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Consider the construction of a perspective drawing. The perspective is made by drawing lines between a point of origin and several focal points. A series of lines connect the focal points to one another. The culmination of lines drawn from origin to focal point and focal point to focal point describes a place. The perspective is a view, or window into this place. The relationship of these three elements - the origin, focal points, and view - is analogous to the development of a architectural project. The origin is a point of beginning. Each architect brings a set of experiences and ideas to the project. The project springs from the architects' knowledge and ideals. The focal points involve the design development of a project. They relate to the areas of study and discovery for the project. Some foci are specific to a site or program. Some foci further investigate design intentions and how they relate to a given program. The links between foci create a place. Each drawing or description of this place is a view into the project. This thesis outlines the origins, focal points and views of a design for a visitors' center located in southwestern Virginia. / Master of Architecture

New surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA) are being developed to reduce muscle damage sustained during surgery, in the hope to allow better muscle functioning afterwards. The goal of this study was to compare the muscle sparing anterior (ANT) approach to a traditional lateral (LAT) approach with three-dimensional motion analysis. Kinematics and kinetics were obtained with an infrared camera system and force plates. It was hypothesized that (1) the ANT group would have closer to normal range of motion, moments and powers, compared to the LAT group, and that (2) the ANT group would have higher peak hip abduction moment than the LAT group. Forty patients undergoing unilateral THA for osteoarthritis between the ages of 50 and 75 (20 ANT, 20 LAT) were asked to perform three trials of walking, stair ascent and stair descent. Patients were assessed between six to twelve months postoperatively. Twenty age- and weight-matched control participants (CON) provided normative data. Results indicated that both THA groups had gait anomalies compared to the CON group. Both THA groups had reduced hip abduction moment during walking (CON vs. ANT: p<0.001; CON vs. LAT: p=0.011), and the ANT group had a significantly lower hip abduction moment compared to the LAT group (p=0.008). Similar results were observed during stair descent, where the ANT group had reduced peak hip abduction moment compared to the CON group (p<0.001) and the LAT group (p=0.014). This indicates that the anterior approach did not allow better gait and stair climbing ability after THA. It is therefore thought that other variables, such as preoperative gait adaptations, trauma from the surgery, or postoperative protection mechanisms to avoid loading the prosthetic hip, are factors that might be more important than surgical approach in determining the mechanics of THA patients after surgery.

New surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA) are being developed to reduce muscle damage sustained during surgery, in the hope to allow better muscle functioning afterwards. The goal of this study was to compare the muscle sparing anterior (ANT) approach to a traditional lateral (LAT) approach with three-dimensional motion analysis. Kinematics and kinetics were obtained with an infrared camera system and force plates. It was hypothesized that (1) the ANT group would have closer to normal range of motion, moments and powers, compared to the LAT group, and that (2) the ANT group would have higher peak hip abduction moment than the LAT group. Forty patients undergoing unilateral THA for osteoarthritis between the ages of 50 and 75 (20 ANT, 20 LAT) were asked to perform three trials of walking, stair ascent and stair descent. Patients were assessed between six to twelve months postoperatively. Twenty age- and weight-matched control participants (CON) provided normative data. Results indicated that both THA groups had gait anomalies compared to the CON group. Both THA groups had reduced hip abduction moment during walking (CON vs. ANT: p<0.001; CON vs. LAT: p=0.011), and the ANT group had a significantly lower hip abduction moment compared to the LAT group (p=0.008). Similar results were observed during stair descent, where the ANT group had reduced peak hip abduction moment compared to the CON group (p<0.001) and the LAT group (p=0.014). This indicates that the anterior approach did not allow better gait and stair climbing ability after THA. It is therefore thought that other variables, such as preoperative gait adaptations, trauma from the surgery, or postoperative protection mechanisms to avoid loading the prosthetic hip, are factors that might be more important than surgical approach in determining the mechanics of THA patients after surgery.

New surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA) are being developed to reduce muscle damage sustained during surgery, in the hope to allow better muscle functioning afterwards. The goal of this study was to compare the muscle sparing anterior (ANT) approach to a traditional lateral (LAT) approach with three-dimensional motion analysis. Kinematics and kinetics were obtained with an infrared camera system and force plates. It was hypothesized that (1) the ANT group would have closer to normal range of motion, moments and powers, compared to the LAT group, and that (2) the ANT group would have higher peak hip abduction moment than the LAT group. Forty patients undergoing unilateral THA for osteoarthritis between the ages of 50 and 75 (20 ANT, 20 LAT) were asked to perform three trials of walking, stair ascent and stair descent. Patients were assessed between six to twelve months postoperatively. Twenty age- and weight-matched control participants (CON) provided normative data. Results indicated that both THA groups had gait anomalies compared to the CON group. Both THA groups had reduced hip abduction moment during walking (CON vs. ANT: p<0.001; CON vs. LAT: p=0.011), and the ANT group had a significantly lower hip abduction moment compared to the LAT group (p=0.008). Similar results were observed during stair descent, where the ANT group had reduced peak hip abduction moment compared to the CON group (p<0.001) and the LAT group (p=0.014). This indicates that the anterior approach did not allow better gait and stair climbing ability after THA. It is therefore thought that other variables, such as preoperative gait adaptations, trauma from the surgery, or postoperative protection mechanisms to avoid loading the prosthetic hip, are factors that might be more important than surgical approach in determining the mechanics of THA patients after surgery.

New surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA) are being developed to reduce muscle damage sustained during surgery, in the hope to allow better muscle functioning afterwards. The goal of this study was to compare the muscle sparing anterior (ANT) approach to a traditional lateral (LAT) approach with three-dimensional motion analysis. Kinematics and kinetics were obtained with an infrared camera system and force plates. It was hypothesized that (1) the ANT group would have closer to normal range of motion, moments and powers, compared to the LAT group, and that (2) the ANT group would have higher peak hip abduction moment than the LAT group. Forty patients undergoing unilateral THA for osteoarthritis between the ages of 50 and 75 (20 ANT, 20 LAT) were asked to perform three trials of walking, stair ascent and stair descent. Patients were assessed between six to twelve months postoperatively. Twenty age- and weight-matched control participants (CON) provided normative data. Results indicated that both THA groups had gait anomalies compared to the CON group. Both THA groups had reduced hip abduction moment during walking (CON vs. ANT: p<0.001; CON vs. LAT: p=0.011), and the ANT group had a significantly lower hip abduction moment compared to the LAT group (p=0.008). Similar results were observed during stair descent, where the ANT group had reduced peak hip abduction moment compared to the CON group (p<0.001) and the LAT group (p=0.014). This indicates that the anterior approach did not allow better gait and stair climbing ability after THA. It is therefore thought that other variables, such as preoperative gait adaptations, trauma from the surgery, or postoperative protection mechanisms to avoid loading the prosthetic hip, are factors that might be more important than surgical approach in determining the mechanics of THA patients after surgery.

yes / The present study introduces four event detection algorithms for defining touch-down and foot-off during stair descent and stair ascent using segmental kinematics. For stair descent, vertical velocity minima of the whole body center-of-mass was used to define touch-down, and foot-off was defined as the instant of trail limb peak knee flexion. For stair ascent, vertical velocity local minima of the lead-limb toe was used to define touch-down, and foot-off was defined as the local maxima in vertical displacement between the toe and pelvis. The performance of these algorithms was determined as the agreement in timings of kinematically derived events to those defined kinetically (ground reaction forces). Data were recorded while 17 young and 15 older adults completed stair descent and ascent trials over a four-step instrumented staircase. Trials were repeated for three stair riser height conditions (85 mm, 170 mm, and 255 mm). Kinematically derived touch-down and foot-off events showed good agreement (small 95% limits of agreement) with kinetically derived events for both young and older adults, across all riser heights, and for both ascent and descent. In addition, agreement metrics were better than those returned using existing kinematically derived event detection algorithms developed for overground gait. These results indicate that touch-down and foot-off during stair ascent and descent of non-instrumented staircases can be determined with acceptable precision using segmental kinematic data.

