratory experiments on a rotating table show that, indeed, a flow that curves back on itself produces an eddy next to the tip of the cape. However, since neither significant β nor advection was present in the laboratory, the laboratory eddy was not shed during the limited time that the experiment was in progress. Numerical simulations (using the Bleck and Boudra isopycnic model) demonstrate, however, that eddies are constantly shed as predicted by the model.

Three-dimensional circulation dynamics of along-channel flow in stratified estuaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Musiak, Jeffery Daniel

Estuaries are vital because they are the major interface between humans and the oceans and provide valuable habitat for a wide range of organisms. Therefore it is important to model estuarine circulation to gain a better comprehension of the mechanics involved and how people effect estuaries. To this end, this dissertation combines analysis of data collected in the Columbia River estuary (CRE) with novel data processing and modeling techniques to further the understanding of estuaries that are strongly forced by riverflow and tides. The primary hypothesis tested in this work is that the three- dimensional (3-D) variability in along-channel currents in a strongly forced estuary can be largely accounted for by including the lateral variations in density and bathymetry but neglecting the secondary, or lateral, flow. Of course, the forcing must also include riverflow and oceanic tides. Incorporating this simplification and the modeling ideas put forth by others with new modeling techniques and new ideas on estuarine circulation will allow me to create a semi-analytical quasi 3-D profile model. This approach was chosen because it is of intermediate complexity to purely analytical models, that, if tractable, are too simple to be useful, and 3-D numerical models which can have excellent resolution but require large amounts of time, computer memory and computing power. Validation of the model will be accomplished using velocity and density data collected in the Columbia River Estuary and by comparison to analytical solutions. Components of the modeling developed here include: (1) development of a 1-D barotropic model for tidal wave propagation in frictionally dominated systems with strong topography. This model can have multiple tidal constituents and multiply connected channels. (2) Development and verification of a new quasi 3-D semi-analytical velocity profile model applicable to estuarine systems which are strongly forced by both oceanic tides and riverflow. This model includes diurnal and semi-diurnal tidal and non- linearly generated overtide circulation and residual circulation driven by riverflow, baroclinic forcing, surface wind stress and non-linear tidal forcing. (3) Demonstration that much of the lateral variation in along-channel currents is caused by variations in along- channel density forcing and bathymetry.