An agent based force vector model of social influence that predicts strong polarization in a connected world

The model is based on a vector representation of each agent. The components of the vector are the key continuous “attributes” that determine the social behavior of the agent. A simple mathematical force vector model is used to predict the effect of each agent on all other agents. The force law used is motivated by gravitational force laws and electrical force laws for dipoles. It assumes that the force between two agents is proportional to the “similarity of attributes”, which is implemented mathematically as the dot product of the vectors representing the attributes of the agents, and the force goes as the inverse square of the difference in attributes, which is expressed as the Euclidean distance in attribute space between the two vectors. The force between the agents may be positive (attractive), zero, or negative (repulsive) depending on whether the angle between the corresponding vectors is less than, equal to, or greater than 90°. A positive force causes the attributes of the agents to become more similar and the corresponding vectors to become more nearly parallel. Interaction between all agents is allowed unless the distance between the attributes representing the agents exceeds a confidence limit (the Attribute Influence Bound) set in the simulation. Agents with similar attributes tend to form groups. For small values of the Attribute Influence Bound, numerous groups remain scattered throughout attribute space at the end of a simulation. As the Attribute Influence Bound is increased, and agents with increasingly different attributes can communicate, fewer groups remain at the end, and the remaining groups have increasingly different characteristic attributes and approximately equal sizes. With a large Attribute Influence Bound all agents are connected and extreme bi- or tri-polarization results. During the simulations, depending on the initial conditions, collective behaviors of grouping, consensus, fragmentation and polarization are observed as well as certain symmetries specific to the model, for example, the average of the attributes for all agents does not change significantly during a simulation.

Normal and Tangential Forces Combine to Convey Contact Pressure during Dynamic Tactile Stimulation

Humans need to accurately process the contact forces that arise as they perform everyday haptic interactions, but the mechanisms by which the forces on the skin are represented and integrated remain little understood. In this study, we used a force-controlled robotic platform and simultaneous ultrasonic modulation of the finger-surface friction to briefly and independently manipulate the normal and tangential forces during passive haptic stimulation by a flat surface. When participants were asked whether the contact pressure on their finger had briefly increased or decreased, they could not distinguish the normal force from the tangential force. Instead, they integrated the normal and tangential components of the force vector into a multidimensional computation of the contact force. We additionally investigated whether participants relied on three common contact-force metrics. Interestingly, the change in the amplitude of the force vector predicted participants’ responses better than the change of the coefficient of dynamic friction and the change of the angle of the contact force vector. Thus, intensive cues related to the amplitude of the applied force may be meaningful for the sensing of contact pressure during haptic stimulation by a moving surface.

Capsular ligaments provide a passive stabilizing force to protect the hip against edge loading

Aims In the native hip, the hip capsular ligaments tighten at the limits of range of hip motion and may provide a passive stabilizing force to protect the hip against edge loading. In this study we quantified the stabilizing force vectors generated by capsular ligaments at extreme range of motion (ROM), and examined their ability to prevent edge loading. Methods Torque-rotation curves were obtained from nine cadaveric hips to define the rotational restraint contributions of the capsular ligaments in 36 positions. A ligament model was developed to determine the line-of-action and effective moment arms of the medial/lateral iliofemoral, ischiofemoral, and pubofemoral ligaments in all positions. The functioning ligament forces and stiffness were determined at 5 Nm rotational restraint. In each position, the contribution of engaged capsular ligaments to the joint reaction force was used to evaluate the net force vector generated by the capsule. Results The medial and lateral arms of the iliofemoral ligament generated the highest inbound force vector in positions combining extension and adduction providing anterior stability. The ischiofemoral ligament generated the highest inbound force in flexion with adduction and internal rotation (FADIR), reducing the risk of posterior dislocation. In this position the hip joint reaction force moved 0.8° inbound per Nm of internal capsular restraint, preventing edge loading. Conclusion The capsular ligaments contribute to keep the joint force vector inbound from the edge of the acetabulum at extreme ROM. Preservation and appropriate tensioning of these structures following any type of hip surgery may be crucial to minimizing complications related to joint instability. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(9):594–601.

