A corrida de rua é uma das atividades que obteve maior número de adeptos entre a população idosa. É sabido que, durante a corrida, idosos apresentam padrões diferente de adultos jovens, como um maior ângulo de toe-out. No entanto, não é conhecida a relação com a carga mecânica nas articulações dos membros inferiores. Muitos estudos apontam para uma relação entre o momento adutor externo do joelho e o ângulo de toe-out, inclusive como mecanismo de proteção em indivíduos com osteoartrite do joelho, doença comum em pessoas acima dos 65 anos. Assim, pretendeu-se investigar uma possível relação do ângulo de toe-out aumentado nesses indivíduos e o momento do joelho no plano frontal. Vinte e dois adultos jovens corredores, 23 idosos corredores e 13 idosos sedentários andaram a 5 km/h e correram a 7, 10 km/h e na velocidade média da última prova de 10 km. Na velocidade de 5 km/h e 10 km/h os indivíduos corredores realizaram também uma condição com o toe-out aumentado além do natural. Os indivíduos executaram estas tarefas em uma esteira instrumentada com duas cintas independentes e com duas plataformas de força de seis componentes operando a 600 Hz (Bertec, USA) e tiveram os movimentos dos membros inferiores registrados por um sistema de análise tridimensional do movimento composto por oito câmeras de infravermelho operando a 150 Hz (Motion Analysis Corporation, USA). Uma completa análise cinemática e cinética das tarefas foi realizada por meio dos softwares Visual3D (CMotion. Inc., USA) e Matlab (Mathworks, USA). Em particular, o ângulo de toe-out e o momento adutor externo do joelho foram mensurados em todas as condições e comparados entre as condições com e sem o toe-out aumentado e entre os grupos a partir de análise de variâncias fatorial mistas e ANOVA, respectivamente. Os ângulos e momentos artivulares foram comparados entre os grupos com testes de Wicoxon Signed-rank com correção de Bonferroni. Em geral, os adultos corredores, idosos corredores e idosos sedentários apresentaram diferenças nos padrões cinemáticos e cinéticos do movimento dos membros inferiores durante o andar a 5 km/h e durante o correr a 7 km/h. Também foram observadas diferenças, porém em menor número, durante a corrida a 10 km/h e a corrida na velocidade média da última prova de 10 km para os adultos corredores e idosos corredores. Quanto à relação do ângulo de toe-out e o momento adutor externo do joelho, contrariamente à literatura, nós não observamos um aumento deste ângulo para os idosos durante o andar ou correr em relação aos adultos, assim como uma relação inversa entre o ângulo de toe-out e o momento adutor externo do joelho, talvez pelas coletas terem sido realizadas sobre uma esteira com cinta dupla, o que pode ter levado à alteração do posicionamento natural dos pés (toe-out) / Running is one of the activities that had the highest number of participants among elderly population. It is known that during running, elderly have different patterns of young adults, as a greater toe-out angle. However it is still unknown the relationship between the mechanical loads at the joints of the lower limbs. Several studies point to a correlation between the external knee adduction moment and the toe-out angle, including as a protective mechanism among people with knee osteoarthritis, a common disease in people over 65 years old. Thus, we sought to investigate a possible relationship between the toe-out angle increased in these individuals and the knee moment in the frontal plane. Twenty-two young adult runners, 23 elderly runners and 13 sedentary elderly walked at 5 km/h and ran at 7, 10 km/h and at the mean speed of the last 10 K race. At the speed of 5 km/h and 10 km/h the individuals who were runners also performed a condition with the toe-out angle increased beyond the natural. The subjects did all tasks in an instrumented treadmill with independent two belts and two force plates with six components operating at 600 Hz (Bertec, USA) and had the lower limb movements registered by a tridimentional motion analysis system with eight infrared cameras operating at 150Hz (Motion Analysis Corporation, USA). A complete kinematics and kinectics analysis were made using Visual3D (CMotion. Inc., USA) and Matlab (Mathworks, USA) softwares. The toe-out angle and the external knee adduction moment were measured during all conditions and compared between the condition with and without the toe-out angle increased, and between the groups with a mixed effects modeling and ANOVA respectivelly. The joint angles and joint moments were compared between groups with Wilcoxon Signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction. In general, young adult runners, elderly runners and elderly sedentaries had differences in kinematic and kinetic pattern of movement of lower limbs during walk at 5 km/h and run at 7 km/h. There were also differences, though in smaller number, during run at 10 km/h and run at mean speed of the last 10 K race between young adult runners and elderly runners. Contrasting the literature there was no relation between toe-out angle and external knee adduction moment and we didnt observe a greater angle in elderly than young adults during walk or run, it maybe can be explained by the fact that the tasks were above a double belt treadmill, what can lead to a different feet position (toe-out)