Yes / Falls on stairs are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly people. A simple safety strategy to avoid tripping on stairs is increasing foot clearance. We determined whether a horizontal–vertical illusion superimposed onto stairs to create an illusory perceived increase in stair-riser height would increase stair ascent foot clearance in older participants. Methods.: Preliminary experiments determined the optimum parameters for the horizontal–vertical illusion. Fourteen older adults (mean age ± 1 SD, 68.5 ± 7.4 years) ascended a three-step staircase with the optimized version of the horizontal–vertical illusion (spatial frequency: 12 cycles per stair riser) positioned either on the bottom or top stair only, or on the bottom and top stair simultaneously. These were compared to a control condition, which had a plain stair riser with edge highlighters positioned flush with each stair-tread edge. Foot clearance and measures of postural stability were compared across conditions. Results.: The optimized illusion on the bottom and top stair led to a significant increase in foot clearance over the respective stair edge, compared to the control condition. There were no significant decreases in postural stability. Conclusions.: An optimized horizontal–vertical visual illusion led to significant increases in foot clearance in older adults when ascending a staircase, but the effects did not destabilize their postural stability. Inclusion of the horizontal–vertical illusion on raised surfaces (e.g., curbs) or the bottom and top stairs of staircases could improve stair ascent safety in older adults.

Yes / Falls on stairs are a common and dangerous problem for older people. This series of studies evaluated whether or not selected changes to the appearance of stairs could make them safer for older people to negotiate. Objectives: To determine the effect of (1) a step edge highlighter and its position and (2) an optimised horizontal–vertical (H–V) visual illusion placed on a step riser on gait safety during stair descent and ascent. Design: A series of studies using a repeated measures, laboratory-based design, investigating gait control and safety in independently mobile older people. Setting: The University of Bradford Vision and Mobility Laboratory. Participants: Fit and healthy older people aged 60 years of age or more, independently mobile, reasonably active and with normal healthy eyes and corrected vision. Interventions: A step edge highlighter in a variety of offsets from the stair edge and an optimised H–V visual illusion placed on the stair riser. The H–V illusion was provided on a staircase by horizontal step edge highlighters on the tread edges and vertical stripes on the step risers. Main outcome measures: Gait parameters that are important for safe stepping in ascent and descent, particularly toe clearance during stair ascent and heel clearance during stair descent. Results: The step edge highlighter increased the precision of heel clearance during stepping and its positioning relative to the tread edge determined the extent of heel clearance over the tread edge. Positioning the highlighter away from the tread edge, as is not uncommonly provided by friction strips, decreased heel clearance significantly and led to greater heel scuffs. Although psychophysics experiments suggested that higher spatial frequencies of the H–V illusion might provide greater toe clearance on stair ascent, gait trials showed similar increased toe clearances for all spatial frequencies. When a 12 cycle per step spatial frequency H–V illusion was used, toe clearance increases of approximately 1 cm (17.5%) occurred without any accompanying changes in other important gait parameters or stability measures. Conclusions: High-contrast tread edge highlighters present on steps and stairs and positioned flush with the edge of the tread or as near to this as possible should improve stair descent safety in older people. A H–V illusion positioned on the riser of a raised surface/walkway (e.g. kerbs) and/or the top and/or bottom of a stairway is likely to increase foot clearance over the associated step/stair edge, and appears not to lead to any decrement in postural stability. Thus, their use is likely to reduce trip risk and hence improve stair ascent safety. The effect of the step and stair modifications should be assessed in older people with visual impairment. The only other remaining assessment that could be made would be to assess fall prevalence on steps and stairs, perhaps in public buildings, with and without these modifications. / National Institute for Health Research, Public Health Research programme. PHR programme as project number 10/3009/06

The goals of the pelvis include maintaining the center of mass of the body, assisting in foot clearance and absorb forces from the lower extremities using muscles and ligaments to stabilize the joint. A better understanding of the influence of muscle strength on controlling pelvic obliquity in a healthy population will help in understanding low back pain and overuse lower extremity injuries. Thirteen females (22 ±2 yrs) participated in isokinetic strength testing of the hip abductors, adductors, internal rotators and external rotators on a Biodex dynamometer. The subjects also underwent gait analysis during self selected pace walking and stair descent. For each muscle group subjects were divided into weaker and stronger groups based on the mean. Independent t-test revealed a significantly greater amount of pelvic obliquity in the stronger group for abductors, adductors, and internal rotators during stair descent. Subjects may be compensating for more pelvic obliquity with less movement of the hip, knee and ankle. During walking weaker external rotators was the only muscle group that significantly increased pelvic obliquity. Our study supports the finding of other studies that the external rotators contribute to pelvic stabilization during walking (Powers, 2003).