Negative potential energy content analysis in cracked rotors whirl response

Appearance of transverse cracks in rotor systems mainly affects their stiffness content. The stability of such systems at steady-state running is usually analyzed by using the Floquet’s theory. Accordingly, the instability zones of rotational speeds are dominated by negative stiffness content in the whirl response in the vicinity of critical rotational speeds. Consequently, an effective stiffness measure is introduced here to analyze the effect of the crack and the unbalance force vector orientation on the intensity of negative potential and stiffness content in the whirl response. The effective stiffness expression is obtained from the direct integration of the equations of motion of the considered cracked rotor system. The proposed effective stiffness measure is applied for steady-state and transient operations using the Jeffcott rotor model with open and breathing crack models. The intensity of negative potential and stiffness content in the numerical and experimental whirl responses is found to be critically depending on the propagation level of the crack and the unbalance force vector orientation. Therefore, this can be proposed as a crack detection tool in cracked rotor systems that either exhibit recurrent passage through the critical rotational speeds or steady-state running.

Assessment of Dynamic High Momentum Slug Loads on Piping Following STHE Tube Rupture

Transient fluid loads in process piping have gained renewed focus recently with the design and construction of many LNG plants. The case of the shockwave (waterhammer) in piping following the rupture of a tube in a STHE has been well studied. Less attention has been paid to the high momentum slug flow which can occur when liquid slugs are accelerated in the piping by the gas. This paper will examine some of the practical considerations for assessing the dynamic loads resulting from this high momentum slug flow. A method to obtain the force vector for any 3-dimensional change in direction will be presented. The use of DLFs for loads where a detailed time history profile is available will be discussed. The possibility of taking credit for simultaneously acting forces will be investigated. The applicability of the B31.3 allowable stress for occasional loads will be examined and compared against advanced finite element models using shell elements.

Healthcare and Sports from the Perspective of Qi, Fascia, and Taijiquan

The slow-motion practice of Taijiquan, operationally, cultivates the cognitive perception of fascia tension as it is being harnessed to discipline body motion to be in accord with Yin-Yang Balance. The ideal motion that results, bestows liveliness of change and harmonizes body momentum,the hallmarks of maneuverability and force potential for performance. The paper puts forth the proposition that the manifestation of Qi in Taijiquan is primarily the cognitive perception of fascial tension in the functional efficacy of bipedal balance for performance. Though the cultivated cognition may be subjective, the process of Qi nurturing is grounded on the reduction of the errors of imbalances, which carves a practice path to balance with tangible effects. The force that arises from body motion so imbued with Yin-Yang Balance, is of the phenomenon of internal strength or neijin—consummate, of the right force vector in spontaneous response and rooted in balance. Taijiquan practice nurtures Qi for both health wellbeing and neijin as the body's core strength, depending on the practice efforts put in.

Effect of Vibration Direction of Ultrasonic Vibrating Cutting Edge on Internal Stress Fluctuation of Workpiece

The aim of this study is to investigate the dynamic phenomenon of ultrasonic vibration-assisted cutting by utilizing a stress distribution visualization system. The vibrating cutting-edge is considered to be a cause of dynamic changes in the cutting force at ultrasonic frequencies. However, many researchers have explained the effect of ultrasonic vibration-assisted cutting by evaluating the time-averaged cutting force, because existing dynamometers are unable to measure the dynamically changing cutting force at ultrasonic frequencies. There are some reports that the vibration direction of cutting edge strongly affects tool wear. However, in practical ultrasonic cutting, the vibration of the cutting edge has yet to be measured in a production environment. In this study, the instantaneous stress distribution on the workpiece was visualized by a photoelastic method that combines a pulsed laser emission synchronized with tool vibration. The developed photographic system can capture 360 frames in one ultrasonic vibration period. The dynamic cutting force was calculated by Flamant’s stress distribution theory. It was experimentally confirmed that the stress distribution under vibration-assisted conditions showed periodical changes synchronized with vibration. Because these results are compatible with well-known vibration-cutting theories, the imaging system was able to show the periodic changes in stress distribution in the ultrasonic frequency band. This indicates that the dynamic change in cutting force during the ultrasonic vibration period affects intermittent cutting conditions. In this report, the vibration direction was adjusted from −9.5° to +9.5° along the cutting direction. When the tool moved in upwards for the cutting phase and downwards for withdrawal phase, the stress distribution was continuously observed over one tool vibration period; no intermittent cutting was observed. The locus of the cutting force vector was affected by the ultrasonic vibration direction and rake angle of the cutting tool. A negative rake angle showed that the direction of the cutting force vector shifted toward the workpiece side near the most advanced position of the cutting edge.

