Дисертації з теми "FOWT"

La thèse vise à étudier l’efficacité et la précision des solveurs NS et SWENSE pour simuler des structures fixes et flottantes. Les deux solveurs sont basés sur OpenFOAM et sont couplés indépendamment avec HOS pour la générationd’onde en termes de domaine et d’approche de décomposition fonctionnelle. Les solveurs sont testés pour trois applications. Les première et deuxième applications présentent l’interaction d’ondes de focalisation avec des cylindresfixes et mobiles et la troisième est l’interaction d’ondes régulières et irrégulières avec la sousstructure de type OC3 Hywind SPAR. Les méthodes et paramètres de génération d’ondes pour les solveurs NS et SWENSE sont discutés endétail pour les ondes régulières, irrégulières et focalisées. Pour vérification, l’incertitude du cas est quantifiée à l’aide de l’approche d’extrapolation de Richardson et validée avec les mesures expérimentales. Une réduction significative de lataille du maillage est prévue dans les deux approches. Pour l’étude de l’interaction des ondes de corps flottant, les amarres sont modélisées de deux façons : en considérant les lignes d’amarrage comme un ressort linéaire avec une raideur de ressort définie et un couplage avec un modèle d’amarrage dynamique (MoorDyn). Les résultats numériques de l’élévation de surface, des mouvements du corps et des tensions d’amarrage sont validés par rapport aux expériences menées dans le projet SOFTWIND, et l’efficacité et la précision des deux solveurs sont comparées
The thesis aims to study the effectiveness and accuracy of the NS and SWENSEbased solvers for simulating fixed and floating structures. Both solvers are OpenFOAM-based and are independently coupled with HOS for wave generation in terms of domain and functional decomposition approach. The solvers are tested for three applications. The first and second applications present the focusing wave interaction with fixed and moving cylinders and the third is the interaction of regular and irregular waves with the OC3 Hywind SPAR type substructure. The wave generating methods and parametersfor NS and SWENSE solvers are discussed in detail for regular, irregular, and focused waves. For verification, the case’s uncertainty is quantified using the Richardson extrapolation approach and validated with the experimental measurements.A significant reduction in the mesh size is predicted in both approaches. For the floating body wave interaction study, the moorings are modelled in two ways: by considering the mooring lines as a linear spring with defined spring stiffnessand coupling with a dynamic mooring model (MoorDyn). The numerical results of surface elevation, body motions, and mooring tensions are validated against the experiments carried out in the SOFTWIND project, and the efficiency andaccuracy of the two solvers are compared

La décarbonation du secteur de l'énergie est un défi majeur de notre époque. Les énergies renouvelables offrent une solution viable. L'éolien offshore peut contribuer à une grande partie de la demande énergétique. Pour accéder à l'importanteressource éolienne en mer, il est nécessaire d'installer des éoliennes flottantes. Comme la technologie est encore à l'état préindustriel, plusieurs questions restent à résoudre. En utilisant la modélisation physique à une échelleréduite, cette thèse vise à étudier le comportement instationnaire et le développement du sillage d’un modèle simplifié d’éolienne. Le modèle est placé dans une soufflerie atmosphérique et soumis à une gamme de mouvements idéalisés et réalistes. Les valeurs de vitesse moyenne restent globalement inchangées mais l’intensité de turbulence et l’énergie cinétique turbulente (TKE) sont modifiées. Le bilan TKE révèle que la production et la dissipation turbulentes sont augmentées avec l'introduction du mouvement de vague idéalisé. Les spectres d'énergie de l'écoulement sont affectés par l'introduction du mouvement. Un mouvement idéalisé à fréquence unique entraîne une signature claire dans les spectres d'énergie du sillage. Un déplacement vers des fréquences plus élevées peut être observé pour plusieurs régimes de mouvement. Un mouvement réaliste à 3 degrés de liberté affecte le sillage différemment d'un mouvement idéalisé à 3 degrés de liberté
Decarbonising the energy sector is a major challenge of our times. Renewable energies offer a viable solution. Offshore windalone can contribute a large portion of the energy demand. To access the large wind resource further offshore floating wind turbines are necessary. Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) are a potential source for increased offshore energy production. As the technology is still in a pre-industrial state several questionsremain to be addressed. Using physical modelling at a reduced scale, this thesis aims to investigate the unsteady behaviour and the development of the wake in a simplified FOWT model. The model is placed in an atmospheric wind tunnel and subjected to a. range of idealised and realistic motions. Each degree of freedom is studied separately and all three degrees of freedom (Dof) together. The effects of induced sinusoidal surge motion on the characteristics of the model’s wake up to 8D downstream are studied. The results show globally unchanged mean velocity values but modified turbulence intensity and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). A TKE budget analysis reveals that the turbulent production and dissipation are increased with the introduction of idealised surge motion. The energy spectra of the flow are affected by the introduction of motion. Idealised single frequency motion leaves a clear signature in the wake spectra. A shift to higher frequencies can be observed for several motion regimes. Realistic 3 Dof motion affects the wake differently compared to idealised 3 Dof motion

This thesis proposes three different data-driven solutions to be combined to state-of-the-art solvers and tools in order to primarily enhance their computational performances. The problem of efficiently designing the open sea floating platforms on which wind turbines can be mount on will be tackled, as well as the tuning of a data-driven engine's monitoring tool for maritime transportation. Finally, the activities of SAT and ASP solvers will be thoroughly studied and a deep learning architecture will be proposed to enhance the heuristics-based solving approach adopted by such software. The covered domains are different and the same is true for their respective targets. Nonetheless, the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms are shared as well as the overall picture: promote Industrial AI and meet the constraints imposed by Industry 4.0 vision. The lesser presence of human-in-the-loop, a data-driven approach to discover causalities otherwise ignored, a special attention to the environmental impact of industries' emissions, a real and efficient exploitation of the Big Data available today are just a subset of the latter. Hence, from a broader perspective, the experiments carried out within this thesis are driven towards the aforementioned targets and the resulting outcomes are satisfactory enough to potentially convince the research community and industrialists that they are not just "visions" but they can be actually put into practice. However, it is still an introduction to the topic and the developed models are at what can be defined a "pilot" stage. Nonetheless, the results are promising and they pave the way towards further improvements and the consolidation of the dictates of Industry 4.0.

According to the HTTP Archive, 75% of websites are using web fonts. Multiple conditions have to be met before modern web browsers like Chrome, Firefox and Safari decide to download the web fonts needed on a page. As a result, web fonts are late discovered resources that can delay the First Meaningful Paint (FMP). Improving the FMP is relevant for the web industry, particularly for performance-conscious web developers. This paper gives insight into how the resource prioritization approaches HTTP/2 Preload and HTTP/2 Server Push can be used to optimize the delivery of web fonts for first-time visitors. Five font loading strategies that use HTTP/2 Server Push and/or Preload were implemented on replicas of the landing pages from five real-world websites. The font loading strategies were evaluated against each other, and against the non-optimized version of each landing page. All the evaluated font loading strategies in this degree project improved the time it took to deliver the first web font content to the user’s screen, resulting in a faster FMP. It was also discovered that HTTP/2 Server Push, on its own, is not a more performance efficient resource prioritization approach than HTTP/2 Preload when it comes to delivering web font content to the client. Further, HTTP/2 Server Push and HTTP/2 Preload appears to be more efficient when used together, in the context of optimizing the delivery of web font content. However, all conclusions in this paper are based on the results gathered from testing the font loading strategies in an emulated environment and are yet to be confirmed on actual mobile devices with real network conditions.

The work describes the theoretical foundations of modern methods of creating new fonts, that is, using information technology, specifically vector programs. It also marginally shows the history of the font, Roman writing, the basic division of its compositions and describes its individual elements. The next part of the project focuses on creating digital fonts and continues with bringing it to live using algorithms and methods that can easily be processed in Matlab programming language. The method of implementation of the bringing the typeface to live is described and presentation of the generated results are then shown in few examples. Attention is also paid to the coordinates system, which is very important to solve geometric transformations, and two-dimensional vector graphics, which are widely used in the design and to render the fonts. Bézier curves and cubic Bézier curves are described in further detail along with vector graphics rasterization. One part of this text describes very important de Casteljau algorithm. The last chapter focuses on implementation in Matlab programming language, the creation of curves, that means single font characters, and the ways of how the algorithm works with transformations. Some sample images showing transformations using different input arguments are displayed in this section as well. There is evaluation of the contribution of this application and the possibilities of further expansion at the end.

