yes / Background: Minimum toe clearance is a critical gait event because it coincides with peak forward velocity of the swing foot, and thus, there is an increased risk of tripping and falling. Trans-tibial amputees have increased risk of tripping compared to able-bodied individuals. Assessment of toe clearance during gait is thus clinically relevant. In able-bodied gait, minimum toe clearance increases with faster walking speeds, and it is widely reported that there is synchronicity between when peak swing-foot velocity and minimum toe clearance occur. There are no such studies involving lower-limb amputees. Objectives: To determine the effects of walking speed on minimum toe clearance and on the temporal relationship between clearance and peak swing-foot velocity in unilateral trans-tibial amputees. Study design: Cross-sectional. Methods: A total of 10 trans-tibial participants walked at slow, customary and fast speeds. Minimum toe clearance and the timings of minimum toe clearance and peak swing-foot velocity were determined and compared between intact and prosthetic sides. Results: Minimum toe clearance was reduced on the prosthetic side and, unlike on the intact side, did not increase with walking speed increase. Peak swing-foot velocity consistently occurred (~0.014 s) after point of minimum toe clearance on both limbs across all walking speeds, but there was no significant difference in the toe–ground clearance between the two events. Conclusion: The absence of speed related increases in minimum toe clearance on the prosthetic side suggests that speed related modulation of toe clearance for an intact limb typically occurs at the swing-limb ankle. The temporal consistency between peak foot velocity and minimum toe clearance on each limb suggests that swing-phase inter-segmental coordination is unaffected by trans-tibial amputation. Clinical relevance The lack of increase in minimum toe clearance on the prosthetic side at higher walking speeds may potentially increase risk of tripping. Findings indicate that determining the instant of peak swing-foot velocity will also consistently identify when/where minimum toe clearance occurs.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Yes / Blood clotting was reported in April 2020 [1] as another serious symptom due to COVID-19, but also came other reports such as young adults dying due to strokes and heart attacks [2]. The currently known head-to-toe symptoms of COVID-19, seem to indicate vascular as well as respiratory diseases and that 40% of related death are due to cardiovascular complications [2]. In a recently published journal paper in Lancet [3], the authors found that SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect the endothelial cells that line the inside of blood vessels noting that endothelial cells protect the cardiovascular system and release proteins that influence everything from blood clotting to the immune response. In the same paper, the authors showed damage to endothelial cells in the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, and intestines in patients with Covid-19. Therefore, the emerging belief is that the novel coronavirus is a respiratory illness to begin with, but as it spreads further into blood vessels it becomes a vascular illness that is capable of killing patients via vascular system.

Instream structures are used to reinforce channel margins, redirect flows, and create habitat, but there is little consensus about their design or whether they function as intended. In this study, 536 instream structures in the state of Maryland were assessed to determine the effect of structure-, project-, and watershed-scale factors on performance. Structures were assessed using a 19 point scoring system based on structural stability, sediment transport, and overall function. Structure-scale variables related to the construction, geometry, and placement, and differed for six structure families: bank protection (BP), full and partial span vanes (FSV), constructed riffles (RF), regenerative stream conveyances, and step pools. Project- and watershed-scale variables related to flow, erosion resistance, and design approach. Relationships between structure scores and explanatory variables were evaluated using regression analysis. Structure performance was strongly influenced by the individual project, suggesting that design quality, construction, and maintenance are as important as specific design features. Structure durability decreased if there was additional urban development following construction. Results also indicated that restoration activities have a "protective effect" on nearby structures. For rock BP, imbricated rock walls performed better than stone toe, due to increased structure height and boulder size. Rock FSVs that were keyed into the bank at angles between 35° and 90° were more durable, while RFs performed best when constructed using downstream grade control and increased substrate depth. The results of this study provide insight into design and project features that contribute to structure success. / Master of Science / Stream restoration aims to rehabilitate streams that have been impacted by humans, and log or rock structures in the channel are utilized to protect the bed and banks, redirect water away from the banks, and create habitat for aquatic organisms. However, there are few design standards for these structures. In this study, 536 instream structures in the state of Maryland were assessed to determine the effect of design and site characteristics on performance. Structures were scored for performance based on structural stability, sedimentation, erosion, and function. Design characteristics related to structure construction and placement, while site conditions related to the project and watershed characteristics. Statistical analyses were used to determine the relationship between structure performance and design and site characteristics. Structure performance was strongly influenced by the restoration project, indicating that design quality, construction, and maintenance are as important as specific design features. Structure durability decreased if there was additional urban development in the watershed following construction. Results also indicated that when structures were used in series, there was a "protective effect" on other nearby structures. Rock walls performed better as height increased, while rock weirs that were constructed into the streambank between 35° and 90° were more durable. These results provide insight into design and project features that contribute to structure success.

