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Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a common condition. The condition causes pain and swelling in the knee joint and as a consequence knee range of motion, particularly knee extension, can be decreased. While a number of studies have indicated increases in knee extension range of motion (ROM) can be achieved following stretching interventions, these studies have been undertaken in young healthy populations mostly. To date, there have been no investigations of stretching as a single intervention in people with OA knee. Review of Literature: To gain an appreciation of the literature in this area, three structured literature reviews were undertaken. The first examined the efficacy of acute stretching interventions on lower limb joint ROM in young and elderly subjects, the second examined the efficacy of periodic muscle stretching interventions on lower limb joint ROM in elderly subjects and the third examined the efficacy of periodic muscle stretching interventions on ROM in subjects with OA of the knee joint. The results of the first review indicated that there is strong evidence for acute stretching interventions to increase joint ROM in the lower limb of young and elderly subjects. The results of the second review indicated that there is strong evidence for periodic stretching interventions to increase joint ROM in the lower limb of elderly subjects. The result of the third review indicated that there is limited evidence for stretching interventions alone to improve ROM in the lower limb in subjects with OA of the knee joint. As consequence of these findings two studies were designed to investigate the effects of acute and periodic stretching in people with OA of the knee joint. Study 1 Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an acute hamstring-stretching programme on knee extension range of motion in individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and compare them to individuals of a similar age without OA of the knee. Study Design: A cross sectional study design was used. Participants: Thirty one subjects (16 male and 15 female) with OA of the knee were recruited from the local population (mean age 67.8 yrs SD: 5.0, mass 81.4 kg, SD: 15.2, height 168.5 cm, SD 11.1). Thirty one subjects of a similar age (9 male and 23 female) were also recruited who were otherwise fit and healthy and did not have OA of the knee (mean age 68.8 yrs SD: 5.2, mass 71.4 kg, SD: 13.2, height 163.8 cm, SD 8.1). Method: Hamstring extensibility was assessed by a passive knee extension test using a Kincom® isokinetic dynamometer. Subjects undertook two trials of maximum knee extension. The Kincom® then stretched the hamstrings to a point determined as 80% of the initial maximum knee extension test. Three sets of 60 seconds stretching were undertaken with 60 seconds rest between sets. Two further maximal knee extension tests were performed after the stretching intervention. The variables of interests were maximal knee extension, peak passive torque and stiffness. Analysis: A 2-factor repeated measures ANOVA model was utilised. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: There was a significant main effect by time for knee extension ROM, peak passive torque and stiffness (p<0.05). There was no interaction effect between groups across time (p>0.05). Knee extension range of motion (ROM) in the OA group increased significantly from 75.6 (SD: 17.2) degrees to 80.5 (SD: 22.3) degrees after the intervention (p<0.05). Subjects in the non OA group increased significantly from 77.5 (SD: 15.5) degrees to 81.9 (SD: 18.2) degrees after the intervention (p<0.05). The knee extension ROM recorded at 50% of the peak torque level pre intervention for the OA group was 60.3 (SD: 18.7) degrees and this increased significantly to 67.2 (SD 16.7) degrees post intervention (p<0.05). For the non OA group, knee extension ROM at 50% of peak torque increased significantly from 60.1 (SD: 15.2) degrees to 65.8 (SD 16.0) degrees (p<0.05). Peak passive torque in the OA group increased significantly from 18.1 (SD: 9.6) Nm to 22.5 (SD: 12.9) Nm after the intervention (p<0.05). Subjects in the non OA group increased significantly from 21.05 (SD: 11.6) Nm to 22.05 (SD: 12.8) Nm after the intervention (p<0.05). For stiffness, there was a significant interaction effect (p <0.05) between groups across time. The OA group increased significantly from 0.70 (SD: 0.35) Nm/deg to 0.89 (SD: 0.5) Nm/deg after the intervention (p<0.05). Subjects in the non OA group increased significantly 0.78 (SD: 0.36) Nm/deg to 0.82 (SD: 0.42) Nm/deg after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study demonstrated that knee extension ROM, passive resistive torque and stiffness increased with a single bout of stretching. These results indicate that both elderly subjects and those with degenerative joint disease are able to demonstrate immediate tissue adaptations with acute stretching interventions. This is important as clinicians often prescribe acute stretching exercises in the preparation for other activities such as strengthening and walking programmes. Improving joint range of motion prior to other subsequent activities may be beneficial to those people with OA in particular, as management guidelines for these populations recommend regular exercise to reduce the deterioration of the condition. Study 2 Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a six week stretching intervention to the key muscles of the lower limb, in people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint and compare them to individuals of a similar age without OA of the knee. A 12 week follow up was undertaken to see if these effects were maintained following the intervention. This study builds on the effects of an acute stretching intervention as demonstrated in Study 1. Study Design: A randomised control trial design was used. Participants: Forty three subjects (24 OA and 19 non OA) were recruited from the local population (mean age 68.8 yrs SD: 5.0, mass 79.5 kg, SD: 14.6, height 166 cm, SD 9.8). Subjects were randomly allocated by condition to either a stretch group or a control group. Methods: Hamstring extensibility was assessed by a passive knee extension test using a Kincom® isokinetic dynamometer at baseline, following the intervention and at a 12 week follow-up. Subjects in the intervention groups stretched the main lower limb muscles 3 x 60 seconds, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The control groups did not stretch but received a placebo intervention of interferential current. The variables of interest were maximal knee extension, peak passive torque and stiffness. The following outcome measures were also used to assess activity levels: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Lower Limb Task Questionnaire (LLTQ) and the Aggregated Locomotor Functional (ALF) score. Analysis: A 3-factor (group x condition x time) repeated measures ANOVA model was utilised. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: There was a significant main effect for time and a significant interaction effect for group (stretch and control) by time for knee extension ROM, peak passive torque and stiffness (p<0.05). There was no significant interaction for condition (OA vs non OA) (p>0.05). Subjects in the stretch group had 68.9 (SD: 15.5) degrees of knee extension before the intervention and this increased significantly to 76.8 (SD: 14.4) degrees after the intervention (p<0.05). At the 12 week follow up assessment, subjects had a mean of 72.5 (SD: 20.51) degrees. This difference was not significant when compared to the post intervention assessment (p>0.05). Subjects in the control group were not significantly different for knee extension ROM following the intervention or at the 12 week follow up (p>0.05). For the knee extension ROM at 50% of the maximum torque level, there was a significant main effect for time (p<0.05) but no significant interaction effect between groups across time (p >0.05). The mean knee extension ROM recorded at 50% of the peak torque level for the stretch group pre intervention was 55.9 (SD: 15.0) degrees and this decreased significantly to 50.8 (SD 12.3) degrees post intervention (p<0.05). The mean knee extension ROM recorded at 50% of the peak torque level pre intervention for the control group was 60.2 (SD: 11.4) degrees and this decreased significantly to 57.1 (SD 11.0) degrees post intervention (p<0.05). With respect to peak passive torque subjects in the stretch group were 13.2 (SD: 7.7) Nm before the intervention and increased significantly to 19.7 (SD: 9.5) Nm after the intervention (p<0.05). At the 12 week follow up assessment, the subjects in the stretch group generated a mean peak torque of 20.2 (SD: 11.5) Nm. This difference was not significant when compared to the post intervention assessment (p>0.05). With respect to stiffness, subjects in the stretch group were 0.62 (SD: 0.3) Nm/deg before the intervention and this increased significantly to 0.84 (SD: 0.3) Nm/deg after the intervention (p<0.05). At the 12 week follow up time point, the subjects in the stretch group had a mean stiffness of 0.88 (SD: 11.5) Nm/deg. This increase was not significant when compared to the post intervention assessment (p>0.05). Subjects in the control group were not significantly different for peak passive torque or stiffness following the intervention or at the 12 week follow up. There was no significant difference for time or condition for the WOMAC or LLTQ scores. There was a significant main effect for time for both groups for the ALF score (p<0.05), however there was no significant interaction for time by condition (p>0.05). Subjects in the stretch group had a mean ALF score of 23.1 (SD: 3.9) seconds pre intervention and this reduced significantly to 19.8 (SD: 5.4) seconds post intervention (p<0.05). Subjects in the control group had a mean AFL score of 24.8 (SD: 3.1) seconds pre intervention and this reduced significantly to 22.3 (SD: 3.0) seconds post intervention (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study demonstrated that knee extension range of motion, peak passive torque and stiffness increased in those subjects who undertook the six week stretching programme. Knee extension ROM was not maintained at the 12 week follow up assessment, however peak passive torque and stiffness were. These results indicate that both elderly subjects and those with degenerative joint disease are able to demonstrate long term adaptations with periodic stretching interventions. Functional improvements were also observed following the intervention in the stretch groups and the control groups. As previous studies investigating exercise interventions in subjects with OA of the knee joint have combined stretching and strengthening exercises, this study has provided a clear picture of the effects of stretching alone in this population. However, to gain a more obvious change in function in subjects with OA of the knee joint, the combination of stretching with other exercises such as strengthening, may be required in future studies.

