In steel trapezoidal box girder bridge systems, the U-shaped steel girder is designed to act compositely with the concrete deck to form a closed box for live loading. During the construction stage, however, the behavior is not well understood. The usual practice of assuming the system to be non-composite during construction requires substantial top flange bracing to form a quasi-closed box sect...

In this article, a Python-programmed advanced design paradigm is firstly introduced to topology and size optimization of the X-bracing system nonlinear inelastic space steel frames. For that purpose, an analysis method considering both geometric material nonlinearities utilized as effective finite element (FEA) solver. which, members are modeled by truss elements, while beam column simulated be...

A hybrid system including trunk-hip-knee-anklefoot (THKAFO) orthosis and multi-channel functional electrical stimulation with implanted electrodes has been designed for walking in paraplegia. The THKAFO has been instrumented with commercially available spring wrap clutches at the hips and knees. Clutches provide free movement in extension and allow flexion only when they are disengaged by solen...

BACKGROUND Many patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) have spinal instability but are determined, by their clinician, to be unsuitable for surgical internal fixation due to their advanced disease. Mobilisation may be hazardous in the presence of spinal instability as further vertebral collapse can occur. Current guidance on positioning (or mobilisation) and spinal bracing is c...

INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND The use of external cervical orthosis (ECO) after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) varies from physician to physician due to an absence of clear guidelines. Our purpose is to evaluate and present evidence answering the question, "Does ECO after ACDF improve fusion rates?" through a literature review of current evidence for and against ECO after ACDF.  R...

PURPOSE We report a comparison study of vertebral body stapling (VBS) versus a matched bracing cohort for immature patients with moderate (25 to 44°) idiopathic scoliosis (IS). METHODS 42 of 49 consecutive patients (86%) with IS were treated with VBS and followed for a minimum of 2 years. They were compared to 121 braced patients meeting identical inclusion criteria. 52 patients (66 curves) w...

Nowadays, due to the escalation in construction of high-rise structures, the need for selecting a proper resistant structural system against earthquake and wind has increased significantly. These systems should show an optimized use of materials and should be presented as a hard and efficient structure. A good example of a high efficient system in high-rise buildings can be indicated is, the tu...