Revisionsbranschen har genomgått betydande förändringar och anpassningar över tid, med digitalisering som en av de mest inflytelserika faktorerna. Den svenska regeringen strävar efter att Sverige ska vara ledande globalt när det gäller att utnyttja de möjligheter som digitaliseringen erbjuder. I takt med denna utveckling har artificiell intelligens (AI) blivit en viktig del av digitaliseringen, vilket har påverkat hur revision genomförs. Många arbetsuppgifter inom revision är strukturerade och repetitiva, vilket skapar en stor potential för automatisering av specifika moment. AI och andra digitala verktyg bidrar till ökad effektivitet och noggrannhet inom revision, vilket gör det möjligt för revisorer att hantera större mängder data och identifiera risker snabbare och mer exakt än tidigare. Denna studie undersöker hur dessa teknologiska framsteg påverkar revisionsbranschen och revisionsprocessen som revisorer arbetar med. Studien analyserar de utmaningar som AI-implementering medför, utifrån en reviderad version av TOE-modellen. En kvantitativ metod har använts för datainsamling, inkluderande litteraturstudier och distribution av enkätformulär till erfarna revisorer. Respondenternas svar indikerar en allmän uppfattning om låg teknologisk risk vid användning av AI. Samtidigt framhålls att kritiskt tänkande förblir viktiga aspekter i revisionsarbetet. Etiska frågor, såsom dataintegritet och ansvarsfördelning, fortsätter att vara betydande. Dessutom varierar revisorernas förståelse för AI-teknologi, vilket kan påverka deras förtroende för AI-system. / The audit industry has undergone significant changes and adaptations over time, with digitization being one of the most influential factors. The Swedish government strives for Sweden to be a global leader when it comes to making use of the opportunities that digitization offers. In line with this development, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important part of digitization, which has affected how auditing is carried out. Many tasks in auditing are structured and repetitive, which creates a great potential for automation of specific elements. AI and other digital tools are contributing to increased efficiency and accuracy in auditing, enabling auditors to handle larger amounts of data and identify risks faster and more accurately than before. This study examines how these technological advances affect the audit industry and the audit process with which auditors work. The study analyzes the challenges that AI implementation entails, based on a revised version of the TOE model. A quantitative method has been used for data collection, including literature studies and distribution of questionnaires to experienced accountants. Respondents' responses indicate a general perception of low technological risk when using AI. At the same time, it is emphasized that critical thinking remains important aspects in audit work. Ethical issues, such as data integrity and accountability, continue to be significant. In addition, auditors' understanding of AI technology varies, which may affect their trust in AI systems.

The design of rubble mound breakwaters usually focuses on the main armor layer. A review of the existing literature reveals that different equations are used to design rock armors in non-breaking wave conditions. However, most rubble mound breakwaters are constructed in the depth-induced breaking zone where they are attacked by waves breaking in the foreshore; in these conditions, existing design equations are not valid. Therefore, in this PhD thesis, the hydraulic stability of double-layer rock armors is analyzed through a series of small-scale tests conducted with a bottom slope m=1/50. Based on test results, a new potential relationship is given to design rock armors in depth-limited breaking wave conditions with armor slope cot¿=1.5, stability numbers within the range 0.98¿Hm0/(¿Dn50)¿2.5, and relative water depth at the toe 3.75¿hs/(¿Dn50)¿7.50. When concrete units are used for the armor layer, mound breakwaters are usually protected by a toe berm. This toe berm is placed on the seafloor or underlayer, providing support for the concrete armor units which are placed later on the structure slope. Toe berm design is commonly related to the armor design; in non-breaking wave conditions, the mass of toe berm rocks is one order of magnitude lower than the units of the layer. In breaking wave conditions, however, the highest waves start breaking on the bottom and impact directly on the toe berm. This is the common case of rocky sea bottoms with m=1/10 or higher slopes and thus, a correct design of the toe berm is crucial to guarantee the armor stability. The present PhD thesis examines the hydraulic stability of rock toe berms placed on a m=1/10 bottom slope and in very shallow waters (0.5<hs/Dn50<5.01). Small-scale tests were conducted with double-layer cube armored breakwaters and rock toe berms with different widths (Bt) and thicknesses (tt). Firstly, a new equation is proposed to design emerged and submerged standard rock toe berms (Bt=3Dn50 and tt=2 Dn50) using three parameters: (1) deep water wave