abstract: I study the relation between firm debt structure and future external financing and investment. I find that greater reliance on long-term debt is associated with increased access to external financing and ability to undertake profitable investments. This contrasts with previous empirical results and theoretical predictions from the agency cost literature, but it is consistent with predictions regarding rollover risk. Furthermore, I find that firms with lower total debt (high debt capacity) have greater access to new financing and investment. Lower leverage increases future debt issues and capital expenditures, and firms do not fully rebalance by reducing the use of external financing sources such as equity. Finally, my results support the view that greater reliance on unsecured debt can increase future debt financing. Overall, my paper offers new insights into how aspects of debt structure, in particular maturity, are related ex-post to firms' ability to raise new financing and invest. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2017

Muscle disorders are chronic, progressive conditions, the majority of which are without disease modifying treatments. Quality of life (QoL) is reduced in these conditions, and alternative methods, such as psychological intervention, may offer ways to improve QoL. Previous work has suggested that aberrant illness perceptions may be influential targets for psychological interventions; however, emerging evidence suggests that psychological flexibility might offer another treatment target. This thesis first presents a longitudinal investigation of the role of these two variables, alongside disability level, in explaining life satisfaction and mood measured four months later. Participants were recruited from charities and online communities, with data collected via online questionnaires. Here, illness perceptions and psychological flexibility, but not disability level, were cross-sectionally associated with all dependent variables. In prospective analyses psychological flexibility accounted for greater variance in life satisfaction and anxiety; while illness perceptions explained more variance in depression. However, after controlling for variance in time one dependent variables, psychological flexibility alone was predictive of life satisfaction and anxiety at time two. Therefore, psychological flexibility represents a possible influential target for psychological intervention in muscle disorders. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological intervention specifically designed to improve psychological flexibility. Subsequently, the results of the empirical study imply that ACT is worthy of trial with muscle disorders. However, there has been no comprehensive review of the use of ACT in chronic disease or long-term conditions. Therefore, Chapter 2 presents a systematic review of ACT as applied to chronic disease/long-term conditions. The aims were to collate all ACT interventions with chronic disease/long-term conditions; evaluate their quality and comment on efficacy. Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE and Psych Info were searched, with a further search of citing articles undertaken using Google Scholar. Studies with mental health or chronic pain populations were excluded. Study quality was then rated, with a proportion re-rated by a second researcher. Seventeen studies were included, of which: eight were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), three used pre-post designs, and seven were case studies. A broad range of applications were observed (e.g. improving quality of life and symptom control, reducing distress) across many diseases/conditions (e.g. HIV, cancer, epilepsy). However, study quality was generally low, and many interventions were of low intensity. The small number of RCTs per application and lower study quality emphasise that ACT is not yet a well-established intervention for chronic disease/long-term conditions. However, there was promising evidence for certain applications: the parenting of children with long-term conditions, seizure-control in epilepsy, psychological flexibility and possibly self-management/lifestyle. The studies comprising this thesis suggest that, whilst psychological flexibility appears influential in muscle disorders, high-quality research into ACT interventions for chronic disease/long-term conditions is generally lacking. Therefore one cannot confidently generalise from existing studies that ACT will improve outcomes in muscle disorders. Thus an evaluation of ACT in the context of muscle disorders is now required. This should adhere to the methodological suggestions provided in the systematic review.

Flexicurity and its effects on the Czech labour law This diploma thesis deals with the topic of flexicurity and its effects on the Czech labour law. After the first chapter, which is focused on the common understanding of the basic concepts of labour law, concentration on the topic itself - the principle of flexicurity - is given. It is a concept that aims to achieve harmony between the flexible arrangements of subjects of employment relationships and the guarantee of a certain level of working conditions for employees. Also the basic elements of flexicurity are explained: employment flexibility and protection of employees. By the introduction to principles of flexicurity also the European Union position to this new concept is explained. The third chapter is focused on the effects of flexicurity in the Czech labour law. In this chapter, also the possible approaches for creating of the legal environment in compliance with principles of flexicurity are explained. This part also deals with the subjects of flexicurity, that can dispose of the flexibility as well as protection of the labour law. In the next section, the employment from the perspective of flexicurity is analysed, as the employment represents the most common labour relation. The chapter deals also with the institutions associated with the...

