Conventional vehicle suspensions consist of a spring and a damper, while mass is rarely used. A mass, if properly used, can also create a damping-like effect. However, a mass has only one terminal which makes it difficult to be incorporated into a suspension. In order to use a mass to achieve the damping-like effect, a two-terminal mass (TTM) has to be designed. However, most of the reported TTMs are of fixed moment of inertia (TTM-CMI), which limits the further improvement of the suspension performance and responsiveness to changes in environment and driving conditions. In this study, a TTM-based vibration absorber with variable moment of inertia (TTM-VMI) is proposed. The main component of the proposed TTM absorber contains a hydraulic-driven flywheel with sliders. The moment of inertia changes with the positions of the sliders in response to the driving conditions. The performance of the proposed TTM-VMI absorber has been analyzed via dynamics modeling and simulation and further examined by experiments. The analysis results indicate that the TTM-VMI absorber outperforms the TTM-CMI design in terms of body displacement; and ride comfort, tire grip and suspension deflection for zero and impulse inputs with comparable performance for sinusoidal input.

?rea de concentra??o: Aspectos f?sico-funcionais e reabilita??o. / Na Capa da obra consta o t?tulo: "Vibra??o de corpo inteiro na posi??o est?tica com as m?os sobre a plataforma estimula o sistema neuromuscular potencializando a for?a muscular de preens?o manual". / Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-05-24T01:30:29Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) ana_lucia_cristino_souza.pdf: 1341281 bytes, checksum: 26bbfcfe249430241b08885a752b2dac (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-06-05T14:42:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) ana_lucia_cristino_souza.pdf: 1341281 bytes, checksum: 26bbfcfe249430241b08885a752b2dac (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-05T14:42:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) ana_lucia_cristino_souza.pdf: 1341281 bytes, checksum: 26bbfcfe249430241b08885a752b2dac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / A vibra??o do corpo inteiro (VCI) pode ser uma modalidade ergog?nica capaz de melhorar o desempenho muscular. Uma vez que a transmissibilidade deste est?mulo ? reduzida quando aplicado sob os p?s, permanece uma lacuna no que tange a potencializa??o da for?a de preens?o manual (FPM) na posi??o est?tica, com as m?os sobre a plataforma, em indiv?duos saud?veis. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito dose-resposta da exposi??o ? vibra??o na posi??o est?tica, com as m?os sobre a plataforma na FPM e nos registros eletromiogr?ficos (EMG) do m?sculo flexor superficial dos dedos. Vinte e oito mulheres saud?veis (idade: 27 + 8 anos, IMC: 23,2 + 4,5 kg.m-2) foram familiarizadas e submetidas de forma randomizada e aleatorizada a quatro situa??es experimentais: A). Sentado - m?os supinadas, apoiadas nas pernas, sem est?mulo vibrat?rio; B) Placebo ? m?os posicionadas sobre a plataforma desligada e est?mulo sonoro mimetizando o est?mulo de vibra??o; C). 25Hz / 2mm e D). 45Hz / 2mm - semelhante ? posi??o placebo com est?mulo vibrat?rio vertical sinusoidal em diferentes freq??ncias, com aplica??o da amplitude de 2mm. O per?odo de interven??o foi de 5 minutos em todas as situa??es experimentais. Antes e imediatamente ap?s as interven??es, o desempenho muscular da m?o dominante foi avaliado usando o dinam?metro de for?a manual (Jamar, EUA). Os registros EMG (Miotec, Brasil) ocorreram durante as situa??es experimentais. A raz?o neuronal representou a rela??o entre registros EMG e for?a de preens?o. A an?lise estat?stica foi realizada por ANOVA bifatorial, com post hoc (Tukey), sendo considerado p <0,05 significativo. Como resultado, a exposi??o ? vibra??o de 45Hz / 2mm resultou em um aumento de varia??o (p?s-antes) na FPM em m?dia de 84,6%, 93,7%, 62,6% para controle, placebo e 25Hz / 2mm, respectivamente. Este aumento foi acompanhado por uma menor rela??o neuronal. Os registros EMG durante o per?odo de interven??o demonstraram que apenas a exposi??o ao VCI (45Hz / 2mm) aumentou os registros EMG em uma m?dia de 94,8 % e 50,2% em rela??o ao controle e placebo, respectivamente. Esses achados mostram que a exposi??o ? vibra??o na posi??o push-up modificada est?tica potencializou a resposta miog?nica da m?o de forma dose dependente. O mecanismo parece estar relacionado com a estimula??o do sistema neuromuscular e a subsequente potencia??o p?s-ativa??o que defende o aprimoramento neural. / Disserta??o (Mestrado Profissional) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Reabilita??o e Desempenho Funcional, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2017. / Because the transmissibility of vibration is lower when applied under the feet, an uncertainty remains as to whether this stimulus could potentiate handgrip strength (HS) in the static modified push-up position. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vibration in the push-up position on HS and electromyography (EMG) of the superficial flexor muscle of the fingers. 28 healthy women (age: 27 + 8 years, BMI: 23.2 + 4.5 kg.m-2) were familiarized and submitted, to four experimental situations in a balanced, and randomized order: A). Seated supine with hands supported on the legs; B) Placebo ? hands on the platform off; C). 25 Hz/2 mm/49.30 m.s-2 and, D). 45 Hz/2 mm/159.73 m.s-2 similar to the placebo position with vibration turned on. The intervention was 5-minutes in all experimental situations. Muscle performance was evaluated using the HS dynamometer (Jamar, USA). The EMG (Miotec, Brazil) was registered throughout experimental situations. The neuronal ratio represented the ratio between EMG and HS. The 45 Hz exposure resulted in an increase in variation of the HS by 84.6%, 93.7%, 62.6% relative to the control, placebo and 25 Hz, respectively. This augment was accompanied by a lower neuronal ratio. The EMG during the intervention demonstrated that only 45 Hz increased the EMG by an average of 94.8%, and 50.2% compared to the control and placebo, respectively. In conclusion, the vibration in the push-up position potentiated the HS. The mechanism seems to be related to the stimulation of the neuromuscular system and subsequent post-activation potentiation advocating neural enhancement.

Submitted by Izabel Franco (izabel-franco@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-27T20:00:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLGPS.pdf: 4152962 bytes, checksum: 26969eebd1edf77d30082f3ae4839500 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-30T20:33:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLGPS.pdf: 4152962 bytes, checksum: 26969eebd1edf77d30082f3ae4839500 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-30T20:33:49Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLGPS.pdf: 4152962 bytes, checksum: 26969eebd1edf77d30082f3ae4839500 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-30T20:39:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLGPS.pdf: 4152962 bytes, checksum: 26969eebd1edf77d30082f3ae4839500 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / The grasp is recognized as a useful tool to identify the level of development and the degree of disability of an individual on clinical practice; however the data available in the literature about the maximum grip strength in children and adolescents should be periodically extended. In addition, there is no quantitative researches on literature about the pattern of development grasp of typical children. Objective: To characterize the handgrip of typical children aged between 5 and 10 years. Methods: The project was divided into two studies. On study 1, healthy children, aged between 5 and 10 years were divided into six groups according to age. Participants were subjected to a single assessment to obtain the anthropometry data (height and weight) and grip strength data (maximum grip strength). On study 2, a device was developed to characterize, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the standard grip for the task of drinking water. To test the device, they were randomly selected 16 participants from the study 1. Results:(Study 1) Significant increase in maximum grip strength throughout the ages was observed. The boys were stronger than girls. The dominant hand was stronger than the non-dominant hand for both genders. For girls, there was a strong correlation between maximum grip strength with the hand length and body mass. For boys, therewas a strong correlation with the length of the hand and height. (Study 2) The grip pattern data were measured using a device whose shape was made to a similarly transparent glass. Final Considerations: This study provides reference values for maximum grip strength of children aged between 5 and 10 years. The maximum grip strength increases throughout the ages. The boys are stronger than girls, regardless of age and tested hand. In addition, it was developed a prototype device that ultimately could providea detailed evaluation of the strategies used in the handgrip for a functional task. Thus expanding the understanding of the mechanisms related to modulation of grip when handling objects will assist in identifying the pathogenesis of motor disorders in children with developmental disorders without the values are underestimated by the expected for their age. / Embora seja reconhecida a importância clínica da preensão como ferramenta útil para identificar o nível de desenvolvimento e o grau de deficiência de um indivíduo, os dados disponíveis na literatura quanto à força de preensão palmar máxima em crianças e adolescentes devem ser periodicamente ampliados. Além disso, não há na literaturaestudos quantitativos sobre o desenvolvimento do padrão de preensão de crianças típicas em idade escolar. Objetivo: Caracterizar a preensão de crianças típicas com idade entre 5 e 10 