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1 – 10 of over 3000P.M.B. Torres, P. J. S. Gonçalves and J.M.M. Martins
The purpose of this paper is to present a robotic motion compensation system, using ultrasound images, to assist orthopedic surgery. The robotic system can compensate for femur…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a robotic motion compensation system, using ultrasound images, to assist orthopedic surgery. The robotic system can compensate for femur movements during bone drilling procedures. Although it may have other applications, the system was thought to be used in hip resurfacing (HR) prosthesis surgery to implant the initial guide tool. The system requires no fiducial markers implanted in the patient, by using only non-invasive ultrasound images.
Design/methodology/approach
The femur location in the operating room is obtained by processing ultrasound (USA) and computer tomography (CT) images, obtained, respectively, in the intra-operative and pre-operative scenarios. During surgery, the bone position and orientation is obtained by registration of USA and CT three-dimensional (3D) point clouds, using an optical measurement system and also passive markers attached to the USA probe and to the drill. The system description, image processing, calibration procedures and results with simulated and real experiments are presented and described to illustrate the system in operation.
Findings
The robotic system can compensate for femur movements, during bone drilling procedures. In most experiments, the update was always validated, with errors of 2 mm/4°.
Originality/value
The navigation system is based entirely on the information extracted from images obtained from CT pre-operatively and USA intra-operatively. Contrary to current surgical systems, it does not use any type of implant in the bone to track the femur movements.
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Ahmed Joubair, Long Fei Zhao, Pascal Bigras and Ilian Bonev
The purpose of this paper is to describe a calibration method developed to improve the accuracy of a six degrees-of-freedom medical robot. The proposed calibration approach aims…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a calibration method developed to improve the accuracy of a six degrees-of-freedom medical robot. The proposed calibration approach aims to enhance the robot’s accuracy in a specific target workspace. A comparison of five observability indices is also done to choose the most appropriate calibration robot configurations.
Design/methodology/approach
The calibration method is based on the forward kinematic approach, which uses a nonlinear optimization model. The used experimental data are 84 end-effector positions, which are measured using a laser tracker. The calibration configurations are chosen through an observability analysis, while the validation after calibration is carried out in 336 positions within the target workspace.
Findings
Simulations allowed finding the most appropriate observability index for choosing the optimal calibration configurations. They also showed the ability of our calibration model to identify most of the considered robot’s parameters, despite measurement errors. Experimental tests confirmed the simulation findings and showed that the robot’s mean position error is reduced from 3.992 mm before calibration to 0.387 mm after, and the maximum error is reduced from 5.957 to 0.851 mm.
Originality/value
This paper presents a calibration method which makes it possible to accurately identify the kinematic errors for a novel medical robot. In addition, this paper presents a comparison between the five observability indices proposed in the literature. The proposed method might be applied to any industrial or medical robot similar to the robot studied in this paper.
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Himanshu Gupta and Rajib Lochan Dhar
The catastrophic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have considerably impacted the labour market and increased job insecurity among workers. This study systematically reviews the…
Abstract
Purpose
The catastrophic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have considerably impacted the labour market and increased job insecurity among workers. This study systematically reviews the literature on job insecurity conducted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic with three key objectives. First, to identify the key antecedents of job insecurity during the pandemic. Second, to identify the outcomes associated with job insecurity during the pandemic. Third, to identify the underlying boundary conditions that strengthened or alleviated the association between the antecedents of job insecurity and its associated outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines for the selection and inclusion of scientific literature by systematically searching five electronic databases, namely, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science and Psych Info.
Findings
A perception of health-related risks, negative economic consequences and organizational restructuring during the pandemic were the primary factors contributing to job insecurity among workers. The consequences encompassed detrimental impacts on health and well-being, proactive measures undertaken by employees to alleviate the threat of job loss, and a variety of tactics employed to cope with stress arising from job insecurity. The boundary conditions elucidate the factors that alleviated job insecurity among workers and influenced both their work and non-work outcomes.
Originality/value
This is the first systematic review summarizing the literature on employees' experiences with job insecurity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a systematic review, this study provides doable steps that HR managers can take to effectively manage job insecurity among workers, particularly during a crisis.
