The very light contact forces (∼0.60 N) applied by the fingertips during tactile exploration reveal a clearly optimized sensorimotor strategy. To investigate the cortical mechanisms involved with this behavior, we recorded 230 neurons in the somatosensory cortex (S1), as two monkeys scanned different surfaces with the fingertips in search of a tactile target without visual feedback. During the ...

The characteristics of vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) gait patterns in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to identify VGRF gait features that discriminate between children with ASD and the peer control group. The VGRF data were obtained from 30 children with ASD and 30 normal healthy children aged 4 to 12 years. A three-dime...

A heavy sphere is free to move inside a rotating horizontal cylinder filled with viscous liquid. The steady motion is essentially Stokesian, and the sphere rotates at a fixed location with a lubrication layer between the ball and the wall. The symmetry of the flow field suggests there will be no force to balance the normal component of the ball's weight. However, we show that a normal force can...

We examined the extent to which subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) modulate normal fingertip forces during five-digit grasping based on the object's center of mass (CM). We also tested the effect of trial-to-trial predictability of CM location on the distribution of all fingertip forces relative to thumb force. Ten right-handed subjects with PD (OFF and ON medication) and 10 healthy age-mat...

development of a numerical model which describes launching of offshore jackets from barge is presented in this paper. in this model, in addition to capabilities of commercial softwares, water entry forces on jacket members and an implicit newmark solution technique are included. the results are in general agreement with other numerical software’s available (sacs). fluid forces acting on jacket ...

in order to design and manufacturing some postharvest equipment, determination of some hydrodynamic properties of crops are necessary. the quality of products in global and local markets can be increased by applying these properties and receive economical benefits. for these purpose, two local varieties of apples in the east azerbaijan province, iran(asheghi and gare yapraq)were selected.ashegh...

The human hip joint withstands high contact forces during daily activity and is therefore susceptible to injury and structural deterioration over time. Knowledge of muscle-force contributions to hip joint loading may assist in the development of strategies to prevent and manage conditions such as osteoarthritis, femoro-acetabular impingement and fracture. The main aim of this study was to deter...

Background: Excessive range of adductory free moment of the ground reaction force may potentially increase the risk of lower extremity injuries by applying a higher torsional load transmitted to the proximal parts. Objective: It was hypothesized that the free moment pattern might be different between hyper-pronated and normal feet subjects. Moreover, a correlation would exist between peak...

We study the rise dynamics of a large particle in a granular bed under vertical vibration using molecular dynamics simulations. Systematic variation of the particle properties and external wall friction in the simulations shows that the large particle rising is very sensitive to external wall friction. The dynamical response of the granular bed with wall friction is shown to include an expansio...

We investigate experimentally the behavior of a thin sheet of polytetrafluoroethylene between a steel plate and a cylindrical steel indenter under combined action of high normal force and torsion. Under these actions, the polytetrafluoroethylene layer is partially squeezed out of the contact area. The thickness of the remaining layer is studied as function of the applied normal force, the torsi...