Tumbling take-offs on floor exercise apparatuses of varying stiffness properties may contribute to apparatus behaviors that lead to increased injury exposure. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the kinematics, kinetics, and timing performance characteristics of a springfloor and a spring-floor with an added Air Floor™. Five male international gymnasts performed a forward handspring to forward somersault and a round off, flic flac, backward somersault on a standard spring-floor and a spring-floor with an Air Floor™. Performances were measured via high-speed video kinematics (lower extremity joint angles and positions), electromyography of eight lower extremity muscles, mean peak forces on the feet, and timing. Comparisons of spring-floor types, lower extremity joint angles, lower extremity muscle activations, foot forces, and selected durations were determined. The spring floor with Air Floor™ resulted in longer take-off contact durations than spring-floor alone. Dynamic knee angles may indicate an unexpected and potentially injurious motion of the triceps surae musculotendinous structures. This pilot and hypothesis generating study has suggested future research examining dynamic knee position and angle changes, the role of spring-floor vibration and stiffness in take-offs, and take-off muscle activation alignment with the stiffness of the spring-floor. Pragmatically, there appears to be a convergence of evidence indicating that a slower frequency response of the spring floor may assist tumbling performance and reduce stress and strain in the lower extremity.

Ante la problemática que presentan los suelos arcillosos de alta plasticidad, como la vulnerabilidad a variaciones de volumen, produciendo asentamientos diferenciales ocasionando daños en las estructuras, es por factores como este que se decidió buscar una alternativa de mejora para sus parámetros como el incremento de la resistencia, ángulo de fricción y cohesión de un suelo arcilloso de alta plasticidad (CH). En la ejecución de una obra civil, estos parámetros generalmente no se ajustan a los requerimientos del proyecto, por tal razón se debe buscar una solución para la estabilidad del suelo implicado en cualquier construcción. La constante búsqueda del mejoramiento de las condiciones ambientales ha llevado a la utilización de los residuos del plástico para reforzar el suelo y mejorar sus propiedades mecánicas y físicas. Es por ello que de acuerdo con nuestra propuesta se intenta incrementar data para el uso de este material alternativo como propuesta de mejoramiento del suelo, obteniéndose resultados interesantes y distintos a lo hallado en otras investigaciones que utilizaron similares materiales. Se optó por la trituración del tereftalato de polietileno (PET) obteniendo un PET reciclado de 3-5 mm de longitud como material de refuerzo para mejorar las propiedades mecánicas del suelo. De acuerdo con los ensayos de proctor estándar y corte directo, se determinó que el porcentaje óptimo de adición sea de 1% debido a que se observó un mejor comportamiento del material de estudio con respecto a las otras mezclas analizadas con 0.5%, 2.5% y 3.5%. / To the problems posed by clay soils of high plasticity, such as vulnerability to variations in volume, producing differential settlements causing damage to structures, it is due to factors such as this it was decided to seek an alternative enhancement to parameters such as increased resistance, friction angle and cohesion of a high plasticity clay soil (CH). In the execution of civil works, these parameters generally do not conform to the requirements of the project, for that reason should seek a solution for the stability of the soil involved in any construction. The constant search for improving environmental conditions has led to the use of waste plastic to reinforce the soil and improve its mechanical and physical properties. That is why according to our proposal we try to increase data for the use of this alternative material as a soil improvement proposal, obtaining interesting and different results to that found in other investigations that used similar materials. We chose crushing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) obtaining a recycled PET 3-5 mm length as a reinforcing material to stabilize and improve the mechanical properties of the soil. According to the standard proctor and direct shear tests, it was determined that the optimal percentage of addition is 1% because a better behavior of the study material was observed with respect to the other mixtures analyzed with 0.5%, 2.5% and 3.5%. / Tesis

Objectives Despite their growing prevalence, pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) remain undertreated and not well understood by patients, with treatment disparities noted in specific subgroups of women. The goal of the present study was to determine the basic understanding of PFDs of women in the southern Appalachian region of the United States, to determine factors that predict knowledge, and to explore the possible disparities in seeking access to care among women in this region who reported symptoms. Methods A survey of patient knowledge of PFDs, specifically urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP), was conducted in Johnson City, Tennessee, and involved 305 female patients from this city and the surrounding region. Results Almost half of the participants (43%) reported UI symptoms, with only 25% of these participants reporting treatment. A much smaller percentage (5%) reported POP symptoms, but 44% reported receiving treatment. Overall proficiency for UI knowledge was 54.4%, and 69.5% for POP knowledge. Higher UI knowledge was predicted (P < 0.05) by age younger than 60 years, annual income >$50,000, more than a high school education, and being married. UI knowledge was unrelated to the presence of UI symptoms, receipt of UI treatment, or having seen a urospecialist. Higher POP knowledge was predicted (P < 0.05) by annual income >$50,000, more than a high school education, and presence of POP symptoms. The only factor significantly predicting seeking treatment among women with UI symptoms was marital status. Conclusions Overall knowledge of both UI and POP was reasonably high in this population, suggesting appropriate self-education or education by providers in the region. The women most affected by UI, particularly those older than 60 years, were not well informed, and education by providers does not appear to specifically target women seeking treatment. We must continue to educate and further reduce the gap of knowledge and treatment regarding PFDs in southern Appalachia.