A corrida de rua é uma das atividades que obteve maior número de adeptos entre a população idosa. É sabido que, durante a corrida, idosos apresentam padrões diferente de adultos jovens, como um maior ângulo de toe-out. No entanto, não é conhecida a relação com a carga mecânica nas articulações dos membros inferiores. Muitos estudos apontam para uma relação entre o momento adutor externo do joelho e o ângulo de toe-out, inclusive como mecanismo de proteção em indivíduos com osteoartrite do joelho, doença comum em pessoas acima dos 65 anos. Assim, pretendeu-se investigar uma possível relação do ângulo de toe-out aumentado nesses indivíduos e o momento do joelho no plano frontal. Vinte e dois adultos jovens corredores, 23 idosos corredores e 13 idosos sedentários andaram a 5 km/h e correram a 7, 10 km/h e na velocidade média da última prova de 10 km. Na velocidade de 5 km/h e 10 km/h os indivíduos corredores realizaram também uma condição com o toe-out aumentado além do natural. Os indivíduos executaram estas tarefas em uma esteira instrumentada com duas cintas independentes e com duas plataformas de força de seis componentes operando a 600 Hz (Bertec, USA) e tiveram os movimentos dos membros inferiores registrados por um sistema de análise tridimensional do movimento composto por oito câmeras de infravermelho operando a 150 Hz (Motion Analysis Corporation, USA). Uma completa análise cinemática e cinética das tarefas foi realizada por meio dos softwares Visual3D (CMotion. Inc., USA) e Matlab (Mathworks, USA). Em particular, o ângulo de toe-out e o momento adutor externo do joelho foram mensurados em todas as condições e comparados entre as condições com e sem o toe-out aumentado e entre os grupos a partir de análise de variâncias fatorial mistas e ANOVA, respectivamente. Os ângulos e momentos artivulares foram comparados entre os grupos com testes de Wicoxon Signed-rank com correção de Bonferroni. Em geral, os adultos corredores, idosos corredores e idosos sedentários apresentaram diferenças nos padrões cinemáticos e cinéticos do movimento dos membros inferiores durante o andar a 5 km/h e durante o correr a 7 km/h. Também foram observadas diferenças, porém em menor número, durante a corrida a 10 km/h e a corrida na velocidade média da última prova de 10 km para os adultos corredores e idosos corredores. Quanto à relação do ângulo de toe-out e o momento adutor externo do joelho, contrariamente à literatura, nós não observamos um aumento deste ângulo para os idosos durante o andar ou correr em relação aos adultos, assim como uma relação inversa entre o ângulo de toe-out e o momento adutor externo do joelho, talvez pelas coletas terem sido realizadas sobre uma esteira com cinta dupla, o que pode ter levado à alteração do posicionamento natural dos pés (toe-out) / Running is one of the activities that had the highest number of participants among elderly population. It is known that during running, elderly have different patterns of young adults, as a greater toe-out angle. However it is still unknown the relationship between the mechanical loads at the joints of the lower limbs. Several studies point to a correlation between the external knee adduction moment and the toe-out angle, including as a protective mechanism among people with knee osteoarthritis, a common disease in people over 65 years old. Thus, we sought to investigate a possible relationship between the toe-out angle increased in these individuals and the knee moment in the frontal plane. Twenty-two young adult runners, 23 elderly runners and 13 sedentary elderly walked at 5 km/h and ran at 7, 10 km/h and at the mean speed of the last 10 K race. At the speed of 5 km/h and 10 km/h the individuals who were runners also performed a condition with the toe-out angle increased beyond the natural. The subjects did all tasks in an instrumented treadmill with independent two belts and two force plates with six components operating at 600 Hz (Bertec, USA) and had the lower limb movements registered by a tridimentional motion analysis system with eight infrared cameras operating at 150Hz (Motion Analysis Corporation, USA). A complete kinematics and kinectics analysis were made using Visual3D (CMotion. Inc., USA) and Matlab (Mathworks, USA) softwares. The toe-out angle and the external knee adduction moment were measured during all conditions and compared between the condition with and without the toe-out angle increased, and between the groups with a mixed effects modeling and ANOVA respectivelly. The joint angles and joint moments were compared between groups with Wilcoxon Signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction. In general, young adult runners, elderly runners and elderly sedentaries had differences in kinematic and kinetic pattern of movement of lower limbs during walk at 5 km/h and run at 7 km/h. There were also differences, though in smaller number, during run at 10 km/h and run at mean speed of the last 10 K race between young adult runners and elderly runners. Contrasting the literature there was no relation between toe-out angle and external knee adduction moment and we didnt observe a greater angle in elderly than young adults during walk or run, it maybe can be explained by the fact that the tasks were above a double belt treadmill, what can lead to a different feet position (toe-out)

