Biped robots have gained much attention for decades. A variety of researches has been conducted to make them able to assist or even substitute for humans in performing special tasks. In addition, studying biped robots is important in order to understand the human locomotion and to develop and improve control strategies for prosthetic and orthotic limbs. Some challenges encountered in the design of biped robots are: (1) biped robots have unstable structures due to the passive joint located at the unilateral foot-ground contact. (2) They have different configuration when switching from walking phase to another. During the singlesupport phase, the robot is under-actuated, while turning into an over-actuated system during the double-support phase. (3) Biped robots have many degrees of freedom (DOFs). (4) Biped robots interact with different unknown environments. Therefore, this work attempts to investigate and resolve different issues encountered in dynamics, walking pattern generators and control of biped robots; the details as follows: • Dynamics Two walking patterns have been modeled using two well-known formulations: Lagrangian and the modified recursive Newton-Euler (N-E) formulations. The first walking pattern moves with 6 DOFs during the single support phase (SSP) changing its configuration with 7 DOFs during the double support phase (DSP) (the stance foot will move directly during the DSP). Whereas the other walking pattern has 6 DOFs during all walking phases (the SSP and the two sub-phases of the DSP); the stance foot will be fixed during the first sub-phase of the DSP. These two walking pattern are different in configuration and number of phases during the DSP. To resolve the problem of over-actuation, a linear transition function is proposed to ensure smooth transition for the biped from the SSP to the DSP and vice versa. If we assume ideal dynamic response, this strategy can resolve the discontinuity in input control torque and ground reaction forces. • Walking pattern generators Two methods have been used to generate walking patterns of biped mechanism which are (1) optimal control theory and (2) center of gravity (COG)-based model. Computational optimal control has been performed to investigate the effects of some imposed constraints on biped locomotion, such as enforcing swing foot to move level to the ground, hip motion with constant height etc. finite difference approach has been used to transcribe infinite dimensional optimal control problem into finite dimensional suboptimal control problem. Then parameter optimization has been used to get suboptimal trajectory of the biped with the imposing different constraints. In general, any artificially imposed constraint to biped locomotion can lead to increase in value of input control torques. On the other hand, suboptimal trajectory of biped robot during complete gait cycle had been accomplished with different cases such that continuous dynamic response occurs. Enforcing the biped locomotion to move with linear transition of zero-moment point (ZMP) during the DSP can lead to more energy consumption. Using the simple COG-based model, a comparative study has been conducted to generate continuous motion for COG of the biped; all these methods depend on linear pendulum model. It has been shown all these methods are equivalent. On the other hand, the effect of foot configuration has been investigated. Foot rotation can improve biped configuration at heel strike by controlling foot angle. In addition, foot motion with impact can give some freedom and uniform biped configuration compared with motion without impact. To compensate for the deviation of ZMP trajectory due to approximate model of the COG, a novel strategy has been proposed to satisfy kinematic and dynamic constraints, as well as singularity condition. A stable motion has been obtained for the target walking patterns. • Low-level control Two control schemes have been proposed based on dynamics formulations which are conventional adaptive control based on local approximation technique and Lagrangian formulation, and virtual decomposition control (VDC) based on local approximation technique and recursive N-E formulation. In the first approach (conventional control), a new representation of dynamic matrices has been coined which is computationally efficient than other representation (sparse-base representation, Kronecker product etc.). Controller structures for the SSP and the DSP have been designed in details. Since adaptive control assumes no prior knowledge of estimated weighting matrices; therefore, zero input control torques could be result in at the beginning of each phase. Consequently, discontinuous dynamic response could result. The VDC is an efficient tool for complex robotic system such as biped robot. Therefore each subsystem (link, joint) has been controlled using adaptive approximation–based VDC. A novel optimization technique has been used to deal with continuous dynamic response; however, using zero initial weighting matrices for estimation dynamic matrices and vectors could result in zero input control at beginning of each walking phases.