Psychological flexibility (PF), the core process of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; a third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapy), is the ability to stay focused on the present moment and intentionally engage in value-driven behavior despite experiencing difficult thoughts or feelings. This multifaceted construct includes components that target processes occurring both internally (e.g., cognitive processes) and behaviorally (e.g., value-consistent actions). Psychological flexibility has been applied to studies of adjustment in non-clinical samples and may be beneficial for college students as individuals navigate novel developmental stressors. Despite evidence suggesting the benefits of PF for psychological distress, additional work is needed to examine the potential of PF to foster adaptive functioning. The current study builds on previous research by a) conceptualizing distinct internal and behavioral components of PF as promotive factors and b) emphasizing competence-focused outcomes. This research examined the influence of components of PF over the course of an academic semester. A sample of college students (N = 250) completed self-report measures online at the beginning (Time 1) and end (Time 2) of a college semester. Measures included components of PF, competence, and demographic and academic information. Structural equation modeling was used to examine associations between components of PF at Time 1 on competence at Time 2, while accounting for the influence of competence at Time 1. Findings suggested that within the social domain, value-consistent action at Time 1 was associated with increased social competence at Time 2. Additional results indicated that baseline competence accounted for associations between components of PF and Time 2 competence. Implications for the dissemination of ACT-informed efforts to promote positive adjustment among college students are reviewed, and future research directions are discussed.

Collective or communal housing (Cohousing) is housing featuring joint facilities available to all residents, while the residents also maintain autonomous, self sufficient housing units. The communal spaces form a central characteristic of the housing complex and is not just an added amenity. The shared facilities should encourage and accommodate social interaction, group activities and the coordination and cooperation between residents to carry out common tasks. A distinct infill level in buildings is gradually emerging. This level contains all the equipment, non load-bearing partitions and a substantial amount of services. The infill level restores the building as provider of space and shelter and facilitates the specific needs and preferences of the inhabitants more directly. Traditional notions of the family is being challenged, placing increasing demand on homes to be flexible and responsive to changes in family structure. Since the long-range benefits of a stable community is jeopardised if residents have to move when their spatial requirements change, transformable interiors were used to reduce this risk. Flexibility is largely used in the housing units, relying on advanced computed aided manufacture that is able to fabricate components for easy assembly on site. For the purposes of this thesis an under utilised office building in the Pretoria central business district was chosen to illustrate a cohousing complex in an urban environment. Design energy was focused on designing the communal facilities and a sample housing unit, illustrating the support system and investigating the unit's versatility. / Dissertation (BInt)--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Architecture / unrestricted

In this paper, the benefits and advantages of combining advanced embedded processing capabilities with an FPGA based approach within a Data Acquisition Unit (DAU) are discussed. The paper begins with a discussion of some of the services and functionality that such a system enables. Basic features such as system discovery, verification, configuration and upgrade are discussed in addition to other value added services such as continuous built in test (CBIT) and embedded real-time parameter quick-look. Finally, the paper discusses some advanced services that could be deployed to these systems such as emerging communication protocols, multimedia connectivity and discovery, and advanced Machine Learning based systems diagnostics.

