Search

Judges are frequently exposed to judicial stressors and other overwhelming stressors in their daily jobs. Within the challenge-hindrance dichotomy framework, both challenge and hindrance stressors may lead to job burnout of judges. This study conceptualizes meaningful work as a significant personal resource in the expanded job demands-resources (JD-R) model, and investigates whether meaningful work would moderate the effects of challenge and hindrance stressors on job burnout. A two-wave field study with 490 frontline court staffs was conducted in China. The results showed that both challenge and hindrance stressors were positively related to job burnout. Further, meaningful work was found to buffer the negative impact of hindrance stressors (but not challenge stressors) on job burnout. These findings highlight the merit of meaningful work as a valuable personal resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining the best operating parameters of the internal combustion engine has focused the attention of designers and researchers since the first years of its creation. Initial research focused on increasing engine power and overall efficiency. As time passed, these aspirations became more sophisticated and began to concern other operating parameters of the drive unit. The basic problem, however, remained the improvement of filling the cylinder with the working medium. Turbocharger charging consists in using the energy of the exhaust gases to drive a turbine placed on a common shaft with a compressor supplying air under increased pressure to the cylinders. Over time, the turbocharger became one of the key elements and its technical condition began to play a key role in the operation and performance of modern drive units. Like every element, the turbocharger itself is not without its faults. This procedure is known among manufacturers who, when designing power units and their assemblies, pay special attention to the essence of turbocharger construction. Since it is impossible to predict all the phenomena accompanying a working turbocharger at the design stage, the authors of this paper conducted bench tests of a selected batch of turbochargers, focusing mainly on the vibration measurements of the turbocharger rotating assembly. At the same time, we present a dynamic model of the mentioned system based on the analyses resulting from the solutions of the equations of a numerical model. In order to give the research a practical aspect, the results of the theoretical research were compared with the results of bench tests. It has been shown that the basic problem is to guarantee the correct operating parameters of the bearings in the position of static and dynamic equilibrium. Obtaining such operating parameters requires finding a compromise solution, e.g., between the maximum temperature in oil films and the amplitudes of vibration accelerations in bearing nodes. The research results presented in the article can be used as a field for further discussion in the field of research on the reliability of turbochargers and be helpful in the design process in order to avoid design errors and reduce production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most relevant to predicting the behavior of shape-memory-alloy (SMA)-based actuator-sensor applications activated by Joule heating are the electro-mechanical characteristics of the material under consideration. For a comprehensive characterization, a single setup that is able to provide all relevant data and information is desirable. This work covers the design, implementation and validation of such a high-end test bench for the holistic characterization of SMA micro-wires. In addition, the setup provides the possibility of application simulation experiments. Key elements of the design are the clamping mechanism guided on air bearings, a linear direct drive, a high-resolution load cell, a high-precision constant current source and a stress-controlled in-line wire sample installation. All measurements take place inside an isolated, temperature-controlled chamber. With the presented setup, the electro-mechanical and thermal characteristics of SMA wire samples with diameters from 20 µm to 100 µm can be determined. Via hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) implementation, the outputs with different biasing mechanisms and additional end-stops can be simulated even at high ambient temperatures. The generated results facilitate the prediction of the exact characteristics of SMA-driven actuator-sensor systems in a variety of applications and lead to a better general understanding of the alloy's properties. All functionalities and features of the setup are presented by discussing the results of exemplary experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic created significant challenges in operating the lab component of undergraduate courses and promoting active learning, with only a short time available to implement alternative teaching methods. In this work a low-cost platform for distance operation and assessment of replaceable bench-scale heat exchangers was developed to provide students an opportunity to observe the transient and steady-state behavior of heat exchangers while unable to access lab facilities. Each workbench had a new material cost of approximately C$5 000. Operation of physical equipment provided students the opportunity to observe non-ideal behavior and compare various heat transfer correlations which may not be seen in process simulators. The developed platform implemented an Arduino microcontroller for low-cost process control. Equipment was seamlessly slotted in to the existing course