Objective: To determine the ability of uVDBP to discern SRNS from steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in Iraqi children. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled children with SRNS (n=31) and SSNS (n=32) from the pediatric nephrology clinic of Babylon Hospital for Maternity and Pediatrics over three months. Patients' characteristics in terms of demographics, clinical data, and urinary investigations were collected. Quantitative analysis of uVDBP levels was undertaken via a commercially available ELISA kit. Results: The median uVDBP values were significantly higher (p-value<0.001) in the SRNS group (median=10.26, IQR=5.91 μg/mL) than in the SSNS group (median=0.953, IQR=4.12 μg/mL). A negative correlati
... Show More
(7)
(4)
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a potent ligand for AhR and a known carcinogen. While AhR activation by TCDD leads to significant immunosuppression, how this translates into carcinogenic signal is unclear. Recently, we demonstrated that activation of AhR by TCDD in naïve C57BL6 mice leads to massive induction of myeloid derived-suppressor cells (MDSCs). In the current study, we investigated the role of the gut microbiota in TCDD-mediated MDSC induction. TCDD caused significant alterations in the gut microbiome, such as increases in Prevotella and Lactobacillus, while decreasing Sutterella and Bacteroides. Fecal transplants from TCDD-treated
... Show More
(37)
(38)
Objective: To suggest a weighted measure to diagnose the reasons for the low student success ratios in mathematics concerning the third grade of intermediate schools in light of components educational system represented by: [Students, Teachers, Curriculum, and Environmental reasons (others reasons)] assuming differentiated and interrelated components, Also the effectiveness forming of these components according to the gender variable. Methods: Data collection tools were prepared by constructing two questionnaires for each of (Students and Teachers), which included a number of items that involved some domains for studied components of educational system, which demonstrated a high level of validity and reliability in the pilot study, in addi
... Show MoreThis study depicts the removal of Manganese ions (Mn2+) from simulated wastewater by combined electrocoagulation/ electroflotation technologies. The effects of initial Mn concentration, current density (C.D.), electrolysis time, and different mesh numbers of stainless steel screen electrodes were investigated in a batch cell by adopting Taguchi experimental design to explore the optimum conditions for maximum removal efficiency of Mn. The results of multiple regression and signal to noise ratio (S/N) showed that the optimum conditions were Mn initial concentration of 100 ppm, C.D. of 4 mA/cm2, time of 120 min, and mesh no. of 30 (wire/inch). Also, the relative significance of each factor was attained by the analysis of variance (ANO
... Show More
(5)
The aim of this work is study the partical distribution function g(r12,r1) for Carbon ion cases (C+2,C+3,C+4) in the position space using Hartree-Fock's Wave function, and the partitioning technique for each shell which is represented by Carbon Ions [C+2 (1s22s2)], [C+3 (1s22s)] and [C+4 (1s2)]. A comparision has been made among the three Carbon ions for each shell. A computer programs (MATHCAD ver. 2001i) has been used texcute the results.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a frequent gram-negative bacterium that causes nosocomial infections, affecting more than 100 million patients annually worldwide. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli binds to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its co-receptor’s cluster of differentiation protein 14 (CD14) and myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2), collectively known as the LPS receptor complex. LPCAT2 participates in lipid-raft assembly by phospholipid remodelling. Previous research has proven that LPCAT2 co-localises in lipid rafts with TLR4 and regulates macrophage inflammatory response. However, no published evidence exists of the influence of LPCAT2 on the gene expression of the LPS receptor complex induced by smooth or rough b
... Show More
(1)
(1)
God Almighty put in his great book secrets that do not end, and wonders that do not expire, for he is the one from which the scholars are not satisfied, and he does not create due to the multitude of response, and it is the comprehensive and inhibitory book that God conceals to the worlds, and he challenged the two heavyweights to come up with something like it.
At all times, issues arise in the Noble Qur’an that fit the needs of the people of that time and their culture, for it is an eternal book, characterized by the ability to give, extend and respond to addressing the problems of the age and its variables, when the Arabs had little luck at the time of the message’s descent from the scientific culture, and their proficienc
... Show MoreThe Vulnerable Indian Roofed Turtle Pangshura tecta (Gray, 1831) (Testudines: Geoemydidae) occurs in the Sub-Himalayan lowlands of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Little is known about its natural history, no studies have been conducted revealing its natural predators. In this study, a group of Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Wagler, 1827 (Passeriformes: Corvidae) was observed hunting and predating on an Indian Roofed Turtle carcass in the bank of river Kuakhai, Bhubaneswar, India. The first record of this predation behaviour is reported and substantiated by photographic evidence.
(1)
(1)