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The purpose of this paper is to design a smart handheld device with force regulating function, which demonstrates the concept of patient-specialized tools.

This handheld device integrates an electrical bioimpedance (EBI) sensor for tissue measurement and a constant force regulation mechanism for ensuring stable tool–tissue contact. Particular focuses in this study are on the design of the constant force regulation mechanism whose design process is through genetic algorithm optimization and finite element simulation. In addition, the output force can be changed to the desired value by adjusting the cross-sectional area of the generated spring.

The following two specific applications based on ex vivo tissues are used for evaluating the designed device. One is in terms of safety of interaction with delicate tissue while the other is for compensating involuntary tissue motion. The results of both examples show that the handheld device is able to provide an output force with a small standard deviation.

In this paper, a handheld device with force regulation mechanism is designed for specific patients based on the genetic algorithm optimization and finite element simulation. The device can maintain a steady and safe interaction force during the EBI measurement on fragile tissues or moving tissues, to improve the sensing accuracy and to avoid tissue damage. Such functions of the proposed device are evaluated through a series of experiments and the device is demonstrated to be effective.

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.

Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way of using the law in specific circumstances, and shows the variations therein. Sums up that arbitration is much the better way to gok as it avoids delays and expenses, plus the vexation/frustration of normal litigation. Concludes that the US and Greek constitutions and common law tradition in England appear to allow involved parties to choose their own judge, who can thus be an arbitrator. Discusses e‐commerce and speculates on this for the future.

This study proposes targeted modernization of the Department of Defense (DoD's) Joint Forces Ammunition Logistics information system by implementing the optimized innovative information technology open architecture design and integrating Radio Frequency Identification Device data technologies and real-time optimization and control mechanisms as the critical technology components of the solution. The innovative information technology, which pursues the focused logistics, will be deployed in 36 months at the estimated cost of $568 million in constant dollars. We estimate that the Systems, Applications, Products (SAP)-based enterprise integration solution that the Army currently pursues will cost another $1.5 billion through the year 2014; however, it is unlikely to deliver the intended technical capabilities.

The object of this research is the reconstruction of the existing legal response by European Union states to the phenomenon of immigration. It seeks to analyse the process of conferral of protection.

One main dimension is selected and discussed: the case law of the national courts. The study focuses on the legal status of immigrants resulting from the intervention of these national courts.

The research shows that although the courts have conferred an increasing protection on immigrants, this has not challenged the fundamental principle of the sovereignty of the states to decide, according to their discretionary prerogatives, which immigrants are allowed to enter and stay in their territories. Notwithstanding the differences in the general constitutional and legal structures, the research also shows that the courts of the three countries considered – France, Germany and Spain – have progressively moved towards converging solutions in protecting immigrants.

The research contributes to a better understanding of the different legal orders analysed.

Nobody concerned with political economy can neglect the history of economic doctrines. Structural changes in the economy and society influence economic thinking and, conversely, innovative thought structures and attitudes have almost always forced economic institutions and modes of behaviour to adjust. We learn from the history of economic doctrines how a particular theory emerged and whether, and in which environment, it could take root. We can see how a school evolves out of a common methodological perception and similar techniques of analysis, and how it has to establish itself. The interaction between unresolved problems on the one hand, and the search for better solutions or explanations on the other, leads to a change in paradigma and to the formation of new lines of reasoning. As long as the real world is subject to progress and change scientific search for explanation must out of necessity continue.

This study seeks to understand how regulatory and competitive forces impact firms' actions and innovation performance. The study investigates how firms strategize internally and externally to address regulatory and competitive forces, and how such actions influence firms' innovation performance.

The data were collected via a survey of 217 managers of business organizations in Nigeria.

Regulatory forces have a positive relationship with both absorptive capacity (AC) and information sharing (IS). Competitive forces, on the other hand, only have a negative relationship with IS but not with AC. AC has a positive relationship with innovation performance, while IS, surprisingly, does not have a positive relationship with innovation performance.

The study contributes to knowledge by empirically validating the relationships between environmental forces and innovation performance; more importantly, the study uncovers the underlying factors, i.e. IS and AC that link environmental forces and firms' innovation performance.

