Abstract: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus and its disease COVID-19 presents an unprecedented challenge for humanity. Intelligent systems and robotics particularly are helping the fight against COVID-19 several ways. Potential technology-driven solutions in this accelerating pandemic include, but are not limited to, early detection and diagnosis, assistive robots, indoor and outdoor disinfection robots, public awareness and patrolling, contactless last-mile delivery services, micro- and nano-robotics and laboratory automation. This article sheds light on the roles robotics and automation can play in fighting this disastrous pandemic and highlights a number of potential applications to transform this challenge into opportunities. The article also highlights the ethical implications of robotics and intelligent systems during the emergency side and in the post-pandemic world.

Keywords: Service robotics at COVID-19; coronavirus response; assistive robots; lastmile delivery; laboratory automation

Abstract: This article introduces novel rehabilitation hand module development for the physiotherapy of the hand of patients suffering from spastic hemiplegia. Spasm is basically a muscle cramp, it practically involves the sudden, unintended and painful contraction of a muscle or muscle group, which is caused by nerve damage resulting from a stroke. Stroke is the main reason for permanent disability in adulthood, and so the social- and medical care systems require a huge amount of healthcare resources due to the inactivity of the patients concerned. The robotically facilitated rehabilitation assists the physicians in providing repeated therapies of great intensity, and so the patients may enjoy the benefits of rehabilitation, while the therapists may reduce their own workload at the same time. Furthermore, the robotic devices offer an objective and reliable opportunity for tracing and accurately assessing the improvement of the patients’ motor skills. This article introduces the electrical- and mechanical design of a therapeutic device and the inverse kinematic and dynamic modules which control this device. The rehabilitation device is capable of moving the thumb, the index-, the middle- and the ring fingers, and allows the rehabilitation of the left- and right hands as well. The device is a completely new design with direct drive approach and several benefits. It has two components: a planar module with serial kinematics of rotational joints with three degrees of freedom (3DoF RRR), and another module with two degrees of freedom (2DoF). The modules integrated load cells, which are built in between each joint to measure the reaction forces. The 3DoF finger moves the index, the middle and the ring fingers, using a load distributor placed above the fingers. The finger orthoses are connected to the load distributor via magnets. The 2DoF finger moves the thumb performing the opening/closing along the plane tilted in two angles.

Keywords: Rehabilitation robotics, Hand rehabilitation, Hand exoskeleton, Wearable structure, Force control

Abstract: It was long way to current highly integrated and smart modeling and simulation in engineering. This way started with separated problem solving for representation, manufacturing control, and visualization of mathematical surfaces. By now, autonomous engineering model system (EMS) serves lifecycle innovation and engineering of systems operated autonomous intelligent industrial and commercial products. Modeling platforms constitute one of the most important and extensive application areas in information technology. Advanced EMS is highly integrated, multidisciplinary, and multipurposed model structure. Any contribution to EMS must use contextual object modeling (CM) and continuous engineering (CE) which are within the most important achievements in engineering during the past two decades. Considering the above situation, this paper introduces the novel organized content model (OCM) approach, concept, and methodology as contribution to integrated and lifecycle serving model system of highly automated products. OCM organizes driving contexts for lifecycle of modeled product. It is an extension to the currently prevailing EMS structure to contribute fulfilling the new requirement of active context based integration of virtual (EMS) with physically operating cyber physical system (CPS) products. Other essential requirement is that relevant objects in EMS and CPS must be contextually driven by higher level decisions, intellectual property (IP) items, and human intervention attempts while EMS and CPS are increasingly autonomous. Therefore, main purpose of OCM is to support active driving contextual connections for EMS and CPS. In this way, this paper discusses integrated model of highly automated complex product system, extended OCM for situation controlled product system, and Support of Situation Awareness by OCM. Research for OCM is done at the Laboratory of Intelligent Engineering Systems (IESL). In this context, preliminary research at IESL and concept of configuring professional cloud organized modeling platform for the purpose of virtual research laboratory (VRL) are also included in this paper.

