Progressive motions of two-mass systems in resistive media are analyzed. The motion control is implemented by means of periodic relative displacements of the masses. Different kinds of resistance forces acting upon the system are considered, including linear and nonlinear resistance depending on the velocity, as well as Coulomb’s dry friction forces. Constraints are imposed on the relative disp...

In a hydrodynamic approach to thermophoretic transport in colloidal suspensions, the solute velocity u and the solvent flow v(r) are derived from Stokes' equation, with slip boundary conditions imposed by thermal Marangoni forces. The resulting fluid velocity field v(r) significantly differs from that induced by an externally driven particle. We find, in particular, that thermophoresis due to s...

This paper presents some preliminary results of an ongoing research whose objective is to investigate the seismic behavior of intermediate beams (i.e., the beams other than those at the roof and foundation levels) in multi-story steel plate shear walls (SPSWs). Of primary interest is the determination of the strength level needed to avoid the formation of in-span plastic hinges, a relevant prac...

This paper proposes a segmentation method of human manipulation task based on measurement of contact force imposed by a human hand on a grasped object. We define an index measure for segmenting a human manipulation task into primitives. The indices are calculated from the set of the contact forces measured at all the contact points during a manipulation task. Then, we apply the EM algorithm to ...

Background In-vitro gait simulations have great potential, allowing a systematic analysis of the foot function. However, it is important that the loading conditions are realistic i.e. physiologic ground reaction forces (GRF). In most experiments, in-vivo measured GRF can be imposed [1,2]. However in experimental designs that evaluate the effect of altered muscle forces on foot motion this is mo...

We study the uniformly weighted ensemble of force balanced configurations on a triangular network of nontensile contact forces. For periodic boundary conditions corresponding to isotropic compressive stress, we find that the probability distribution for single-contact forces decays faster than exponentially. This superexponential decay persists in lattices diluted to the rigidity percolation th...

Discovering hidden features in a representation without being fixated to a single perspective of viewing it is one of the crucial acts in creative activities. The process of designing through conceptual sketches is no exception; designers should be able to discover in an unexpected way visual/spatial features of sketched elements which were not intended when the elements were being sketched. Ho...

Currently, ‘dark tourism’ is gaining popularity as a new tourism concept. Dark tourism is different from simple leisure, and its purpose is based on the succession of local grief or praying for dead people. ICT can be made more effective by optimising the potential of dark tourism. In this study, dark tourism will be analysed in terms of ICT.

Measuring personality is a complex task. Besides difficult content-based problems there are some psychometric issues to be met, i. e. socially desirable answering tendencies. The present study uses simulation-based objective personality measurement to meet these psychometric issues. Computer-based “guard” and “stray” scenars are developed and tested in two samples of Special Forces applicants r...

A numerical model is developed to simulate the transport phenomena in the flow channel between parallel plates with porous and non-porous (or impermeable) walls. The continuity and momentum equations were solved first, assuming the wall Reynolds number in the range of with the suction or injection of air at a speed equal to the uniform inlet velocity. The results show that at constant inlet and...