Bakgrund: Av den vuxna befolkningen i världen lever omkring 12 % med överaktiv blåsa (ÖAB) med en tydlig prevalensökning över 44 år. ÖAB definieras som akuta, täta urinträngningar med eller utan inkontinens och innebär en förlust av de första varnande signalerna från blåsan. ÖAB ses som en tyst sjukdom då kvinnor undviker att söka vård. Syfte: Belysa hur det dagliga livet påverkas av överaktiv blåsa hos kvinnor. Metod: Semistrukturerad intervju med kvalitativ innehållsanalys användes. Resultat: Kvinnor hanterar ÖAB genom att planera dagen efter toalettillgång. De undviker vätska före aktiviteter, begränsar mängd alkohol samt tömmer blåsan i förebyggande syfte för att minska risken för akuta trängningar och läckage. Vid genomförande av fysisk aktivitet utformas den efter blåsans förmåga. Aktiviteter och rörelsen som medför läckage undviks av kvinnor med ÖAB. Kvinnor som sökt vård för problematiken upplevde sig få ett negativt bemötande av sjukvårdspersonalen vilket också leder till att de slutar söka vård. Slutsats: Kvinnor med ÖAB bildar en vardag efter blåsan och planerar dagen efter blåsans behov att tömmas. Sjukvårdspersonalens bemötande till kvinnor med ÖAB bör ändras för att kvinnorna ska få känna en ökad acceptansnivå till sitt tillstånd. Det leder således till bättre behandlings- och hanteringsmöjligheter för de drabbade kvinnorna. / Background: Of the adult population, worldwide, live about 12 % with overactive bladder (OAB) with a clear prevalence increase over the age of 44. OAB is defined as acute, frequent urination with or without incontinence which means an absence of the first warning signals from the bladder. OAB is seen as a silent decease, because women avoid seeking care. Aim: To illustrate how daily life is affected by overactive bladder in women. Method: Semi-structured interview with qualitative content analysis was used. Result: Women manage OAB by planning their day after toilet access. They avoid drinking before activities, limit the amount of alcohol and empty the bladder for preventive purposes to reduce risk of acute urgency and leakage. When performing physical activity, it´s designed after the ability of the bladder. Activities that cause leakage are avoided by women with OAB. Women who have sought care for the problem, received a negative response from the healthcare staff, which also leads them to stop seeking care. Conclusion: Women with OAB form their daily life after the bladder and are planning the day after the bladder needs to be emptied. The healthcare staff's treatment of women with OAB should be changed so that women can feel an increased level of acceptance of their condition. It leads to better treatment and management options for the affected women.

