The present paper introduces a comprehensive model capable of describing the behavior of granular materials under cyclic loading. Its main thrust is the introduction of the “Chicago” law in a continuum approach to account for the ratcheting effects. It also emphasizes the rate-dependency as a dissipative mechanism which acts independently or jointly with the ratcheting effect. Non-associated pl...

This paper describes our experiments with a distributed manipulation system. We study a system in which multiple robots cooperate to move large objects such as furniture and boxes using a constrained prehensile manipulation mode, by wrapping ropes around them. The system consists of three manipulation skills: tieing ropes around objects, affecting translations using a flossing manipulation gait...

Sequencing DNA in a synthetic solid-state nanopore is potentially a low-cost and high-throughput method. Essential to the nanopore-based DNA sequencing method is the ability to control the motion of a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecule at single-base resolution. Experimental studies showed that the average translocation speed of DNA driven by a biasing electric field can be affected by ionic ...

Abstract In order to investigate the fatigue behavior of jointed soft rock samples with different joint dip angles, cyclic triaxial tests under stress amplitudes and confining pressures were numerically simulated using combined finite-discrete element method (FEM-DEM). The dynamic strength deformation rules revealed, including masing effect, ratcheting volumetric strain properties failure modes...

The standard surgical management of AIS is spinal fusion. Nonfusion solutions for addressing moderate AIS curves are desirable. ApiFix® is a new posterior dynamic device consisting of an expandable ratcheting rod anchored by two pedicle screws to the concave side of the scoliotic spine. It was designed to address single, moderate Lenke type 1 or 5 curves. Surgery is performed without the additi...

As the number of systems which offer annotations on digital documents increases, robust anchoring of annotations is a key challenge. It is especially important if the annotator lacks write-access to the document being annotated. For example, if someone makes an annotation on a web page today and the web page changes tomorrow, what happens to the annotation? One approach is simply to “orphan” th...