Bakgrund: Diabetes mellitus är en kronisk sjukdom som ökar över hela världen. De drabbade individerna får diabetesrelaterade komplikationer som uppkommer vid sjukdomen, bland annat fotkomplikationer såsom fotsår som är vanligt förekommande. Komplikationerna leder till stort lidande för personen. Förutom att det leder till lidande för personen så medför det stora kostnader för hälso- och sjukvården. Uppkomst av fotsår kan motverkas och förhindras genom kunskap och utbildning. Syfte: Författarna vill i denna litteraturstudie belysa diabetespatienters behov av kunskap och undervisning gällande primär prevention av fotsår. Metod: Studien har utförts som en kvalitativ litteraturstudie där tio vetenskapliga artiklar har inkluderats. Artiklarna söktes via de två databaserna PubMed och CINAHL. De inkluderande artiklarna var med kvalitativ ansats. Resultatet av artiklarna bearbetades, analyserades, kvalitetsgranskades och sammanställdes. Resultat: Resultatet framfördes genom två huvudkategorier som är egenvårdsåtgärder och patientutbildning. Genom egenvård är patienterna delaktiga i sin vårdplan. Informationen av egenvårdsåtgärder ska inkluderas i första informationsmötet med patienten. I patientutbildning ges den information och rådgivningen som behövs för att patienten ska kunna hantera sin sjukdom. Dessutom leder patientutbildning till motivation och bättre hälsofrämjande vanor. Konklusion: För att fotsår ska undvikas bör patienten ha kunskaper om vilka komplikationer diabetes kan orsaka. Genom att ha en tydlig bild om hur komplikationerna förhindras leder det till förbättrad omhändertagandet av fötterna. Kommunikationen mellan patienten och vårdpersonalen är en avgörande faktor för hur väl informationen nås fram.
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that is on the rise worldwide. The affected individuals get diabetes-related complications that arise from the disease, including foot complications that are common. The complications lead to great suffering for the person. In addition to suffering for people, it also entails huge costs for health care. The onset of foot ulcers can be counteracted and prevented through knowledge and education. Purpose: In this literature study, the authors want to shed light on diabetic patients' need for knowledge and education regarding the primary prevention of foot ulcers. Method: The study was conducted as a qualitative literature study where ten scientific articles have been included. The articles were searched through the two databases PubMed and CINAHL. The included articles were with a qualitative approach. In the background, both qualitative and quantitative articles were included. Only qualitative articles were included in the results. The results of the articles were processed, reviewed and compiled. Results: The results were presented through two main categories, which are self-care measures and patient education. Through self-care, patients are involved in their care plan. The information of self-care measures must be included in the first information meeting with the patient. In patient education, the information and advice need to enable the patient to manage that their illness is provided. In addition, patient education leads to motivation and better health-promoting habits. Conclusion: To avoid foot ulcers, the patient should have knowledge of what complications diabetes can cause. By having a clear picture of how the complications are prevented, it leads to improved care of the feet. The communication between the patient and the care staff is a decisive factor in how well the information is obtained.

Background: The foot has to fulfil important and complex functions which are, in most regions of the world, supported by shoes. The interface of feet and footwear has often been considered with respect to comfort and function but also to negative effects of shoes. One main contribution to the improvement of footwear fit is provided by matching the shape of the shoe to the shape of the foot. However, current approaches for implementation only include static information. There is still a lack of dynamic information about foot morphology and deformation. Recent advancements in scanner technology allow capturing the foot during natural walking. These advancements and the development of a dynamic foot scanner system (DynaScan4D) are preconditions for this thesis. The research question is: How does foot morphology differ between static and dynamic situations? This question is further specified toward three hypotheses by findings and deficits of the current state of research. The examination of the three hypotheses and their contribution to the research question are topic of this thesis. Furthermore, the findings are combined with comprehensive knowledge of the literature to formulate recommendations for last and footwear construction. Methods: The three hypotheses (H1, H2, H3) are evaluated within three research articles. The first research article aims to identify the differences in dynamic foot morphology according to age, gender, and body mass (H1). The plantar dynamic foot morphology of 129 adults is recorded and analysed by two statistical methods: (1) comparison of matched groups and (2) multiple linear regression analysis. The second and third research article is dealing with differences between static and dynamic foot morphology in developing feet (H2) and their inter-individual differences (H3). For this reason, a large sample of 2554 children, aged between 6 and 16 years, is analysed. Foot measures, corresponding to last measures, are used to identify the differences between static and dynamic foot morphology (H2) by Student's t-test for paired samples. The influences of gender, age, and body mass (H3) are analysed within the whole sample by multiple linear regression analysis and within matched groups by Student's t-test for independent samples. Results: There are differences in dynamic foot morphology according to age, gender, and body mass in adults which confirm H1. In general, the differences are rather small. Furthermore, the differences must be considered in a more differentiated way, as they are not consistent regarding all plantar foot measures. H2 is confirmed as there are statistically signiffcant differences between static and dynamic foot morphology in developing feet. Theses differences are found for all foot measures. However, the magnitude of these differences varies depending on each foot measure. Relevant differences, in particular the forefoot width and midfoot girth measures as well as the angles of the forefoot, must be considered for footwear construction. Influences of gender, age, and body mass are found for the dynamic foot morphology and the differences between static and dynamic foot morphology of developing feet. Thus, H3 is verified. However, these findings are small, especially considering the high variance within each foot measure. The variables gender, age, and body mass cannot appropriately explain the variance of the differences between static and dynamic foot morphology. Thus, the customization of footwear to dynamic foot morphology can be conducted without individual adjustments to gender, age, or body mass. Conclusion: This thesis presents different aspects to answer the question of differences between static and dynamic foot morphology. The findings of this thesis are critically discussed and recommendations for improvements of dynamic fit of footwear are formulated, taking into account the current state of research as well as practical aspects. The findings of the thesis contribute to the field of fundamental research, i.e. to broaden the knowledge about three-dimensional characteristics of dynamic foot morphology. Furthermore, this thesis can help to improve the fit of footwear and thus contributes to applied research in the field of footwear science
Hintergrund: Der Fuß erfüllt wichtige und komplexe Funktionen, die in den meisten Regionen der Welt, durch Schuhe unterstützt werden. Die Berührungspunkte zwischen Schuhen und Füßen wurden im Hinblick auf komfortable und funktionelle Schuhe, aber auch hinsichtlich negativer Effekte von Schuhen, häufig betrachtet. Ein wesentlicher Beitrag zur Verbesserung der Passform von Schuhen liefert die Annäherung der Schuhform an die Fußform. Jedoch beschränken sich bisherige Umsetzungsansätze auf statische Informationen. Bislang fehlen umfangreiche dynamische Informationen zur Fußgestalt und Verformung. Erst aktuelle Fortschritte der Scanner-Technologie ermöglichen es, den Fuß während des natürlichen Gehens zu erfassen. Diese Fortschritte und die Entwicklung eines dynamischen Fuß-Scanner-Systems (DynaScan4D), stellen die Grundlage für diese Dissertation dar. Die Forschungsfrage ist: Wie unterscheidet sich die statische Fußgestalt von der dynamischen? Mit der Aufarbeitung von Ergebnissen und Defiziten aktueller Forschungsarbeiten wird diese Frage durch die Formulierung von drei Hypothesen weiter spezifiziert. Diese drei Hypothesen, sowie deren Beitrag zur Forschungsfrage, sind Thema dieser Dissertation. Darüber hinaus wird umfassendes Wissen aus der Literatur verwendet um Empfehlungen für die Konstruktion von Schuhen zu geben. Methoden: Die drei Hypothesen (H1, H2, H3) werden in drei wissenschaftlichen Veröffentlichungen untersucht. Die erste Veröffentlichung zielt darauf ab, die Unterschiede zwischen der dynamischen Fußgestalt in Abhängigkeit von Alter, Geschlecht und Körpermasse zu ermitteln (H1). Die plantare dynamische Fußgestalt von 129 Erwachsenen wird hierzu erfasst und durch zwei statistische Verfahren analysiert: (1) Vergleich von gepaarten Probandengruppen und (2) multiple lineare Regressionsanalyse. Die zweite und dritte Hypothese befassen sich mit den Unterschieden der statischen und dynamischen Fußgestalt bei heranreifenden Füßen (H2) und deren inter-individuellen Unterschieden (H3). Aus diesem Grund wird eine große Stichprobe mit 2554 Kindern im Alter zwischen 6 und 16 Jahren untersucht. Fußmaße, die den Maßen im Leistenbau entsprechen, werden verwendet um die Unterschiede zwischen der statischen und der dynamischen Fußgestalt (H2) durch einen gepaarten Student's t-Test zu identifizieren. Der Einfluss des Geschlechtes, des Alters und der Körpermasse (H3) werden in der gesamten Stichprobe durch eine multiple lineare Regressionsanalyse und innerhalb gepaarter Probandengruppen durch Student's t-Test für unabhängige Stichproben untersucht. Ergebnisse: Es gibt Unterschiede in der dynamischen Fußgestalt von Erwachsenen, beeinflusst durch Alter, Geschlecht und Körpermasse, welche die Verifizierung von H1 erlauben. Im Allgemeinen sind diese Unterschiede jedoch gering. Die ermittelten Unterschiede müssen differenziert betrachtet werden, da sie nicht konsistent in Bezug auf die gesamte plantare Fußgestalt auftreten. H2 kann verifiziert werden, da es zwischen der statischen und der dynamischen Fußgestalt von heranreifenden Kindern statistisch signifikante Unterschiede gibt. Diese Unterschiede wurden bei allen Fußmaßen gefunden, wobei das Außmaß dieser Unterschiede in Abhängigkeit vom jeweiligen Fußmaß variiert. Relevante Unterschiede, insbesondere Breitenmaße und Winkelmaße des Vorfußes sowie Umfangsmaße des Mittelfußes, müssen bei der Konstruktion von Schuhen berücksichtigt werden. Es zeigen sich Einflüsse von Geschlecht, Alter und Körpermasse auf die dynamische Fußgestalt sowie auf die Differenzen zwischen der statischen und der dynamischen Fußgestalt. Somit ist H3 verifiziert. Jedoch sind diese Einflüsse gering, besonders wenn die Varianz innerhalb der Fußmaße betrachtet wird. Die Variablen Alter, Geschlecht und Körpermasse können die Varianz der Differenzen zwischen der statischen und der dynamischen Fußgestalt nicht angemessen erklären. Damit kann die Anpassung an die dynamische Fußgestalt ohne eine Individualisierung hinsichtlich Alter, Geschlecht oder Körpermasse vollzogen werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Die vorliegende Dissertation stellt unterschiedliche Aspekte zur Beantwortung der Frage, welche Unterschiede zwischen der statischen und der dynamischen Fußgestalt bestehen, vor. Die Ergebnisse der Arbeit werden kritisch diskutiert und es werden, unter Berücksichtigung des aktuellen Forschungsstandes sowie praktischer Aspekte, Empfehlungen zur Optimierung der dynamischen Passform von Schuhen gegeben. Die Ergebnisse der Dissertation liefern einen Beitrag zur Grundlagenforschung, insbesondere durch die Erweiterung des Wissensstands der dreidimensionalen Eigenschaften der dynamischen Fußgestalt. Darüber hinaus kann diese Arbeit helfen die dynamische Passform von Schuhen zu verbessern und trägt damit zur angewandten Schuhforschung bei