height, Hs0, (2) deep water wave length, L0p, and (3) water depth at the toe, hs. Secondly, the influence of toe berm width (Bt) on toe berm stability is analyzed introducing two new concepts to characterize wide toe berms (Bt>3Dn50): (1) the nominal toe berm or the most shoreward toe berm area which effectively supports the armor layer, and (2) the sacrificial toe berm or the most seaward toe berm area which serves to protect the nominal toe berm. Considering the nominal toe berm damage, a new method is developed to reduce the rock toe berm size (Dn50) by increasing the toe berm width (Bt) if the required rock size is not available at the quarries. Finally, cube armor damage is examined, and the influence of the placement technique on armor stability is also characterized from physical tests conducted with cubes randomly- and uniformly- placed on the armor in two layers. / El manto principal de los diques en talud suele estar formado por escollera natural o elementos prefabricados de hormigón; su función es resistir la acción del oleaje. Una revisión del estado del arte pone de manifiesto que son numerosas las fórmulas existentes para el diseño de mantos derivadas de ensayos físicos a escala reducida con oleaje sin rotura por fondo. Sin embargo, la mayoría de diques en talud se construyen en la zona de rompientes con oleaje limitado por fondo, donde las ecuaciones de diseño habituales no son del todo válidas. En esta tesis doctoral se analiza la estabilidad hidráulica de mantos bicapa de escollera, a partir de ensayos a escala reducida con pendiente de fondo m=1/50. En base a los resultados obtenidos de los ensayos físicos, se propone una nueva relación potencial para el diseño de mantos de escollera en condiciones de oleaje limitado por fondo, válida para taludes con cot¿=1.5, números de estabilidad 0.98¿Hm0/(¿Dn50)¿2.5, y profundidades relativas a pie de dique de 3.75¿hs/(¿Dn50)¿7.50. Cuando el manto principal está formado por elementos de hormigón, es habitual construir una berma de pie que proporciona apoyo a los elementos del manto y, en su caso, colabora en la protección de la zona inferior del dique contra la socavación. Dicha berma suele construirse con escollera natural y su peso está condicionado al de los elementos del manto en el caso de no haber rotura por fondo. El peso de los elementos de la berma de pie suele ser un orden de magnitud inferior al peso de las unidades del manto; sin embargo, si la pendiente de fondo es fuerte (p.e. m=1/10) y las aguas someras esta regla no se cumple ya que algunas olas rompen sobre el fondo impactando directamente sobre la berma de pie. En estos casos, el peso de la escollera de la berma puede sobrepasar el de las unidades del manto y su correcto diseño es crucial para garantizar la estabilidad del dique. Además de estudiar la estabilidad del manto principal de diques de escollera, la presente tesis doctoral analiza también la estabilidad hidráulica de bermas de pie de escollera ubicadas en fondos con pendiente m=1/10 y aguas someras (0.5<hs/Dn50<5.01), en base a ensayos físicos a escala reducida realizados con mantos bicapa de cubos y bermas de escollera con diferentes dimensiones. En primer lugar, se propone una nueva ecuación para el diseño de bermas escollera estándar (Bt=3Dn50 y tt=2 Dn50), tanto emergidas como sumergidas, a partir de tres parámetros: (1) altura de ola en aguas profundas, Hs0, (2) longitud de onda en aguas profundas, L0p, (3) profundidad a pie de dique, hs. Posteriormente, se analiza la influencia del ancho de la berma (Bt) en su estabilidad hidráulica, introduciendo dos nuevos conceptos para caracterizar bermas de pie anchas (Bt>3Dn50): (1) berma nominal o zona de la berma de pie sobre la que realmente apoya el manto principal, y (2) berma de sacrificio o zona de la berma de pie que protege a la berma nominal. A partir del daño de la berma de pie nominal, se propone un nuevo método para reducir el tamaño de piedra (Dn50) incrementando el ancho de la berma (Bt) cuando no se disponga del tamaño requerido en cantera. Finalmente, se examina el daño del manto de cubos y se analiza la influencia del método de colocación sobre el mismo, a partir de ensayos realizados con mantos bicapa de cubos con colocación aleatoria y uniforme. / El mantell principal dels dics en talús sol estar format per roca o elements prefabricats de formigó, la seva funció és resistir l'acció de l'onatge. Una revisió de l'estat de l'art manifesta que són nombroses les equacions de disseny existents per a condicions d'onatge no trencat. No obstant això, la majoria de dics en talús es construeixen a la zona de rompents amb onatge limitat per fons, on les equacions de disseny existents no són del tot vàlides. En aquesta tesi doctoral s'analitza l'estabilitat hidràulica de mantells bicapa de roca, a partir d'assajos a escala reduïda realitzats amb pendent de fons m = 1/50. En base als resultats obtinguts dels assajos, es proposa una relació potencial per al disseny de mantells de roca en condicions d'onatge limitat per fons vàlida per a talussos amb cot¿ = 1.5, nombres d'estabilitat 0.98¿Hm0/(¿Dn50) ¿2.5, i profunditats relatives a peu de