Locomotor adaptability in persons with unilateral transtibial amputation

Background Locomotor adaptation enables walkers to modify strategies when faced with challenging walking conditions. While a variety of neurological injuries can impair locomotor adaptability, the effect of a lower extremity amputation on adaptability is poorly understood. Objective Determine if locomotor adaptability is impaired in persons with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA). Methods The locomotor adaptability of 10 persons with a TTA and 8 persons without an amputation was tested while walking on a split-belt treadmill with the parallel belts running at the same (tied) or different (split) speeds. In the split condition, participants walked for 15 minutes with the respective belts moving at 0.5 m/s and 1.5 m/s. Temporal spatial symmetry measures were used to evaluate reactive accommodations to the perturbation, and the adaptive/de-adaptive response. Results Persons with TTA and the reference group of persons without amputation both demonstrated highly symmetric walking at baseline. During the split adaptation and tied post-adaptation walking both groups responded with the expected reactive accommodations. Likewise, adaptive and de-adaptive responses were observed. The magnitude and rate of change in the adaptive and de-adaptive responses were similar for persons with TTA and those without an amputation. Furthermore, adaptability was no different based on belt assignment for the prosthetic limb during split adaptation walking. Conclusions Reactive changes and locomotor adaptation in response to a challenging and novel walking condition were similar in persons with TTA to those without an amputation. Results suggest persons with TTA have the capacity to modify locomotor strategies to meet the demands of most walking conditions despite challenges imposed by an amputation and use of a prosthetic limb

Diagnostic testing for earnings simulation engines in the Australian electricity market

This study has endeavoured to propose and implement a series of diagnostic tests to determine the appropriateness of electricity simulation engines (ESEs) for generating electricity load and price paths to be used as input in the determination of a retailer’s earnings distribution and the assessment of earnings-at-risk (EaR) measures. Additional diagnostic measures require development before a routine can be developed whereby a complete diagnostic report can be generated as output using simulated and historical data as input. This work includes: (1) Further partitioning of output load and prices from an ESE into off-peak, peak and weekend periods to determine the subsequent effect on earnings. (2) The diagnosis of simulated load paths. As simulated load was not supplied for all engines, the diagnostics developed in this report did not include an analysis of load. (3) The building of a response surface to capture the interaction between temperature, load and price. (4) Examination of the convergence behaviour of an ESE. Convergence in this context means the determination of the minimum number of load and price paths required from a simulator in order to return expected profiles that conform to industry expectations. This would involve the sequential testing of an increasing number of simulated paths from an ESE in order to determine the number required. In conclusion, it is important to understand that each of the simulators that were diagnosed in this study were criticised according to industry expectations, and to the degree that the diagnostics employed here reflect those expectations. In fact, all simulators will attract criticism given that they are calibrated on historical data and are expected to generate future prices for market conditions that are unknown. The mark of an appropriate ESE is that the future load and pricing structure it generates is not too much at variance with industry expectations. A critical function of a simulator is for it not to overestimate or underestimate load and prices such that the risk metrics used to govern earnings risk faced by an electricity retailer are compromised to the extent that their book is either grossly over-hedged or under-hedged

Application of trajectory optimization techniques to upper atmosphere sampling flights using the F4-C Phantom aircraft

Altitude potential of an off-the-shelf F4-C aircraft is examined. It is shown that the standard F4-C has a maximum altitude capability in the region from 85000 to 95000 ft, depending on the minimum dynamic pressures deemed acceptable for adequate flight control. By using engine overspeed capability and by making use of prevailing winds in the stratosphere, it is suggested that the maximum altitude achievable by an F4-C should be in the vicinity of 95000 ft for routine flight operation. This altitude is well in excess of the minimum altitudes which must be achieved for monitoring the possible growth of suspected aerosol contaminants

(Re)interpreting Human Rights: The Case of the "Torture Memos" and their Translation into Italian

The language of human rights can prove as difficult to define as it is to determine its boundaries as a legal discipline and to assert its universal acceptance. The indeterminacy and vagueness often observed in the language of its documents is clearly aimed at fostering Human Rights acknowledgment and protectio

Analisa Perbandingan Breadth-first Search dan Depthfirst Search pada Aplikasi Sistem Pakar Pengobatan Tradisional

This research was conducted based on the need for tools for parents who have had children in determining a traditional medicine to treat illnesses suffered by children, toddlers and babies. Aids in the fo rm o f an expert system of traditional medicine. This expert system application can be run in a way that the disease name input experienced by children, toddlersand babies, then the expert system will provide information prescription medications to treat the disease. Search method used is the method of Breadth-First Search and Depth-First Search. Results of comparative analysis o f Breadth-First Search and Depth-First Search was concluded that the analysis using the Depth-First Search more quickly provide information about traditional medicine in comparison with using the method of Breadth-First Search. However, the use of the method of Breadth-First Search is superior compared with Depth-FirstSearch. This is because the method of Breadth-First Search will not find a dead end or to find a solution although it has only one solution. And if you have two solutions, the method of Breadth-First Search will find them. The test results of the application of expert system of traditional medicine in the 30 responders was 72.67%. Thus, the application of expert systemof traditional medicine by using Breadth-First Search and Depth-First S earch good

Self-similar collapse of collisional gas in an expanding Universe

Similarity solutions are found for the adiabatic collapse of density perturbations $\delta M/M \propto r^{-s}$ $(s>0)$ in a flat universe containing collisional gas only. The solutions are obtained for planar, cylindrical, and spherical perturbations with zero initial pressure. For adiabatic index $\gamma\ge 4/3$, a shock develops at a fixed fraction of the current turnaround distance. Near the center of a spherical perturbations with $\gamma>4/3$ and $s>1/2$, the gas is in quasi-hydrostatic equilibrium (pressure supported) and has an asymptotic power law density profile, $\rho\sim r^{-3s/(s+1)}$, independent of $\gamma$. For $s\le 1/2$, the profile depends on $\gamma$, the pressure is finite, the temperature decreases inward, and gravity dominates pressure causing a continuous inward flow. Although for $1/2<s<2$ the temperature decreases at the center, the gas is pressure supported. The pressure is finite in cylindrical perturbations for $s\le 2(\gamma-1)/(3\gamma-4)$, and in planar perturbations for any $s>0$. We also derive the asymptotic behaviour of the gas variables near the center in a universe dominated by collisionless matter. In such a universe, the gas in a spherical perturbation with $s<2$ cannot be pressure supported and the temperature approaches a constant near the center. The solutions and the asymptotic behaviour are relevant for modelling the gas distribution in galaxy clusters and pancake-like superclusters, and determining the structure of haloes of self-interacting dark matter with large interaction cross section.Comment: version accepted for publication in the MNRA

Isomer effects on polyimide properties

Polyimide polymers which are thermally stable and processable are developed. The addition of alkyl substituents to an aromatic ring in the polymer backbone is examined along with polyimide precursor amines containing functional groups that allow for post-cure crosslinking. The synthesis of key monomers is reported, including 2,4,6-tris (m-aminobenzyl) 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene and 2,4,6-tris (p-aminobenzyl) 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene. The preparation of a key monomer, 2,5,3-triamino benzophenone, is reported