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, February 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-85).
Drop foot, a loss of use of the muscles that lift the foot, can be caused by stroke, cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS), or neurological trauma. The two major complications of drop foot are slapping of the foot after heel strike (foot slap) and dragging of the toe during swing (toe drag). The current assistive device is the Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO), which though offering some biomechanical benefits, is nonadaptive and fails to eliminate significant gait complications. An Active Ankle Foot Orthosis (AAFO) is presented where the impedance of the orthotic joint is modulated throughout the walking cycle to treat drop foot gait. To prevent foot slap, a biomimetic torsional spring control is applied where orthotic joint stiffness is actively adjusted to minimize forefoot collisions with the ground. Throughout late stance, joint impedance is minimized so as not to impede powered plantar flexion movements, and during the swing phase, a torsional spring-damper (PD) control lifts the foot to provide toe clearance. To assess the clinical effects of variable-impedance control, kinetic and kinematic gait data were collected on two drop foot participants wearing the AAFO. For each participant, zero, constant and variable impedance control strategies were evaluated, and the results were compared to the mechanics of three age, weight and height matched normals. It was found that actively adjusting joint impedance significantly reduces the occurrence of slap foot, allows greater powered plantar flexion, and provides for greater biological realism in swing phase ankle dynamics. These results indicate that a variable-impedance orthosis may have certain clinical benefits for the treatment of drop foot gait compared to conventional AFO having zero or constant stiffness joint behaviors.
by Joaquin A. Blaya.
S.M.