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Cloud computing, a current IT trend, is becoming more integrated in companies’ strategies and also increasingly important for firms. Thus, many organizations have or are considering implementing cloud services. Banks, however, tend to not adopt cloud computing at the same pace as other industries. Therefore, it is of interest to increase the understanding of which factors that obstruct or foster an adoption of cloud computing in the banking industry in Sweden. These factors have been examined from a bank and external perspective, through interviews with IT personnel from the four big banks in Sweden, external IT consultants, authorities (Finansinspektionen and Datainspektionen) and Svenska Bankföreningen. The empirical findings have been analyzed in accordance with Tornatzky and Fleischer’s (1990) TOE framework - technology, organization and external task environment. There were eleven key factors found in this study, which are the following: 1) Integration, Lack of competence, Sensitive information, Heritage, Employee resistance, Miscommunication, Size and structure, Common heritage, Standard agreements, New actors and Regulations. 2) All the factors, except New actors, were shown to obstruct and delay an adoption of cloud computing for traditional banks in Sweden. 3) It was found that all these key factors interlink with each other in some sense.

Electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) emerges from the Internet and web technology to facilitate the CRM implementation. It focuses on internet- or web-based interaction between companies and their customers. Especially, e-CRM enables service sectors to provide appropriate services and products to satisfy the customers so as to retain customer royalty and enhance customer profitability. This research is to explore the key research issues of e-CRM performance influence. A research model is proposed based on the widely applied technology- organization-environment (TOE) framework. Survey data from the questionnaire are collected to empirically assess our research model. With the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, the results show that e-CRM technology and organizational support are positively related to the e-CRM performance, while environmental pressure, though a drive to e-CRM adoption, does not impact the performance. More interestingly, it is observed that organizational support has a greater impact than e-CRM technology adoption. It is always a good principle to care customers¡¦ relationship more from human nature perspectives than from technology-oriented considerations. Also, in the aspect of organizational support, skilled and knowledgeable e-CRM personnel are the most important impacting factor among others. Finally, the contributions of our research lie in that not only the results can provide researchers a good starting point for e-CRM studies, but also can they provide practitioners of service sectors in Taiwan a good reference.

Toe trimming within the turkey industry has been used for over four decades as a method for controlling carcass scratching, and by doing so, achieving better grades and lower condemnation rates. The industry has changed greatly since the 1970’s, when the majority of the research on the procedure was completed. The technology used for toe trimming has switched from a hot-blade to the use of microwave energy, which will effect healing and toe length trimmed. The birds are larger now, which will impact mobility both before and after trimming, and in a consumer-driven trend, the industry is re-examining its codes of practice to ensure the highest level of welfare possible. As there is little pertinent research regarding these changes, the toe trimming procedure was re-examined under modern conditions and with focus on both production and welfare effects to determine if the practice can still be recommended. Hybrid Converter toms were raised to 140 d of age, with half (153) being toe trimmed at the hatchery using a Microwave Claw Processor (MCP) and the other half (153) left with their toes intact. The birds had feed consumption, body weight, mortality, toe length, stance, behaviour, and gait scores monitored throughout the trial with carcass damage assessed at processing. Means were considered significantly different when P≤0.05. Toe trimming caused a reduction in both feed consumption and body weight in the later stages of the experiment. Final weights for non-toe trimmed and toe trimmed toms were 21.70 kgs and 21.15 kgs, respectively. Feed efficiency with and without being corrected for mortality was unaffected by the procedure. Overall mortality and mortality by age group were also unaffected; however it was found that toe trimmed toms experienced higher levels of rotated tibia at 3.27% versus 0.65% for untrimmed birds. Toe length measurements found that trimmed toes were, on average, 91.9% the length of an intact toe, and that variability in length increased with trimming. The procedure was not found to impact stance or gait score, although behaviour at all ages measured demonstrated reduced mobility with trimming. In particular, reduced activity in poults for 5 d post-treatment indicates that the MCP treatment caused pain or discomfort. The percentage of carcasses which exhibited scratching was 15.6% for the non-trimmed treatment and 13.3% for the trimmed, which were not significantly different. Also, no significant effect of trimming was found for any other carcass damage category. Based on the negative impacts of toe trimming on both bird production and welfare found in this research, MCP treatment should not be recommended to turkey producers when raising heavy toms.

