Abstract
Dynamic modeling is of great importance regarding computer simulation and advanced control of parallel manipulators. Dynamic modeling of parallel manipulators presents an inherent complexity, mainly due to system closed-loop structure and kinematic constraints. In this paper an approach based on the manipulator generalized momentum is explored and applied to the dynamic modeling of a Stewart platform. The generalized momentum is used to compute the kinetic component of the generalized force acting on each manipulator rigid body. Analytic expressions for the rigid bodies' inertia and Coriolis and centripetal terms matrices are obtained, which can be added, as they are expressed in the same frame. Gravitational part of the generalized force is obtained using the manipulator potential energy.

Abstract
This study presents a method to measure the displacement fields on the surface of planar objects with sub-pixel resolution, by combining image correlation with a differential technique. First, a coarse approximation of the pixel level displacement is obtained by cross-correlation (CC). Two consecutive images, taken before and after the application of a given deformation, are recursively split in sub-images, and the CC coefficient is used as the similarity measure. Secondly, a fine approximation is performed to assess the sub-pixel displacements by means of an optical flow method based on a differential technique. To validate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method, several numerical tests were carried out on computer-generated images. Moreover, real images from a static test were also processed for estimating the displacement resolution. The results were compared with those obtained by a commercial digital image correlation code. Both methods showed similar and reliable results according to the proposed tests.

Abstract
In this paper, a digital image correlation (DIC) method coupling cross-correlation with spatio-temporal differential techniques was proposed for assessing discontinuous displacement fields. The accuracy and robustness of the algorithm was assessed on a set of numerical tests by processing computer generated speckled-pattern images. Fracture mechanical tests in mode I were considered, in which both in-plane and out-of-plane rigid-body movements were taken into account. The ability for recovering the analytical asymptotic displacement field in mode I was analysed, and stress intensity factor, crack opening displacement and crack tip location were used as quantitative parameters for validation purposes. Throughout these tests, the results obtained with the proposed method were systematically compared to the ones from Aramis DIC-2D commercial code. Globally, the results computed from both methods are in good agreement with reference values. However, due to the high spatial resolution (point-wise characteristic), a better matching of the displacements in the neighbour of discontinuities could be obtained by the proposed method.

Abstract
Rapid increase of elder population and the appearance of more diseases needs the creation of new medical devices, as minimal invasive as possible. Nowadays, the endoscopic capsule allows good image and much less stress and pain to the patient than traditional endoscopic catheters. The endoscopy to become as developed as today had many improvements. We present on this paper a brief survey of the historical background of equipment developments, some of the most commonly used endoscopic procedures, their drawbacks and virtues. © 2011 IEEE.

Abstract
3D interface devices are being announced as rendering virtual world navigation easier. We have prepared a usability testing framework for two such devices, SpaceNavigator and SpacePilot PRO, manufactured by 3Dconnexion. The paper summarizes the underlying concepts of usability testing and links them to the requirements of a virtual world 3D interface context. We detail the metrics to be employed and the reasoning behind their selection, and the planning which yielded the actual framework to be used for conducting the 3D interface usability tests in the Second Life virtual world. © 2011 IEEE.

Abstract
In this paper, two Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) methodologies are compared in order to further understand their potential in the detection of surface deformation. A comparison of these two algorithms is a comparison of the two classes of PSI techniques available: coherence estimation based on a temporal model of deformation (represented by DePSI) and coherence estimation based on spatial correlation (represented by StaMPS). Despite the similarity between the results obtained from the application of the two independent PSI methodologies, significant differences in PS density and distribution were detected, motivating a comparative study between both techniques. We analyze which approach might be more appropriate for studying specific areas/environments, which is helpful in evaluating the benefits that could be derived from an integration of the two methodologies. Several experiments are performed to assess the sensitivity of both PSI approaches to different parameter settings and circumstances. The most significant differences in the processing chain of both procedures are then investigated. We apply both methodologies to the Granada Basin area (southern Spain) and realize that coherence does not improve significantly as function of the methodology applied. If oversampling is implemented in the StaMPS processing chain, the PS density increases so that the density in the urbanized areas is similar to the results provided by DePSI but in all the remaining covers the density is significantly higher. The general results provided by both approaches are very similar in the relative deformations estimated.