A protocol named "Outwalk" was recently proposed to measure the thorax-pelvis and lower-limb kinematics during gait in free-living conditions, by means of an inertial and magnetic measurement system (IMMS). The aim of this study was to validate Outwalk on four healthy subjects when it is used in combination with a specific IMMS (Xsens Technologies, NL), against a reference protocol (CAST) and measurement system (optoelectronic system; Vicon, Oxford Metrics Group, UK). For this purpose, we developed an original approach based on three tests, which allowed to separately investigate: (1) the consequences on joint kinematics of the differences between protocols (Outwalk vs. CAST), (2) the accuracy of the hardware (Xsens vs. Vicon), and (3) the summation of protocols' differences and hardware accuracy (Outwalk + Xsens vs. CAST + Vicon). In order to assess joint-angles similarity, the coefficient of multiple correlation (CMC) was used. For test 3, the CMC showed that Outwalk + Xsens and CAST + Vicon kinematics can be interchanged, offset included, for hip, knee and ankle flexion-extension, and hip ab-adduction (CMC > 0.88). The other joint-angles can be interchanged offset excluded (CMC > 0.85). Tests 1 and 2 also showed that differences in offset between joint-angles were predominantly induced by differences in the protocols; differences in correlation by both hardware and protocols; differences in range of motion by the Xsens accuracy. Results thus support the commencement of a clinical trial of Outwalk on transtibial amputees.

A protocol named Outwalk was developed to easily measure the thorax-pelvis and lower-limb 3D kinematics on children with cerebral palsy (CP) and amputees during gait in free-living conditions, by means of an Inertial and Magnetic Measurement System (IMMS). Outwalk defines the anatomical/functional coordinate systems (CS) for each body segment through three steps: (1) positioning the sensing units (SUs) of the IMMS on the subjects' thorax, pelvis, thighs, shanks and feet, following simple rules; (2) computing the orientation of the mean flexion-extension axis of the knees; (3) measuring the SUs' orientation while the subject's body is oriented in a predefined posture, either upright or supine. If the supine posture is chosen, e.g. when spasticity does not allow to maintain the upright posture, hips and knees static flexion angles must be measured through a standard goniometer and input into the equations that define Outwalk anatomical CSs. In order to test for the inter-rater measurement reliability of these angles, a study was carried out involving nine healthy children (7.9 +/- 2 years old) and two physical therapists as raters. Results showed RMS error of 1.4 degrees and 1.8 degrees and a negligible worst-case standard error of measurement of 2.0 degrees and 2.5 degrees for hip and knee angles, respectively. Results were thus smaller than those reported for the same measures when performed through an optoelectronic system with the CAST protocol and support the beginning of clinical trials of Outwalk with children with CP.

The Northern Apennines (NA) orogenic wedge formed during Oligocene‐Miocene convergence and westward subduction of Adria beneath the European Plate. Extension ensued in the Mid‐Late Miocene in response to Adria roll‐back, causing opening of the back‐arc Northern Tyrrhenian Sea. Whether extension continues uninterrupted since the Mid‐Late Miocene or it was punctuated by short‐lived compressional events, remains, however, uncertain. We used the K‐Ar method to date a set of brittle‐ductile and brittle deformation zones from the Island of Elba to contribute to this debate. We dated the low‐angle Zuccale Fault (ZF), the Capo Norsi‐Monte Arco Thrust (CN‐MAT), and the Calanchiole Shear Zone (CSZ). The CN‐MAT and CSZ are moderately west dipping, top‐to‐the‐east thrusts in the immediate footwall of the ZF. The CSZ slipped 6.14 ± 0.64 Ma (<0.1 μm fraction) and the CN‐MAT 4.90 ± 0.27 Ma ago (<0.4 μm fraction). The ZF, although cutting the two other faults, yielded an older age of 7.58 ± 0.11 Ma (<0.1 μm fraction). The ZF gouge, however, contains an illitic detrital contaminant from the Paleozoic age flysch deformed in its hanging wall and the age thus is a maximum faulting age. Removal of ~1% of a 300‐Ma‐old contaminant brings the ZF faulting age to <4.90 Ma. Our results provide the first direct dating of brittle deformation in the Apennines, constraining Late Miocene‐Early Pliocene regional compression. They call for a refinement of current NA geodynamic models in the framework of the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea extension.