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A collision-free path planning method is proposed based on learning from demonstration (LfD) to address the challenges of cumbersome manual teaching operations caused by complex action of yarn storage, variable mechanism positions, and limited workspace in preform weaving. First, by utilizing extreme learning machines (ELM) to autonomously learn the teaching data of yarn storage, the mapping relationship between the starting and ending points and the teaching path points is constructed to obtain the imitation path with similar storage actions under the starting and ending points of the new task. Second, an improved rapidly expanding random trees (IRRT) method with adaptive direction and step size is proposed to expand path points with high quality. Finally, taking the spatical guidance point of imitation path as the target direction of IRRT, the expansion direction is biased toward the imitation path to obtain a collision-free path that meets the action yarn storage. The results of different yarn storage examples show that the ELM-IRRT method can plan the yarn storage path within 2s–5s when the position of the mechanism changes in narrow spaces, avoiding tedious manual operations that program the robot movements, which is feasible and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interposition graft rotator cuff repair is one option for the treatment of massive, otherwise irreparable rotator cuff tears. It is undetermined how different suturing techniques influence morphology at the patch‐tendon interface in interposition rotator cuff repairs, particularly with respect to increased cross‐sectional area at the repair site post‐exposure to cyclic loading, which may influence healing. We aimed to analyze how the morphology of the grafts used in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) interposition rotator cuff repairs differed according to whether the graft was secured using the multiple mattress technique or the weave technique respectively. Methods: Twelve PTFE interposition rotator cuff repairs (two groups, n = 6) were cyclically loaded. The thickness, width, cross‐sectional area at the individual patches and at the repair site, and patch elongation were compared between repairs using the 'multiple mattress' technique and repairs that used the 'weave' technique. Results: At all loads, repair site cross‐sectional area and thickness was greater in the weave group than in the multiple mattress group (P<0.05), despite repair site width being greater in the multiple mattress group (P<0.05). No significant differences in elongation were found between the multiple mattress and weave groups. Conclusion: Greater repair site cross‐sectional area under cyclic loading was observed in polytetrafluoroethylene interposition rotator repairs that used the weave technique than in those that used the multiple mattress technique. Increased repair site cross‐sectional area in the weave group occurred due to increased thickness and decreased width relative to the multiple mattress group. No differences in cross‐sectional area were found between groups at the individual patches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saree is one of the most popular ethnic Indian garments that enjoy the exclusivity of being reincarnated. It is an integral part of Indian cultural heritage. In the last few years there has been a grand revival of the saree as a popular cultural wear across the nation. Globalization and social media have been highly influential in this resurrection of interest in traditional wear. It all started when two Bengaluru-based friends Anju Maudgal Kadam and Ally Matthan, agreed to wear their sarees 100 times before the end of 2015 and, through social media, encouraged others to do the same. They intended to bring the traditional Indian saree back into their lives, and in the process of reviving the ethnicity they also became storytellers, recounting the histories and narratives woven into each of their sarees. Thereafter the #100sareepact became an Internet sensation, attracting media attention across the world. This paper would like to trace the journey of the Indian saree and also analyze how the saree-pact has forged virtual friendships among women in the Zuckerbergian cyberspace. Apart from creating a new fashion statement across the world it has also resulted in the revival of interest in the traditional Indian weaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed study aims to discuss the methodology for measuring and evaluating controlled moisture distribution in woven fabric surfaces in the first part and the construction of woven fabric using hydrophobic and hydrophilic cotton yarns in the second part. Moisture distribution can be controlled in terms of the anisotropic (horizontal and vertical) and isotropic characteristics of the wetting of the cotton woven fabrics based on the combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic threads. A set of experimental samples using hydrophobic and hydrophilic threads in warp and weft was produced to monitor the moisture (water) distribution in woven fabric surfaces. For evaluating the controlled distribution of moisture (water) in these atypical woven fabric constructions, an algorithm (methodology) was proposed, where the object (liquid) was separated from the background (fabrics) and various objects and geometric characteristics depending on time were evaluated on the object. The algorithm itself consisted of several steps and was executed in a loop for the current frame at a given time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comprehension of capillarity phenomenon is important in chemical, printing, and textile dyeing. The current paper provides an insight into the diffusion of direct dyes into cellulosic materials with regard to the change of fabric characteristics, dye structure, and bath composition. First, an experimental device was developed and series of experiments were carried out using cotton as textile fabric model and direct dyes (Direct Orange 39, Direct Red 79, and Direct Red 80) as wicking liquids. Data were analyzed based on the evolution of diffusion rate [D (cm2/s)] versus C/C0. Results exhibited that the capillary ascension of dyes depends on weft count, weave structure, yarn type, angle contact, wet agent, dye structure, and dye concentration. The D (cm2/s) values were much higher than for twisted yarn. The tortuosity lowered the diffusion of the dye along with fabrics. The rate of water transport increased with weft count and it became more important when the structure of fabric is more tightened. Both inter-yarn space and vertical position of the fabric limited the ascension of the liquid. In brief, along this study, we demonstrated that the proposed apparatus could provide a potential evaluation of wicking phenomenon along with textile materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An effective suture method enables early active motion exercises and optimal post-surgical outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the tensile strength of three suture configurations – horizontal mattress (HM), vertical mattress (VM) and a cross suture for repair of a tendon weave. We hypothesised that the direction of mattress sutures relative to the tendon fibres would affect the tensile strength of tendon repair. Methods: Using porcine flexor tendons and the same number of surgical sutures, three tendon weave constructs differing in the method of suture were compared: HM suture configuration (conventional technique), cross-stitch (CS) configuration (conventional technique) and VM suture configuration (novel technique). Ten pairs of each group were mounted in a material testing machine and subjected to a simple tensile test and a cyclic loading test for their biomechanical comparison. Results: The VM group and CS group had significantly higher ultimate failure load, linear stiffness and fatigue strength as compared to the HM group. The failure mode was suture breakage or tendon rupture for the VM and the CS group, while the suture pullout of the tendon only occurred in the HM group. Conclusion: Among the three techniques used for repair of a tendon weave, the VM suture technique was demonstrated to have the greatest tensile strength and least associated with suture pull-out. The direction of the mattress suture in relation the direction of tendon fibres affects the strength of repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]