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Caleb Lugar, Jeremy D. Meuser, Milorad M. Novicevic, Paul D. Johnson, Anthony P. Ammeter and Chad P. Diaz
In this chapter, the authors examined expatriates that self-initiate their international work for personal reasons and the factors that affect their departure from an…
Abstract
In this chapter, the authors examined expatriates that self-initiate their international work for personal reasons and the factors that affect their departure from an organization. The authors conducted a systematic review of self-initiated expatriation (SIE) and its definitions in order to propose an integrated definition of SIE and model its nomological network. In addition, the authors construct a roadmap for future research directions in the SIE domain. Finally, using a qualitative research design, the authors studied the organizational practices designed to reduce SIE turnover in an exemplary multinational organization. Overall, our contributions are enhanced clarity of the SIE construct and the theorized practice of SIE retention.
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Todd E. Clark and Michael W. McCracken
This article surveys recent developments in the evaluation of point and density forecasts in the context of forecasts made by vector autoregressions. Specific emphasis is placed…
Abstract
This article surveys recent developments in the evaluation of point and density forecasts in the context of forecasts made by vector autoregressions. Specific emphasis is placed on highlighting those parts of the existing literature that are applicable to direct multistep forecasts and those parts that are applicable to iterated multistep forecasts. This literature includes advancements in the evaluation of forecasts in population (based on true, unknown model coefficients) and the evaluation of forecasts in the finite sample (based on estimated model coefficients). The article then examines in Monte Carlo experiments the finite-sample properties of some tests of equal forecast accuracy, focusing on the comparison of VAR forecasts to AR forecasts. These experiments show the tests to behave as should be expected given the theory. For example, using critical values obtained by bootstrap methods, tests of equal accuracy in population have empirical size about equal to nominal size.
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Saeed Loghman and Azita Zahiriharsini
Research focusing on psychological capital (PsyCap) has been mainly conducted at the individual level. However, recent research has expanded investigations to the collective level…
Abstract
Research focusing on psychological capital (PsyCap) has been mainly conducted at the individual level. However, recent research has expanded investigations to the collective level with a greater focus on team-level PsyCap. Although, as demonstrated by recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses, the relationships between individual-level PsyCap and the desirable/undesirable outcomes are fairly established in the literature, less is known about such relationships for team-level PsyCap. One of these important, yet least investigated, research areas is the research stream that focuses on the relationship between team-level PsyCap and the outcomes of health, Well-Being, and safety. This chapter aims to highlight the role of individual-level PsyCap as an important predictor of employees’ health, Well-Being, and safety outcomes, but also to go beyond that to provide insights into the potential role of team-level PsyCap in predicting such outcomes at both individual and team levels. To do so, the chapter first draws upon relevant theories to discuss the empirical research findings focusing on the relationship between individual-level PsyCap and the outcomes of health, Well-Being, and safety. It then focuses on team-level PsyCap from theoretical, conceptualization, and operationalization perspectives and provides insights into how team-level PsyCap might be related to health, Well-Being, and safety outcomes at both individual and team levels. Thus, this chapter proposes new research directions in an area of PsyCap that has been left unexplored.
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Ying Chen, Chuanjing Lu, Xin Chen, Jie Li and Zhaoxin Gong
Ultrahigh-speed projectile running in water with the velocity close to the speed of sound usually causes large supercavity. The computation of such transonic cavitating flows is…
Abstract
Purpose
Ultrahigh-speed projectile running in water with the velocity close to the speed of sound usually causes large supercavity. The computation of such transonic cavitating flows is usually difficult, thus high-speed model reflecting the compressibility of both the liquid and the vapor phases should be introduced to model such flow. The purpose of this paper is to achieve a model within an in-house developed solver to simulate the ultrahigh-speed subsonic supercavitating flows.
Design/methodology/approach
An improved TAIT equation adjusted by local temperature is adopted as the equation of state (EOS) for the liquid phase, and the Peng-Robinson EOS is used for the vapor phase. An all-speed variable coupling algorithm is used to unify the computations and regulate the convergence at arbitrary Mach number. The ultrahigh-speed (Ma=0.7) supercavitating flows around circular disk are investigated in contrast with the case of low subsonic (Ma=0.007) flow.