Keywords: smart cyber physical system; engineering model system; system level modeling; situation based modeling; organized content model

Abstract: The Engler-viscometer, as one of the efflux-type viscometers, in general, was introduced and standardized, more than 100 years ago. The principle of the measurements is based on the efflux time, of a certain volume of liquid trough a short capillary tube, placed on the bottom of the cup of the viscometer. The viscosity of the liquid is given in Engler-degrees as the ratio of the efflux time of the measured liquid and that of the distillated water at 20 ºC. There is no direct proportionality between the efflux time and viscosity because the Reynolds-number is not the same. This usually is transformed in “true” viscosity units using some semi-empirical formulas. The technical literature of these types of viscometers, especially of the Engler-viscometer, is very poor, but in these papers and books, certain doubts are often mentioned, concerning the accuracy of these formulas. One of the sources of the error is volume measurement, especially for the less-viscous liquids, for example, water. We have proposed a new, mass-measurement based approach that does not need the modification of the viscometer and it also eliminates the negative effect of the thermal expansion of the liquid. This makes possible, a fully automatized measurement and because it provides the evolution in time, of the collected quantity, it also helps in the deeper investigation of the efflux time - viscosity relation.

Keywords: Engler-viscometer; modernization; mass-measurement

Abstract: We give a sufficient condition for a certain type of convergence behavior of the Nelder-Mead simplex method and apply this result to several examples. We also give two related examples for the case of repeated shrinking which indicates a kind of local character of the method.

Keywords: Nelder-Mead simplex method, convergence, counterexamples

Abstract: In Hungary, the rate of drop-out in technical higher education, exceeds the average of the European Union. The affective, sociological and socio-economic factors hiding behind the reasons have already been examined by several researches, however, less attention has been paid to the students’ cognitive deficiencies although inductive reasoning is of decisive importance in gaining knowledge e.g. in mathematics and natural sciences. Based on these findings, the object of this research, was on one hand to describe the development level of the inductive reasoning and thinking of students starting their studies in technical higher education, and on the other hand, to prove or disprove the correlation between the task solution time and the result achieved in the inductive test. The research implemented by means of an online test involved 253 students; of the components of inductive thinking, we examined the development level of abstract, analogue and diagrammatic thinking.

Keywords: drop-out; measuring competences; inductive thinking; engineering education

Abstract: This research, is a clear case for developing countries, that realize the profits of cloud computing, to enhance their business and develop cutting-edge technology, but first, they need to address the concerns of decision-makers toward cloud computing technology. This research is based on a Technology Acceptance Model, which is modified to fit the context. The factors applied in this research are: Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Risk/Security, Cloud Computing Awareness, compatibility, cost and an aim to use where it is a dependent variable in this study. Within this study, the Likert Scale (five-point scale) survey was produced, to get data from IT employees of the Jordanian business organization. Data was collected from 175 IT employees. Linear regression was used to examine the data using SPSS software. The outcomes revealed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, cost, perceived risk were statistically significant, while compatibility and cloud computing awareness were found not to be statistically important. These outcomes explain that cloud computing systems can be quickly deployed in developing countries (avoiding unnecessary innovation); if users accurately understand their utility, it is clear that operating costs might be reduced. The perceived risk of system usage is low. We consider, of particular importance, the research line that technological compatibility is not significant, with the successful introduction of cloud applications. Fast deployment of cloud applications are good opportunities for developing countries, because of the lower cost of new software applications and use of big data.

Keywords: cloud technology; cloud computing; cloud security; Technology Acceptance Model (TAM); Technology-Organization-Environment framework (TOE); Jordan

Abstract: It has been suggested that certain lower leg variables affects running and jumping performance. However, it is unclear how these variables interact with each other, and how they jointly affect hopping performance. We assume that AT-MA influences the physical performance differently depending upon biomechanical variables of the plantar flexor muscles. We hypothesize that no single variable can explain hopping height, rather a combination of lower leg variables can explain the variation in hopping height. Healthy young adults (n = 28, age 21.8 ±4.0 yrs) performed serial hops on a force plate during which we recorded right leg joint kinematics, lateral gastrocnemius fascicle behavior, and plantar flexor electromyography activity. We found no correlation between hopping height and AT-MA (r=0.28, p=0.14). Multiple regression analyses revealed that variations in AT-MA, ankle dorsiflexion amplitude, and peak ground reaction force explained 53% of the variation in hopping height. We concluded that even a combination of selected biomechanical variables can only moderately account for hopping performance.

