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This study proposes a numerical methodology to minimize the bone mass loss in a femur with a total hip arthroplasty procedure, considering uncertainties in the material parameters and using a reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) procedure. A genetic algorithm (GA) is applied for optimization, and a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model associated with the bone remodeling procedure is proposed and described to account for the internal and external femoral bone behavior. An example of a femoral prosthesis design is presented as a basis for discussion of the proposed methodologies, and the corresponding reliability level is evaluated. Constraints on the strength of all materials and target reliability levels are inputs to the optimization model. The main prosthesis dimensions and Young modulus are the design variables. The proposed methodology is compared with a well-known deterministic optimization (DO) procedure and the results show that it is important to consider the uncertainties in this kind of problem since in this case, the a posteriori reliability may be low.

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According to a survey published by the Brazilian National Transportation Confederation, recently, the Brazilian truck fleet has been increasing about 84.3%, accounting to, in 2016, a total value of 2 684 227 vehicles. Despite this growth, the quality of the road network did not increase proportionally to the necessary infrastructure for agricultural production flow. This work aims to infer, by the analysis of occupational exposure, the vibration levels acting on truck drivers, analyzing the vibrational degree for health risk and comfort levels. The whole-body vibration (WBV) in trucks of different models and capacities, at some speeds and pavement types, are evaluated using a portable vibration analyzer with triaxial accelerometers. The daily exposure to vibration A(8) is evaluated and compared with the occupational exposure limits defined by a National Regulation Standard, with measurement procedures defined by an Occupational Hygiene Standard, and level requirements defined by an International ISO Standard. It is concluded that the degree of comfort is higher for heavier vehicles with large wheelbase. Relative to the health risk conditions, the study arrives at the same conclusion; the degree of risk increases as the vehicle' speed and pavement's longitudinal irregularity increase. Regarding human exposure to vibration, the vehicles in their actual working situations presented a vibration scenario where the exposure limits are exceeded, resulting in unhealthy working conditions.

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INTRODUCTION: The cycling activity has increased in recent years, either as a means of leisure or physical activity or as means of transport. Discomfort is one of the main complaints for cyclists, especially when related to the type o pavement they use while riding. This work presents a study of measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-arm vibration in the leisure cyclist activity in different pavements in order to classify according to vibration discomfort and to vibration injury risk. METHODS: Vibration measurements are performed for three pavement types, asphalt (AS), precast concrete slab (PC), and interlocking concrete blocks (BI), using two bicycle models (time trial speed racing bike, S and mountain bike, MB), and cyclists with different physical characteristics. It is performed a quantitative analysis of each configuration - pavement type × bike model × cyclist - where the daily vibration exposure A(8) is evaluated, as defined in ISO 5349-1 Standard, for 2h daily exposure. It is also evaluated the maximum daily exposure in order to reach limit values, as defined by Directive 2002/44/EC. RESULTS: Based on a subjective analysis (survey), it is evaluated the comfort degree for vibration exposure for each tested pavement, according to a survey within cyclists. Finally, the results are compared using both quantitative and subjective analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Not surprisingly, it has been noticed that the most comfortable pavement type is the asphalt pavement (AS), followed by the precast concrete pavement (PC) and by the interlocking concrete blocks pavement (BI), confirming the opinion pool within cyclists. As a new finding, for some pavement types, bikes and daily journey activities, the vibration levels may reach health limit levels which justify the originality of the work and the importance as guidance for healthy public decisions for new cycle paths.

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INTRODUCTION: The human body may interact with the structures and these interactions are developed through the application of contact forces, for instance due to walking movement. A structure may undergo changes in the dynamic behaviour when subjected to loads and human bodies. The aim of this paper is to propose a methodology using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to calibrate a force platform in order to reduce uncertainties in the vertical Ground Reaction Force measurements and positioning of the applied force for the human gait. METHODS: Force platforms have been used to evaluate the pattern of applied human forces and to fit models for the interaction between pedestrians and structures. The designed force platform consists in two force plates placed side by side in the direction of walking. The reference voltages applied to the Wheatstone bridge were used for calibration as the input data to the ANN, while the output data were the estimated values of the standard weights applied to the force platform. RESULTS: It was presented a framework to enhance traditional calibration methods for force platforms (vertical component) using an ANN. The use of ANN shows significant improvements for the measured variables, leading to better results with lower uncertain values that are smaller than those using a simple traditional calibration. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the calibration with the ANN method may be useful in obtaining more accurate vertical Ground Reaction Forces and positioning measurements in a force platform for human gait analysis.