Background: Ruptures in the pelvic floor muscles is the most common childbirth injury. It affects 70 – 85 percent of the Swedish women who gives birth every year. Childbirth injuries can cause lack of motor control of the pelvic floor muscles, decreased participation and activity in the womens every day life. It also can affect the qualilty of life. The physiotherapists role in care for these patients is to examine and treat the patients problems in a biopsychosocial way to work for health benefits and provide further injuries. Purpose: The purpose is to examine physiotherapists experience of examination and rehabilitation of women with ruptures in the pelvic floor muscles caused by childbirth injuries. Method: In a qualitative descriptive interview study with a appropriate selection, interviews was done with six physiotherapists who is operative in womens health. A semi structured interview guide was used and then a manifest qualitative analysis was done with an inductive approach. Result: The analysis process showed five main categories in terms of the physiotherapists experience of examine and treat women with muscle ruptures in the pevic floor caused by childbirth injuries: ’Examination and treatment in body structure and body function level’, ’to build trust between therapist and patient’, ’work with the patients fear-avoidance behaviour’, ’work in team with other professionals’ and ’inform the patient about the injury in early state’. Two of the five main categories were divided into under categories associated to the main categories. Conclusion: The informants in the study experienced that there is a necessity to examine and rehabilitate patients out of their individual needs. They experienced that it was important to talk about the worry a lot of the patients with injuries in the pelvic floor feel and to build trust to avoid catastrophizing and fear-avoidance behaviour. / Bakgrund: Bristningar i bäckenbotten till följd av förlossning drabbar 70 - 85% av kvinnorna som föder barn i Sverige varje år. En förlossningsskada kan leda till försämrad motorisk bäckenbottenkontroll, nedsatt aktivitets- och delaktighetsförmåga samt sänkt livskvalité. Fysioterapeutens roll är att undersöka och behandla patienterna med ett biopsykosocialt synsätt för att verka hälsofrämjande och skadeförebyggande. Syfte: Att undersöka fysioterapeuters erfarenheter av undersökning och behandling av kvinnor med förlossningsskada i bäckenbotten. Metod: I en kvalitativ beskrivande intervjustudie med ändamålsenligt bekvämlighetsurval intervjuades sex fysioterapeuter/sjukgymnaster verksamma inom området kvinnohälsa utifrån en semistrukturerad intervjuguide. En manifest kvalitativ dataanalys med induktiv ansats genomfördes. Resultat: I analysprocessen framkom fem huvudkategorier om informanternas erfarenheter av undersökning och behandling vid förlossningsskador i bäckenbottenmuskulaturen: undersökning och behandling på kroppsstruktur- och kroppsfunktionsnivå, att bygga förtroende mellan fysioterapeut och patient, arbeta med rädsla och undvikandebeteende hos patienten, samarbete med andra professioner och informera om skadan i ett tidigt skede. Två av de fem huvudkategorierna delades in i underkategorier. Slutsats: Utifrån studiens resultat visade informanternas samlade erfarenheter att behovet är stort att undersöka, individanpassa behandling och bemöta oro hos den berörda patientgruppen som drabbas av bäckenbottenskada. Även att bygga förtroende för att undvika katastroftankar och eliminera rädsla-och undvikande beteende hos patienterna.

Cette thèse est motivée par diverses questions qui se posent quant à l’utilisation de l’isolation sismique dans l’industrie nucléaire. À la différence de la grande majorité des travaux antérieurs sur l’isolation sismique en générale et l’isolation mixte en particulier, qui portent principalement leur intérêt sur la réponse de la structure isolée (déplacements relatifs, accélérations maximales des étages, etc.), une grande partie de ce travail est consacrée au comportement des équipements, par le biais de l’étude des spectres de plancher. L’objectif principal est de diminuer la déformation des isolateurs sans amplification de la réponse des modes supérieurs, qui peut apparaître sous certaines conditions et qui peut être une source de sollicitation des équipements. Pour ce faire, des alternatives aux appuis parasismiques couramment utilisés sont explorées. Il s’agit des combinaisons d’un appui à faible amortissement avec un élément de Maxwell (isolateur de relaxation) ou avec un amortisseur hydraulique semi-actif (système d’isolation mixte). L’élément de Maxwell se comportant comme un amortisseur à basse fréquence et un ressort de faible rigidité à haute fréquence permet de satisfaire l’objectif souhaité. En ce qui concerne les systèmes d’isolation mixtes, trois techniques de contrôle semi-actif sont proposées. Afin d’améliorer la performance du contrôle, une attention particulière a été donné à la prise en compte de l’excitation sismique et des caractéristiques de l’amortisseur lors de la conception du contrôleur est focalisée. Les analyses numériques confirment l'efficacité de ces systèmes. En vue de l’utilisation de ces méthodes pour de structures réelles, certains aspects pratiques comme, par exemple, l’observation du système, les effets de la réduction du modèle utilisé par le contrôleur ou du temps de retard sur la performance du contrôle, ainsi que le contrôle d’un ensemble de plusieurs dispositifs semi-actifs redondant, sont, également, abordés. / This thesis is motivated by various questions that arise regarding the use of base isolation in the nuclear industry. Unlike the majority of previous work on base isolation in general and mixed isolation in particular, which focus mainly on the response of the isolated structure (interstorey drifts, maximum accelerations of floors, etc.), this work focuses on the behavior of equipment, through the study of floor response spectra. The main objective is to reduce the deformation of the isolators without amplification of the response of the higher modes, which may appear under certain conditions and which can be a source of equipment solicitation. To this end, alternatives to the commonly used base isolators are explored. These are combinations of a low damping rubber bearing with a Maxwell element (relaxation isolator) or a semi-active hydraulic damper (mixed base isolation system).Maxwell element behaves like a damper in low frequency and as a low stiffness spring in high frequency. Hence it meets the above objectives. . Regarding isolation systems, three semi-active control techniques are proposed. In order to improve the performance of the control, the seismic excitation and the characteristics of the damper are taken into account in the design of the controller. Numerical analyzes confirm the effectiveness of these systems. Having in mind implementation of these methods to real structures, some practical aspects such as, observation of the system, effects of model reduction, considered by the controller, or time delay on the control performance, as well as the control of a set of redundant semi-active devices, are also studied.