The human foot has been accepted over the years as an important source of afferent input, used not only in the recognition of the surrounding environment (e.g. hard and soft surfaces), but also in the fine regulation of common daily-live movements (e.g. gait and balance control). The performance of these movements is usually accompanied by fluctuations in foot skin temperature as well as reciprocal blood flow changes at the foot area. Moreover, both variables are likely to be affected by footwear usage. Although these three factors are constantly present during the performance of daily live movements, only little and partially controversial information regarding the effects of foot skin temperature, blood flow at the foot area and footwear on foot sensitivity can be found in the literature. Therefore, the goal of the thesis was to investigate the effects of foot skin temperature, blood flow at the foot area and footwear on plantar foot vibration sensitivity of healthy young subjects. Three single studies were performed in order to investigate each variable separately. The first study investigated the influence of foot sole skin temperature on plantar foot sensitivity of 40 healthy subjects. Vibration thresholds were measured at 200Hz at a initial baseline temperature and after cooling/warming the foot skin 5-6 °C. The second study investigated the influence of short-time lower leg ischemia on plantar foot vibration sensitivity of 39 young adults. Lower leg ischemia was evoked with a pneumatic tourniquet, placed about 10cm above the popliteus cavity. Vibration thresholds were measured at 200 Hz in three different cuff pressure conditions: baseline (0 mmHg), low (50 mmHg) and high (150 mmHg). Finally, the influence of footwear on foot sensitivity was investigated in the third study, using specific Formula 1 shoes. Twenty-five male subjects participated in the study. Plantar foot vibration thresholds were measured at 30 and 200 Hz in five different foot/shoe conditions (barefoot and four shoe conditions). In all studies, vibration thresholds were measured at three anatomical locations of the plantar foot: heel, first metatarsal head (MET I) and hallux. The main results of the three studies show that the analysed variables significantly influence plantar foot vibration sensitivity. Data from the first study show that 5-6 °C alterations in foot skin temperature significantly influence the foot sensitivity of healthy young adults, whereby skin cooling results in reduced foot sensitivity, whereas skin warming improves plantar foot vibration sensitivity. The results of the second study indicate that short-time lower leg ischemia; especially regarding the high cuff pressure condition (150 mmhg), significantly reduces plantar foot sensitivity. Data from the third study show that the footwear effects on foot sensitivity are frequency-dependent. While barefoot sensitivity is better than shod sensitivity at 30Hz, shod sensitivity is better than barefoot sensitivity when measured at 200Hz. In conclusion, foot sole skin temperature, blood flow at the foot area and footwear significantly influence the plantar foot vibration sensitivity of healthy young adults. The alterations in foot sensitivity caused by these variables have important consequences for future clinical as well as movement-related research. Future clinical applications of quantitative sensory testing should consider the influence of these three factors during the assessment of sensory data, in order to standardize the measurement procedures as well as to enhance the quality of the collected data. Regarding the movement-related research, further studies should try to identify the importance of foot sensitivity for the performance of different types of movements (including sport-related activities). Additionally, the combined effects of movement-related changes in foot skin temperature and blood flow should be analysed and integrated in the development process of functional footwear, which is able to fulffill the foot sensitivity requirements of different movements
Die Rolle des menschlichen Fußes als wichtiger „Mediator“ sensorischer Reize wird zunehmen in der Literatur akzeptiert. Die vom Fuß aufgenommenen afferenten Informationen werden im Zentralen Nervensystem integriert und weitergeleitet, um die Regulation typischer Bewegungsmuster (z.B. Gang und Gleichgewichtskontrolle) mitzusteuern. Während der Durchführung derartiger Bewegungen werden oftmals Änderungen der Hauttemperatur oder auch des Blutflusses im Fußbereich provoziert. Diese werden wiederum durch das Tragen von Schuhen beeinflusst. Obwohl Hauttemperatur, Blutfluss im Fußbereich und Schuhwerk wichtige Faktoren bei der Bewegungsdurchführung darstellen, können nur wenige und teilweise konträre Informationen über den Einfluss dieser Faktoren auf die Fußsensibilität in der Literatur gefunden werden. Somit hat diese Dissertation zum Ziel, den Einfluss der Temperatur der Fußsohle, des Blutflusses am Fußbereich sowie des Schuhwerkes auf die Vibrationssensibilität des plantaren Fußes gesunder Probanden zu untersuchen. Um den Einfluss der einzelnen Parameter auf die Fußsensibilität untersuchen zu können, wurden drei Studien durchgeführt. Die erste Studie hatte zum Ziel, den Einfluss der Temperatur der Fußsohle auf die Vibrationssensibilität von 40 Probanden zu untersuchen. Dabei wurden die Vibrationsschwellen, - mit einer Frequenz von 200 Hz -, bei einer Ausgangsmessung sowie nach einer 5-6 °C Abkühlung/Erwärmung der Haut der Fußsohle gemessen. In der zweiten Studie wurde der Einfluss einer Kurzzeitischämie des Unterschenkels auf die plantare Fußsensibilität von 39 Probanden getestet. Die Ischämie im Unterschenkel wurde mit Hilfe eines im Bereich der fossa popliteal platzierten pneumatischen Tourniquets hervorgerufen. Die plantaren Vibrationsschwellen wurden mit einer Frequenz von 200Hz in drei verschiedenen Druckbedingungen ermittelt: Ausgang (0 mmHg), niedrig (50 mmHg) und hoch (150 mmHg). Schließlich beschäftigt sich die dritte Studie mit dem Einfluss vom Schuhwerk auf die Fußsensibilität. Fünfundzwanzig Probanden haben an der Studie teilgenommen. Die Vibrationsschwellen wurden mit Frequenzen von 30 und 200 Hz bei fünf verschiedenen Bedingungen gemessen (eine Barfuss- und vier Schuhbedingungen). In allen Studien wurden die Vibrationsschwellen im plantaren Fußbereich unter der Ferse, dem Metatarsalkopf I sowie unter dem Hallux ermittelt. Die Ergebnisse der drei Studien zeigen, dass die analysierten Parameter einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die plantare Vibrationssensibilität der Probanden haben. Die erste Studie zeigt, dass eine 5-6° C - Schwankung der Hauttemperatur der Fußsohle die Fußsensibilität signifikant beeinflusst, wobei die Erwärmung der Haut eine Zunahme der Fußsensibilität verursacht und die Abkühlung eine Abnahme der Fußsensibilität hervorruft. Die Ergebnisse der zweiten Studie demonstrieren, dass die im Unterschenkel hervorgerufene Ischämie eine Verschlechterung der Fußsensibilität verursacht, insbesondere bei den Messungen der Hochdruckbedingung (150 mmHG). Die Daten der dritten Studie weisen darauf hin, dass der Einfluss vom Schuhwerk auf die Vibrationssensibilität des plantaren Fußes frequenzabhängig ist. Bei einer Vibrationsfrequenz von 30Hz ist die Sensibilität barfuss besser als die mit Schuhen gemessene Vibrationssensibilität. Hingegen ist bei einer Frequenz von 200 Hz die mit Schuhen gemessenen Sensibilität besser als die Sensibilität barfuss. Anhand der Ergebnisse der drei Studien konnte festgestellt werden, dass die Temperatur der Fußsohle, Blutfluss im Fußbereich und Schuhwerk einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die plantare Vibrationssensibilität gesunder Probanden haben. Daraus folgen wichtige Hinweise für zukünftige klinische- sowie bewegungsorientierte Forschung. Der Einfluss der drei analysierten Parameter sollte künftig bei der Beurteilung sensorischer Daten mit einbezogen werden. Dies würde zum einem eine Standardisierung der Messverfahren gewährleisten, zum anderen die Qualität der im klinischen Bereich gemessenen Daten erhöhen. Im Rahmen bewegungsorientierter Forschung soll die Wichtigkeit der Fußsensibilität bei der Durchführung unterschiedlicher Bewegungsformen, auch sportlicher Bewegung, näher untersucht werden. Weiterhin sollte eine gemeinsame Analyse der bewegungsbezogenen Änderungen der Hauttemperatur bzw. des Blutflusses im Fußbereich in künftiger Forschung angestrebt werden. Folglich können diese Änderungen in die Entwicklung funktionellen Schuhwerkes eingesetzt werden, um den Anforderungen der Fußsensibilität bei unterschiedlichen Bewegungsformen möglichst gerecht zu werden

Research shows miners can be exposed to foot-transmitted vibration (FTV) when operating various pieces of underground mining equipment, and case reports suggest workers are experiencing symptoms similar to those of hand-arm vibration syndrome in their feet. A field study was conducted to measure and document FTV exposure associated with operating underground mining equipment, and probable health risks were determined based on both ISO 2631-1 (1997) for WBV and ISO 5349-1 (2004) for HAV. Seventeen participating operator’s also reported musculoskeletal discomfort. Seventeen male participants ranging between 24-61 years of age, with an average height and mass of 175.0cm and 88.2kg volunteered for the study. Seventeen pieces of equipment were tested; 1 locomotive, 1 crusher, 9 bolter drills (4 scissor platforms, 2 Maclean, 2 Boart/basket, and 1 RDH), and 6 jumbo drills. Including all seventeen pieces of underground mining equipment, the vibration acceleration ranged from 0.13-1.35m/s2 with dominant frequencies between 1.25-250Hz according to ISO 2631-1. According to ISO 5349-1 vibration acceleration ranged from 0.14-3.61m/s2 with dominant frequencies between 6.3-250Hz. Furthermore, the magnitude of FTV measured on the jumbo drills with grated platforms (#5 and #6) was less than FTV measured from the jumbo drills with, solid metal surfaces. Additionally, twelve of the seventeen equipment operators indicated a complaint of discomfort in their lower body (specifically at the level of the knee or lower). The health risk analysis based on ISO 2631-1 indicated that one operator (bolter drill #9) was exposed to vibration above the criterion value, while the health risk analysis based on ISO 5349-1 indicated iv that two operators (jumbo drill #1 and bolter drill #1) were exposed to vibration above the criterion value. Operators reported very severe or severe discomfort; however, the same operators were not the operators of the equipment with FTV exposure levels above the ISO standards, leaving evidence to suggest that the standards are not properly assessing injury risk to vibration exposure via the feet. Future research is needed to develop a standard specific for FTV and to determine the link between early musculoskeletal injury reporting and the onset of vibration white foot. To do so, a better understanding of the biodynamic response of the foot to FTV is needed. A laboratory study was conducted to 1) measure and document transmissibility of FTV from (a) floor-to-ankle (lateral malleolus), and (b) floor-to-metatarsal, during exposure to six levels of vibration (25Hz, 30Hz, 35Hz, 40Hz, 45Hz, and 50Hz) while standing, and 2) to determine whether independent variables (vibration exposure frequency, mass, arch type) influence transmissibility (dependent variable) through the foot. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted. There was a significant interaction between transmissibility location and exposure frequency (λ = 0.246, F (5,25) = 15.365, p = 0.0001). There were significant differences in mean transmissibility between the ankle and metatarsal at 40Hz [t(29) = 4.116, p = 0.00029], 45Hz [t(29) = 6.599, p = 0.00000031], and 50Hz [t(29) = 8.828, p = 0.000000001]. The greatest transmissibility at the metatarsal occurred at 50Hz and at the ankle (lateral malleolus) transmissibility was highest from 25-30Hz, indicating the formation of a local resonance at each location. v Future research should focus on identifying resonance frequencies at different locations on the feet. This information is needed to develop an exposure guideline to help protect workers from exposure to FTV, and to develop personal protective equipment capable of attenuating harmful FTV exposure frequencies.