dic de 3.75¿hs/(¿Dn50)¿7.50. Quan mantell principal està format per elements de formigó , és habitual construir una berma de peu que proporciona suport als elements del mantell i, si escau, col¿labora en la protecció de la zona inferior del dic contra la soscavació. Aquesta berma sol construir amb roca i el seu pes està condicionat al dels elements del mantell en el cas de no haver trencament per fons. El pes dels elements de la berma de peu sol ser un ordre de magnitud inferior al pes de les unitats del mantell; però, si el pendent de fons és fort ( p.e. m = 1 /10) i les aigües someres aquesta regla no es compleix ja que algunes onades trenquen sobre el fons impactant directament sobre la berma de peu. En aquests casos, el pes de la roca de la berma pot sobrepassar el de les unitats del mantell, i el seu correcte disseny és crucial per garantir l'estabilitat del dic. A més d'estudiar l'estabilitat del mantell principal de dics de roca, la present tesi doctoral analitza també l'estabilitat hidràulica de bermes de roca ubicades en fons amb pendents m = 1/10 i aigües someres (0.5<hs/Dn50<5.01), utilitzant assajos a escala reduïda realitzats amb mantells de doble capa de cubs i bermes de roca amb diferents dimensions. En primer lloc, es proposa una nova equació per al disseny de bermes de roca estàndard (Bt = 3 Dn50 i tt = 2 Dn50), tant emergides com submergides, a partir de tres paràmetres: (1) alçada d'ona significant en aigües profundes, Hs0, (2) longitud d'ona en aigües profundes, L0p, i (3) profunditat a peu de dic, hs. Posteriorment, s'analitza la influència de l'amplada de la berma (Bt) en la seua estabilitat hidràulica, introduint dos nous conceptes per caracteritzar bermes de peu amples (Bt > 3 Dn50): (1) berma nominal o zona de la berma de peu sobre la qual recolza el mantell principal, i (2) berma de sacrifici o zona de la berma de peu que protegeix la berma nominal. A partir del dany de la berma de peu nominal, es proposa un nou mètode per reduir el tamany de roca (Dn50) incrementant l'amplada de la berma (Bt) quan no es disposi de la mida requerit en pedrera. Finalment, s'examina el dany del mantell de cubs i s'analitza la influència del mètode de col¿locació sobre el mateix , a partir d'assajos realitzats amb mantells bicapa de cubs amb col¿locació aleatòria i uniforme. / Herrera Gamboa, MP. (2017). Mound Breakwater Design in Depth-Limited Breaking Wave Conditions [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/82553

Yes / This study aims to identify how environmental, technological, and social factors influence the adoption of Industry 4.0 in the context of digital manufacturing. The Industry 4.0 era has brought a breakthrough in advanced technologies in fields such as nanotechnology, quantum computing, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, fifth-generation wireless technology, fully autonomous vehicles, 3D printing and so on. In this study, we attempted to identify the socioenvironmental and technological factors that influence the adoption of artificial intelligence embedded technology by digital manufacturing and production organizations. In doing so, the extended technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework is used to explore the applicability of Industry 4.0. A conceptual model was proposed that used an integrated technology acceptance model (TAM)-TOE model and was tested using survey-based data collected from 340 employees of small, medium and large organizations. The results highlight that all the relationships, except organizational readiness, organizational compatibility and partner support on perceived ease of use, were found to be significant in the context of digital manufacturing and production organizations. The results further indicated that leadership support acts as a countable factor to moderate such an adoption.

Yes / Most clinically available prosthetic feet have a rigid attachment or incorporate an “ankle” device allowing elastic articulation during stance, with the foot returning to a “neutral” position at toe-off. We investigated whether using a foot with a hydraulically controlled articulating ankle that allows the foot to be relatively dorsiflexed at toe-off and throughout swing would increase minimum toe clearance (MTC). Twenty-one people with unilateral transtibial amputation completed overground walking trials using their habitual prosthetic foot with rigid or elastic articulating attachment and a foot with a hydraulic ankle attachment (hyA-F). MTC and other kinematic variables were assessed across multiple trials. When using the hyA-F, mean MTC increased on both limbs (p= 0.03). On the prosthetic limb this was partly due to the device being in its fully dorsiflexed position at toe-off, which reduced the “toes down” foot angle throughout swing (p = 0.01). Walking speed also increased when using the hyA-F (p = 0.001) and was associated with greater swing-limb hip flexion on the prosthetic side (p = 0.04), which may have contributed to the increase in mean MTC. Variability in MTC increased on the prosthetic side when using the hyA-F (p = 0.03), but this did not increase risk of tripping.