We used a robotic device to test the idea that impedance control involves a process of learning or adaptation that is acquired over time and permits the voluntary control of the pattern of stiffness at the hand. The tests were conducted in statics. Subjects were trained over the course of 3 successive days to resist the effects of one of three different kinds of mechanical loads: single axis lo...

In this paper, natural frequencies and dynamic response of thick beams made of saturated porous materials resting on viscoelastic foundation are investigated for the first time. The beam is modeled using higher-order beam theory. Kelvin-voight model is used to model the viscoelastic foundation. Distribution of porosity along the thickness is considered in two different patterns, which are symme...

It is well established that many physical properties of DNA at sufficiently long length scales can be understood by means of simple polymer models. One of the most widely used elasticity models for DNA is the twistable worm-like chain (TWLC), which describes the double helix as a continuous elastic rod with bending and torsional stiffness. An extension of the TWLC, which has recently received s...

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), as a measure of endothelial dysfunction, are higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with healthy control subjects. The relationships between ADMA and surrogate measures of arterial stiffness were evaluated. METHODS Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy control subjects were recruited. ADMA w...

Interlaminar fracture toughness in carbon fiber reinforced plastics has been studied primarily using unidirectional or symmetric laminates. However, even quasi-isotropic laminates, delamination caused by an out-of-plane impact could result asymmetric, partial Thus, evaluating the interlaminar asymmetric particularly that of Mode II associated with resistance, is necessary. Asymmetric laminates ...

The development of bipedal walking robots is inspired by human walking. A way of implementing walking could be performed by mimicking human leg dynamics. A fundamental model, representing human leg dynamics during walking and running, is the bipedal spring-mass model which is the basis for this paper. The aim of this study is the identification of leg parameters leading to a compromise between ...

The swelling of natural fibers is often a drawback when considering structural applications biocomposites. However, this mechanism represents the key towards development Hygromorph BioComposites (HBC). This investigation aims to understand hydroexpansion 3D-printed continuous flax-fiber reinforced biocomposites and effect matrix stiffness. Four flax fiber-based were selected with wide range Wat...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Preclinical studies have revealed that the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), increases vascular tone in cerebral blood vessels. Marked elevations of ADMA blood levels were found in patients with diseases characterized by decreased cerebral perfusion, such as ischemic stroke. Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of st...

Individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes with a range of aspect ratios are subjected to cyclic axial compression to large strains using atomic force microscopy. Distinct elastic buckling and post-buckling phenomena are observed reproducibly and are ascribed to Euler, asymmetric shell buckling (i.e., kinking), and symmetric shell buckling. These show agreement with continuum theories that range f...