Bakgrund: Diabetiska fotsår, ”Diabetes foot ulcer” (DFU) är ett globalt hot mot personer med diabetes på grund av de komplikationer som kan uppkomma som en efterföljd av diabetes. Neuropati är en vanlig följdsjukdom till diabetes vilket medför risken för DFU. Neuropati orsakar nedsatt känsel i underben och fötter vilket kan medföra att patienten inte känner föremål i skorna som skaver och trycker mot fötterna som kan orsaka DFU. Syfte: Syftet med litteraturstudien var att beskriva sjuksköterskors preventionsstrategier för att reducera utvecklingen av fotsår hos patienter med diabetes. Metod: Denna studie genomfördes som en beskrivande litteraturstudie baserat på 12 vetenskapliga artiklar som bestod av fyra kvalitativa och åtta kvantitativa artiklar. Huvudresultat: Resultatet visade att sjuksköterskor är i behov av ökad kunskap genom sårvårdsutbildning efter kandidatexamen. Det framkommer att sjuksköterskornas kunskaper har en stor roll i behandlingen av DFU varav patienternas egenvårdsförmåga lyfts fram för att tillsammans finna de rätta strategierna för varje patient i sin DFU behandling. Slutsats: Fördjupad kunskap inom preventionsstrategier att reducera utvecklingen av DFU hos patienter med diabetes skulle kunna komma både patienter, sjuksköterskor och svensk hälso- och sjukvård till nytta. Kunskapen om preventionsstrategier hos sjuksköterskor i arbetet av DFU varierade inom hälso-ochsjukvårdsverksamheter världen över. Det finns flera strategier att arbeta vidare med som sjuksköterska i förebyggandet av DFU. Två viktiga aspekter inom preventionsstrategier är ökad utbildning för grundutbildade sjuksköterskor inom sårvård av DFU.Patientutbildning inom egenvård i förebyggande av komplikationer av DFU är en viktigstrategi i sjuksköterskans yrkesroll för att kunna bidra med goda förutsättningar och hälsofrämjande vård.
Abstract Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a global threat to people with diabetes due tothe complications that can arise as a result of diabetes. Neuropathy is a common secondary result of diabetes which carries the risk of DFU. Neuropathy causes decreased sensation in the lower legs and feet which can cause the patient not to feel objects in the shoes rubbing and pressing against the feet which can cause DFU. Aim:The purpose of the literature study was to describe nurses' prevention strategies for reducing the development of foot ulcers in patients with diabetes. Method: This study was conducted as a descriptive literature study based on 12 scientific articles consisting of four qualitative and eight quantitative articles. Main results: The results showed that nurses are in need of increased knowledge through wound care training after thebachelor's degree. It appears that the nurses 'knowledge has a major role in the treatmentof DFU, of which the patients' self-care ability is highlighted in order to jointly find theright strategies for each patient in their DFU treatment. Conclusion: Advanced knowledge of prevention strategies to reduce the development of DFU in patients with diabetes could benefit both patients, nurses and Swedish health care. The knowledge of prevention strategies among nurses in the work of DFU varied in health care activitiesworldwide. There are several strategies to continue working with as a nurse in the prevention of DFU. Two important aspects in prevention strategies are increased training for undergraduate nurses in wound care at DFU. Patient education in self-care in the prevention of complications of DFU is an important strategy in the nurse'sprofessional role in order to be able to contribute with good conditions and health promoting care.

The foot keeps body balance and stability during walking, running and performing various physical activities. It has been determined that mechanical properties of musculoskeletal system influence motion control, body balance maintenance (Richardson et al., 2005; Biewener, Daley, 2007; Nishikawa, 2007). However, it is yet unclear whether there is a relation between body stability and foot arch stability. The relation is yet unknown between the mechanical and physiological properties of the foot and foot arch stability. The aim of the research is to determine the relation between foot arch stability and the mechanical and physiological properties of the foot. The objectives of the research were: 1. To determine whether feet distribution according to arch type depends on different foot arch assessment methods applied. 2. To determine the mechanical properties of foot, Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. 3. To investigate whether there is a relation between foot arch stability and body stability. 4. To investigate whether there is a relation between mechanical and physiological properties of the foot. METHODS The research was carried out according to the principles of Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine adopted on 19 November 1996 (Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine) (Rogers and Bousingen, 2001). The license for the research was issued by Kaunas Regional Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (protocol No BE-2-53). 5 studies were conducted: 1 study: the analysis of... [to full text]
Žmogui einant, bėgant, atliekant įvairias fizines veiklas, pėda išlaiko kūno pusiausvyrą, stabilumą. Net mažas struktūros ar funkcijos pokytis gali turėti įtakos pėdos hiper-, hipomobilumui, kurie siejami su traumų atsiradimu. Šio darbo tikslas buvo nustatyti pėdos skliauto stabilumo ir mechaninių bei fiziologinių savybių sąveiką. Atlikti penki tyrimai. Pirmojo tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti, ar pėdų pasiskirstymas pagal skliauto tipus priklauso nuo skirtingų skliauto nustatymo metodų. Tyrime dalyvavo 91 tiriamasis ir buvo ištirtos 182 pėdos. Tyrime taikyti F. Forriol, L. T. Staheli, H. H. Clarke ir D. S. Williams pėdos skliauto nustatymo metodai. Gauti tyrimo rezultatai rodo, kad pagal skirtingas metodikas pėdos pagal normalų, žemą ir aukštą pėdos skliauto tipą pasiskirstė nevienodai. Antrojo tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti normalaus, žemo ir aukšto pėdos skliauto deformaciją, santykinę deformaciją ir standumą. Buvo tirtos 42 pėdos. Biomechaniniai pėdos parametrai apskaičiuoti naudojant pėdos gniuždymo metodiką. Nustatyta, kad pėdos deformacija ir standumas priklauso nuo pėdos skliauto tipo. Žemo skliauto standumas yra mažesnis ir jis daugiau deformuojasi negu normalaus ir aukšto pėdos skliautas. Trečiojo tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti in vitro pėdos deformaciją, santykinę deformaciją ir standumą esant skirtingam gniuždymo greičiui. Tirtos viena su minkštaisiais audiniais ir šešios be minkštųjų audinių pėdos. Tyrime pėdos buvo gniuždomos Tinius Olsen H25K-T bandymų mašina. Pėdos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Introduction: Instrumented gait analysis and inverse dynamics are commonly used in research and clinical practice to calculate lower extremity joint kinetics, such as power and work. However, multisegment foot (MSF) model kinetics have been limited by ground reaction force (GRF) measurements. New technology enables simultaneous capture of plantar pressure and shear stress distributions but has not yet been used with motion capture. Integrating MSF models and pressure/shear measurements will enhance the analysis of foot joint kinetics. The purpose of this study was to develop methodology to integrate these systems, then analyze the effects of speed on foot joint kinetics. Methods: Custom software was developed to synchronize motion capture and pressure/shear data using measured offsets between reference frame origins and time between events. Marker trajectories were used to mask pressure/shear data and construct segment specific GRFs. Inverse dynamics were done in commercial software. Demonstrative data was from 5 healthy adults walking unshod at 3 fixed speeds (1.0, 1.3, and 1.6 m/s, respectively) wearing retroreflective markers according to an MSF model. Plantar shear forces and ankle, midtarsal, and first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint kinetics were reported. Speed effects on joint net work were evaluated with a repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Plantar shear forces during stance showed some spreading effects (directionally opposing shear forces) that relatively were unaffected by walking speed. Midtarsal joint power seemed to slightly lag behind the ankle, particularly in late stance. Net work at the ankle (p = 0.024), midtarsal (p = 0.023), and MTP (p = 0.009) joints increased with speed. Conclusions: Functionally, the ankle and midtarsal joints became more motorlike with increasing speed by generating more energy than they absorbed, while the MTP joint became more damperlike by absorbing more energy than it generated. System integration appears to be an overall success. Limitations and suggestions for future work are presented.