SPONTANEOUS CORRECTION OF EXTERNAL TIBIOFEMORAL ROTATION AND TIBIAL TUBEROSITY-TROCHLEAR GROOVE DISTANCE OCCURS AFTER MEDIAL PATELLOFEMORAL LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION IN FIXED OR OBLIGATORY DISLOCATORS

Background: Tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) and external tibiofemoral rotation (TFR) through the knee joint have been identified potential contributing factors to patellar instability. In patients with a fixed or obligatory lateral patella dislocation (FOD), the normal force vector of the extensor mechanism is altered, so instead of a direct axial pull to cause extension, it exerts a lateralizing and external rotatory force on the tibia via the tibial tubercle. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate postoperative changes in TT-TG and TFR after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) in two clinical cohorts: standard traumatic patellar instability (SPI) patients and FOD patients. We hypothesized that by surgically relocating the patella in the trochlea, and re-establishing medial sided soft tissue tension, the increased medializing force vector on the patella may exert enough force to alter resting rotation of the tibia in relation to the femur in the FOD group. Methods: A retrospective study was performed from April 2009 to February 2019. FOD and SPI patients under 18 years with available magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee before and after MPFLR were eligible. All FOD patients in the time frame were analyzed and SPI patients were randomly selected. Exclusion criteria were outside institution MRI, concomitant alignment procedures done at the time of MPFLR, and prior MPFLR or tibial tubercle osteotomy. TT-TG and TFR (using the posterior femoral and tibial condylar lines) were measured blindly on initial axial MRI. Statistical analysis using a paired sample t-test was performed with significance set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 30 patients were included, 14 in the FOD group and 16 in the SPI group. The mean age at time of surgery was 13.9 years (range 10-17 years), 53% of the cohort was female, and the mean time from surgery to follow-up MRI was 2.0 years. Demographics by group are shown in Table 1. TT-TG and TFR were not significantly different preoperatively versus postoperatively in the SPI group (Table 2). In the FOD group, both TT-TG (17.7 vs 13.7, P=.019) and TFR (8.6 vs 3.1, P=.025) decreased significantly on postoperative MRI. Conclusion: The postoperative decrease in TT-TG and TFR in the FOD group suggests that MPFLR in fixed or obligatory dislocators can improve the external rotation deformity through the level of the joint, and thus may help normalize the forces acting through the extensor mechanism. Tables/ Figures [Table: see text][Table: see text]

Research on Rotary Parts Vibration Suppression Based on Coaxiality Measurement and Unbalance Constraint

To suppress the vibration of rotary parts, this paper established an unbalanced vibration response control model of rotary parts based on rotating axis coordinate system. This model considered the stacking transformation of geometric parameter errors and mass parameter errors of single stage rotor. First of all, the centroid transfer model based on the actual rotation axis was established, and the unbalanced excitation force vector of each stage of the rotor was studied. Secondly, the unbalanced excitation force vector of each stage of the rotor is substituted into the model of assembly vibration control based on the double constraints optimization strategy. Finally, the simulation analysis and the vibration experiment of three-stage rotor stacking assembly is carried out. The results show that the vibration of the engine rotor can be effectively suppressed by adjusting the assembly phase of the rotors, and the vibration amplitude of the combined rotor assembled by the double constraint optimization assembly strategy is 22.5% less than the vibration amplitude assembled by the direct assembly strategy. Besides, the coaxiality and the unbalance are reduced by 44.1% and 78.4%, which fully shows the advantages of the double constraint optimization assembly strategy.