In this research, we study high resistivity fractures found in unconsolidated clay sediments on logging-while-drilling borehole resistivity images from Indian continental margin collected during the National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition 01. These fractures, found at Sites 5, 6, 7, and 10 are likely filled with natural gas hydrate. Gas hydrate is identified on borehole logs and images as high resistivity responses without associated density increases or indications of free gas. The local state of stress at the time of fracturing can be determined by fracture orientations. In Holes 5A, 5B, 6A an 7A the gas hydrate-filled fractures have an aligned, preferred orientation likely associated with a local stress regime. At Site 10, where 130 m of gas hydrate-filled fractures were observed, fracturing is chaotic, likely due to high gas flux.

A flapper valve is made from a hardened and tempered high strength strip steel which opens and shuts as it is subjected to very high cyclic loads. Steel strip of which flapper valves are made from can   encounter a surface defect which are anticipated to influence fatigue life negatively. In this study, the influence of surface scratches on fatigue life of flapper valve strip was investigated. The analysis was carried out by using thirty samples that were blanked out of eight different steel strips in the transverse direction. Of these samples, fifteen of them had scratches on the surface and fifteen did not, all these samples were fatigue tested by constant amplitude method. An S-N curve was plotted based upon the values and results from the fatigue test, considering the curve as the nerve center in relation with fractrographic studies using the Scanning electron microscope. Therefore this master thesis work aims to explain the influence of scratches on fatigue life of flapper valve strip and suggest future improvements based on the findings.

Cell-based therapies have potential for tissue regeneration but poor delivery methods lead to low viability or dispersal of cells from target sites, limiting clinical utility. Here, we developed a degradable and injectable hydrogel to deliver stem cells for bone regeneration. Alginate microbeads <200µm are injectable, persist at implantation sites and contain viable cells, but do not readily degrade in-vivo. We hypothesized that controlled release of rat adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) from alginate microbeads can be achieved by incorporating alginate-lyase in the hydrogel. Microbeads were formed using high electrostatic potential. Controlled degradation was achieved through direct combination of alginate-lyase and alginate at 4°C. Results showed that microbead degradation and cell release depended on the alginate-lyase to alginate ratio. Viability of released cells ranged from 87% on day 2 to 71% on day 12. Monolayer cultures of released ASCs grown in osteogenic medium produced higher levels of osteocalcin and similar levels of other soluble factors as ASCs that were neither previously encapsulated nor exposed to alginate-lyase. Bmp2, Fgf2, and Vegfa mRNA in released cells were also increased. Thus, this delivery system allows for controlled release of viable cells and can modulate their downstream osteogenic factor production.

Darbe atlikta teorinė mokslinės literatūros analizė, kuri susijusi su motyvacija ir rankų kaulų lūžių tema, bei grindžiami tyrimo rezultatai juos lyginant su mokslininkų panašaus pobūdžio tyrimo duomenimis.Iškelta hipotezė kad, ne tik reabilitacijos priemonės bet ir pačio asmens motyvacija pasveikimui lemia greitesni funkcini nepriklausomumą.Tyrimo tikslas: Nustatyti asmenų, patyrusių rankų kaulų lūžius, motyvacijos ir savarankiškumo kaitą taikant reabilitacija.Siekiant išsiaiškinti, kaip asmenys vertina veiklos atlikimą kasdienėje, darbo ir laisvalaikio srityje buvo naudojamas Kanadietiškas veiklos vertinimo testas. Įvertinti asmenų motyvaciją buvo naudotas Pasveikimo padėties valdymo klausimynas. Tiriamieji taipogi buvo apklausti naudojant anketą, kuri buvo paruošta tyrėjo. / The theoretical analysis of scientific literature related to the motivation and the topic of arm fractures was carried out and the results of the research were based comparing them with the similar research data. A hypothesis is formulated that patient’s functional independence is spurred not only by the measures of rehabilitation but also by person's own motivation to get well.The aim of the research is to define the change of motivation and independence of persons who suffered arm fractures while applying rehabilitation. In order to find out how people evaluate the performance of activity in daily life, at work and at leisure, Canadian Performance Evaluation Test has been used. Recovery Locus of Control questionnaire was given in order to evaluate people’s motivation. The respondents were also questioned using a questionnaire that was prepared by the researchers. 100 patients who suffered different types of arm fractures participated in the research. Change of biosocial skills, independence and motivation while applying rehabilitation has been analysed in the empirical part of the paper.

