Simulation of exoskeleton sit-to-stand movement

Problems of simulating the processes of exoskeleton sit-to-stand movement are considered. A mathematical model of the device is described. The diagram of an automatic control system is proposed, based on the ZMP method. The results of the mathematical simulating are given. It is shown that the proposed control system makes verticalization possible without falling from a wide range of initial conditions.     

Computation of higher‐order moments of generalized polynomial chaos expansions

Because of the complexity of fluid flow solvers, non‐intrusive uncertainty quantification techniques have been developed in aerodynamic simulations in order to compute the quantities of interest required in an optimization process, for example. The objective function is commonly expressed in terms of moments of these quantities, such as the mean, standard deviation, or even higher‐order moments. Polynomial surrogate models based on polynomial chaos expansions have often been implemented in this respect. The original approach of uncertainty quantification using polynomial chaos is however intrusive. It is based on a Galerkin‐type formulation of the model equations to derive the governing equations for the polynomial expansion coefficients. Third‐order, indeed fourth‐order moments of the polynomials are needed in this analysis. Besides, both intrusive and non‐intrusive approaches call for their computation provided that higher‐order moments of the quantities of interest need to be post‐processed. In most applications, they are evaluated by Gauss quadratures and eventually stored for use throughout the computations. In this paper, analytical formulas are rather considered for the moments of the continuous polynomials of the Askey scheme, so that they can be evaluated by quadrature‐free procedures instead. Matlab^© codes have been developed for this purpose and tested by comparisons with Gauss quadratures. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of a class of millimeter-band slow-wave structures with a traditional chain of coupled resonators

Results of the analysis of a class of folded-waveguide slow-wave structures (a classical folded waveguide and coupled rectangular resonators) and resonator slow-wave structures (a comb-square, a ring on opposing metal mounts, and a traditional chain of coupled resonators) of the millimeter band are presented. Results on the comparative analysis of the characteristics of studied structures from the viewpoint of application of such structures, depending on their functional area, in O-type traveling-wave tubes of the short-wave band are given.     

Desoxyepothilone B is curative against human tumor xenografts that are refractory to paclitaxel

The epothilones are naturally occurring, cytotoxic macrolides that function through a paclitaxel (Taxol)-like mechanism. Although structurally dissimilar, both classes of molecules lead to the arrest of cell division and eventual cell death by stabilizing cellular microtubule assemblies. The epothilones differ in their ability to retain activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) cell lines and tumors where paclitaxel fails. In the current account, we focus on the relationship between epothilone and paclitaxel in the context of tumors with multiple drug resistance. The epothilone analogue Z-12,13-desoxyepothilone B (dEpoB) is >35,000-fold more potent than paclitaxel in inhibiting cell growth in the MDR DC-3F/ADX cell line. Various formulations, routes, and schedules of i.v. administration of dEpoB have been tested in nude mice. Slow infusion with a Cremophor-ethanol vehicle proved to be the most beneficial in increasing efficacy and decreasing toxicity. Although dEpoB performed similarly to paclitaxel in sensitive tumors xenografts (MX-1 human mammary and HT-29 colon tumor), its effects were clearly superior against MDR tumors. When dEpoB was administered to nude mice bearing our MDR human lymphoblastic T cell leukemia (CCRF-CEM/paclitaxel), dEpoB demonstrated a full curative effect. For human mammary adenocarcinoma MCF-7/Adr cells refractory to paclitaxel, dEpoB reduced the established tumors, markedly suppressed tumor growth, and surpassed other commonly used chemotherapy drugs such as adriamycin, vinblastine, and etoposide in beneficial effects.     

Turbulent transition of a laminar boundary layer in the axisymmetric flow of a jet over plane surfaces normal to the stream

Results are presented of experimental investigations of the hydrodynamics of the wall boundary layer on a plate over which an axisymmetric jet flows transversely. The conditions of existence and transition to turbulent of the laminar boundary layer are determined.     

Black Ultra-Thin Crystalline Silicon Wafers Reach the 4n2 Absorption Limit–Application to IBC Solar Cells

Cutting costs by progressively decreasing substrate thickness is a common theme in the crystalline silicon photovoltaic  industry for the last decades, since drastically thinner wafers would significantly reduce the substrate-related costs. In addition to the technological challenges concerning wafering and handling of razor-thin flexible wafers, a major bottleneck is to maintain high absorption in those thin wafers. For the latter, advanced light-trapping techniques become of paramount importance. Here we demonstrate that by applying state-of-the-art black-Si nanotexture produced by DRIE on thin uncommitted wafers, the maximum theoretical absorption (Yablonovitch's 4n² absorption limit), that is, ideal light trapping, is reached with wafer thicknesses as low as 40, 20, and 10 µm when paired with a back reflector. Due to the achieved promising optical properties the results are implemented into an actual thin interdigitated back contacted solar cell. The proof-of-concept cell, encapsulated in glass, achieved a 16.4% efficiency with an J_SC = 35 mA cm⁻², representing a 43% improvement in output power with respect to the reference polished cell. These results demonstrate the vast potential of black silicon nanotexture in future extremely-thin silicon photovoltaics.     

The ZEUS forward plug calorimeter with lead–scintillator plates and WLS fiber readout

A Forward Plug Calorimeter (FPC) for the ZEUS detector at HERA has been built as a shashlik lead–scintillator calorimeter with wave length shifter fiber readout. Before installation it was tested and calibrated using the X5 test beam facility of the SPS accelerator at CERN. Electron, muon and pion beams in the momentum range of 10–100 GeV/c were used. Results of these measurements are presented as well as a calibration monitoring system based on a ⁶⁰Co source.