upon the return to on-campus learning and provided a more stable system when compared to previously existing lab experiments. Most learning outcomes were observed in remote and in-lab experiments and challenges faced in remote operation are highlighted. No statistically significant difference was observed in student performance between students completing lab experiments remotely and students completing experiments in-lab. • Low-cost heat exchanger benches give flow control, metering, and reversal. • Non-ideal and transient behavior of heat exchangers were introduced to students. • Remote access and control was available to domestic and international students. • Arduino microcontrollers were integrated with LabVIEW for process control. • Remote and in-lab students had no significant difference in performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in energy balance and cancer research to date have largely occurred in siloed work in rodents or patients. However, substantial benefit can be derived from parallel studies in which animal models inform the design of clinical and population studies or in which clinical observations become the basis for animal studies. The conference Translating Energy Balance from Bench to Communities: Application of Parallel Animal‐Human Studies in Cancer, held in July 2021, convened investigators from basic, translational/clinical, and population science research to share knowledge, examples of successful parallel studies, and strong research to move the field of energy balance and cancer toward practice changes. This review summarizes key topics discussed to advance research on the role of energy balance, including physical activity, body composition, and dietary intake, on cancer development, cancer outcomes, and healthy survivorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientific Bulletin of National Mining University is the property of National Mining University, State Higher Educational Institution and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper deals with building an automatic test bench for detecting and solving a simple maze. There are many suitable sensors for detecting walls and ball, as find quick and stabile algorithm for deliver the ball to the target. Two servo motor are used to tilt the table of the maze. The first part of the paper shows the experiences of using OV7076 camera with Arduino Nano which was used for the first time to solve the problem. The final version of the maze solver contains a USB camera, an Arduino UNO platform, OpenCV and PyCharm software. Furthermore, paper reveals possibilities of decision-making-process and the direction of following research work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the surgical experience and long-term outcomes of living donor kidney transplantations involving asymptomatic kidney stones, using ex vivo flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) during bench surgery for stone removal. Out of 1743 living kidney donors assessed between January 2012 and October 2022, 18 (1%) were diagnosed with urolithiasis. Among them, 12 donors were rejected, and 6 were accepted for kidney donation. Stone removal was successfully performed using f-URS during bench surgery, with no immediate complications or acute rejections observed. The study analyzed six living kidney transplants, of which 4 (67%) donors and three recipients were female, and 4 (67%) donors were blood-related to the recipient. The median age for donors and recipients was 57.5 and 51.5 years, respectively. The stones, primarily located in the lower calyx, had a median size of 6 mm. The median cold ischemia time during surgery was 41.6 min, and ex vivo f-URS ensured complete stone removal in all cases. After a median follow-up of 120 months, the remaining grafts were functioning well, and no urinary stone recurrence was observed in either the recipients or living donors. The findings suggest that bench f-URS is a safe approach for managing urinary stones in kidney grafts, providing good functional outcomes without stone recurrence in selected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the influence of different resistance lines and rows delay intervals on the shape of the muck pile and the throwing distance of open-pit bench blasting based on the open-pit bench blasting test, two-dimensional particle flow code (PFC2D) is used for numerical simulation. The experimental and simulation data were compared and analyzed, and the error value was acceptable. Meanwhile, different resistance lines and row delay intervals are used to conduct numerical simulation analysis. The results show that the height change of the muck pile is directly proportional to the resistance line, and the rock throwing distance is inversely proportional to the resistance line change. The best resistance line is 1.75 m in the actual working condition, according to the effect of the muck pile. By fitting the relationship between the resistance line and rock throwing distance and blasting muck pile's height, it is found that the relationship is nonlinear. By simulating different row delays, the optimal row delay time difference in the bench blasting model is determined to be 25 ms under similar working conditions. It provides a guiding significance for the blasting parameter design under similar working conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the characteristics of highly segmented double-sided silicon detectors. These are fundamental parts in many new state-of-the-art particle detection systems, and therefore they must perform optimally. We propose a test bench that can handle 256 electronic channels with