RAPID prototyping, CURRENT-voltage characteristics, and FEEDBACK (Psychology)

Using a photovoltaic (PV) emulator (PVE) simplifies the testing of the PV generation system. However, conventional controllers used for PVEs suffer from oscillating output voltage, requiring a high number of iterations, or being too complex to be implemented. This paper proposes a controller based on a resistance feedback control strategy that produces a stable and fast converging operating point for the PVE. The resistance feedback control strategy requires a new type of PV model, which is the current–resistance (I–R) PV model. This model is computed using a binary search method at a fast convergence rate. It is combined with a closed-loop buck converter using a proportional-integral controller to form the resistance feedback control strategy. The PVE's controller is implemented into dSPACE ds1104 hardware platform for experimental validation. The acquired experimental results show that the proposed PVE is able to follow the current–voltage characteristic of the PV module accurately. In addition, the PVE's efficiency is more than 90% under maximum power point operation. The transient response of the proposed PVE is similar to the PV panel during irradiance changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy

Byline: Vincenzo Abbate, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples; Giorgio Iaconetta, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples; Luigi Califano, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples; Antonio Pansini, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples; Paola Bonavolonta, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples; Antonio Romano, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples; Giovanni Salzano, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples; Teresa Somma, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples; Luca D'Andrea, Neurosurgery Department Salerno, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy.; Giovanni Dell'Aversana Orabona, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Naples, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples Abstract BACKGROUND:: Restoring the orbital cavity integrity in orbital floor defects is a challenging issue due to the anatomical complexity of the floor's surface. This is a showcase for technical description of a novel 'in house' rapid prototyping protocol aimed to customize implant for orbital floor reconstruction. METHODS:: The authors present 4 cases to show our Computer-aided-design and Computer-aided-manufacturing digital workflow. The system was based on a 3D-printed press that; through a virtually designed mold, was used to conform a patient specific titanium mesh for orbital floor reconstruction. RESULTS:: The merging procedure analysis by iPlan Cranial 3.0 (Brainlab, Munich, Germany) highlighted a 0.71 [+ or -] 0.23 mm (P <0.05) discrepancy in a point-to-point superimposition between the digital planned reconstruction and the real in vivo result. CONCLUSIONS:: The authors expect that this technique will reduce operative time and cost however further study and larger series may better define the applicability in everyday surgical practice.

Cheek-bone -- Injuries, Cheek-bone -- Care and treatment, Postoperative care -- Patient outcomes, and Face shields -- Testing

Byline: Giovanni Dell'Aversana Orabona, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit; Vincenzo Abbate, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit; Fabio Maglitto, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit; Umberto Committeri, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit; Giovanni Improta, Department of Public Health, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples, Italy.; Paola Bonavolonta, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit; Alfonso Reccia, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit; Teresa Somma, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Neurosurgery Unit, University of Naples 'Federico II,' Naples; Giorgio Iaconetta, Neurosurgery Department, University of Salerno; Luigi Califano, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit Abstract Zygomatic fractures account for 10% to 15% of all facial fractures. The surgical management of isolated zygomatic arch fractures usually requires open reduction treatment without fixation through an intraoral access. Therefore, the main problem in the non-fixed treatment of zygomatic arch fractures is related to the difficulty in obtaining a stable reduction for a period long enough to guarantee the physiological bone healing process. We propose an innovative 'in-house' rapid prototyping (RP) protocol for the 3D-zygoma mask manufacture of a patient-specific protective device to apply after zygomatic arch fracture reduction. Our study includes 16 consecutive patients who underwent surgical open reduction for an isolated zygoma fracture without fixation between January 2017 and February 2018. The patients received regular postoperative checks at weeks 1 and 2. Before the device was removed, a multiple choice questionnaire was administered to measure the degree of wearability of the mask. The estimated cost of the production is around &OV0556;5 per case and the construction time is around 90 minutes. Based on the encouraging results, obtained in our experience, we hope that other studies can be conducted to confirm our procedure and improve its functionality in the field of facial trauma.