Background. Diabetes seems to be associated with an increased risk of fractures in the general population. We aimed to determine whether pre-transplant diabetes increases the risk of fractures among patients receiving solid organ transplantation. / Methods. We conducted a nested case-control study in a cohort of subjects 18 years and older who received a first solid organ transplantation in Quebec between January 1st 1986 and July 31st 2005, and who were covered by the RAMQ drug plan at least 1 year before the transplantation and 3 months after the date of discharge from the transplantation hospitalization. Cases were subjects from the cohort who had sustained a fracture between the date of discharge from the hospitalization for transplantation and the end of the study period or the patient's death. The fracture date was the case index date. All incidental fractures were included except fractures of the skull, phalanges of the hand and foot, multiple fractures and pathological fractures, and were identified by medical service claims. Controls were matched to cases on the type of organ transplanted and on the date of the transplantation (+/- 3 months). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were obtained with univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression models. / Results. The study included 238 cases and 873 controls. Pre-transplant diabetes was present in 30% of the cases and 22% of the controls (crude OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.7--2.8). After adjusting for potential confounders, pre-transplantation diabetes remained a significant risk factor for fractures (adjusted OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.5--2.6). / Conclusion. Pre-transplant diabetes appeared to significantly increase post-transplant fractures among adults receiving solid organ transplantation.

Objectives. beta-blockers can alter bone turnover and increase bone formation in animals. It is unknown whether beta-blockers have similar bone protective effects in humans. We aimed to estimate the effects of beta-blockers on bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures using data from the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study, a large prospective cohort study. / Methods. All medications, including beta-blockers, taken at baseline and after five years of follow-up were recorded. BMD was measured at baseline. During the five years of follow-up, incident minimal trauma fractures were documented by yearly questionnaires. To compare users of beta-blockers to non-users while controlling for possible confounders, multiple linear regression was utilized to estimate between group differences in BMD and multivariate logistic regression was employed to estimate differences in fracture risk. / Results. Of the 9423 participants, 236 of 2884 males (8.2%) and 600 of 6539 females (9.2%) used beta-blockers at some point during the study. In men, beta-blocker users had differences of +1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.9%, 3.0%) and +1.2% (95% CI -0.5%, 4.0%) in baseline BMD at the total hip and at the lumbar spine, respectively, compared to non-users. In women, beta-blocker users had differences of +0.05% (95% CI -1.2%, 1.3%) and +0.2% (95% CI -1.3%, 1.7%) for the BMD of the total hip and the lumbar spine, respectively, compared to non-users. For users of beta-blockers at baseline, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for any minimal trauma fracture was 1.23 (95% CI 0.67--2.25) in men and 1.02 (95% CI 0.76--1.35) in women. Chronic use (user at baseline and year 5) in men had an OR for any minimal trauma fracture of 2.1 (95% CI 1.0--4.3). In women who used beta-blockers at baseline but not at year 5, the OR for hip fracture was 6.3 (95% CI 2.0--19.3). The risk of fractures for other sites was inconclusive owing to wide confidence intervals. / Conclusion. Despite relatively large numbers of subjects, wide confidence intervals do not permit strong conclusions with regards to the effect of beta-blockers on BMD in men. Using a 2% limit of clinical importance for BMD, there appears to be no effect of beta-blockers on BMD in women. There is some evidence from our study that beta-blockers may be associated with an increased risk of fractures in certain subsets of users.