off-the-shelf equipment, as well as a detector quality control protocol to ensure that the detectors meet the requirements. Detectors with a large number of strips bring new technological challenges and issues that need to be carefully monitored and understood. One of the standard 500 μ m thick detectors of the GRIT array was investigated, undergoing studies that revealed its IV curve, charge collection efficiency, and energy resolution. From the data obtained, we calculated, among other things, the depletion voltage (110 V), the resistivity of the bulk material (9 k Ω · cm), and the electronic noise contribution (8 keV). We present, for the first time, a methodology called "the energy triangle" to visualize the effect of charge sharing between two adjacent strips and to study the hit distribution with the interstrip-to-strip hit ratio (ISR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Machine Tool & Hydraulics is the property of Guangzhou Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (GMERI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We explored the drivers of lichen taxonomic diversity and lichen abundance on wooden trailside benches within the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, to better understand lichen colonization of wooden structures. We examined three variables including the age of each bench, the distance of each bench from the nearest tree with lichens, and the distance of each bench from the nearest road. Multivariate analyses and model selection using AIC revealed that bench age and distance from the nearest tree with lichens together was best at explaining the sample data. Age of the benches was of greatest significance for predicting both lichen diversity and abundance. Understanding factors that drive the distribution and colonization of species across urbanized landscapes is important for conservation efforts and for preserving biodiversity in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ordnance Equipment Engineering is the property of Chongqing University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ageing results in the eventual loss of muscle mass and strength, joint problems, and overall slowing of movements, with a greater risk of suffering falls or other such accidents. The use of gait assistance exoskeletons can help in the active aging of this segment of the population. Given the user specificity of the mechanics and control these devices need, the facility used to test different design parameters is indispensable. This work deals with the modeling and construction of a modular test bench and prototype exosuit to test different mounting and control schemes for a cable-driven exoskeleton or exosuit. The test bench allows the experimental implementation of postural or kinematic synergies to assist multiple joints by using only one actuator and the optimization of the control scheme to better adapt to the characteristics of the specific patient. The design is open to the research community and it is expected to improve the design of cable-driven systems for exosuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shorter available development times and fewer available vehicle prototypes have increased the subsystem-based investigation on test rigs within the automotive development process. Steering systems exhibit a direct interface to the driver, therefore, posing high requirements to the control performance of a test bench, especially for the perception of steering feel. This work proposes three approaches to improve the force control performance of permanent magnet linear motors incorporated on a steering test bench. The first method improves control accuracy when a harmonic force signal is introduced into the steering system by adjusting the reference force signal based on the identified peak values of the measured and reference forces. The second method allows the inclusion of the actuator's inertia and the occurring ratios between steering wheel angle and rack displacement into the control scheme to reduce performance deterioration due to inertia. The third approach considers delay time in the actuator control and estimates its future position for delay compensation. A validation of the proposed methods is conducted, displaying an improvement for all three applications. The proposed methods extend the applicability of a steering test bench within the automotive development process by enabling more accurate and reproductible control performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practice of benching players or removing playing time is commonly used in sport. Although benching is used to adhere to game rules related to the number of athletes permitted on the field of play at any given time or to provide athletes with rest breaks, athletes have reportedly experienced benching in response to behavioral infractions such as not paying attention, not devoting sufficient effort, or failing to adhere to team rules. The purpose of this study therefore was to explore the use of benching as a behavioral management strategy from the perspectives of youth coaches. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 youth coaches (six men and four women) regarding their views of benching, reasons for use, and alternatives to the practice of benching. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. All coaches reported using benching to manage athlete and team behavior, address conduct detrimental to the team, and reinforce the coach's position of power. The coaches interpreted benching as punishment or a learning tool depending on the provision of communication and feedback. Future work is needed to address the use of communication and the nature of this communication to ensure that benching practices are associated with learning and not punishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of CULCyT: Cultura Científica y Tecnológica is the property of Cultura Cientifica y Tecnologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper indicates the frequent occurrence of transient states in hydraulic systems. Particular attention was paid to the phenomenon of water hammer – the causes and effects of this phenomenon. A complete analytical description of this phenomenon has not yet been developed. New theoretical models are still being developed and need to be verified experimentally. The paper focuses on presenting the development of experimental stands for the study of water hammer in hydraulic pipes. Subsequent modifications of the experimental stands for the speed of the shut-off valves and their tightness, as well as for the minimisation of the occurrence of the effects of the pulsation of the performance of the pump supplying the line under investigation, are presented. The stand presented as the final one also allows the testing of transients in hydraulic lines for various types of working fluid (oil, emulsion, distilled water). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research focused on interrogating post‐anoxic enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) at bench and pilot scales. Average bench‐scale effluent ranged from 0.33 to 1.4 mgP/L, 0.35 to 3.7 mgNH3‐N/L, and 1.1 to 3.9 mgNOx‐N/L. Comparatively, the pilot achieved effluent (50th percentile/average) of 0.13/0.2 mgP/L, 9.7/8.2 mgNH3‐N/L, and 0.38/3.3 mgNOx‐N/L under dynamic influent and environmental conditions. For EBPR process monitoring, P:C ratio data indicated that 0.2–0.4 molP/molC will result in stable EBPR; relatedly, a target design influent volatile fatty acid (VFA):P ratio would exceed 15 mgCOD/mgP. Post‐anoxic EBPR was enriched for Nitrobacter spp. at 1.70%–20.27%, with Parcubacteria also dominating; the former is putatively associated with nitritation and the latter is a putative fermenting heterotrophic organism. Post‐anoxic specific denitrification rates (SDNRs) (20°C) ranged from 0.70 to 3.10 mgN/gVSS/h; there was a strong correlation (R2 = 0.94) between the SDNR and %Parcubacteria for systems operated at a 20‐day solids residence time (SRT). These results suggest that carbon substrate potentially generated by this putative fermenter may enhance post‐anoxic EBPR. Practitioner Points: Post‐anoxic EBPR can achieve effluent of <0.2 mgP/L and <12 mgN/L.The P:C and VFA:P ratios can be predictive for EBPR process monitoring.Post‐anoxic EBPR was enriched for Nitrobacter spp. over Nitrospira spp. and also for Parcubacteria, which is a putative fermenting heterotrophic organism.Post‐anoxic specific denitrification rates (20°C) ranged from 0.70 to 3.10 mgN/gVSS/h.BLASTn analysis of 16S rDNA PAO primer set was shown to be improved to 93.8% for Ca. Accumulibacter phosphatis and 73.2%–94.0% for all potential PAOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although practice by doing is typically regarded to be an effective method to facilitate student learning in a laboratory setting, stretched resources may require alternative approaches to accommodate students and to promote student retention. A portable multipurpose lab bench is presented that facilitates student learning by incorporating demonstration and discussion in a lab environment. In a first course for power electronics, improved student engagement and learning enhancement were targeted through the use of this single bench cohesively with classroom presentations and relevant theory. Laboratory assessments and end of course surveys for two consecutive years were collected to assess the learning experience as well as the effectiveness of the established mobile lab bench concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a comparison of the Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) 50M and Hybrid III (HIII) 50M anthropomorphic test device (ATD) geometries and rear impact head and neck biofidelity to each other and to postmortem human surrogate (PMHS) data to evaluate the usefulness of the THOR in rear impact testing. Both ATDs were scanned in a seated position on a rigid bench seat. A series of rear impact sled tests with the rigid bench seat with no head restraint support were conducted with a HIII-50M at 16 and 24 kph. Tests at each speed were performed twice with the THOR-50M to allow an assessment of the repeatability of the THOR-50M. A comparison of the test results from THOR-50M testing were made to the results of a previous study that included PMHS. Rear impact sled tests with both ATDs in a modern seat were then conducted at 40 kph. The THOR-50M head was 48.4 mm rearward and 60.1 mm higher than the HIII-50M head when seated in the rigid bench seat. In the repeated rigid bench testing at 16 and 24 kph, the THOR-50M head longitudinal and vertical accelerations, upper neck moment, and overall kinematics showed good test-to-test repeatability. In the rigid bench tests, the THOR-50M neck experienced flexion prior to extension in the 16 kph tests, where the neck of the HIII only experienced extension. At 24 kph both ATDs only experienced extension. The THOR-50M head displaced more rearward at both test velocities. The rigid bench tests show that the THOR-50M neck allows for more extension motion or articulation than the HIII-50M neck. The rigid bench test also shows that the head longitudinal and vertical accelerations, angular head kinematics, and upper neck moments were reasonably comparable between