Findings
The characteristic physical variables are reasonably predicted, and the cavity profiles are compared to be close to the experimental empirical formula. An important conclusion in the compressible cavitating flow theory is verified by the numerical result that, at any specific cavitation number the cavity’s size and the drag coefficient both increase along with the rise of Mach number. On the contrary, it is found as well that the cavity’s slenderness ratio decreases when Mach number goes up. It indicates that the compressibility has different influences on the length and the radius of the supercavity.
Originality/value
A high-speed model reflecting the compressibility of both the liquid and the vapor phases was suggested to model the ultrahigh-speed supercavitating flows around underwater projectiles.
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Eric Goncalves Da Silva and Philippe Parnaudeau
The purpose of this paper is to quantify the relative importance of the multiphase model for the simulation of a gas bubble impacted by a normal…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to quantify the relative importance of the multiphase model for the simulation of a gas bubble impacted by a normal shock wave in water. Both the free-field case and the collapse near a wall are investigated. Simulations are performed on both two- and three-dimensional configurations. The main phenomena involved in the bubble collapse are illustrated. A focus on the maximum pressure reached during the collapse is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
Simulations are performed using an inviscid compressible homogeneous solver based on different systems of equations. It consists in solving different mixture or phasic conservation laws and a transport-equation for the gas volume fraction. Three-dimensional configurations are considered for which an efficient massively parallel strategy was developed. The code is based on a finite volume discretization for which numerical fluxes are computed with a Harten, Lax, Van Leer, Contact (HLLC) scheme.
Findings
The comparison of three multiphase models is proposed. It is shown that a simple four-equation model is well-suited to simulate such strong shock-bubble interaction. The three-dimensional collapse near a wall is investigated. It is shown that the intensity of pressure peaks on the wall is drastically increased (more than 200 per cent) in comparison with the cylindrical case.
Research limitations/implications
The study of bubble collapse is a key point to understand the physical mechanism involved in cavitation erosion. The bubble collapse close to the wall has been addressed as the fundamental mechanism producing damage. Its general behavior is characterized by the formation of a water jet that penetrates through the bubble and the generation of a blast wave during the induced collapse. Both the jet and the blast wave are possible damaging mechanisms. However, the high-speed dynamics, the small spatio-temporal scales and the complicated physics involved in these processes make any theoretical and experimental approach a challenge.
Practical implications
Cavitation erosion is a major problem for hydraulic and marine applications. It is a limiting point for the conception and design of such components.
Originality/value
Such a comparison of multiphase models in the case of a strong shock-induced bubble collapse is clearly original. Usually models are tested separately leading to a large dispersion of results. Moreover, simulations of a three-dimensional bubble collapse are scarce in the literature using such fine grids.
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The aim of this work is to quantify the relative importance of the turbulence modelling for cavitating flows in thermal regime. A comparison of various transport-equation…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this work is to quantify the relative importance of the turbulence modelling for cavitating flows in thermal regime. A comparison of various transport-equation turbulence models and a study of the influence of the turbulent Prandtl number appearing in the formulation of the turbulent heat flux are proposed. Numerical simulations are performed on a cavitating Venturi flow for which the running fluid is freon R-114 and results are compared with experimental data.
Design/methodology/approach
A compressible, two-phase, one-fluid Navier–Stokes solver has been developed to investigate the behaviour of cavitation models including thermodynamic effects. The code is composed by three conservation laws for mixture variables (mass, momentum and total energy) and a supplementary transport equation for the volume fraction of gas. The mass transfer between phases is closed assuming its proportionality to the mixture velocity divergence.
Findings
The influence of turbulence model as regard to the cooling effect due to the vaporization is weak. Only the k – ε Jones–Launder model under-estimates the temperature drop. The amplitude of the wall temperature drop near the Venturi throat increases with the augmentation of the turbulent Prandtl number.
Originality/value
The interaction between Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes turbulence closure and non-isothermal phase transition is rarely studied. It is the first time such a study on the turbulent Prandtl number effect is reported in cavitating flows.
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