A set of state-of-the-art FE vehicle, restraint system, dummy, and whole body human models was constructed and validated against several sets of quasi-static and dynamic rollover tests. HIII dummy responses during three selected trip-over scenarios were simulated using an FE vehicle model equipped with four different roof stiffness values. It was found that the high dummy head accelerations and...

BACKGROUND Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and E-selectin are known as sensitive and specific markers of endothelial dysfunction. This study investigated whether CECs and E-selectin are surrogate biomarkers of preeclampsia and if measurement of CECs and E-selectin, early in the third trimester, could be a means of predicting preeclampsia. METHODS In this prospective, descriptive-analytic...

Multiple playing surfaces and footwear used in American football warrant a better understanding of relationship between different combinations of turf and footwear. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of shoe and stud types on ground reaction force (GRF) and ankle and knee kinematics of a 180° cut and a single-leg 90° land-cut on synthetic turf. Fourteen recreational football playe...

BACKGROUND Barefoot locomotion has evoked an increasing scientific interest with a controversial debate about benefits and limitations of barefoot and simulated barefoot walking and running. While most current knowledge comes from cross sectional laboratory studies, the evolutionary perspective suggests the importance of investigating the long-term effects. Observing habitually barefoot populat...

Thirty-five percent of people above age 65 fall each year, and half of their falls are associated with tripping: tripping, an apparently 'mundane' everyday problem, therefore, significantly impacts on older people's health and associated medical costs. To avoid tripping and subsequent falling, sufficient toe clearance during the swing phase is crucial. We previously found that a rocker-shaped s...

An analysis of Victorian truck rollover crashes using data from the VicRoads Road Crash Information System database and National Transport Insurance (NTI) was undertaken for 2003 to 2007. Recommendations for reducing the frequency and severity of truck rollover crashes were made based on the analyses and supported by relevant literature. The Victorian crash data indicated that of all truck cras...

Footwear impression lifting and enhancement techniques may be affected by several variables introduced during the production of test footwear impressions, thus limiting the usefulness of enhancement technique comparisons and the results obtained. One such variable is the force applied when the impressed mark is being made. Producing consistent test impressions for research into footwear enhance...

Running economy is a reflection of the amount of inspired oxygen required to maintain a given velocity 10 and is considered a determining factor for running performance. Athletic footwear has been advocated as a mechanism by which running economy can be enhanced. New commercially available footwear has been developed in order to increase energy return, although their efficacy has not been inves...

Lower-extremity injury is common in soccer. A number of studies have begun to assess why specific lower-extremity injuries occur. However, currently few studies have examined how footwear affects lower-extremity mechanics. In order to address this question, 14 male (age: 22.1 ± 3.9 years, height: 1.77 ± 0.06 m, and mass: 73.3 ± 11.5 kg) and 14 female (age: 22.8 ± 3.1 years, height: 1.68 ± 0.07 ...

Although additive manufacturing (AM) has potential in producing personalised items, such as footwear, it is unknown how to best capture and measure the foot in this context nor the short and medium term impact of such footwear on discomfort and injury risks. Therefore, research is currently being conducted to evaluate the short and medium term use of personalised footwear in terms of discomfort...