the ATDs. The THOR-50M results were closer to the average of the PMHS results than the HIII-50-M results, with the exception of the upper neck. In the 40 kph tests, with a modern seat design, the THOR-50M resulted in more deformation of the seatback with greater head restraint loading than the HIII-50M. The THOR-50M head backset distance was less. This study provides insight into the differences and similarities between the THOR and the HIII-50M ATD geometries, instrumentation responses, and kinematics, as well as the repeatability of the THOR-50M in rear impact s testing. The overall geometries of the THOR-50M and the HIII-50M are similar. The seated head position of the THOR-50M is slightly further rearward and higher than the HIII-50M. The results indicate that the THOR-50M matches the PMHS results more closely than the HIII-50M and may have improved neck biofidelity in rear impact testing. The results indicate that the studied THOR-50M responses are repeatable within expected test-to-test variations in rear impacts. Early data suggest that the THOR-50M can be used in rear impact testing, though a more complete understanding of the THOR-50M differences to the HIII ATDs will allow for better correlation to the existing body of HIII rear impact testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2020 and 2021 excavation seasons at Corinth explored an area in the southern third of the field northeast of the Theater, where work has focused since 2018. Among the results of these two seasons were the discoveries of a Roman road (cardo) running northward from the paved plaza northeast of the Theater and of a sumptuous Roman room lined with marble-veneered benches and paved with an opus sectile floor. The excavations also brought to light more evidence of the Byzantine road that succeeded the Roman cardo and slight remains of other Byzantine structures, including a small circular structure, perhaps an oven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Judge Nosworthy tells us that on the whole the selection of international judges is not completely broken, but that, since times have changed, it 'needs maintenance and upgrading to give it the necessary curb-appeal, modernity and marketability' (p. 549). The chapter by the late Judge James Crawford emphasizes that beyond diversity, what matters is quality and therefore that the question of "whether women would judge differently" is both "dangerous and unanswerable" (p. 417). Identity and Diversity on the International Bench: Who is the Judge?. [Extracted from the article]

The blasting mechanism underlying drilling and blasting of underwater rocks, as an important component of the engineering blasting technology, has not been systematically studied. Laboratory model experiments are expensive and take a long time, while field tests fail to obtain timeous breakage and accumulation effects of underwater blasting, and may even be impossible. Considering this, a model experiment of underwater concrete bench blasting was designed, and the motion of blasted blocks was observed and evaluated with a high-speed camera. Then, numerical simulation was conducted based on Fluent and an engineering discrete element method coupling program complied using the application programming interface. Results show that the blocks form a bulge in the underwater blasting experiment under action of blast waves and expansion in the first period of bubble pulsation. Then, some blocks shrink in the first period of bubble pulsation. As the charge increases, the blast load exerts larger disturbance on the block group, resulting in significant motion of blasted blocks along the vertical direction. At the same time, the horizontal displacement of blasted blocks in the throwing direction increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A new generation of enhanced monofocal IOLs has been introduced to slightly increase the depth of focus as compared to standard monofocal IOLs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of pupil size on the through-focus optical performance of three new enhanced monofocal IOLs, designed to improve the range of vision as compared to standard monofocal IOLs. Methods: Optical bench testing in white light was performed for different pupils, using an average cornea eye. Distance image quality was evaluated using Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) measurements. Through-focus Visual Acuity (VA) was simulated from these measurements (sVA). Three enhanced monofocal IOLs (ICB00, ISOPure, and RayOne-EMV) and three standard monofocal IOLs: two aspheric (ZCB00 and SN60WF) and one spherical (AAB00) were included. Results: The enhanced monofocal IOLs provided an improvement in the intermediate sVA as compared to standard monofocal IOLs. For ICB00, the improvement was independent of the pupil size, while for the ISOPure and RayOne-EMV, the intermediate sVA improved with increased pupil size. Similar to the spherical monofocal IOL, the ISOPure and RayOne-EMV showed a strong correlation between improvement in intermediate sVA and reduction of distance sVA and MTF, and increasing pupil size. ICB00 provided the same distance sVA as the aspheric monofocal IOLs and the lowest variability in MTF with pupil size. Conclusion: Optical bench results showed that the ISOPure and RayOne-EMV provide similar performance to a spherical monofocal IOL, with a strong pupil dependency for distance and intermediate vision. The other enhanced monofocal IOL, ICB00, provided a sustained improvement in simulated intermediate VA and maintained distance image quality comparable to that of the standard aspheric monofocal IOLs, even for larger