INTRODUCTION The follower load represents the path of the internal force resultant passing through the centers of rotation of successive spinal segments. An ideal follower load is perpendicular to the mid-plane of the intervertebral disc and minimizes shear and bending moments at all levels. Patwardhan and colleagues showed that a follower compressive preload increases the stability and load ca...

Concrete has the potential to become a solution for thermal energy storage (TES) integrated in concentrating solar power (CSP) systems due to its good thermal and mechanical properties and low cost of material. In this study, a low strength concrete (C20) is tested at high temperatures up to 600 ◦C. Specimens are thermally cycled at temperatures in the range of 400–300 ◦C, 500–300 ◦C, and 600–3...

ABSTRACT This study aims to establish a methodology for determining the residual contact stress developed during fabrication of nonconductive adhesive (NCA) bonded flip-chip-on-flex (FCOF) microelectronics systems. The method is demonstrated for a selected non-conductive adhesive. Fabrication of an NCA bonded FCOF system requires a compressive force large enough to compensate for the inherent c...

We demonstrate an InAs/GaAs quantum dot sQDd laser based on a strain-compensated, three-stack active region. Each layer of the stacked QD active region contains a thin GaP sDao=−3.8% d tensile layer embedded in a GaAs matrix to partially compensate the compressive strain of the InAs sDao=7% d QD layer. The optimized GaP thickness is ,4 MLs and results in a 36% reduction of compressive strain in...

BACKGROUND When performing arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis for end-stage ankle arthritis, internal fixation is performed using bone screws after appropriate preparation. However, optimal characteristics of bone screws have not been examined in terms of pressure force. Objective comparisons of bone-screw performance may provide information on procedures for arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis. The stu...

The effect of the longitudinal stretching force of the spinal cord on intramedullary pressure was investigated using our method for measuring intramedullary pressure of the spinal cord with implanted balloons. The transverse compressive force against the posterior wall of the spinal column was excluded by measuring the intramedullary pressure during flexion of the head with the middle and lower...