The aim of this thesis was to determine the biomechanical adaptations made by active unilateral trans-tibial amputees when they used a prosthesis incorporating a hydraulically-damped, articulating ankle-foot device compared to non-hydraulically attached devices. Kinematic and kinetic data were recorded while participants ambulated over a flat and level surface at their customary walking speeds and at speeds they perceived to be faster and slower using the hydraulic device and their habitual foot. Use of the hydraulic device resulted in increases in self-selected walking speeds with a simultaneous reduction in intact-limb work per meter travelled. Use of the device also attenuated inappropriate fluctuations in the centre-of-pressure trajectory beneath the prosthetic foot and facilitated increased residual-knee loading-response flexion and prosthetic-limb load bearing during stance. These changes occurred despite the hydraulic device absorbing more, and returning less, energy than the participants’ habitual ankle-foot devices. The changes were present across all walking speeds but were greatest at customary walking speeds. The findings suggest that a hydraulic ankle-foot device has mechanical benefits, during overground gait, for active unilateral trans-tibial amputees compared to other attachment methods. The findings also highlight that prosthetic ankle-foot device ‘performance’ can be evaluated using surrogate measures and without modelling an ‘ankle joint’ on the prosthetic limb.

No description available.

No description available.

Aim: The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of 6 weeks bilateral (BL) versus unilateral (UL) complex training combined with high intensity interval training (HIIT) on maximal strength, jumping ability, straight sprint (5, 10, 20 and 30 m), change of direction speed (CODS), repeated sprint ability (RSA) and specific endurance in Swedish elite male and female handball players. Another purpose was to examine if a bilateral deficit (BLD) exists in strength and jumping ability (power deficit) and if it changes differently with 6 weeks BL and UL complex training. Method: 18 male and 12 female elite handball players was selected to either a 6 weeks bilateral (BL, n = 10) or unilateral (UL, n = 20) complex strength training program. In addition both groups trained HIIT. Training volume, intensity and exercise motion was similar between the groups. Tests included maximal (1RM) UL and BL Smith machine squat strength, UL counter movement jump with arm swing (CMJ) and BL (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) jumping ability, modified T-test, straight sprint (5, 10, 20 and 30 m), repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSSA) and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test (Yo-Yo IR) before and after 6 weeks training. Results: There was no significant difference between BL and UL groups and any of the selected tests. The UL group significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased sprint time pre- to post testing only between 0-10 m and significantly decreased RSAtotal pre- to post testing (p &lt; 0.01). BL group significantly (p &lt; 0.01) increased sprint time pre- to post testing only between 0-30 m. When pooling data from both groups significant (p &lt; 0.01) improvements were seen in maximal UL and BL strength, UL CMJ dominant leg, CODS and Yo-Yo IR test as well as increasing the BLD and power deficit for elite male and female handball players. Conclusion: 6 weeks of complex training using only BL or UL exercises combined with HIIT resulted in no significant changes between groups in any of the selected tests. Training unilaterally could possibly be a safer training method since the absolute load is lesser than BL training. / Syfte och frågeställningar: Syftet med studien är att undersöka effekterna av 6 veckors bilateral (BL) och unilateral (UL) kombinationsträning kombinerad med högintensiv intervall träning (HIIT) på maximal styrka, hoppförmåga, linjär sprint (5, 10, 20 och 30 m), snabbhet med riktningsförändringar (CODS), maximala upprepade sprinter med kort återhämtning (RSA) och specifik uthållighet på manliga och kvinnliga elithandbollsspelare. Ett annat syfte var att undersöka om bilateral deficit (BLD) existerar i styrke- och hoppövningar (power deficit) och huruvida 6 veckors BL och UL kombinationsträning påverkar förhållandet. Metod: 18 manliga och 12 kvinnliga elithandbollsspelare indelades i antingen ett bilateralt (BL, n = 10) eller ett unilateralt (UL, n = 20) kombinationsträningsprogram. Utöver kombinationsträningen utförde båda grupperna högintensiv intervallträning (HIIT). Träningsvolymen, intensiteten och övningsval var lika mellan grupperna. Testerna inkluderade maximal (1RM) UL och BL knäböjstyrka i Smith maskin, UL counter movement jump med armsving (CMJ) och BL CMJ, squat jump, (SJ), modifierat T-test, linjär sprint (5, 10, 20 och 30 m), upprepade shuttle sprintar (RSSA) och Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Yo-Yo IR) före och efter 6 veckors träning. Resultat: Det fanns ingen signifikant skillnad mellan BL eller UL gruppen i någon av de valda testerna. UL gruppen förbättrade signifikant (p &lt; 0.05 ) sprint tiden mellan 0-10 m och minskade RSAtotal (p &lt; 0.01) efter träningsperioden. BL gruppen ökade signifikant (p &lt; 0.01) sprint tiden mellan 0-30 m. När data från båda grupperna lades samman visade resultatet signifikanta (p &lt; 0.01) förbättringar i maximal UL och BL styrka, UL CMJ på det dominanta benet, CODS och Yo-Yo IR test och även en signifikant ökning i BLD och power deficiten för manliga och kvinnliga elithandbollspelare. Slutsats: 6 veckors kombinationsträning med enbart BL eller UL övningar och HIIT resulterade inte i signifikanta skillnader mellan grupperna på något av de valda testerna. ULträning kan möjligtvis vara en säkrare träningsmetod eftersom den absoluta belastningen är lägre jämfört med BL träning. / <p>Uppsatsen tilldelades stipendiemedel ur Överste och Fru Adolf Johnssons fond VT 2015.</p>