Rapid prototyping, Proteins, Genetic research, Mail-order industry, Fluorescence, Protein biosynthesis, Genes, Escherichia coli, and DNA synthesis

Byline: Jared Lynn Dopp, Samuel Michael Rothstein, Thomas Joseph Mansell,Nigel Forest Reuel Keywords: cell-free protein synthesis; linear template; rolling circle amplification Abstract In this study, we present a minimal template design and accompanying methods to produce assayable quantities of custom sequence proteins within 24hr from receipt of inexpensive gene fragments from a DNA synthesis vendor. This is done without the conventional steps of plasmid cloning or cell-based amplification and expression. Instead the linear template is PCR amplified, circularized, and isothermally amplified using a rolling circle polymerase. The resulting template can be used directly with cost-optimized, scalably-manufactured Escherichia coli extract and minimal supplement reagents to perform cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) of the template protein. We demonstrate the utility of this template design and 24hr process with seven fluorescent proteins (sfGFP, mVenus, mCherry, and four GFP variants), three enzymes (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, a chitinase catalytic domain, and native subtilisin), a capture protein (anti-GFP nanobody), and 2 antimicrobial peptides (BP100 and CA(1-7)M(2-9)). We detected each of these directly from the CFPS reaction using colorimetric, fluorogenic, and growth assays. Of especial note, the GFP variant sequences were found from genomic screening data and had not been expressed or characterized before, thus demonstrating the utility of this approach for phenotype characterization of sequenced libraries. We also demonstrate that the rolling circle amplified version of the linear template exhibits expression similar to that of a complete plasmid when expressing sfGFP in the CFPS reaction. We evaluate the cost of this approach to be $61/mg sfGFP for a 4hr reaction. We also detail limitations of this approach and strategies to overcome these, namely proteins with posttranslational modifications. CAPTION(S): Supplementary information

TARGET costing, PROTOTYPES, PRODUCT design, RAPID prototyping, and SUPPLIERS

Prototyping allows firms to evaluate the technical feasibility of alternative product designs and to better estimate their costs. We study a collaborative prototyping scenario in which a manufacturer involves a supplier in the prototyping process by letting the supplier make detailed design choices for critical components and provide prototypes for testing. While the supplier can obtain private information about the costs, the manufacturer uses target costing to gain control over the design choice. We show that involving the supplier in the prototyping process has an important influence on the manufacturer's optimal decisions. The collaboration results in information asymmetry, which makes parallel prototyping less attractive and potentially reverses the optimal testing sequence under sequential prototyping: It may be optimal to test designs in increasing order of attractiveness to avoid that the supplier does not release technically and economically feasible prototypes for strategic reasons. We also find that the classical target costing approaches (cost‐ and market‐based) need to be adjusted in the presence of alternative designs: Due to the strategic behavior of suppliers, it is not always optimal to provide identical target costs for designs with similar cost and performance estimates, nor to provide different target costs for dissimilar designs. Furthermore, the timing is important: While committing upfront to carefully chosen target costs reduces the supplier's strategic behavior, in some circumstances, the manufacturer can take advantage of this behavior by remaining flexible and specifying the second prototype's target costs later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPID prototyping, SEARCH algorithms, DIELECTRIC-loaded antennas, THREE-dimensional printing, and PERMITTIVITY

A prototyping method for dielectrically loaded antennas is presented. Dielectric loading has been used with horn antennas, feeds, and lenses. Dielectrics have also been used for coating antennas submerged in water and biological matter and have led to improvements in bandwidth and efficiency as well as antenna miniaturisation. The authors present a new technique to produce variable dielectrics with permittivity from 6 to 28 using two commonly available powders, titanium dioxide (used in foods) and magnesium silicate (used in talcum powder). An example spherical helical ball antenna is used to demonstrate the process. In this antenna, the mixed powders were encased in a 3D printed shell that achieved a reduction in diameter of the spherical antenna by a factor of 1.85. The technique aids rapid prototyping and optimisation using search algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPID prototyping, ARTIFICIAL neural networks, INDUCTION machinery, INDUCTION motors, NEURAL networks (Neurobiology), and KALMAN filtering

This paper presents a discrete-time neural inverse optimal control for induction motors, which is implemented on a rapid control prototyping (RCP) system using a C2000 Microcontroller-Simulink platform. Such controller addresses the solution of three issues: system identification, trajectory tracking, and state estimation, which are solved independently. The neural controller is based on a recurrent high order neural network (RHONN), which is trained with an extended Kalman filter. The RHONN is an identifier to obtain an accurate motor model, which is robust to external disturbances and parameter variations. The inverse optimal controller is used to force the system to track a desired trajectory and to reject undesired disturbances. Moreover, the controller is based on a neural model and does not need the a-priori knowledge of motor parameters. A supertwisting observer is implemented to estimate the rotor magnetic fluxes. The hub of the RCP system is a TMS320f28069M MCU, which is an embedded combination of a 32-bit C28x DSP core and a real-time control accelerator. This Microcontroller is fully programmable from the Simulink environment. Simulation and experimental results illustrate the performance of the proposed controller and the RCP system, and a comparison with a control algorithm without the neural identifier is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theater -- Theater reviews, Rapid prototyping, Medical research, Medicine, Experimental, and CT imaging

