Validation of a booted finite element model of the WIAMan ATD lower limb in component and whole-body vertical loading impacts with an assessment of the boot influence model on response

Objective: A novel anthropomorphic test device (ATD) representative of the 50th percentile male soldier is being developed to predict injuries to a vehicle occupant during an underbody blast (UBB). The main objective of this study was to develop and validate a finite element (FE) model of the ATD lower limb outfitted with a military combat boot and to insert the validated lower limb into a model of the full ATD and simulate vertical loading experiments.

Methods: A Belleville desert combat boot model was assigned contacts and material properties based on previous experiments. The boot model was fit to a previously developed model of the barefoot ATD. Validation was performed through 6 matched pair component tests conducted on the Vertically Accelerated Loads Transfer System (VALTS). The load transfer capabilities of the FE model were assessed along with the force-mitigating properties of the boot. The booted lower limb subassembly was then incorporated into a whole-body model of the ATD. Two whole-body VALTS experiments were simulated to evaluate lower limb performance in the whole body.

Results: The lower limb model accurately predicted axial loads measured at heel, tibia, and knee load cells during matched pair component tests. Forces in booted simulations were compared to unbooted simulations and an amount of mitigation similar to that of experiments was observed. In a whole-body loading environment, the model kinematics match those recorded in experiments. The shape and magnitude of experimental force–time curves were accurately predicted by the model. Correlation between the experiments and simulations was backed up by high objective rating scores for all experiments.

Conclusion: The booted lower limb model is accurate in its ability to articulate and transfer loads similar to the physical dummy in simulated underbody loading experiments. The performance of the model leads to the recommendation to use it appropriately as an alternative to costly ATD experiments.     

Early second trimester prenatal diagnosis of Neu-Laxova syndrome

Neu-Laxova is a rare, uniformly lethal, autosomal recessive condition with characteristic limb posturing, facial dysmorphic features, and central nervous system abnormalities. Forty-two cases of Neu-Laxova syndrome have been reported, with only four of these diagnosed prenatally. Three of the four cases were diagnosed at or after 32 weeks' gestation. The fourth case was diagnosed at 22 weeks' gestation in a patient who was followed with serial ultrasound studies due to having a prior affected child. At 19 weeks' gestation, we present the earliest reported prenatal diagnosis of Neu-Laxova syndrome in a primigravida with a non-informative family history. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Congenital limb deficiencies in newborn infants: prevalence,characteristics and prenatal diagnosis

Congenital limb deficiency (CLD) occurs in 0.54 to 0.59/1000 live-born infants and varies according to its anatomic location, type and cause. Our aim was to present a fetus with a prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of CLD (transverse reduction deficiency of the left upper limb), and to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of CLD at a tertiary medical centre in Israel. Among 78 500 live-born infants, there were 24 cases of CLD (0.31/1000): 45.8% of the CLD cases with affected upper limbs, 45.8% with affected lower limbs, and 8.4% with both limbs affected; 88.4% of the limb deficiencies were longitudinal and 11.6% were transverse; and, 33.3% (8/24) of the affected newborn infants had additional congenital anomalies. We conclude that CLD is not an infrequent finding in live-born infants. Comprehensive ultrasonography of the fetus allows early prenatal diagnosis of CLD and provides the parents with important information and helps them in their decision regarding the fate of the pregnancy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

切断位置对赤子爱胜蚓再生速度的影响

将赤子爱胜蚓从脑、生殖环部位和总体节的 1/ 2和 3/ 4的位置切断 ,得到有头无尾、无头无尾、无头有尾 3种类型 16个处理体段 ,在 (2 0± 1)℃人工气候箱中培养 ,测定其再生速度 .结果表明 ,赤子爱胜蚓切断的位置不同 ,其再生速度不同 .其中 ,脑部的存在与否 ,对再生速度没有显著的影响 .但是生殖环存在的处理比切除生殖环的处理再生速度快 ,且存活率高 .无头无尾体段再生前部和再生后部的比较表明 ,再生前部比再生后部慢 .体节的损失越少 ,再生的速度越快 .图 6表 3参 11     

Evaluation of Grip Force Using Electromyograms in Isometric Isotonic Conditions

The purpose of this study was to develop a relationship to evaluate the grip force (force_rel) using the electromyogram (EMG_rel) of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and of the extensor digitorum (ED) according to the flexion-extension wrist angle (θ_f.e) and to the pronation-supination forearm angle (θ_p-s).

Fifteen participants had to exert 3 levels of grip forces in 4 positions of the wrist combined with 3 positions of the forearm.

The relationship is:

force_rel = 0.0045· θ_f-e· EMG_rel(FDS) + 0.48· EMG_rel(FDS)–0.0014 · θ_f-e · EMG_rel(ED) –0.0016 · θ_p.s · EMG_rel(ED) + 0.4· EMG_rel(ED)

This relationship can be used to estimate grip force for levels of strength lower than 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction.     

Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of radial-ray reduction malformations

Radial-ray reduction malformations (RRRMs) may occur isolated or in association with other anomalies. The data of seven fetuses born with RRRMs were collected. Six fetuses had associated lethal abnormalities of the central nervous system, urogenital system, and/or heart, detected by ultrasound. In five cases, it was possible to establish the precise diagnosis, enabling an informed prognosis and subsequent genetic counselling. The diagnoses were: Edwards syndrome (n=3), VACTERL association (n=1), and Poland-Moebius-like complex (n= 1). In two cases, a complete diagnosis was not possible because of inadequate evaluation of these fetuses before and/or after birth. A proposal is given for the diagnostic approach for infants with RRRMs detected in the antenatal period by means of ultrasonography.     

Robinow's syndrome: Prenatal diagnosis

The prenatal diagnosis of Robinow' s syndrome was accomplished in our case by measuring the length of the long bones and the ulna/humerus ratio. Although the prenatal sonographic appearance did not show the typical 8-week fetal face, pathological findings confirmed this particular feature. In view of the strongly suggestive family history, the authors consider the possible mechanisms of genetic inheritance.     

大气红外辐射超高光谱探测仪临边探测—污染气体的反演精度和光谱通道评估

利用RFM模式,模拟计算了在研仪器—大气红外辐射超高光谱探测仪的临边探测模式下大气污染气体体积混合比的权重函数.结合仪器的可探测亮温阈值（0.3 K）,利用权重函数线性化方法,计算并分析了6种大气状态下,气体混合比廓线在不同反演精度条件下可获得的光谱通道数随切点高度的变化,并给出了可用光谱通道在不同切点高度的位置.结果表明,随着相对反演精度的降低,可用光谱通道数量增加,除热带大气外,其它5种大气在10%臭氧反演精度和5%甲烷反演精度条件下有足够的通道,可用于反演4.6 km以上的混合比廓线.CO在15%反演精度条件下,6种大气均能获得反演6.9 km以上廓线的光谱通道.近地面切点高度反演比较困难,很难获得较高的反演精度.可用光谱通道位置与气体吸收线位置特别是峰值区域一致,也与气体模拟亮温高值区一致.