<p> Protein digestibility, a function of the source of amino acids consumed, can differentially affect postprandial protein anabolism at rest. We investigated the effect of ingesting whey and casein proteins, in isolation and in combination, after an acute bout of unilateral resistance exercise on muscle protein synthesis in eight healthy resistance trained men (24.4 ± 4.8 yr; 177.4 ± 4.2 cm; 85.5 ± 14.8 kg; means± SD). On three occasions, participants performed a unilateral bout of resistance exercise following which they consumed a drink containing whey, whey and casein (1:1), or casein protein. Each drink provided 10 g of essential amino acids. Mixed muscle protein fractional synthetic rate (FSR) was determined by pulse-tracer injections of L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine and L-[15N]phenylalanine 120-180 min after protein ingestion. The pattern of amino acid appearance in the blood after consuming the protein drinks was not different. Consequently, while consumption of the protein drinks stimulated a larger increase in FSR in the exercised leg compared to the rested leg (p < 0.05), there were no differences between the drinks. Thus, while the source of amino acids may affect protein turnover at rest, this effect is not apparent after resistance exercise. Therefore, we conclude that the ingestion of whey and casein proteins, in isolation or combination, stimulates mixed muscle protein synthesis to similar degrees after an acute bout of resistance exercise.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This thesis presents a theoretical application of multibody dynamics with unilateral contact to model the interaction of the damping element in a freight train suspension, the friction wedge, with the bolster and the side frame. The objective of the proposed approach is to produce a stand-alone model that can better characterize the interaction between the bolster, the friction wedge, and the side frame subsystems. The new model allows the wedge four degrees of freedom: vertical displacement, longitudinal (between the bolster and the side frame) displacement, pitch (rotation about the lateral axis), and yaw (rotation about the vertical axis). The new model also allows for toe variation. The stand-alone model shows the capability of capturing dynamics of the wedge which were not possible to simulate using previous models. The inclusion of unilateral contact conditions is integral in quantifying the behavior during lift-off and the stick-slip phenomena. The resulting friction wedge model is a 3D, dynamic, stand-alone model of a bolster-friction wedge-side frame assembly. The new stand-alone model was validated through simulation using simple inputs. The dedicated train modeling software NUCARS® has been used to run simulations with similar inputs and to compare — when possible — the results with those obtained from the new stand-alone MATLAB friction wedge model. The stand-alone model shows improvement in capturing the transient dynamics of the wedge better. Also, it can predict not only normal forces going into the side frame and bolster, but also the associated moments. Significant simulation results are presented and the main differences between the current NUCARS® models and the new stand-alone MATLAB models are highlighted. / Master of Science