Bakgrund Urininkontinens är ett av de vanligaste kroniska hälsoproblemen i samhället, där få söker vård för sina besvär, vilket innebär en försämrad livskvalitet. Resultatet huruvida träning påverkar urinläckage varierar i tidigare forskningsstudier.  Syfte Att undersöka punktprevalensen av ansträngningsinkontinens hos fysiskt aktiva nulliparous totalt och uppdelat på olika träningsformer, samt analysera korrelationen mellan upplevd besvärsgrad av urininkontinens och volymen av måttlig till hög aktivitetsnivå bland fysiskt aktiva nulliparous med ansträngningsinkontinens.  Metod Kvantitativ observationsstudie som utfördes via en webbaserad enkät baserad på IPAQ-SF och PFIQ-7. Fysiskt aktiva kvinnor mellan 16–55 år, som var födda med kvinnligt kön, ej fått barn eller varit gravida efter vecka 13 samt ej var elitidrottare inkluderades. Resultat 215 personer besvarade enkäten, 61 exkluderades. Av 154 deltagare upplevde 37 kvinnor besvär av ansträngningsinkontinens (prevalens 24%). De vanligaste aktiviteterna var löpning (prevalens 26%) och gym/styrketräning (prevalens 18%). Högintensiv träning hade en prevalens av ansträngningsinkontinens på 31–38%. Lågintensiv träning hade en prevalens på 19%. Ingen korrelation kunde påvisas mellan upplevda besvär av urininkontinens och volym av måttlig till hög aktivitetsnivå bland kvinnor med ansträngningsinkontinens (r = -0,0489) (p = 0,8). Konklusion Ansträngningsinkontinens är vanligt hos tränande nulliparous. Det är vanligare med ansträngningsinkontinens vid högintensiva aktiviteter jämfört med lågintensiva. Ingen korrelation kunde påvisas mellan upplevd besvärsgrad av urininkontinens hos kvinnor med ansträngningsinkontinens och aktivitetsnivå. Mer forskning kring träning som eventuell riskfaktor och som eventuell behandlingsmetod krävs. / Background Urinary incontinence is one of the most common chronic health issues in society where few seek care meaning a decreased quality of life. Research regarding how exercise affects urinary incontinence varies.  Purpose On one occasion examine the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in physically active (PA) nulliparous in total and divided by activity, and the correlation between perceived level of discomfort of urinary incontinence (UI) and volume of moderate to high activity level amongst PA nulliparous with SUI. Method Quantitative observational study conducted via a web-based survey based on IPAQ-SF and PFIQ-7. PA women, age 16-55, who were born with a female gender, hadn’t given birth or been pregnant after week 13 and weren’t elite athletes were included.  Result 215 women responded to the survey, 61 were excluded. Of 154 participants 37 women experienced SUI (prevalence 24%). Strength training (prevalence 18%) and running (prevalence 26%) were the most common activities. High-intensity training had a prevalence of 31–38%. Low intensity training had a prevalence of 19%. No correlation between experienced level of discomfort of UI and volume of moderate to high level of physical activity amongst women with SUI could be revealed. (r = -0,0489, p = 0,8).   Conclusion  SUI is common amongst exercising women without known risk factors. It is more common with SUI during high-intensity activities compared with low-intensity. No correlation was demonstrated between UI amongst women with SUI and activity level. Research regarding exercise as risk factors and treatment for UI is required.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Joint Program in Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 194-197). / Oceanic spreading centers are sites of magmatic, tectonic, and hydrothermal processes. In this thesis I present experimental and seismological constraints on the evolution of these complex regions of focused crustal accretion and extension. Experimental results from drained, triaxial deformation experiments on partially molten olivine reveal that melt extraction rates are linearly dependent on effective mean stress when the effective mean stress is low and non-linearly dependent on effective mean stress when it is high. Microearthquakes recorded above an inferred magma reservoir along the TAG segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge delineate for the first time the arcuate, subsurface structure of a long-lived, active detachment fault. This fault penetrates the entire oceanic crust and forms the high-permeability pathway necessary to sustain long-lived, high-temperature hydrothermal venting in this region. Long-lived detachment faulting exhumes lower crustal and mantle rocks. Residual stresses generated by thermal expansion anisotropy and mismatch in the uplifting, cooling rock trigger grain boundary microfractures if stress intensities at the tips of naturally occurring flaws exceed a critical stress intensity factor. / (cont.) Experimental results coupled with geomechanical models indicate that pervasive grain boundary cracking occurs in mantle peridotite when it is uplifted to within 4 km of the seafloor. Whereas faults provide the high-permeability pathways necessary to sustain high-temperature fluid circulation, grain boundary cracks form the interconnected network required for pervasive alteration of the oceanic lithosphere. This thesis provides fundamental constraints on the rheology, evolution, and alteration of the lithosphere at oceanic spreading centers. / by Brian J. deMartin. / Ph.D.

Thesis (S.M.)--Joint Program in Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-48). / Megamullions in slow-spreading oceanic crust are characterized by smooth "turtle-back" morphology and are interpreted to be rotated footwalls of long-lived detachment faults. Megamullions have been analyzed in preliminary studies, but many questions remain about structural and tectonic details of their formation, in particular how the hanging wall develops in conjugate crust on the opposing side of the rift axis. This study compares the structure of an off-axis megamullion complex and its conjugate hanging wall crust on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge near 27 0N. Two megamullion complexes, an older (Ml) and younger (M2), formed successively on the west side of the rift axis in approximately the same location within one spreading segment. Megamullion M1 formed while the spreading segment had only one inside comer on the west flank, and megamullion M2 formed after the segment developed double inside corners west of the axis and double outside corners east of the axis. The older megamullion formed between -22.3 and -20.4 Ma, and the younger megamullion formed between -20.6 and -18.3 Ma; they are presently -200-300 km off-axis. Reconstruction poles of plate rotation were derived and plate reconstructions were made for periods prior to initiation of the megamullion complex (anomaly 6Ar, -22.6 Ma), after the termination of megamullion Ml and during the development of megamullion M2 (anomaly 5E, -19 9 Ma), and shortly following the termination of megamullion M2 (anomaly 5C, -17.6 Ma). These reconstructions were used to compare morphological and geophysical features of both flanks at each stage of the megamullions' development. Megamullion Ml's breakaway occurred at -22.3 Ma and slip along this detachment fault continued and propagated northward at -20.6 Ma to form the northern portion of M2. The exhumed footwall of megamullion M1 has weak spreading-parallel lineations interpreted as mullion structures on its surface, and it forms an elevated plateau between the enclosing segment boundaries (non-transform discontinuities). There was an expansion southward of the detachment fault forming megamullion M2 at -20.1 Ma. It either cut a new detachment fault through megamullion Ml, stranding a piece of megamullion Ml on the conjugate side (east flank), or it linked into the active detachment fault that was forming megamullion M1 or propagated into its hanging wall. The expanded detachment of megamullion M2 and the termination of megamullion M1 occurred during a time when the enclosing spreading segment roughly doubled in length and formed two inside corners. Megamullion M2 developed prominent, high-amplitude (-600 m) mullion structures that parallel the spreading direction for more than 20 km at each inside corner. Its detachment fault was abandoned - 18.6 Ma in the south and ~18.3 Ma in the north ... / by Amy R. McKnight. / S.M.

The thesis deals with the development of new type of lightweight floors based on secondary raw materials. In the introduction, the current knowledge in the field of lightweight building materials, especially screeds and lightweight porous concrete, is presented. The thesis describes brief history of production of aerated concrete and its development up to the present. Further, the thesis describes the procedure of design and testing of new lightweight materials for use in floors. The proposed recipe has been thoroughly tested and the best combination of components for use in lightweight porous concrete floor screed has been selected. The thesis also examines the microstructure of the material being developed. The main result of the dissertation is the developed product, which is already used in practice and is produced and sold on the market as part of the system of lightweight building materials.