No description available.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic Faculty: Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, 2009 / Aim To determine the profile of traumatic cervical spine fractures with respect to the epidemiology, clinical presentation, types of fractures, conservative and surgical intervention, short-term post-intervention (i.e. post-conservative and post-surgical) complications and short-term post-surgical rehabilitation of patients presenting at the Spinal Unit of King George V Hospital over a 12-week period. Methods Patients who presented to the King George V Hospital Spinal Unit from surrounding hospitals with traumatic cervical spine fractures were evaluated by the medical staff. Data concerning the epidemiology, clinical presentation, types of fractures, conservative and surgical intervention, short-term post-intervention (i.e. post-conservative and postsurgical) complications and short-term post-surgical rehabilitation data were recorded by the researcher. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Appropriate statistical tests were applied to the hypothesis-testing objectives. These involved the Pearson’s Chi Square Tests for categorical variables or Fisher’s Exact Tests as appropriate where sample sizes were small. Paired t-tests were done to compare preand- post-surgical Frankel grading and Norton Pressure Sore Assessment scores. Results The number of patients who presented to the Spinal Unit over a 12-week period was 20, of this number 17 were males, three were females and all were black. Eleven patients were treated surgically while nine patients were treated conservatively. The most frequent aetiology of cervical spine fractures was motor vehicle accidents (n = 10) followed by falls (n = 9). The most common co-existing medical conditions were smoking (n = 7), HIV (n = 5), alcohol abuse (n = 3) and obesity (n = 3). The most frequent locations of cervical spine fractures were C2 (n = 6), C1 (n = 4) and the posterior column of C6 (n = 3), while dislocations occurred primarily at the C5-C6 levels (n = 5) of the lower cervical spine. Odontoid fractures (n = 6), Jefferson’s fractures (n = 4) and unilateral facet dislocations (n = 6) were the most common fractures and dislocations v observed. Head injuries (n = 4) and lower limb fractures (n = 3) were the most common extra-spinal fractures. All subjects who sustained head injuries also had associated C1 or C2 fractures. Neurological complications most frequently involved the upper limb where loss of motor function (n = 8) and weakness (n = 4) were observed. The majority of the patients (n = 8) reported a Frankel Grading of E. There were no significant associations between types of fracture and gender with the exception of fracture/dislocation observed in two females. There was a statistically significant difference in the NPSA score (p = 0.004). Conservative care utilized included soft collar (n = 6), cones calipers (n = 6), physiotherapy (n = 4), Minerva jacket (n = 4) and SOMI (sterno-occipital mandibular immobilization) brace (n = 1) while surgical intervention included anterior decompression (n = 8), anterior fusion (n = 8), allograft strut (n = 8), discectomy (n = 8), anterior cervical plating (n = 8), anterior screw fixation (n = 2), a transoral approach (n = 1) and a corpectomy (n = 1). The short-term post-conservative care complications observed in this study were an occipital pressure sore (n = 1), severe discomfort (n = 1) as well as severe neck pain (n = 1), while the short-term post-surgical complications were severe neck pain (n = 2), oral thrush (n = 1), pneumonia (n = 1), odynophagia (n = 1) and hoarseness (n = 1). Of the 11 patients who underwent cervical spine surgery, ten were sent for physiotherapy and one for occupational therapy. No significant associations were seen between the type of cervical spine fracture and the age of the subject. There was a significant association between fracture/dislocation and the female gender (p = 0.016). There was significant negative association between odontoid fracture and: anterior decompression, anterior fusion, allograft strut, discectomy and anterior cervical plating (p = 0.006). Conclusion The results of this study reflect the presentation and management of cervical spine fractures at a referral spinal unit of a public hospital in KwaZulu Natal. The impact of HIV and other co-existing medical conditions were not determined due to the small sample size in this study. Further epidemiological studies are required to be conducted in the Spinal Units of all South African public hospitals in order to confirm or refute the observation of this study.

