Background: Nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires have become increasingly popular because of their ability to release constant light forces, which are especially useful during initial alignment and leveling phase. The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the load–deflection characteristics of four commercially available NiTi archwires. Materials and methods: 200 NiTi 0.014, 0.016, 0.018, 0.016x0.022 and 0.019x0.025-inch nickel–titanium archwires from four different manufacturers (3M, Ortho Technology, Jiscop and Astar) were tested. The load-deflection properties of these archwires were evaluated by a full arch bending test in both palatal and gingival directionsat 37°C temperature using a universal material testing machine. Forces generated at maximumloading of 2mm and at unloading of 1.5mm were measured. Results: All the tested NiTi wires showed an increase in loading and unloading force with increased wire dimension.Generally, 3M gave the most flexible round wires and relatively stiff rectangular wires; with linear load deflection curves. Ortho Technology wires were flexible. Jiscop gave the stiffest round wires and the most flexible rectangular wires. Astar wires were stiff which gave the highest force levels during unloading. Conclusion: Force levels vary greatly from brand to brand and soNiTi wire brands must be selected with consideration to their load-deflection characteristics and mechanical properties.
Lower extremity exoskeletons can assist with performing particular functions such as gait assistance, and physical therapy support for subjects who have lost the ability to walk. This paper presents the analysis and evaluation of lightweight and adjustable two degrees of freedom, quasi-passive lower limb device to improve gait rehabilitation. The exoskeleton consists of a high torque DC motor mounted on a metal plate above the hip joint, and a link that transmits assistance torque from the motor to the thigh. The knee joint is passively actuated by spring installed parallel with the joint. The action of the passive component (spring) is combined with mechanical output of the motor to provide a good control on the designed exoskeleton whi
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Recent years have witnessed an increase in the use of composite coatings for numerous applications, including aerospace, aircraft, and maritime vessels. These materials owe this popularity surge to the superior strength, weight, stiffness, and electrical insulation they exhibit over conventional substances, such as metals. The growing demand for such materials is accompanied by the inevitable need for fast, accurate, and affordable nondestructive testing techniques to reveal any possible defects within the coatings or any defects under coating. However, typical nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques such as ultrasonic testing (UT), infrared thermography (IRT), eddy current testing (ECT), and laser shearography (LS) have failed to p
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Some of the main challenges in developing an effective network-based intrusion detection system (IDS) include analyzing large network traffic volumes and realizing the decision boundaries between normal and abnormal behaviors. Deploying feature selection together with efficient classifiers in the detection system can overcome these problems. Feature selection finds the most relevant features, thus reduces the dimensionality and complexity to analyze the network traffic. Moreover, using the most relevant features to build the predictive model, reduces the complexity of the developed model, thus reducing the building classifier model time and consequently improves the detection performance. In this study, two different sets of select
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A mathematical model has been formulated to predict the influence of high outdoor air temperature on the performance of small scale air - conditioning system using R22 and alternative refrigerants R290, R407C, R410A. All refrigerants were investigated in the cooling mode operation. The mathematical model results have been validated with experimental data extracted from split type air conditioner of 2 TR capacity. This entailed the construction of an experimental test rig which consists of four main parts. They are, the refrigeration system, psychrometric test facility, measuring instrumentation, and auxiliary systems. The conditioned air was maintained at 25 0C dry bulb and 19 0C wet bulb for all tests. The outdoor ambient air temperatur
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This research dealt with the process of reducing costs through some strategic methods of management accounting targeted cost analysis unassembled and Alkeisen, where he focused this research through his theory on a review of some administrative accounting strategic technologies, while the second practical side through the application of targeted cost analysis unassembled and Alkeisen, acquired Search importance of focusing on the decisions to cut costs, through the use of some administrative accounting strategic methods and this we can unassembled analysis, continuous improvement, and the cost of quality) when applied quality, "in light of this has been reached to a set of conclusions that the most important of the company's relian
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A roundabout is a highway engineering concept meant to calm traffic, increase safety, reduce stop-and-go travel, reduce accidents and congestion, and decrease traffic delays. It is circular and facilitates one-way traffic flow around a central point. The first part of this study evaluated the principles and methods used to compare the capacity methods of roundabouts with different traffic conditions and geometric configurations. These methods include gap acceptance, empirical, and simulation software methods. Previous studies mentioned in this research used various methods and other new models developed by several researchers. However, this paper's main aim is to compare different roundabout capacity models for acceptabl
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