Use of pressure insoles to compare in-shoe loading for modern running shoes

The primary objective of this paper was to compare in-shoe loading for different models of running shoe using measurements of force distribution. It was hypothesised that a shoe designed with minimal focus on cushioning would demonstrate significantly higher peak forces and rates of loading than running shoes designed with cushioning midsoles. Loading was compared using in-shoe peak forces for six footwear conditions. It was found that peak rate of loading at the heel provided clear distinctions between shoes. In support of the study hypothesis, the shoe with minimal focus on cushioning had a significantly higher rate of loading than all but one of the other test shoes. Data collected for midfoot and forefoot areas of the foot highlighted the importance of considering loading across the foot surface. The results of the present study demonstrate that pressure insoles provide a useful tool for the assessment of loading across the foot plantar surface for different footwear conditions. There are numerous models of running shoe for individuals to select from, with limited information available regarding the performance of the shoes during running. The current study demonstrates differences in loads across the foot plantar surface during running, indicating differences in performance for different footwear models.     

Biological and psychological responses to two rapid shiftwork schedules

This study presents the biological responses to shiftwork in two groups of workers with different shiftwork rotas. Biological responses were studied by recording the heart rate and the changes in the circadian profile of salivary cortisol over 24?h (RIA assays). Various items were recorded through questionnaires aimed at determining self appreciation of sleep quantity, stress, health, satisfaction at work and in private lives. Thirty two male subjects aged from 23 to 56, working for the same company, having given their informed consent, took part in the study. The study was carried out under realistic conditions (at the work place) under the control of an occupational physician. Sixteen day-workers (8 am?–?6?pm) served as a reference group. Eight shiftworkers included in alternate schedules (morning M 4 am?–?12 am, evening E 12 am?–?8?pm, night N 8?pm?–?4 am) according to a system M, S, N 3/2, (3 work, 2 rest) and eight according to a system 7/5 (3M/2S/2N/5R, 2/3/2/5, 2/2/3/5) constituted the groups of shiftworkers respectively named 3/2 and 7/5. All subjects had comparable ages and BMIs. Shiftworkers expressed a higher stress level and frequency of health problems and a lower satisfaction at work than the control. Among the three groups, the 7/5 group had the best health and fitness score and was in need of less sleep. Heart rate was not affected by shift work. Conversely, consistent changes appeared in cortisol circadian profiles, the greatest changes appearing for the night shift and among the two groups of shiftworkers, more particularly for the 7/5 group. These changes correlated with self-perceived constraints of work and showed the difficulties of adaptation to shiftwork.     

Surface exploration using laparoscopic surgical instruments: The perception of surface roughness

During laparoscopic surgery video images are used to guide the movements of the hand and instruments, and objects in the operating field often obscure these images. Thus, surgeons often rely heavily on tactile information (sense of touch) to help guide their movements. It is important to understand how tactile perception is affected when using laparoscopic instruments, since many surgical judgements are based on how a tissue ‘feels’ to the surgeon, particularly in situations where visual inputs are degraded. Twelve naïve participants used either their index finger or a laparoscopic instrument to explore sandpaper surfaces of various grits (60, 100, 150 and 220). These movements were generated with either vision or no vision. Participants were asked to estimate the roughness of the surfaces they explored. The normal and tangential forces of either the finger or instrument on the sandpaper surfaces were measured. Results showed that participants were able to judge the roughness of the sandpaper surfaces when using both the finger and the instrument. However, post hoc comparisons showed that perceptual judgements of surface texture were altered in the no vision condition compared to the vision condition. This was also the case when using the instrument, compared to the judgements provided when exploring with the finger. This highlights the importance of the completeness of the video images during laparoscopic surgery. More normal and tangential force was used when exploring the surfaces with the finger as opposed to the instrument. This was probably an attempt to increase the contact area of the fingertip to maximize tactile input. With the instrument, texture was probably sensed through vibrations of the instrument in the hand. Applications of the findings lie in the field of laparoscopic surgery simulation techniques and tactile perception.     

Analysis of the nonlinear Uzawa algorithm for symmetric saddle point problems

In this paper we discuss the convergence behaviour of the nonlinear Uzawa algorithm for solving saddle point problems presented in a recent paper of Cao [Z.H. Cao, Fast Uzawa algorithm for generalized saddle point problems, Appl. Numer. Math. 46 (2003), pp. 157–171]. For a general case, the results on the convergence of the algorithm are given.     

三参数最小费用流算法研究

本文提出三参数网络流,在加工能力和制造费用的基础上,增加了成材率．三参数网络流便于描述包含物理化学变化的钢铁、化工等制造流程．还给出了三参数网络流最小费用问题的求解方法,并给出了计算实例．     

冲击压缩荷载下压实粘性土的动态力学性能试验研究

针对压实粘性土体应变率敏感性,利用聚碳酸脂分离式Hopkinson压杆试验装置,对其动态力学性能进行了研究.结果表明:压实粘性土的动态强度、峰值强度增长因子和比能量吸收以及过应力与应变率呈近似指数关系,而动态峰值应变与峰值应变增长因子随应变率的增加而近似线性增加,这些均说明动态峰值强度和峰值应变均体现了显著的应变率相关性.同时进一步分析过应力与应变率(包括准静态)的关系表明:当应变率低于参考应变率时,动态强度受应变率的影响相对较小,而当应变率高于参考应变率时,动态强度受应变率的影响较大.     

Comparison of Skidding Performance of Small Track-type Experimental Prototype Skidder and J-50 Skidding Tractor

In this paper, field experimental comparison is made between a small track-type experimental prototype skidder and a J-50 skidding tractor. Experimental data, including skidding productivity, soil compaction on skidding trails, and damage rate of the residual trees, are analyzed. The results indicate that with the condition of scattered skidding area and low skidding volume per cycle, small track-type experimental prototype skidder has advantage on working and a higher skidding productivity. It makes lower soil compaction to the skidding trails in the depth of 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, and 10-15 cm. Under the same work conditions, the damage rate of the residual trees made by small track-type experimental prototype skidder is only 1/5 of those made by J-50 type skidding tractor. The damage rate is reduced by 80%.     

桩西联合站罐底水质对罐底局部腐蚀的影响

以桩西联合站原油稳定罐为例,研究了油罐底水组成对油罐罐底腐蚀的影响,并采用极化曲线的方法深入研究了其电化学腐蚀的机理。重点从电化学腐蚀的方面讨论了油罐底水中各种离子对油罐罐底腐蚀的影响趋势以及离子之间的协同效应。结果表明,在桩西联合站原油稳定罐的油罐底水中Cl-、Ca2＋含量比其它油田水质明显偏高,而这种水质也从某种程度上加速了油罐的腐蚀速率。     

纳米三氧化二铝对陶瓷烧结温度的影响

采用在普通陶瓷坯料上涂抹一层纳米三氧化二铝的方法进行分组烧结试验。利用纳米颗粒的奇异特性提高坯料表面的扩散速率,降低烧结温度,提升烧结产物的致密化程度。实验中通过控制纳米添加剂的剂量以及工艺优化,取得最佳的增强、增韧效果。运用SME、XRD等检测手段分析不同晶型、不同形貌的纳米氧化铝对烧结温度的降低程度以及力学性能的改善状况,为陶瓷制备提供实验数据储备。实验结果表明:在陶瓷坯料表面涂抹纳米三氧化二铝涂层既可节省纳米材料又能大幅度降低烧结温度,是提高力学性能的行之有效的措施。