pupils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective, quantitative postural data is limited for individuals who are non-ambulatory, especially for those who have not yet developed trunk control for sitting. There are no gold standard measurements to monitor the emergence of upright trunk control. Quantification of intermediate levels of postural control is critically needed to improve research and intervention for these individuals. Accelerometers and video were used to record postural alignment and stability for eight children with severe cerebral palsy aged 2 to 13 years, under two conditions, seated on a bench with only pelvic support and with additional thoracic support. This study developed an algorithm to classify vertical alignment and states of upright control; Stable, Wobble, Collapse, Rise and Fall from accelerometer data. Next, a Markov chain model was created to calculate a normative score for postural state and transition for each participant with each level of support. This tool allowed quantification of behaviors previously not captured in adult-based postural sway measures. Histogram and video recordings were used to confirm the output of the algorithm. Together, this tool revealed that providing external support allowed all participants: (1) to increase their time spent in the Stable state, and (2) to reduce the frequency of transitions between states. Furthermore, all participants except one showed improved state and transition scores when given external support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bearing is the property of Bearing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recently, a significant amount of research has been devoted to soft robots. Artificial muscles belong to the most important components of soft robots. Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) represent the technology that comes closest to the capabilities of a natural muscle, making them the best candidates for artificial muscles in robotics and prosthetics applications. To develop these applications, an analysis of DEAs in a test bench must be possible. It is important that the environmental conditions are known, and all components are specified, which is not the case in most publications. This paper focuses on the development of a real-time test bench for DEAs which provides environmental conditions and all components that are specified. Its goal is to open up the research field of dielectric elastomer actuators or soft robots. The stacked DEA used is powered by a high-voltage amplifier, which can be controlled via a real-time block diagram environment together with a data acquisition (DAQ) device. The response of the actuator is measured with a laser triangulation sensor. Furthermore, information about the applied voltage, the operating current, the temperature, and the humidity are collected. It was demonstrated that the selected laser sensor is a suitable device for this application. Moreover, it was shown that the selected high-voltage amplifier is adequate to power a DEA. However, the DAQ is not fast enough to measure the actuator current. It was demonstrated that housing keeps environmental conditions constant, is transportable, and offers the flexibility to investigate different DEAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The popular method of ideal point estimation provides empirical legal scholars with spatial representations of the Supreme Court justices that help elucidate ideological inclinations and voting behavior. This is done primarily in one dimension, where politics dominates, though recent work details a second dimension capturing differing attitudes on the authority of various legal actors. This paper explores a new network-theoretic tree-based method for visualizing the relationships between the justices, based on their voting records, that allows scholars to study the intricate branching structure of the Court. It is shown how this tool can be used to uncover periods in the Court's history where the balance on the bench fractured in unusual and interesting ways. Moreover, by defining several tree-based measures and charting their evolution over time, a picture emerges that throughout the past fifty years the Court became increasingly linear and bipolar, dividing along political lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gear test bench is important equipment for analyzing gear performance, detecting gear quality, and providing basic data for gear design and machining. In order to monitor the running state of the gear test bench, predict its running performance both timely and effectively, and guarantee its stable operation, a digital twin-based state monitoring method of the gear test bench is proposed in this paper. The state monitoring system of the gear test bench based on the digital twin model is constructed to simulate its normal running state in real time. On this basis, through the acquisition of physical information of the gear test bench, the developing of the state monitoring system, and the simulation of the digital twin model, the real-time state monitoring of the normal operation gear test bench is realized. The test results of the closed power flow gear test bench show that the digital twin simulation results of the gear test bench are basically consistent with it. The proposed state monitoring system can map the normal running state of the gear test bench, so as to realize the running state monitoring of the gear test bench. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Smart Rail Transit is the property of Smart Rail Transit Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)