Some functions of walking are adversely affected in prosthesis users because of reduced or absent ankle motion. However, combining a prosthetic ankle unit with a particular prosthetic foot could have unanticipated consequences. This study investigated the effect of prosthetic ankle units on the gait of persons with bilateral transtibial amputations. Subjects were tested while walking with and w...

The study, aimed at evaluating the likely effects of the EC Directive on late payments, provides direct evidence that interfirm credit received by Italian manufacturing firms is, if ever, only slightly more expensive than bank loans. An econometric exercise shows that financial determinants have a stronger impact on recorded credit and debt periods for larger firms, able to use trade credit to ...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether custom insoles tailored to contours of the barefoot pressure distribution and shape of a patient's foot can reduce plantar pressures in the metatarsal head (MTH) region to a greater extent than conventional custom insoles. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Seventy regions of elevated barefoot pressures (mean peak 834 kPa under MTHs) were ...

of bridges are typically based on simplified analyses or empirical data from recent earthquakes. Since earthquake damage data are very scarce in the central and southeastern United States (CSUS), using analytical methods is the only feasible approach to obtain fragility curves. In 1990, bridges in the CSUS began incorporating seismic details. Some of the changes included the component design fo...

BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the foot is a common condition which results in pain, stiffness and impaired ambulation. Footwear modifications and foot orthoses are widely used in clinical practice to treat this condition, but their effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated. This article describes the design of a randomised trial comparing the e...

The paper deals with the experimental characterization of different 280 mm diameter tilting pad journal bearings for turbomachines using a dedicated test rig. articles were 5-pad Direct Lube Rocker Pivot bearing, Flooded and 4-pad Ball Socket bearing. three tested in their specific design range operating conditions. Their static dynamic behavior was investigated as function parameters. In parti...

A state estimator design is presented for a Mars rover prototype. Odometry estimates are obtained by utilizing the f u l l kinematics of the vehicle including the nonlinear internal kinematics of the rover rocker-bogey mechanism as well as the contact kinematics between the wheels and the ground. Additional sewing using gyroscopes, acclerometers and visual sensors allows for robust rover motion...