Major problems of the Foot Drop treatment are expensive and complex solutions. This work

presents the performance of a new inexpensive method named as Semi-Active Ankle Foot

Orthosis (SAAFO). The concept of this approach is to use inexpensive sensors to detect foot step

movement. The signals from the sensors afterwards will be fed to a control system of SAAFO in

runtime for a smooth foot movement of a drop foot patient while walking. Different sensors have

been studied in detail along with comparison to the proposed sensor system and mechanical

design. The signals from the sensors are used to detect different phases of human walking. These

sensors are placed at different positions on an orthosis and their signals are studied in detail.

Experiments have been done in different conditions to get a realistic picture either this assembly

can be implemented commercially. Signals are plotted and discussed yielding that the human

walking phases can be easily and accurately detected using inexpensive sensor assembly.

Rubble-strewn corridors, stairs and steep natural terrain all present a challenge for wheels and tracks. Legs are a solution in these cases because foot placement allows the traversal of discontinuous terrain. Legged robots, however, currently lack the performance needed for practical applications. This work seeks to address an aspect of the problem, foot placement while running. A novel hopping height controller for a spring-loaded legged robot is presented. It is simple and performs well enough to allow control of the ballistic trajectory of hops and therefore foot placement. Additionally, it can adapt to different ground properties using the result from previous hops to update control gains. A control strategy of extending the leg at a fixed rate during the stance phase and modulating the rate of extension on each hop was used to control the hopping height. The extension rate was then determined by a feed-forward + proportional control loop. This performed sufficiently well allowing the ballistic trajectory of hops to be controlled. In simulation, the spring-loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP) model was extended to include actuation and losses due to friction. The control strategy was developed using this model then, in a planar simulation, the controller was run to perform foot placement while running over a series of platforms which vary in their horizontal and vertical spacing. To experimentally validate and further develop the control strategy, a one-legged hopping robot, constrained to move vertically, was used. The leg had 2 links, hydraulically actuated hip and knee joints and a spring-loaded foot. Results showed that the controller developed could be used to perform hops of randomly varying size on grounds with different properties and while running on a treadmill at different speeds. As an aside, the dynamics of hydraulic actuators presented a problem for foot repositioning during flight using a simple PID controller. This was solved through the novel implementation, in hydraulics, of a `zero-vibration' (ZV) filter in a closed-loop. Simulation and experimental results demonstrating this are presented.

La promesse de porte-fort, enoncee dans l'article 1120 du code civil, est l'engagement du porte-fort envers le stipulant de procurer le consentement du tiers. Le porte-fort conclut un contrat pour le compte d'un tiers sans en avoir prealablement le pouvoir. Il promet soi-meme qu'un tiers s'engagera. La promesse de porte-fort se manifeste dans l'accomplissement des faits et des actes juridiques. Elle n'est soumise a aucune forme determinee. Le juge, en procedant a l'interpretation de ladite promesse, a le pouvoir de restituer a la convention sa veritable qualification juridique sans etre tenu d'adopter la qualification proposee par les parties. La ratification est l'acte par lequel le tiers declare vouloir s'approprier le contrat qui a ete conclu pour son compte par le porte-fort. Celui-ci est donc libere. Il ne garantit que la ratification et non pas l'execution du fait car il n'est pas caution. Le tiers se trouve alors engage directement envers le stipulant. La ratification produit retroactivement ses effets au jour ou a ete faite la promesse de porte-fort. La non ratification engage la responsabilite contractuelle du porte-fort envers le stipulant. La promesse de porte-fort n'est pas consideree comme une promesse pour autrui. Le tiers n'est pas oblige sans son consentement. Elle ne constitue donc pas une derogation au principe de l'effet relatif des conventions prevu par l'article 1165 du code civil. La promesse de porte-fort se distingue des autres institutions voisines a savoir la gestion d'affaires, l'enrichissement sans cause, la representation, le mandat, la stipulation pour autrui, le contrat de transport de marchandises et la convention collective. Elle jouit de caracteristiques propres qui lui assurent une nature juridique appropriee. Elle constitue une institution originale et autonome. Cette originalite et cette autonomie se refletent en droit des societes, en droit des suretes, en droit compare et au lege ferenda
The promise of the "porte-fort" stated by the article 1120 of the civil code, is the engagement towards the stipulant to obtain the consent of the third party. The contractant concludes a contract on behalf of a third without having the power of doing it in the first place. He himself promises that a third will take the engagement. The promise of the "porte-fort" appears in the accomplishement of legal facts and legal transactions. It is not submitted to any special form. While interpreting the promise, the judge has the power to give back to the contract its real judicial qualification without having to follow the qualifications suggested by the parties. The approval is the act whereby the third lets know that the wants to make the contract that had been concluded in this behalf by the contractant. The contractant is therefore freed. He garantees only the approval, but not the execution of the fact, and that is because he is not "caution". The third becames then directly engaged tomards the stipulant. The approval has a retroactive action since the day where the promise of the "porte-fort" has been made. The lack of approval binds the liability out of contract of the contractant towards the stipulant. The promise of the "porte-fort" is not considered a promise for others. The third is not bound if he did not give his consent. The promise of the "porte-fort" is not a derogation to the principle of the relatif effect of contracts stated by the article 1165 of the civil code. The promise of the "porte-fort" is different from other close notions such as business management, "l'enrichissement sans cause", representation, mandat, provision in favour of the third party, shipping contract of goods and collective labour agreement. It has its own characteristics that give it a proper judicial nature. It is a unique and independant notion. This uniqueness and independance are reflected in corporation law, "safety law", comparative law and lege ferenda

Thesis (M.A.)--East Tennessee State University, 2005.
Title from electronic submission form. ETSU ETD database URN: etd-1221104-112846 Includes bibliographical references. Also available via Internet at the UMI web site.

Bakgrund: Hand-fot syndrom är en form av perifer sensorisk neuropati orsakad av cytostatikabehandling. Syndromet kan ge biverkningar såsom smärta, obehag, domningar, svullnad och nedsatt balans. Utvärderade behandlingsmetoder saknas.

Syfte: Undersöka hur tolv veckors sjukgymnastisk behandling med långvågsdiametri, interferens och balansträning påverkar biverkningar i fot/underben orsakad av cytostatikabehandling hos sju patienter med hand-fot syndrom.

Metod: Gruppstudie, kvasiexperimentell resultatstudie. Sju patienter deltog. Variabler som mättes var, smärta, obehag, domningar och balans. Tre mätningar utfördes, före, efter samt åtta veckor efter interventionen. Självrapporterad skattning och fysisk mätning användes.

Resultat: Gruppens smärta, obehag och domningar minskade vid samtliga mätningar. För smärta visade mätning efter intervention samt åtta veckor efter signifikans (p=0,027), (p=0,042). Obehag visade signifikans efter interventionen (p=0,018). Domningar visade ingen signifikans. Balans visade signifikans i: Skärpt Romberg, höger, blundande, åtta veckor efter interventionen (p=0,043). Skärpt Romberg, vänster, blundande, efter interventionen (p=0,027), åtta veckor efter interventionen (p=0,028). Stående på ett ben, höger, blundande, efter interventionen (p=0,042), åtta veckor efter interventionen (p=0,027). Inga mätningar visade försämringar.

Slutsats: Restultaten visade att behandling med långvårdsdiametri, interferens och balansträning minskade smärta, obehag, domningar och delvis förbättrade balans vid hand-fot syndrom. Dock går det inte att påvisa vilken behandlingskomponent som påverkat mest. Ytterligare studier behövs för att ge resultat större giltighet.