Methods of determining pile toe capacity for both small displacement driven steel piles and drilled sockets were collected. Working in conjunction with a local consulting firm, records of previous pile driving sites were collected. A process to determine quality data for use in this work was developed by the author including information from geotechnical site investigations, pile driving records and pile driving analysis records. By plotting unconfined compressive strength of rock versus measured ultimate pile toe capacity of these piles, a best fit line of 7.5qu and a series of confidence intervals were established for the site records. This best fit line was compared to all of the previously reviews design methods for calculating ultimate pile toe capacity. Rehnman and Broms (1971) was determined to be the most effective existing method while most of the methods for drilled sockets were overly conservative when applied to small displacement driven steel piles.

Lameness continues to cause significant problems in profitability, productivity, and animal welfare in the feedlot industry. Toe tip necrosis syndrome (TTNS) is a new name for a previously reported condition. By definition, TTNS is separation of the apical white line with tissue necrosis and clinical lameness. This definition includes complications such as pedal (P3) osteitis, middle (P2) and proximal (P1) phalangeal osteomyelitis, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, cellulitis, and embolic pneumonia. Anecdotal experiences from practitioners report this lameness in feedlot cattle will develop within weeks after feedlot entry. Often the hindlimbs, specifically the lateral claw, are affected where a separation of the dorsal wall and sole will be noticed. Secondary infections will progress deeper into the foot and become systemic. Unfortunately, despite treatment, these animals can become very lame and will need to be euthanized. The overall objective of this project was to describe the epidemiology of TTNS in western Canadian feedlot cattle. The specific objectives were 1) to use clinical examinations, imaging modalities, and necropsy findings to aid in description, classification, and characterization of TTNS lesions, 2) to describe the epidemiology of TTNS in feedlot cattle, and 3) to evaluate risk factors for TTNS. Upon further investigation into this arrival related condition it became apparent that there were many different descriptors: P3 necrosis, toe abscess, apicus necrotica, apical pedal bone necrosis or toe necrosis. These names and descriptors of toe tip lesions were based on anecdotal experiences and previous case reports. As a result, traditional epidemiological approaches that included field investigations, clinical and necropsy examinations were implemented to identify, characterize and describe this condition. Based on clinical findings, imaging modalities, and necropsy specimens examined during September to December 2012, inclusive, a more specific name and descriptive case definition were introduced. TTNS descriptive epidemiology was described by use of a retrospective database analysis from Feedlot Health Management Services (FHMS) with 702 veterinarian confirmed TTNS cases by necropsy examination. From this database, there were 30% (210/702) of necropsy cases treated for TTNS and 70% of cases (492/702) that were not treated. Of those animals treated, the mean and standard deviation (median) interval from feedlot arrival to first treatment was 18.9 ±1.7 d (12 d). The mean (standard deviation) days on feed until death from TTNS was the earliest in grass-fed calves (32.4 ± 22.1 d), followed by auction-derived (40.6 ± 40.6 d), ranch direct (44.1 ± 53.1 d), and back-grounded calves (69.0 ± 75.6 d) (P < 0.001). Yearlings were on feed for a mean (standard deviation) days of 37.1 ± 32.0 d when compared to calves at 49.5 ± 57.0 d before death (P < 0.001). The greatest proportion of deaths occurred from September to November. There were 96.2% (1,832/1,904) of lots without one case of TTNS and 3.8% (72/1,904) of lots had one or more TTNS cases. A prospective case-control study to identify TTNS risk factors consisted of 148 total necropsy submissions (82 cases, 66 controls) from three feedlot veterinary practices and 16 feedlots during October 2012 to January 2013, inclusive. Confirmation of feet samples by the principal investigator at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine reduced the total to 135 animals: 67 cases and 68 controls. The measure of agreement (kappa) on classification of TTNS cases and controls between the veterinary practice and WCVM was 0.778 (P < 0.001). Bacterial culture results revealed that 75% of pure isolates in TTNS cases were attributed to Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Trueperella pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum. TTNS cases were 3.8 times more likely than control animals to have BVDV isolated (95% CI 1.7-8.5; P < 0.001). TTNS animals were 2.2 times more likely than control animals to have histopathological evidence of vasculitis (95% CI 1.0-4.6; P = 0.04). BVDV samples were 11.2 times more likely to show histopathological evidence of vasculitis than non-BVDV samples (95% CI 4.7-27.0; P < 0.001). A decreased difference was found in sole thickness at the toe tip (P < 0.001). There was no evidence of pedal bone rotation between case and control animals (P = 0.15). In summary, TTNS is a specific term for apical white line separation with tissue necrosis and clinical lameness. A practitioner's field diagnosis of TTNS based on apical white line separation and tissue necrosis is accurate on clinical signs alone. TTNS is a transport or arrival related condition in feedlot cattle that has a propensity for cases to cluster together. Pure bacterial isolates provide an understanding of the pathogens responsible for TTNS and that environmental pathogens contribute to an ascending infection. BVDV, vasculitis and apical sole thickness were risk factors associated with TTNS; however, their exact role requires further investigation.

