An Experimental and Simulation Study of the Active Camber Morphing Concept on Airfoils Using Bio-Inspired Structures.

Birds are capable of morphing their wings across different flight modes and speeds to improve their aerodynamic performance. In light of this, the study aims to investigate a more optimized solution compared to conventional structural wing designs. The design challenges faced by the aviation industry today require innovative techniques to improve flight efficiency and minimize environmental impact. This study focuses on the aeroelastic impact validation of wing trailing edge morphing, which undergoes significant structural changes to enhance performance as per mission requirements. The approach to design-concept, modeling, and construction described in this study is generalizable and requires lightweight and actively deformable structures. The objective of this work is to demonstrate the aerodynamic efficiency of an innovative structural design and trailing edge morphing concept compared to conventional wing-flap configurations. The analysis revealed that the maximum displacement at a 30-degree deflection is 47.45 mm, while the maximum stress is 21 MPa. Considering that the yield strength of ABS material is 41.14 MPa, this kerf morphing structure, with a safety factor of 2.5, can withstand both structural and aerodynamic loads. The analysis results of the flap and morph configurations showed a 27% efficiency improvement, which was confirmed through the convergence criteria in ANSYS CFX.

Reduction in parafunctional activity: a potential mechanism for the effectiveness of splint therapy.

Interocclusal splints may be an effective modality in the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), but there is little evidence regarding the mechanism by which splints work. This study tested the hypothesis that pain reduction produced by splints is associated with reduction in parafunctional activity. In a two-group, single-blinded randomized clinical trial, patients diagnosed with myofascial pain received full coverage hard maxillary stabilization splints. Patients were instructed to maintain or avoid contact with the splint for the 6 weeks of active treatment. Patients who decreased the intensity of tooth contact were expected to show the greatest alleviation of pain, and those who maintained or increased contact were expected to report lesser reductions in pain. Experience-sampling methodology was used to collect data on pain and parafunctional behaviours at pre-treatment and during the final week of treatment. Patients were reminded approximately every 2 h by pagers to maintain/avoid contact with the splint. The amount of change in intensity of tooth contact accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in pain change scores. Patients who reduced tooth contact intensity the most reported greater relief from pain. Splints may produce therapeutic effects by reducing parafunctional activities associated with TMD pain.

Shared phenotypes among segmental progeroid syndromes suggest underlying pathways of aging.

Segmental progeroid syndromes are those whose phenotypes resemble accelerated aging. Here we analyze those phenotypes and hypothesize that short telomeres produce the same group of symptoms in a variety of otherwise unrelated progeroid syndromes. Specific findings are the following: (a) short telomeres in some progeroid syndromes cause an alopecia/osteoporosis/fingernail-atrophy group of symptoms; (b) fingernail atrophy in progeroid syndromes resembles the natural slowing of nail growth that occurs in normal aging and nail growth velocity, and may be a marker of replicative aging in keratinocyte stem cells; (c) alopecia and reduced hair diameter parallel the nail results; (d) osteoporosis in Dyskeratosis Congenita resembles age-related osteoporosis, but the same is not true of other progerias; and (e) gray hair is associated with short telomeres, but may also involve reactive oxygen species. On the basis of these results, we make several predictions and discuss how the segmental quality of progeroid syndromes may provide insight into normative aging.