Orientador: Ângela Maria Moraes / Dissertação (mestrado-) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T01:56:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pires_AnaLuizaResende_M.pdf: 3161193 bytes, checksum: c48592744224fd8b24f5563cdc1a3415 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Polímeros biodegradáveis estão sendo amplamente aplicados na constituição de curativos para o tratamento de lesões de pele de diferentes origens, estando a quitosana e o alginato dentre os mais estudados. A associação de alginato e quitosana em curativos pode atuar de maneira positiva na absorção de fluidos das lesões, além de propiciar a incorporação de fármacos. Entretanto, a flexibilidade do dispositivo é baixa e o processo de obtenção é lento em função de etapas como a correção do pH para a neutralidade, secagem e reticulação. Neste trabalho teve-se por objetivo melhorar as propriedades mecânicas de membranas de quitosana e alginato pela incorporação de um gel de silicone comercial (Silpuran® 2130 A/B), avaliar os efeitos da correção do pH em etapa única, da temperatura de secagem e também da eliminação das etapas de reticulação nas características de membranas de quitosana e alginato na presença e ausência de AlphaSan®RC2000, um agente microbicida à base de prata. As membranas foram caracterizadas quanto à espessura, à absorção de fluidos, à perda de massa quando expostas a diferentes fluidos fisiológicos e à resistência mecânica. Análises complementares de FTIR e EDS também foram realizadas. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as membranas secas a 60 °C apresentaram superfície mais lisa que as secas a 37 °C. A espessura diminuiu com a correção do pH para 7,0 e aumentou na presença de AlphaSan®RC2000. Para as formulações livres do antimicrobiano, a elevação do pH aumentou a absorção de soro fetal bovino e solução salina e aumentou também a perda de massa nesta última solução. Já as amostras obtidas na presença de AlphaSan® RC2000 apresentaram aumento na absorção de água. A elevação da temperatura reduziu somente a perda de massa após o contato com a água. A reticulação, após a secagem, com CaCl2 a 2% mostrou-se indispensável para a estabilização das membranas, resultando em materiais com aspecto mais rugoso e maior espessura. A absorção de fluidos, a estabilidade em diferentes fluidos e a resistência mecânica diminuíram tanto na presença quanto na ausência de prata. Análises por EDS e FTIR mostraram que tanto o AlphaSan® RC2000 quanto o Silpuran® 2130 A/B, não são removidos após a etapa de lavagem das membranas. As formulações contendo o composto siliconado apresentaram-se mais homogêneas, flexíveis e com maior caráter adesivo, assim como menor espessura. A absorção de soluções por estas formulações foi menor e a estabilidade em solução foi maior. A resistência mecânica aumentou significativamente com a incorporação de silicone, atingindo-se uma tensão de ruptura máxima de 63 MPa. Dessa forma, é viável a diminuição do tempo de processamento das membranas pelo ajuste do pH em etapa única, pelo uso de temperaturas mais elevadas de secagem e pela eliminação da etapa de reticulação primária. A incorporação de Silpuran® 2130 A/B mostrou-se uma boa alternativa para a melhora das propriedades mecânicas dos curativos de quitosana e alginato / Abstract: Biodegradable polymers are widely applied in the constitution of dressings for treating various types of skin lesions, being chitosan and alginate two of the most studied raw materials. The association between alginate and chitosan in wound dressings can act positively in the absorption of fluids from lesions, allowing also the incorporation of drugs. However, the device flexibility is frequently low and its production is time-consuming due to steps such as adjusting the pH to neutrality, sample drying and crosslinking. This study aimed to improve the mechanical properties of chitosan-alginate wound dressings by incorporating a commercial silicone gel (Silpuran® 2130 A/B) and to evaluate the effects of pH correction in one step, of the drying temperature and also of the elimination of the crosslinking steps in the characteristics of chitosan-alginate membranes obtained in the presence and absence of AlphaSan® RC2000, an antimicrobial agent containing silver in its composition. The membranes were characterized regarding thickness, absorption of fluids, mass loss in different fluids and mechanical resistance. Complementary analyzes of FTIR and EDS were also performed. The results showed that membranes dried at 60 °C presented smoother surfaces than when dried at 37 °C. Membrane thickness decreased with the correction of the pH to 7,0 and increased in the presence of AlphaSan® RC2000. For formulations free of the antimicrobial agent, the pH adjustment increased bovine fetal serum and saline solution absorption, increasing also sample mass loss in the latter solution. Devices containing AlphaSan® RC2000, on the other hand, had increased water absorption. The increase of drying temperature, however, reduced mass loss due to prolonged contact with water. The crosslinking with CaCl2 2% after a drying step was shown to be essential for membrane stabilization, conducting to materials with less smooth surfaces and with greater thickness. The absorption of fluids decreased for samples prepared both in the presence and absence of silver, as did membrane stability and mechanical properties. EDS and FTIR analyzes showed that both AlphaSan® RC2000 and Silpuran® 2130 A/B were not removed from the membranes after the washing step. The formulations incorporating the silicone compound showed more homogeneous surfaces, greater flexibility and adhesivity, as well as lower thickness. The solution absorption was lower and membrane stability was higher for those devices. The mechanical strength increased with the incorporation of silicone, reaching a maximum of 63 MPa. Thus, it is viable to decrease the processing time of the membranes by pH adjustment in a single step, through the use of higher temperatures during drying and by the eliminating of the primary crosslinking step. The incorporation of Silpuran® 2130 A/B proved to be a good alternative for the improvement of the mechanical properties of chitosan and alginate dressings / Mestrado / Desenvolvimento de Processos Biotecnologicos / Mestra em Engenharia Química