This paper aims to discuss, analyze and compare members of a group of actuators with adjustable stiffness, namely: AwAS, AwAS-II and CompACT variable stiffness actuator (VSA) developed at Italian Institute of Technology (IIT).

These actuators are among series type of VSAs where one main motor is dedicated for link positioning and a secondary motor, in series with the first one, regulates the output link stiffness. Regulating the stiffness in this group of actuators is based on the lever concept. Initially, springs were moved along the lever to tune the stiffness while in the later versions stiffness was regulated through relocating pivot point along the lever.

This paper discusses how different mechanisms have been employed in realization of the lever concept in these actuators and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each realization.

Today’s robots are not supposed to be solid, isolated and rigid anymore but rather adaptive, cooperative and compliant entities in our daily life. The new attitudes demand for novel technologies substantially different from those developed for industrial domains both at the hardware and the software levels. This work presents latest three state-of-the-art actuators, developed at IIT, which are great answers to the needs of tomorrow’s robot.

These novel actuators are really ready for commercial exploitation, as they are compact and reliable. The main novelty is based on employing concept of lever mechanism for stiffness regulation. They have been designed and manufactured in a very professional and optimized way.

The study investigates the latent shortcomings of projects implemented under the force account approach. The study offers implications to the policymakers, practitioners and society at large for the effective and efficient application of the force account method in construction projects.

The study adopted an explanatory sequential mixed method of which the quantitative data were collected first and then analysis was performed. Then, the results of quantitative data were used to plan for the collection of qualitative data. The quantitative data were collected from performance audit report while the qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews.

The study identified six (6) general latent shortcomings and twenty-one (21) detailed latent shortcomings. The general latent shortcomings were inadequate planning and designing of the project; inappropriate adhering to the procurement procedures for materials; inadequate contract supervision; lack of qualified personnel to execute and supervise the works; lack of appropriate equipment and tools; and improper recording of cost of materials, labour and overheads in the books of accounts.

The research focused on the force account construction approach as applied in the Tanzania context.

The research stresses that policymakers and practitioners are required to evaluate critically the scope and application of the force account mechanism. The force account procedures should be made based on the nature, scope, magnitude and thresholds of the project. The procuring organisations should ensure that the cost–benefit analysis is undertaken before implementing the force account projects. The findings of this study can be used as inputs to the present laws, regulations and guidelines related to the force account projects.

The present study has the potentials to the communities of which force account projects are undertaken. It stresses that the force account method offers employments opportunity to the social communities.

The study has identified the latent shortcomings of the projects implemented under the force account method. This topic has received attention in Tanzania and developing countries. The study can be credited for its implications to policymakers, practitioners and communities including its emphasis on conducting a cost–benefit analysis.

Up until 1993, the South African armed forces were an essentially all-white conscript force, fighting a war ‘in proxy’ in neighbouring states and within the country, against a perceived communist onslaught. During this period, the former South African Defence Force (SADF) was central to state functioning and funding. With the end of the Cold War and the subsequent demise of Apartheid, the armed forces were forced to adapt not only to the new security environment, but to the imperatives spelt out in the newly forged Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. This was to be a traumatic time for the newly established South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which came into being in April 1994. The challenge of having to integrate seven former enemies into one cohesive force has been no mean task, and the legacies of past loyalties continue to divide the forces. The challenges stretched beyond just the need to integrate, thereby swelling the size of the SANDF, but to downscale the forces to affordable levels in years to come. As Seegers (1996, p. 280) states, “the SANDF encountered two big problems simultaneously, integration and a desperate popular need for employment”. Therefore, rationalisation would inevitably be met with some collective resistance. Adapting to the principles enshrined in the Constitution also meant that the SANDF had to adapt its policies and practices to meet the democratic imperatives spelt out in the Bill of Rights. Without doubt, one of the most contentious issues was the pressure exerted on the SANDF, even before 1994, to amend its labour relations mechanisms for uniformed personnel. The Constitution provided the legal sanction for military unions and despite vehement resistance, the SANDF eventually had to concede to this right when it lost the case in the Constitutional Court in 1998. Even so, the shock of having to deal with trade unions within its ranks and to bargain with the unions over “all matters of mutual interest” has been no mean feat.