Vakarų Lietuvoje aptikus padidėjusį šilumos srautą, imta domėtis geoterminės energetikos perspektyvomis. Išmatavus geoterminės anomalijos zonos savybes pastebėta, kad šioje zonoje vyraujantis šilumos srautas yra dvigubai didesnis, nei likusioje Lietuvos teritorijoje ir yra dvigubai didesnis už vidutinį rytų Europos šilumos srautą, o aukštesnės nei 150 ºC temperatūros yra pasiekiamos kristalinio pamato uolienose. Pirminiai geoterminės anomalijos parametrai yra nustatomi geofizinių ir geocheminių metodų pagalba. Kiti parametrai – gręžinio eksploatacijos metu. Šių parametrų ţinojimas nulemia tolimesnę patobulintos geoterminės sistemos (Enhanced geothermal system, EGS) kūrimą. Aukšto slėgio geoterminis skystis spaudžiamas į porėtą uoliena, sąveikauja su ją sudarančiais mineralais ir deformuoja ją hidrosuplėšymo metu, taip praplėsdamas ir atverdamas naujus plyšius. Ši technologija yra vadinama stimuliuota sausų uolienų geoterminė sistema (Hot dry rock, HDR). Šių sistemų tikslas yra poţeminio šilumokaičio sukūrimas, pumpuojant aukšto slėgio vandens srautą į kristalinį pamatą. Taip formuojamas stimuliuotų plyšių koridorius, kuriuo cirkuliuoja gręžiniais pumpuojamas vanduo. / The geothermal energetic was found interesting for an anomalous heat flow at the west Lithuanian that is the most intense in a whole East European Platform. A higher temperature than 150 ºC is available in crystal basement at Lithuania at less than 5 km depth. To measure basic parameters of geothermal anomaly, geophysical and geochemical methods are applied. The other measurements are taken at the moment of hydrocirculation. Knowledge of these parameters will be used for the development and improvement of the enhanced geothermal system (EGS). High pressured water geothermal fluid is pumped into the rock in purpose to open old and create new cracks and fractures by exceeding rock compressive stress. For this reason there was created hot dry rock (HDR) system. The main goal of this system is to create a geothermal reservoir by pumping high pressure water flow into the rock. This way water circulates in enhanced geothermal system through the tunnel of fractures.

Acute confusional state (ACS) or delirium according to DSM-III-R holds a central position in the medicine of old age. ACS is a common and sometimes the only symptom of diseases and medical complications in the elderly patient. The aim of this study was to elucidate ACS in patients with femoral neck fractures and patients with acute stroke with regard to frequency, predictors, possible pathogenetic mechanisms, associated complications, assessment and documentary routines and the clinical outcome for the patients. An intervention program to prevent postoperative ACS based on our results was developed and evaluated. The main findings of the study were high frequencies of ACS in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures (61 %) and in patients with acute stroke (48 %). The main risk factors for ACS in patients with femoral neck fractures were old age, diseases and drug treatment interfering with cerebral cholinergic metabolism. There was no link between anaesthetic technique and ACS but the connection between peroperative hypotension, early postoperative hypoxia and ACS was close. In stroke patients the degree of extremity paresis and old age were independent ACS risk factors. ACS was commonly associated with post stroke complications such as myocardial infarction, pneumonia, urinary infection and urinary retention. In stroke patients there was a close connection between high hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis) activity and ACS. High HPA-axis activity and disturbances in the cerebral cholinergic system may be two important ACS mechanisms. A correct diagnosis is a prerequisite for proper treatment of ACS and its underlying causes. In the orthopaedic wards both physicians and nurses diagnosed and documented ACS poorly and therefore associated complications were insufficiently treated. The intervention program for postoperative ACS, aimed mainly at protecting the cerebral oxidative metabolism and thereby the cerebral cholinergic metabolism which is especially sensitive to hypoxia. Postoperative complications associated with ACS were also treated. The intervention resulted in reduced frequency, duration and severity of postoperative ACS and in shorter orthopedic ward stay for patients with femoral neck fractures.Key words: Acute confusional state, delirium, elderly / <p>S. 1-76: sammanfattning, s. 77-175: 6 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu