Author: Bc. Antonín Mařík Title: Capture of the abduction contracture of the hip joint as a biomechanical cause of idiopathic scoliosis The theme of the thesis is based on lectures and numerous publications by Professor Tomasz Karski, MD, PhD from Lublin, published in international journals (from the 1990s to the present). The work is based on the biomechanical cause of the "so-called idiopathic" scoliosis, the cause of which is considered primarily the restriction of adduction in the right hip joint - an abduction contracture. This contracture is one of the symptoms of "contractures and deformity syndrome" according to Prof. Hans Mau (Tübingen, Germany). The years-long prevailing "standing easy" attitude on the right lower limb is a manifestation of the restriction of abduction - the abduction contracture in the right hip joint and the cause of scoliosis in two groups and three types of classification of "biomechanical" scoliosis according to Karski. The main object of the thesis is an objective assessment of the relationship between the abduction contracture of the right hip joint and the idiopathic scoliosis of the spine in the examined set of probands. The thesis focuses, among other things, on the recent overview of the knowledge about idiopathic scoliosis, especially on diagnostics and...

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Thesis (M. Tech. Agriculture) -- Central University of Technology, Free state, 2012 / Low lifetime rearing success and high perinatal mortality have been associated with small pelvic areas of ewes. Ewes with small pelvic areas are more prone to experience dystocia during parturition and high perinatal mortality. It would thus make sense to include pelvic area as criterion in selecting breeding animals (rams) in an attempt to assure bigger pelvic areas in the female progeny as the heritability of pelvic area ranges between 50-60%. The aims of this study were to develop two instruments to accurately measure the pelvic area and rump slope in small stock, to investigate the hindquarter dimensions and to quantify the relationship between a number of easy to measure external body measurements and pelvic dimensions of Dorper sheep. The pelvic meter developed was pre-tested on 90 sheep prior to slaughtering at an abattoir and shortly after slaughter. The correlation between the pre- and post- slaughter measurements was highly significant (P <0.05; r = 0.85). In this study 272 Dorper and White Dorper rams (5-7 months of age) participating in the Northern Cape Veldram project and 332 young Dorper and White Dorper ewes (±12 months of age) from three different breeders were measured. The inside pelvic area was measured trans-rectally. The rams’ pelvic areas were measured five times transrectally, at 40 days intervals between the ages of 223 ± 41 and 385 ± 41 days of age. The height of the pelvis was obtained by measuring the distance between the dorsal pubic tubercle on the floor of the pelvis and the sacrum (spinal column) on the top. The width of the pelvis was measured as the widest distance, between the right and the left shafts of the ilium bones. The pelvic area was calculated using the π (PH/2)*(PW/2) formula. Other linear body measurements (body height, shoulder height, chest depth, forequarter width, hindquarter width, rump length) as well as body weight were taken. The rams’ rump slope was measured in degrees with an instrument that was developed for this purpose, and the ewes’ rump slope was visually scored on a scale from 1-5 with one being very flat and five being very droopy. The overall mean pelvic area of ewes 35.44 ± 4.89 cm2 and those of the rams 28.22 ± 3.21 cm2 differed with 7.22 cm2. Stud ewes recorded significantly larger (P <0.05) pelvic areas (37.38 ± 4.3 cm2) than commercial ewes (33.92 ± 3.77cm2). Results indicated that there are no significant correlations between pelvic dimensions and other body measurements considered in this study, indicating the need to measure pelvic area directly. Both the pelvic meter and rump slope meter, specially developed for this study, proved to be accurate and relatively practical to use in Dorper sheep.

The aural development process is governed by the attitude of the teacher, student, the time factor, methodology employed and materials available. This process and the aforementioned contributing factors are explored within the context of the current requirements of the aural and practical musicianship examination syllabi of The Royal Schools of Music, Trinity College and UNISA. Suitable methods are explored which should develop skills enabling the student to deal with sounds and their corresponding symbols, first in isolation then within a musical context with attention to the curriculum, musical skills and personal development of the student within a positive learning situation. Four main areas of development are isolated i.e. rhythm, pitch, harmony and critical ear skills. A suitable development programme is presented in each area focusing on systematic skill development. / Musicology / M.Mus. (Musicology)

The population of China is ageing. Accompanying this aging population, dementia and frailty have a growing importance. However there is little consensus on the association between dementia and frailty, in terms of how the criteria that are part of this two syndromes overlap, as both disorders are age-related and increase the risk for falls, further leading to loss of independence. To meet the above needs, the thesis describes research into different frailty diagnostic criteria, as well as its association with dementia symptoms. We examined cognitive measures that can be used for assessment of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia screening (the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, HVLT) and compared its discriminant ability with the commonly used cognitive screening tool, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in distinguishing Cognitive Impairment (including MCI and dementia) from No Cognitive Impairment (NCI, normal controls) in two community-dwelling elderly Chinese populations and in one institutionalised elderly population in Shanghai, China. Subsequently we investigated whether physical and cognitive symptoms clustered together to form frailty phenotypes. We employed indicators that have been widely used to diagnose frailty, including physical measures (grip strength, Time-Up and Go test, 15 feet gait speed test and Berg balance test), and psychological measures (the HVLT and the MMSE) to predict cognitive impairment (CI) and frailty. Additionally, we described demographics (age, gender, education) and other potential modifiers when detecting cognitive impairment and functional disability. We then built up a model for possible frailty phenotype using various indicators. Lastly, we examined whether demographic (age, gender, education and profession), and lifestyle (smoking/alcohol history, exercise frequency, and dietary habit) could be used to predict future cognitive impairment. It was found that advanced age, lower education (no or primary level), and being vegetarian were significant risk factors for cognitive impairment. Furthermore, whereas high consumption of green vegetables is a protector against cognitive impairment, high intake of tofu was negatively related to cognitive performance among community-dwelling elderly in China. To meet the above needs, the thesis describes research into different frailty diagnostic criteria, as well as its association with dementia symptoms. We examined cognitive measures that can be used for assessment of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia screening (the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, HVLT) and compared its discriminant ability with the commonly used cognitive screening tool, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in distinguishing Cognitive Impairment (including MCI and dementia) from No Cognitive Impairment (NCI, normal controls) in two community-dwelling elderly Chinese populations and in one institutionalised elderly population in Shanghai, China. Subsequently we employed these two cognitive measures to investigate whether they were part of the frailty syndrome among elderly from the community-based studies. We investigated whether physical and cognitive symptoms clustered together to form frailty phenotypes. We employed indicators that have been widely used to diagnose frailty, including physical measures (grip strength, Time-Up and Go test, 15 feet gait speed test and Berg balance test), and psychological measures (the HVLT and the MMSE) to predict cognitive impairment (CI). We found four distinct subtypes of elderly characterised by increasing care needs: 1. Persona elderly as defined by age >78, year of education<6 years, grip strength <11.8 KG, and a MMSE total score <25; 2. Persona Physical frailty (fitness), defined by a total score on the Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test >12.7 seconds and 15 feet gait speed >4.4 seconds; 3. Persona Cognitive impairment, defined by a MMSE total score <25, a HVLT Immediate Recall (IR) score <15, and a HVLT Delayed Recall (DR) <5; 4. Persona Physical frailty (balance,) defined by a Berg Balance test score of <53. Additionally, we described demographics (age, gender, education) and other potential modifiers when detecting cognitive impairment and functional disability. We then built up a model for possible frailty phenotype using various indicators, Frailty here was defined as: 1. Low BMI as measured by this algorithm: BMI= Weight (kg)/Height (m)2 2. Weakness (upper and lower body): grip strength in the lowest quintile, adjusted for gender; and TUG get up with assistance or unable to get up 3. Slowness (lower body): TUG score in the lowest quintile, adjusted for gender; and 15 feet gait speed in the lowest quintile, adjusted for gender; 4. Poor balance: Berg Balance test score in the lowest quintile, adjusted for gender; 5. Low physical activity: engaging in exercise less than once per week. An individual with 4 or more present frailty components out of a total of 7 was considered to be frail , whereas equal or less than 3 characteristics were hypothesized to be pre-frail . Those with no present frailty components were considered as robust. Lastly, we examined whether demographic (age, gender, education and profession), and lifestyle (smoking/alcohol history, exercise frequency, and dietary habit) could be used to predict future cognitive impairment (as defined by a HVLT IR score of ≤19). The results of our studies show that compared to the MMSE, the HVLT is superior in differentiating MCI and dementia from NCI, and is also less affected by demographic factors in detecting frailty. Furthermore, in the current study, physical, psychological, demographic and other modifiable risk factors cluster together into different phenotypes of cognitive impairment and functional disability in these cohorts. A phenotype of frailty is built up using BMI, grip strength, TUG, 15 feet gait speed, balance and exercise frequency as indicators. The most common was the elderly phenotype followed by the cognitively impaired. A novel finding of the current study is that only 4.8% (8 out 168) of the whole sample fulfilled all three categories in the current study (cognitive impairment, functional disability and frailty). Finally, advanced age, lower education (no or primary level), and being vegetarian were significant risk factors for cognitive impairment. Furthermore, whereas high consumption of green vegetables is a protector against cognitive impairment, high intake of tofu was negatively related to cognitive performance among community-dwelling elderly in China.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Applied English Studies / Master / Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

晚清於西元1905年廢除科舉制度，並欲以西式新學堂代替科舉以育才選才，而數量龐大的傳統知識份子，以致失去其原本入仕的管道。本文先概述晚清廢科舉的來龍去脈，以理解科舉被停廢的緣由；而後再進一步討論當時政府對廢科舉所採取的配套措施，藉此探討新教育制度的實施情況，士子是否能與其順利銜接，以及未來的工作與出路，以了解入仕或往其他領域發展之士人佔所有科舉出身者的比率。簡言之，本文研究目的有三：一、探討科舉廢除後，傳統士人在社會變遷下的適應情形；二、探討代替科舉而起的新教育制度運作情形；三、探討科舉制度變遷的意義與對現代教育的啟示。 本文的研究對象為甲辰科進士273人、舉人8,000人、貢生35,000以及生員55,0000人。研究發現，甲辰科進士於朝考除授後，仍有97位的晚清經歷可考，進入民國後則有75位；而中下層傳統知識份子中，有約三成進入新式學堂中，其餘七成可能任議員、塾師、學堂職員、入仕、任職於民間機構，或者逐漸沒落。從研究發現中可得知，傳統知識份子於科舉廢除後，雖仍有相當影響力但其發展已大不如前，尤其是中下階層的傳統知識份子而言；而取代科舉的西式新學堂，則達到疏散大量生員的功能。 該措施對現代教育的啟示，則有三點：一、需有足夠的經費；二、舊有教育制度不宜全部廢除；三、不宜忽略舊式人才。而對後續的研究建議則有。 / The Civil Service Examination was abolished and replaced by the new western school system in late Ching China (1905). Thereafter, traditional intellectuals who passed the Civil Service Examination lost the channels to be officials. This study includes two parts. The first one is to describe the process and the reasons of abolishing Civil Service Examination. In order to inquire the transformation of the traditional intellectuals under the new education system. The second one is to discuss the supporting measures, including the new career of the traditional intellectuals. The main purposes of this study are as follows: (i) to inquire how the traditional intellectuals adapt to new social circumstances. (ii) To explore the operation of the new education system. (iii) To discuss the implications in modern education. The subjects of this study include 273 chia-chen-ko chin-shihs(甲辰科進士), 8,000 chu-jen(舉人), 35,000 kung-sheng(貢生), and 55,0000 hsiu tsai(生員). The findings of this study are: (i) The records of those who passed Cho-examination the trends of 97 chia-chen-ko chin-shihs in late Ching and 75 chia-chen-ko chin-shihs in ROC were found. (ii) The 30％ of chu-jen, kung-sheng, and hsiu tsai studied or taught in new type schools. The rest of them, 70% of the middle-low rank ones, served as congressmen, teachers of Ssu-shu, staffs of new school, officials, employees of private sectors or no records be found in the new era. (iii) After the Civil Service Examination being abolished, traditional intellectuals still had considerable influence than before but declining, especially the middle-lower rank of traditional intellectuals. (iv) New schools have achieved the goal of relocating traditional intellectuals.

台灣地區生活型態與人口結構的急遽變遷、老年人口快速增長、疾病型態改變、國民所得提高、醫療支出持續增加以及政府民間對預防醫學的重視，「預防醫學」之風氣逐漸形成，也帶動台灣健檢產業像雨後春筍般蓬勃發展。 　　本研究透過個案研究的方式，使用Betz（1987）的創新類型及Gobeli & Brown（1993）的創新過程兩種不同的創新理論，對7家專業健檢中心及2家醫院附設健檢中心，進行現況分析，分類並歸納出各個案的創新特性及差異，提出可能產生的問題因應策略。 　　研究發現，不同本質健檢機構的創新靈活度就會有很大的差距； 在開創階段重視形象塑立、業務開發，及硬體投資多於強調本業－「健康服務」，.在「商品開發力」方面朝分「主題式商品」、「檢驗設備」、「擴展市場」及「異業服務」四類，以主題式商品居多，其次為強化檢驗設備，健檢市場發展成熟，為因應醫療環境的改變，更擅於利用「應變元素」避險佈局。 　　根據研究結果，建議健檢中心仍應先著重於預防醫學專業及檢驗技術，定義能契合顧客價值的創新性產品，執行一套內隱的系統制度，其創新的核心靈魂是回歸到「健康」、對生命的尊重，提供顧客永難忘懷的服務，才是撼動人心的競爭優勢。 / During the past decades, the change of life style and growing of aging population in Taiwan have leaded to a great alteration of disease patterns. As the Gross Domestic Product increased in this country, the global medical expenditure increased year by year. Due to the widely accepted concept of “prevention is better than cure”, the importance of health examination is becoming more and more significant. Thus, the number of health examination institutions in Taiwan is growing rapidly. In this research, cases studies using two innovation theories including “Types of Innovation” (Betz, 1987) and “Innovation Process” (Gobeli and Brown, 1993) were implemented. Current situations of seven health screening clinics and the health screening center of two hospitals in Taipei metropolitan area were analyzed, re-classified, and compared to identify the distinct innovation characteristics in different health examination institutions. The problems that might happen in these institutions were disclosed and their resolutions were tried to found. This study discovered that there is a great difference in innovation flexibility between health examination institutions of different nature. In the initial stage of these institutions, most of them focused on image-shaping, business development and hardware investment rather than on the fundamental medical services itself (i.e. health examination). There were four ways used to strengthen product development: theme product, investment on instrument facilities, market expansion and strategic alliance. Among them, theme product was the most popular and investment on instrument facilities, the second popular method used. As health examination market was well grown, these institutions were skilled in using there reality-confronting ability to face the competitive healthcare market. According to our results, we suggest the health examination institutions still need to focus on their basic competence: preventive medicine, and health care technology. In addition, they should be able to develop a tacit system to define innovative products that match customers’ value. The core of innovation in this industry should begin from “health”. By having respect to human life and creating the health and empathy business model, health examination institutions can provide the value co-created with customers and thus, maintain competition advantage.

ROP undersökningen har visat sig vara en stressande och smärtsam undersökning för det prematura barnet. Vid ROP-undersökning är det barnsjuksköterskan som ansvarar för omvårdnaden om det prematura barnet på neonatalavdelning. Inga publicerande studier har identifierats inom området där sjuksköterskors upplevelser är beskrivna i samband med en ROP-undersökning. Suftet med pilotstudien var att belysa barnsjuksköterskors upplevelser i samband med ROP-undersökningar på prematura barn födda innan gestationsvecka 32. Pilotstudien har en kvalitativ deskreptiv design med semistrukturerade intervjuer som datainsamlingsmetod. Resultatet visade att optimal omvårdnad och föräldramedverkan bidrog till en gynnsam omvårdnad enligt barnsjuksköterskorna. Smärtskattning, arbetsmiljö, barnfokus och information var utvecklingsområden som identifierades. Temat som framkom var att barnsjuksköterskorna upplevde att beteendestödjande interventioner har en skonsam inverkan på det prematura barnet vid en ROP-undersökning. Utifrån resultatet i pilotstudien vore det av intresse att undersöka barnsjuksköterskans omvårdnadsobservationer för att bedöma smärtförnimmelser vid en ROP-undersökning i en fullskalig studie. Vidare forskning inom detta område kan leda till att den evidensbaserade omvårdnande vid ROP-undersökning på det prematura barnet utvecklas.