Background: Hand-foot syndrome is a form of perifier sensory neuropathy caused by chemotherapy. The syndrome can cause side effects such as pain, discomfort, numbness, swelling and impaired balance. Evaluated treatment is lacking.

Purpose: Examine how twelve week physiotherapy treatment short-wave diathermy, interference and balance training affects side effects of the foot/lower leg caused by chemotherapy in seven patients with hand-foot syndrome.

Method: Study group, quasi-experimental outcome study. Seven patients participated. Variables measured were, pain, discomfort, numbness, and balance. Three measurements were carried out, before, after, and eight weeks after the intervention. Self-reported estimates and the physical measurement were used.

Results: The group's pain, discomfort and numbness decreased in all measurements. For pain measurement after the intervention and eight weeks after showed significance (p = 0,027),(p = 0,042). Discomfort showed significance after the intervention (p = 0,018). Numbness showed no significance. Balance showed significance in: Sharpened Romberg, left, eyes closed, eight weeks after intervention (p = 0,043). Sharpened Romberg, left, eyes closed, after the intervention (p = 0,027), eight weeks after intervention (p = 0,028). Standing on one leg, the right, eyes closed, after the intervention (p = 0,042), eight weeks after intervention(p = 0,027). No measurements showed deterioration.

Conclusion: The results showed that treatment with short-wave diathermy, interference and balance training reduced pain, discomfort, numbness and partial improvements in balance in hand-foot syndrome. However, it is not possible to demonstrate which treatment component that affected the most. Further studies are needed to produce results more valid.

One major way that running style varies between individuals is how their foot strikes the ground (forefoot strike or rearfoot strike). Running generates a torque about the ankle that depends on the individual’s foot strike pattern, length of their plantar flexor moment arm, and force generated from the plantar flexor muscles. The foot strike pattern during running, gastrocnemii muscle thickness, and heel length (used as an approximation for plantar flexor moment arm) were determined in 41 runners. Forefoot and rearfoot strike runners had the same thickness of the gastrocnemii muscles. However, in comparison with sedentary walkers, the runners had thicker calf muscles. These results imply a “peak” muscle thickness seems to be attained by running. Runners with longer heels were more likely to use a forefoot strike running style, possibly due to a mechanical advantage in the generation of torque.

Hallux abductovalgus (HAV) is common foot deformity that is known to predominate in women and is often assumed to be linked to the use of inappropriate footwear. The predominance of the deformity in females has been demonstrated through many surveys across different populations. The highest prevalence of the deformity reported found 44 per cent of women affect whilst the highest prevalence in men reported a prevalence of 22 per cent. Although the condition is seen less frequently in children and barefoot populations, the female foot is still affected twice as often as the male foot in such groups, weakening the theoretical association between the deformity and footwear. A review of 100 radiographs of male and female feet found an association between the functional angle of the metatarsal head and HAV deformity and found that the female metatarsal head is more rounded than the male metatarsal head. There was no difference in the degree of metatarsus adductus (MA) deformity between males and females but in females, when the MA angle was greater than normal (24') an abnormal HAV angle was always seen. A good association was seen between the proximal articular set angle and the HAV angle that was similar for males and females. A three dimensional study of 100 bone-sets was undertaken using a technique not previously applied to this field of study. The bones of the medial column (talus, navicular, medial cuneiform and 1st metatarsal) were included. Several differences between in the shape of male and female foot bones were found including the more rounded metatarsal head shape in females. When the differences were considered together it was suggested that the medial column in the female foot would be more adducted that in the male foot and the resultant adducted position of the 1st metatarsal would predispose the female foot to HAV deformity. A study of 226 children was undertaken to investigate if a relationship between hypermobility and HAV deformity existed. A new assessment tool for measuring lower limb joint hypermobility was developed initially. No association between HAV deformity and lower limb hypermobility was found in healthy children, but a significant association was identified in children diagnosed with joint hypermobility. In a study of foot pressure measurements in 61 children, significant differences in the amount of pressure placed through the hallux, the speed of loading of the 1st metatarsal head and the position of the centre of force through the foot were found between males and females. Associations with the pressure measurements and increasing joint flexibility were only seen for extreme levels of hypermobility. No association between HAV and plantar pressure was found.

Introduction: Gout affects approximately 15% of Maori and Pacific men, these men being at risk of early onset, severe disease with formation of gouty tophi and joint damage. Gout most frequently affects the foot, particularly the big toe and midfoot. This disease initially presents as self-limiting attacks of severe joint inflammation, and in the presence of persistent hyperuricaemia, tophaceous disease may also develop. Tophi are collections of monosodium urate crystals surrounded by chronic inflammatory cells and connective tissue. Tophi typically occur in both subcutaneous tissues and within affected joints, and may cause pain, cosmetic problems, mechanical obstruction of joint movement, and joint destruction. Despite the predilection of gout to the foot, the impact of gout on foot function is currently unknown and only case studies relating to hallux pain, tibial sesamoid pain and longitudinal tears in peroneal tendons have been reported in the literature. The aim of this study is to assess the intra-tester reliability of certain biomechanical tests to evaluate foot structure and function (plantar pressure measurements, gait parameters, range of motion at the ankle and first MTPJ and the foot posture index) in individuals with gout and to assess the differences between disability, impairment, foot structure and function between individuals with gout and non-gout controls. Subjects: A total of 25 patients with chronic gout with a mean age of 61.2 (11.7) years old were recruited from a rheumatology clinic within the Auckland District Health Board. A further 25 age-and sex-matched controls with a mean age of 57.3 (12.2) years old were recruited from AUT University. Methods: Disability, impairment, foot structure and foot function were assessed for the gout and the control group. Disability and impairment was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire, Foot Function Index, Leeds Foot Impact Scale and Lower Limb Task Questionnaire. Foot structure was investigated using the Foot Posture Index, first metatarsophangeal joint (MTPJ) dorsiflexion, ankle dorsiflexion movement, subtalar joint and midtarsal joint motion, Foot Problem Score, tophi count and muscle strength of extrinsic and intrinsic foot muscles. Foot function was investigated using an in-shoe pressure system measuring mean peak plantar pressures and pressure-time integrals. Temporal-spatial gait parameters were evaluated, as well as peripheral sensation and vibration perception threshold. Plantar pressures were assessed using the Tekscan pressure insole system, gait parameters were measured using the Gaitmat walkway system, peripheral sensation and vibration threshold were assessed using 10gm monofilament and biothesiometer respectively. Intra-tester reliability was investigated using ICC, Standard Error of Measurement and Smallest Real Difference in the gout group for key measures (Foot Posture Index, first MTPJ dorsiflexion, ankle dorsiflexion movement, peak plantar pressures, pressure-time integrals and gait parameters). To investigate the significant difference between the groups, the left and right foot in gout were compared with the left foot of the control group using ANOVA with post-hoc comparisons. Non-parametric tests were used for muscle strength, peripheral sensation and Foot Problem Score and motion at the subtalar and midtarsal joints for comparison between the groups. Walking velocity, cadence and disability and impairment scores between the groups were assessed using an independent t-test with 95% confidence intervals. Significance for all these measures was set to 0.05 except for Chi square where a significance of 0.02 was set. Results: The ICC for the intra-tester reliability was excellent with low measurement error for the measured outcomes. The gout group recorded significantly higher disability and impairment scores than controls (p<0.01). Significant differences between the two groups were recorded for vibration pressure threshold, muscle strength, Foot Problem Score, first MTPJ dorsiflexion, foot motion and gait parameters (p<0.05). Significant differences were demonstrated under the toes for mean plantar pressures and under the lateral heel, midfoot and hallux regions for pressure-time integrals in the gout cases (p<0.05). Conclusions: Individuals with gout have reduced quality of life due to greater disability and impairment. The gouty foot is slightly supinated with reduced dorsiflexion at the first MTPJ. Rearfoot and forefoot motions are limited with a high incidence of digital deformities and dermatological lesions. The foot function in gout is characterized by reduced walking velocity, cadence, step and stride length. The plantar pressures are reduced under the toes with increased duration of loading under the hallux, lateral heel and midfoot regions. Further research using three-dimensional gait analysis is recommended to quantify motion at the foot and ankle joints and also to ascertain the role of proximal joints. Future work could be undertaken to evaluate the impact of acute gout on objective measures of foot function, and to determine predictors of poor foot function in patients with this disease. This will allow further work to investigate or formulate a podiatric management plan in conjunction with pharmacological therapy to improve impairment, disability and function in chronic gout.