Keywords: Human ankle; moment arm; EMG; vertical jump

Abstract: Force - velocity (F-v) profiling is used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate ballistic performance and to optimize strength and power training. Previous research examining the lower limbs’ neuromuscular qualities of female athletes has reported a large prevalence of force-deficit, which raises the question about the level of maximal strength, which may be associated with an optimal F-v profile. In this study, we investigated the relationship between maximal strength abilities and the F-v profile of female athletes. 27 resistance-trained female athletes (age: 29.7 ± 5.0 years) from three different sports (Olympic weightlifting, CrossFit and recreational bodybuilding) participated in the study. The F-v profile of the lower limbs was assessed using vertical jumps on a force platform against various external loads, while maximal strength was measured with the one-repetition maximum in the back squat. Back squat relative to body weight was calculated and used in the statistical analysis. The results showed a significant correlation between maximal back squat/body weight and the jump height during the unloaded jumps (r=0.73; p>0.01), the theoretical maximal power (r=0.62; p>0.01), and the ratio of the measured to the optimal F-v slope (r=0.56; p>0.01). An optimal F-v profile was observed around 1.2x bodyweight squat. Our results confirm the force-oriented profile of highly trained resistance athletes and contribute to the existing literature by providing indicative values associated with an optimal profile. Such data can be used by the coaches and athletes to evaluate the athletes’ strength qualities and design training according to the individual needs.

Keywords: Olympic weightlifting; CrossFit; one repetition maximum; ballistic performance

Abstract: This paper deals with the issues of volume dataset representation as an important part of data storage and processing in many fields including science, research and development, medicine or industry. Due to the significant amount of data included in volume datasets, operations performed on them are often, time- and space-consuming. One of those operations - loading data from secondary storage into the operating memory of computer or memory of graphics card - can be time-consuming and lead to a bad user experience and significantly delay the subsequent processes. Therefore, the main contribution hereof is the design and introduction of an algorithm to generate volume dataset segmentation metadata. It allows (with a small data overhead, as a trade-off) to prepare metadata about splitting the particular volume dataset into segments with different priority levels. Subsequently, it is possible to reorganize the volume dataset according to the priority of the data segments, in descending order. The algorithm proposed herein allows to start the visualization of the volume dataset in its final quality (resembling visualization of the complete volume dataset, although only a part of the data was loaded from the secondary storage), within a fraction of the total load time of the volume dataset. The remaining data are continually read in the background during data visualization, without affecting volume data visualization quality. The first section herein, contains an introduction to the proposed algorithms. Results of tests, performed with different parameter setups on non-invasive medical imaging volume datasets, obtained by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are included in the second part of the paper. Conclusions, drawn from test results, are summarized in the last part of the paper.

Keywords: volume dataset; three-dimensional image; 3D image, image segmentation algorithm; metadata; user experience; computed tomography; CT; magnetic resonance imaging; MRI

Abstract: A connected non-regular graph G with n vertices and m edges is called a mean graph, if there exists a p ≥ 2 integer for which p=[G]=2 m/n holds. The topological index p=p(G) is called the centrality parameter of graph G. It is obvious that, if G is a mean graph, then its centrality parameter p(G) is a uniquely defined positive integer. Mean graphs represent a particular subset of connected non-regular graphs. In this note, by presenting relevant examples, some structural irregularity properties of mean graphs are studied and characterized. Comparing the degree deviations S(G) and S(H) of mean graphs G and H having equal centrality parameter p(G)=p(H) it is proved that if the only difference in the corresponding degree sequences of G and H is that the number of vertices of degree p is different, then S(G)=S(H). The smallest mean graph is the 4-vertex unicyclic graph having a degree sequence (3, 2, 2, 1). This graph is isomorphic to the 4-vertex antiregular graph A₄, for which S(A₄)=2 holds. Using comparative tests on preselected connected graphs it has been shown that the degree deviation S(G) is poorly suited for discriminating among non-regular graphs.

Keywords: non-regular graphs; irregularity indices; antiregular graphs; complete split graphs; balanced bidegreed graphs; degree deviation