People with diabetes suffer from a high risk of developing foot related diseases. It is therefore important to perform a blood pressure measurement on the toe to be able to diagnose and treat in time. Using laser Doppler flowmetry has been proven to be a useful technique for this purpose during a standard blood pressure measurement procedure using a cuff. The laser Doppler probe detects once the blood flow returns which can then be related to the pressure value. However, the algorithm currently used by the company for detection of return of blood flow is in need of improvements. This thesis aims to develop an improved algorithm, which is more robust against artifacts. Furthermore, a warning system for uncertainties in the detection will be developed and integrated with the new algorithm. To create the algorithm an investigation of the signals’ appearances was performed to obtain an understanding of what artifacts and characteristics the algorithm should be able to handle. First three different basic approaches were implemented and tested, namely model curve, threshold and pulsations. These algorithms were then combined into two different more complex algorithms. One of them consisted of the model curve and the pulsation algorithm, the second combined algorithm consisted of the threshold algorithm and the pulsation algorithm. From the result it was found that the second combined algorithm performed best. It had a high accuracy and a well-functioning warning system. However, the algorithm had problems to correctly detect the return of flow when it is characterised by a slow increase of the perfusion. The biggest contribution by this thesis is the newly developed warning system. A false detection can lead to a false diagnose to be given if the operator is not attentive. The warning system is therefore an important feature since it can prevent this from occurring.

Over the past decade, rapid progress in ICT has encouraged many governments to incorporate new technology into their national economic development strategies. Egovernment is an important application within ICT and has become more significant in the agenda of policy and decision makers the world over. E-government created a new medium that changed the nature of the whole public sector and its relationship with its constituencies. It has had a profound effect on various socioeconomic and political aspects of society. E-government provides delivery of public services in a much more convenient and cost-effective way, offering huge opportunities to improve public sector efficiency. However, the process of change also gives rise to new challenges and difficulties, especially in developing countries, where many initiatives have not been successful. This is as a result of the massive deficiencies in basic infrastructure, human capacity and financial resources, along with the attendant political and cultural constraints. These factors are crucial and impede the adoption of egovernment and the building of an information based society and economy. Egovernment initiatives must therefore account for the specific government systems, technological infrastructure and environmental conditions of the host country. Many of the models and frameworks built to assist in the adoption process in developing countries have been adapted from e-government implementation experiences in Western developed countries. While there are important lessons to be learnt, these frameworks have limited application in Africa and developing countries in other regions. Previously it was difficult to investigate e-government in developing countries due to their low levels of development. Recent advances in e-government in these countries have made it possible to conduct studies and analyse their experiences and practices. This research empirically examined the adoption of e-government at a national and organisational level, taking the public sector in Sudan as a case study. A qualitative approach was followed and data was collected from Sudan using interviews with key officials and top managers; supported by published documents in the public domain.The data was analysed using content analysis and the results verified with experts from a Sudanese public organisation. The findings of the research contributed to the identification of the critical factors in Sudan, and to the development of an e-government adoption framework. The framework combines elements from the Technological, Organisational and Environmental (TOE) model; guiding decision makers to better manage issues related to the adoption process regarding the development of the technical infrastructure, management systems, values and strategies. The use of the proposed framework can help integrate e-government into the public sector in order to accelerate social and economic progress in developing countries.