Previous work in the Railway Technology Laboratory at Virginia Tech focused on better capturing the dynamics of the friction wedge, modeled as a 3D rigid body. The current study extends that work to a half-truck model treated as an application of multibody dynamics with unilateral contact to model the friction wedge interactions with the bolster and the sideframe. The half-truck model created in MATLAB is a 3D, dynamic, multibody dynamics model comprised of four rigid bodies: a bolster, two friction wedges, and a sideframe assembly. The model allows each wedge four degrees of freedom: vertical displacement, longitudinal displacement (between the bolster and sideframe), pitch (rotation around the lateral axis), and yaw (rotation around the vertical axis). The bolster and the sideframe have only the vertical degree of freedom. The geometry of these bodies can be adjusted for various simulation scenarios. The bolster can be initialized with a pre-defined yaw (rotation around the vertical axis) and the sideframe may be initialized with a pre-defined pitch/toe (rotation around the lateral axis). The multibody dynamics half-truck model simulation results have been compared with results from NUCARS®, an industry standard train modeling software, for similar inputs. The multibody dynamics models have also been extended to a variably damped full-truck model and a variably damped half-truck warping model. These models were reformulated to react dynamically to simulated truck warp inputs. The ability to better characterize truck warping properties can prevent train roll over and derailments from truck hunting. In a quarter-truck variably damped configuration the effects of a curved wedge surface has also been explored. Actual friction wedges have surfaces which are slightly curved, this iteration in the multibody dynamics friction wedge modeling attempts to draw one step closer to actual friction wedge geometry. This model lays the ground work for a contact dependant wedge wearing model based on material properties and tribology. / Master of Science

No / This paper provides the results of re-evaluation of a young adult individual from the Romano-British cemetery of 76 Kingsholm, Gloucester with club foot defomity by (Roberts et al 2004). Our reanalysis revealed an extensive bilateral asymmetry involving the lower and upper limb, spine and cranium and a right scoliosis, indicating more than the lower limb was affected. Consideration of the position and shape of the articulated club foot indicated a positional rather than a developmental condition, probably due to unilateral paralysis. Differential diagnosis considered congenital and acquired neuromuscular conditions; we argue that poliomyelitis is the most likely cause. Poliomyelitis is secondary to the infection with poliovirus that can affect the motor neurons from the spinal cord, causing a flaccid paralysis without sensory affection. Because the virus affects individual nerves, the paralysis is muscle-specific causing muscle imbalances and poor posture which can result in deformities and muscle disuse atrophy. Shortening of the leg is the most characteristic sign, however other typical deformations are in the lower limbs are external rotation of the knee, knee hyperestension, ankle and foot deformities (all observed in K131). The evaluation of K131’s entheses and bone structure suggests that, in life, this individual showed physical deformities consisting of a possibly visible atrophy of the left arm and leg, asymmetric gait, clubfoot and slight scoliosis which would have affected not only his appearance but also his ability to move and perform certain tasks. K131’s burial treatment is entirely normative for the period and the wider cemetery context. This could suggest that despite their impairment, this individual was not necessarily marginalised within their social context. However, historical sources account for extensive marginalisation and cruel treatment of the disabled and deformed in this period. So, whilst K131 was buried in a normative manner, it is difficult to reach definitive conclusions regarding how this individual was treated by their contemporaries.