En este trabajo realizamos un análisis de la cromodinámica cuántica (QCD) en desintegraciones del tau en hadrones. QCD describe la fuerza fuerte, que dicta las interacciones entre quarks. Los quarks son partículas elementales. Por ejemplo, un protón está constituido de tres quarks. La fuerza de las interacciones está determinada por la constante fuerte que, al contrario de lo que indica su nombre, depende de la energía. En esta tesis medimos la constante fuerte a partir de las desintegraciones del tau en hadrons. El tau es el único leptón que tiene la masa necesaria para permitir una desintegración en hadrones. Sin embargo, nos permite medir la constante fuerte para bajas energías. Como la constante fuerte disminuye para energías mayores, sus errores también disminuyen. QCD sum rules (QCDSR) es el marco teórico para extraer la constante fuerte. Dentro de QCDSR tenemos que elegir entre la teoría de perturbación de orden fijo (FOPT) o la teoría de perturbación con contorno mejorado (CIPT). Ambos métodos son igualmente válidos, pero dan lugar a valores diferentes. Para comprobar la validez de FOPT, usamos la suma de Borel (BS). Para bajas energías, la constante fuerte es grande y para altas energías es pequeńa. Esto lleva al confinamiento. Los quarks aparecen siempre como partículas compuestas, llamados hadrones. Hasta hoy nunca hemos medido un quark aislado. Esto es un problema, ya que QCD es una teoría que describe los quarks, mientras que los experimentos miden los hadrones. Para solucionar este problema, se ha introducido la dualidad quark-hadrón, que establece que podemos describir cantidades físicas tanto en la imagen teórica de quarks y gluones como en la imagen experimental de los hadrones, y que ambas descripciones son igualmente válidas. Desafortunadamente el supuesto de la dualidad es a menudo violada. En teoría podemos suprimir estas violaciones de dualidad (DV) mediante la aplicación de los llamados pesos con pinchos. Cuanto mayor sea el pincho dado por el peso, más suprimidos son las DV. Realizaremos fits con diferentes pesos para demostrar que incluso con pinchos bajos, los DV están suficientemente suprimidos para extraer el valor de la constante fuerte.
In this work we perform a quantum chromodynamics (QCD) analysis on hadronic tau decays. QCD is describing the strong force, which dictates the interactions of quarks. Quarks are elementary particles. E.g. a proton is build of three quarks. The strength of the interactions is given by the strong coupling constant, which in contrary to its name is dependent on energy. In this thesis we will measure the strong coupling from hadronic tau decays. The tau is the only known lepton which is heavy enough to decay into hadrons. Nevertheless it lets us probe the strong coupling for low energies. As the strong coupling decreases for higher energies, so do the errors. The framework of extracting the strong coupling is referred to as qcd sum rules. Within the sum rules we have to choose between fixed-order perturbation theory (FOPT) or contour-improved perturbation theory (CIPT). Both methods are equally valid, but lead to different values. To test the validity of FOPT we make use of the Borel Summation (BS). The BS can be used to give the best possible sum of divergent asymptotic series as the one we are dealing with in by extracting the strong coupling. For low energies the coupling is large and for high energies the coupling is small. This leads to confinement. Quarks always appear as composite particles, the so-called Hadrons. Until today we have never measured an isolated quark. This is problematic as QCD is a theory describing quarks, but experiments are measuring hadrons. Consequently quark-hadron duality has been introduced, which states that we can describe physical quantities either in the quark-gluon picture or the hadronic picture, and that both description are equally valid. Unfortunately the assumption of duality is often violated. In theory we can suppress these duality violations (DV) by applying so called pinched weights. The higher the pinching the more suppressed are DV. We will perform fits for different weights to state, that even for low pinching, DV are sufficiently suppressed to extract the strong coupling

The aim of this study was to determine the pre- and post-plantar force differences of athletes competing in an ultra-endurance event. The study was exploratory and quasi-experimental in nature and utilized a quantitative approach. A Quasi-experimental, one group pretest, posttest design was used. The study involved 84 participants selected by means of convenient sampling from a total of 1552 participants. The equipment used for data collection was the RS Footscan®, stadiometer and a weight scale. Differences between the plantar forces before and after the competition were significant for the sample group, indicating higher forces before the competition (t = -3.62, p = 0.001, d = 0.40). Gender, and novice and expert groupings had no significant effect on the plantar forces (t = 1.43, p = 0.155 and t = 0.21, p = 0.837) respectively. Gender groups had large significant differences between the left and right forefoot (t = 3.90, p = 0.000) and the heel (t = 3.54, p = 0.001), before the competition, but this difference was reduced after the competition from large to moderate significance for the forefoot and the heel (t = 2.84, p = 0.006 and t = 2.99 and p = 0.004) respectively. Lower forces after the ultra-endurance event may indicate compensation due to overuse; with less muscle contraction to control foot roll over for force distribution. Favouring of the right foot for weight bearing changed after the event with smaller differences, which could indicate increase loading of the left feet, which may result in injury. The number of females included in this study was relatively few and therefore the effect of gender in respect of plantar foot force exerted should be interpreted with caution. The novices recorded higher forces in the forefoot, after the competition. Similar results were found in other studies that reported increased pressures under the forefoot after long distance running. The latter findings may suggest that novices have a higher chance for overuse injury.

This thesis reports on work undertaken to study the biomechanics of the human foot during normal daily activity, particularly walking and standing. A literature review is presented on topics related to the subject and several of the areas demanding further investigation are highlighted. Three lines of enquiry were pursued to consider the kinematics, kinetics, passive structural properties and muscle activity associated with the foot. A dynamic pedobarograph with a synchronised video system was used to measure the forces and their distribution under the foot (based on seven marked areas) and six kinematic angles of the foot and lower leg. Sixty-one healthy subjects were assessed and the results are presented. Kinetic and kinematic parameters were found to be consistent and smooth for the test population. Several of the events of the gait cycle were found to be temporally different from values widely reported. In the second investigation, four cadaveric foot specimens were tested dynamically to determine the role of the plantar structures during loading in various positions. A method of sequential dissection was used and the results support many of the theories regarding ligament function. Tests on the effect of three extrinsic muscles on the foot load distribution also support previous studies while a preliminary investigation of two pathological feet partially clarifies the biomechanical effects of a hallux valgus deformity. Eight of the foot extrinsic and intrinsic muscles were assessed for the final investigation. Using electromyographic (EMG) recording techniques on six healthy subjects, the muscle EMG activity was quantified during walking a) barefoot, b) with a moulded heel plate, and c) with soft shoes. The results for the extrinsic muscles generally agree with previous work, while the intrinsic muscle activity is more variable. The intrinsic muscles were more active when shoes were worn and displayed unusual fatigue patterns.

During a surveillance programme all the known diabetics (1150) were identified from a general population of 97,034 representing all patients registered with 10 general practices. A control group of 751 non-diabetic subjects were also drawn from the same general population. A single observer reviewed 1077 (93.6%) of the diabetics and 480 (69%) of the controls. Peripheral vascular disease was detected using doppler ankle/brachial pressure index in 20.6% (95% CI 18.2-23.0) of diabetics and 9.6% (95% CI 7.0-11.2) of controls. There was no significant difference between the prevalence in non-insulin dependent and insulin dependent diabetics after adjusting for age. The prevalence in either type of diabetes was however significantly greater than in controls. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, mean systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, proteinuria and serum cholesterol were significantly and independently associated with the presence of peripheral vascular disease in diabetics. Body mass index was inversely associated. For controls only age and smoking were found to be significant variables. Neuropathy determined by clinical evaluation and sensory vibration thresholds was found in 16.8% (95% CI 14.6-19.0) of diabetics and 2.9% (95% CI 1.4-4.3) of controls (p