A method for studying the biomechanical load response of the (in vitro) lumbar spine under dynamic flexion-shear loads

A method was developed to study the biomechanical response of the lumbar motion segment (Functional Spinal Unit, FSU) under a dynamic (transient) load in flexion. In order to inflict flexion-distraction types of injuries (lap seat-belt injuries) different load pulses were transferred to the specimen by means of a padded pendulum. The load response of the specimen was measured with a force and moment transducer. The flexion angulation and displacements were determined by means of high-speed photography. Two series of tests were made with ten specimens in each and with two different load pulses: one moderate load pulse (peak acceleration 5 g, rise time 30 ms, duration 150 ms) and one severe load pulse (peak acceleration 12 g, rise time 15 ms, duration 250 ms). The results showed that the moderate load pulse caused residual permanent deformations at a mean bending moment of 140 Nm and a mean shear force of 430 N at a mean flexion angulation of 14 degrees. The severe load pulse caused evident signs of failure of the segments at a mean bending moment of 185 Nm and a mean shear force of 600 N at a mean flexion angulation of 19 degrees. Significant correlations were found between the load response and the size of the specimen, as well as between the load response and the bone mineral content (BMC) in the two adjacent vertebrae. Comparisons with lumbar spine response to static flexion-shear loading indicated that the specimens could withstand higher bending moments before injury occurred during dynamic loading, but the deformations at injury tended to be smaller for dynamic loading.     

Airborne scatterometers: investigating ocean backscatter under low and high-wind conditions

Attempting to understand and predict weather on a local and global basis has challenged both the scientific and engineering communities. One key parameter in understanding the weather is the ocean surface wind vector because of its role in the energy exchange at the air-sea surface. scatterometers, radars that measure the reflectivity of a target offer a tool with which to remotely monitor these winds from tower-, aircraft-, and satellite-based platforms. This paper introduces three current airborne scatterometer systems, and presents data collected by these instruments under low-, moderate-, and high-wind conditions. The paper focuses on airborne scatterometers because of their ability to resolve submesoscale variations in wind fields. Discrepancies between existing theory and the observations are noted and the concerns in measuring low-wind speeds discussed. Finally, the application of using this technology for estimating the surface-wind vector during a hurricane is demonstrated     

Verbessertes Widerstandsgesetz für Stufendiffusoren

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein allgemeines Widerstandsgesetz für Stufendiffusoren hergeleitet, bei dem die Widerstandszahl den Zusatzverlust gegenüber den Verlusten der bis zum Kontursprung reichenden fiktiven Kanal- bzw. Rohrstr?mungen in der Zu- und Abstr?mung beschreibt. Unter vereinfachenden Annahmen reduziert sich dieses Gesetz auf die bekannte Carnot-Formel. Insbesondere wird dabei der Anteil des Zusatzverlustes, der vom Unterdruck an der Stufe und von der Wandschubspannungs?nderung unmittelbar hinter der Stufe herrührt, vernachl?ssigt. Die Berücksichtigung dieses Anteils führt zu einem gegenüber der Carnot-Formel verbesserten Widerstandsgesetz. Herrn Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Fiebig zum 60. Geburtstag     

Automated model generation for performance engineering of building automation networks

Large technical systems need to be designed both reliable and efficient. Specialized design tools offer therefore a simplified, abstract design and extend details autonomously in the background. Analytic and simulation based models could improve the quality by testing and dimensioning the design before implementation, but setting up the necessary models is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore many developers ask for analysis tools which are able to create their models from the available information in the design tools. This paper presents such an automated modeling approach basing on an existing design database at the example of a network analysis for building automation fieldbuses. The process of automated modeling is unfolded, and the potentials and limitations are discussed.     

Planning considerations for domestic replacement satellites

Several domestic satellite systems have been more than 10 years in operation. During this time, the world has experienced a dramatic growth in communication. While the demand for more telephony and data circuits and television channels is still on the rise, new methods of signal transmission and circuit compression have been developed which may balance or reduce the need for more satellite trunk capacity. And while whole national networks are converting to digital transmission, new transmission media like optical fibre, are finding application, and may take over some of the heavy traffic routes previously carried by satellite. On the other side, business data communication between roof-top terminals, thin route traffic to remote users, television distribution by direct satellite broadcasting are becoming more popular and satellite land mobile communication may soon be a reality. Thus the domestic satellite's role appears to be slowly changing towards thin route and mobile traffic and DBS-type distribution and perhaps even radio position determination. System planners are adapting to the new trends in satellite communication and are trying to accommodate the various service payloads on a single satellite. This article discusses some aspects of the emerging multi-purpose domestic satellite, which carries fixed and mobile services, TV direct broadcasting and radio position determination, in view of network digitalization, network expansion, circuit compression, synchronization. The discussion centres on transponder supply and demand, satellite replenishment, K_u-band vs. C-band for TV direct satellite broadcasting, choice of modulation/multiple access for mobile communication, and expected accuracy in radio position determination.