Purpose Rapid prototyping and intraoperative computed tomography (CT) are increasingly used in orbital reconstruction when placement of implants is indicated and accurate anatomic restoration is mandatory. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of orbital reconstructions at a single institution and the influence of intraoperative CT and rapid prototyping on the rate of return to the operating theater. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort analysis was performed from 2013 through 2016 to assess whether rapid prototyping and intraoperative imaging were used and the need for further revision surgery. Clinical notes were reviewed and data were collected for patient gender, age, fracture pattern, preoperative diplopia, and enophthalmos. Also noted were whether rapid prototyping and intraoperative imaging were used, the number of 'spins' required, plating systems, postoperative diplopia and enophthalmos, restoration of orbital form, and the need for further surgical intervention. Patients were excluded if no orbital implants were inserted or if they were lost to follow-up. Results Three hundred thirty-one cases of orbital trauma were reviewed (248 male and 83 female patients; age range, 7 to 96 yr; mean age, 37.5 yr). In total, 154 orbital reconstructions were performed from 2013 through 2016. Five cases required a return to the operating theater for implant revision. All 5 cases did not use intraoperative imaging (P = .0016), and 4 did not have a rapid prototype bio-model (P = .006). Twenty-five of 110 cases (22.7%) using intraoperative CT required intraoperative revision. Conclusion The present study shows improved outcomes for patients treated for orbital fractures when intraoperative imaging and rapid prototyping bio-modeling are used. As a result, postoperative imaging and the morbidity of revision surgery can be avoided. These technologies should be available and considered standard of care to any surgeon performing reconstruction of orbital fractures. Author Affiliation: (*) Consultant, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Christchurch Public Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand ([Dagger]) Registrar, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Christchurch Public Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand ([double dagger]) Head of Unit, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Christchurch Public Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand (s.) Consultant, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Christchurch Public Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand * Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Nguyen: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Floor 5, Riverside Building, Christchurch Public Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand Article History: Received 5 January 2019; Accepted 4 February 2019 (footnote) Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None of the authors have any relevant financial relationship(s) with a commercial interest. Byline: Edward Nguyen, BDSc (Hons), MBBS (Hons), FRACDS (OMS) [edwardnguyen168@gmail.com] (*), Jamie Lockyer, BDS, Jason Erasmus, BChD, MBChB, MChD (OMS), Christopher Lim, BDSc, MBBS, FRACDS (OMS)

Time to market, Product development, Thermoplastics, Sleep apnea syndromes, and Home appliances

Obstructive Sleep apnea is a public health problem. This disease is associated with daytime sleepiness, increased motor vehicle accidents, heart failure and stroke. Treatment options include weight loss, positive airway pressure, pharyngeal and orthognatic surgery. However, selected patients have good response to oral appliances devices that intended to protrude and stabilize the mandible mechanically during the night in order to reduce the collapsibility of the upper airway. Selection of patients includes primary snoring, mild, moderate and positional apnea. The perfect mandibular advance device has not yet been designed. For these reasons, the objective of this paper is to present a new thermoadjustable chair-side oral appliance. Device integrates the best characteristics of custom made and boils and bite previous designs and minimizes inconveniences and possible side effects. The device is a titratable mandibular advancement appliance. It consists of two independent prefabricated trays adaptable to the shape of adult dental arch and linked to each other by a protrusion mechanism. Each tray contains a hard outer shell and a soft thermoplastic resin inner body. The position of the jaw can be adjusted by moving an aluminum rack into, or out from, the guide so the ratchet may get locked into a certain position ensuring the length of the mechanism. The protrusion mechanism is fixed to the splint using small rings that are articulated over a 't' button. Our prototype satisfies the requirements of an effective oral appliance, in terms of retention, comfort, safety and efficacy. It is easy to fit, durable, low cost, quickly titratable, not bulky and easy cleaning. Thermoplastic appliances are specially used like a predictor of treatment response in apnea patients. The device described is a cost-effective introduction to mandibular advancement technology. A qualified dentist or trained sleep doctor could mitigate dental side effects and reduce their incidence.

RELATIONSHIP marketing, MARKETING research, CUSTOMER relations, CUSTOMER loyalty, DATABASE marketing, and COMMERCIAL products

As relationship marketing research evolved, a number of key constructs emerged. Some scholars have argued that these constructs are not conceptually or empirically distinct. We investigate this phenomenon based on the premise that sustained research effort towards studying conceptually overlapping/redundant constructs, while treating them as independent, can hamper the development of the field. We use prototyping, a method adopted from psychology, to examine consumers’ views of these constructs, and then identify relationship contexts where constructs are distinct or redundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]