Neste trabalho investigamos a existência de uma função de Lyapunov associada a um sistema de tipo gradiente, semigrupos ou processos de evolução. Para isso, um estudo detalhado da teoria de Morse desempenha um papel decisivo. Como principal consequência deste estudo obtemos a estabilidade dos sistemas gradientes sob perturbação (autônoma ou não). A aplicabilidade dos resultados abstratos que aqui discutimos é exemplificada estudando-se sistemas de equações diferenciais em espaços de Banach com acoplamento unilateral / In this work we investigated the existence of a Lyapunov function associated to a gradient-like system, semigroups or evolution processes. For that, a detailed study of Morse theory plays a central role. As the main consequence of this study we obtain the stability of gradient systems under perturbation (autonomous or not). The applicability of the abstract results discussed here is exemplified by studying systems of differential equations in Banach spaces with unilateral coupling

Trata-se de dissertação elaborada com o escopo de identificar os efeitos da denúncia unilateral exercida no âmbito dos tipos contratuais instrumentalizados ao processo de distribuição de bens e serviços, a partir do exame das diferenças tipológicas entre cada um deles. Aludidos tipos contratuais correspondem ao de agência, de representação comercial autônoma, de concessão comercial e de franquia, cujos contornos ainda são frutos de intenso debate doutrinário. No ordenamento pátrio, enquanto alguns tipos contratuais não sofreram regulamentação legal, outros tais como o de agência, de representação comercial autônoma, de concessão comercial de veículos autores e de franquia são regulados legislativamente, em fenômeno a que não se assiste em nenhum outro ordenamento da família romano-germânica. A construção da disciplina de tais consequências jurídicas transpassa pela delimitação do âmbito de incidência de cada um desses regimes legais, os quais podem atribuir consequências jurídicas próprias. Os tipos de agência e de representação comercial são equivalentes, o que permite tratá-lo de maneira conjunta, enquanto aqueles de concessão comercial e de franquia, a despeito de apresentarem diferenças relevantes, também podem ser examinados em conjunto pela similar estruturação dos interesses, a despeito de apresentarem peculiares leis regulando-os. Após realizado o exame legislativo e tipológico, examinou-se o impacto do princípio da boa-fé objetiva na determinação dos efeitos desencadeados pela resilição unilateral exercida pelo produtor nos contratos por tempo indeterminado, assim como a influência da previsão do parágrafo único do art. 473 do Código Civil na delimitação desses corolários jurídicos no que tange aos tipos contratuais analisados. Realizado essa investigação, constatou-se que, conquanto existam inúmeros fatores que distanciem, de um lado, os tipos de agência e de representação comercial autônoma e, de outro, de concessão comercial e de franquia, os efeitos desencadeados pela denúncia unilateral são semelhantes, próximos àqueles das relações de duração e nas quais existe estreita confiança. / This dissertation aims to identify the effects of unilateral termination of contractual types exploited under the economic process of distribution of goods and services, from the examination of typological differences between each of these contracts. Alluded contractual types correspond to the agência, representação comercial autônoma, concessão comercial and franquia, which contours are still fruit of intense doctrinal debate. In the Brazilian legal system, while some contractual types suffered no legal regulation, others such as agência, representação comercial autônoma, concessão comercial de veículos automotores and franquia are regulated legislatively, in a phenomenon that it is not witnessed in any other roman-germanic legal system. The construction of the discipline of such legal consequences pierces the scoping incidence of each of these statutory schemes, which may assign legal consequences of their own. It was found that the types of agência and concessão comercial are equivalent, allowing to treat them jointly, while those of concessão comercial and franquia, despite presenting relevant differences, can also be examined jointly as they present a similar structure of interests, despite presenting peculiar laws regulating them. After the legislation and typological examination, it was examined the impact of the principle of good faith in determining the effects triggered by the notice to quit of the producer in contracts for an indefinite period, as well as the determining influence of the sole paragraph of article 473 of the Brazilian Civil Code in the legal definition of these corollaries with respect to the contractual types analyzed. It was found that while there are numerous factors that distance themselves the effects triggered by unilateral withdrawal are similar and close to those of the contracts relational contracts.