anos. Métodos:O projeto foicomposto por dois estudos. No estudo 1, participaram criançassaudáveis, com idade entre 5 e 10 anos, divididas em seis grupos, de acordo com a faixa etária. Os participantes foram submetidosa uma única avaliação, na qual foram obtidosos dados referentes à antropometria (estatura e massa corporal) e dinamometria (força de preensão palmar máxima). No estudo 2, foi desenvolvido um dispositivo que caracterizaqualitativa e quantitativamente, o padrão da preensão durante a tarefa de beber água. Para testar o dispositivo, foram selecionados aleatoriamente (sorteio) 16 participantes do Estudo 1. Resultados: (Estudo 1) Foi observado aumento significativo da força de preensão palmar máxima ao longo das idades. Os meninos foram mais fortes do que as meninas. A mão dominante foi mais forte do que a não dominante para ambos os gêneros. Para as meninas, houve forte correlação da força de preensão palmar máxima com o comprimento da mão e a massa corporal. Para os meninos, houve forte correlação com o comprimento da mão e a estatura. (Estudo 2)Os dados referentes ao padrão de preensão palmar foram aferidos por meio de um dispositivo, cujo formato foi confeccionado similarmente a um copo transparente. Considerações Finais: Este estudo fornece valores de referênciada força de preensão palmar máximade crianças com idade entre 5 e 10 anos. A força de preensão palmar máxima aumenta ao longo das idades. Os meninos são mais fortes do que as meninas, independente da idade e da mão testada. Além disso, foi desenvolvido o protótipo de um dispositivo que futuramente poderá fornecer uma avaliação detalhada das estratégias utilizadas na preensão manual durante uma tarefa funcional.Assim, a ampliação do entendimento dos mecanismos relacionados à modulação da preensão duranteamanipulação deobjetosauxiliará na identificação da patogenia das alterações motoras de crianças com distúrbios do desenvolvimento sem que os valores obtidos sejam subestimados pelo esperado para a sua idade.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigo Knabben.pdf: 1171074 bytes, checksum: b9e985c555d50dc6327acd4fa0a00810 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aimed to measure motor skills and functional upper limb (UL) in the acute phase and three months after stroke, to identify and observe the relationship of residual deficits (RD) rating in each of these variables as well as the gain between the two periods in patients with mild motor / moderate and severe MS in the acute phase. We evaluated 29 subjects (17 severe and 12 mild / moderate) adults (63.7 ± 14.3 years) of both sexes with squealed of hemiplegia / hemiparesis due to stroke in the acute phase (9.3 ± 3.4 days post-stroke) and three months after injury. In the evaluations were measured evolutions of the motor variables (spasticity - Modified Ashworth Scale, degree of motor and somatosensory deficits - Fugl-Meyer Scale-UL; grip strength - Chatannoga® hand dynamometer, digital dexterity - Nine Hole Peg Test / NHPT ) and the functional variable (level of independence in self-care - FIM). To examine and compare the motor deficit, the grip strength, dexterity and functional independence between the acute phase and 3 months in every group and sub-groups of patients severe and mild / moderate, we used the Wilcoxon test. For comparison between subgroups, we used the Mann-Whitney. The measurement of the strength of association between: a handgrip strength (mean of maximum force) and digital dexterity with the levels of motor deficit, level of independence in self-care, we used the Spearman correlation. To investigate the differences between the variables (motor impairment, grip strength and digital dexterity) in acute and sub-acute, we used the Student t-test. The highest correlation was with the RD force motor deficit in both the acute phase and at three months (&#961; = 0.91 and 0.82 respectively) and the RD of digital dexterity was with the functional independence in self-care in acute and the motor deficit at three months (&#961; = 0.72 and 0.78 respectively). The correlation between the RD strength and digital dexterity were higher at three months (&#961; = 0.75) than the acute phase (&#961; = 0.70). The knowledge of grip strength and dexterity in the first months after stroke may bring relevant information for planning of clinical practice and rehabilitation of upper limb aimed at the patient's functional independence. / Esta pesquisa teve o objetivo de mensurar variáveis motoras e funcionais do membro superior (MS) na fase aguda e nos três meses após um Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE), visando identificar e observar a relação dos déficits residuais (DR) destas variáveis em cada avaliação, assim como o ganho entre os dois períodos em pacientes com comprometimento motor leve/moderado e severo no MS na fase aguda. Foram avaliados 29 indivíduos (17 severos e 12 leve/moderados) adultos (63,7±14,3 anos) de ambos os sexos com seqüela de hemiplegia/hemiparesia devido ao AVE na fase de aguda (9,3±3,4 dias pós-AVE) e nos três meses após a lesão. Nas avaliações foram medidas as evoluções das variáveis motoras (espasticidade - Escala de Ashworth modificada; grau de déficit motor e somatossensorial - Escala de Fugl-Meyer-MS; força de preensão - dinamômetro manual Chatannoga®, destreza digital - Nine Hole Peg Test/NHPT) e da variável funcional (nível de independência nos auto-cuidados - MIF). Para verificar e comparar o déficit motor, a força de preensão manual, a destreza e a independência funcional entre a fase aguda e 3 meses em todo grupo e nos sub-grupos de pacientes severo e leve/moderado foi utilizado o Teste de Wilcoxon. Para a comparação entre sub-grupos, foi utilizado o Teste de Mann-Whitney. A mensuração da força da associação entre: a força de preensão manual (média da força máxima) e destreza digital com os níveis do déficit motor, e nível de independência nos auto-cuidados utilizou-se a correlação de Spearman. Para investigação das diferenças entre as variáveis estudadas (déficit motor, força de preensão e destreza digital) na fase aguda e sub-aguda, foi utilizado o teste-t de Student. As maiores correlações do DR força foi com déficit motor tanto na fase aguda como aos três meses (&#961;=0,91 e 0,82 respectivamente) e do DR da destreza digital foi com a independência funcional nos auto-cuidados na fase aguda e com o déficit motor aos três meses (&#961;=0,72 e 0,78 respectivamente). A correlação entre o DR da força e destreza digital apresentou-se maior aos três meses (&#961;=0,75) em comparação a fase aguda (&#961;=0,70). O conhecimento da evolução da força de preensão e destreza nos primeiros meses após o AVE poderá trazer informações relevantes para o planejamento da prática clínica e a reabilitação do membro superior parético visando a independência funcional do paciente.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabio.pdf: 1333634 bytes, checksum: ba66af05f0145d83e4b237a603a81d74 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aimed to examine the influence of the postural control in the handgrip strength modulation of the non paretic upper limb during activity to pick up an object and in individuals with hemiparesis after Stroke. We evaluated 15 subjects with hemiparesis (EG) and 15 healthy subjects (CG) aged 57.3 ± 55.5 and 10.17 ± 11.27 years old respectively. To characterize the EG, tests were performed for maximum grip strength, Fugl-Meyer, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM), sensitivity test moving touch-pressure (MTP) and balance testing BERG. The parameters for the control of grip strength were: force at the time of lifting the cup (Grip lift off), peak grip force (PGF), peak velocity (Pvel), latency (LT), static force (SF) and difference time (DT), made through an instrumented glass with a force sensor and a three axial accelerometer. The subjects performed a task of picking and lifting an object at a predetermined height and keep it statically suspended for a time and reposition it back on the table. For the parameter EF, LT and DT, any significant data was found. Grip strength parameters Grip lift off, Pvel were different between positions. The grip force modulation (PGF) was different between groups. When asked to raise the object the EG didn´t modulate the grip force in response to the withdrawal additional object weight. Through this study it was possible to determine the possible involvement in the control parameters of grip strength of non-paretic upper limb of subjects with hemiparesis. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a influência da condição postural sentado e em pé na adaptação do controle da força de preensão manual do membro superior não parético durante a atividade de pegar e levantar um objeto, em indivíduos com hemiparesia após acidente vascular encefálico (AVE). Foram avaliados 15 indivíduos com hemiparesia (GE) e 15 indivíduos saudáveis (GC) com idade de 57,3 ±10,17 e 55,5±11,27 anos respectivamente. Para caracterização do GE foram realizados os testes de força de preensão máxima, Fugl-Meyer, monifilamento de Semmes-Weinstein (MSW), teste de sensibilidade moving touch-pressure (MTP) e o teste de equilíbrio de BERG. Os parâmetros para o controle da força de preensão foram: força no momento de levantar o copo (FNML), pico da força de preensão (PFP), pico de velocidade (Pvel), latência (LT), força estática (FE) e diferença temporal (DT) realizado através de um copo instrumentado com um sensor de força e um acelerômetro triaxial. Os indivíduos realizaram uma tarefa de pegar e levantar um objeto uma altura pré-estabelecida, mantê-lo por um tempo e reposicioná-lo novamente a mesa realizaram 7 repetições com carga e 7 sem carga. A modulação da força de preensão nos parâmetros FNML e Pvel ocorreu de forma diferente nas posições sentado e em pé em ambos os grupos. A modulação da PFP foi diferente entre grupos. Ao levantar o objeto o GE não modulou a força de preensão em resposta a retirada do peso adicional do objeto. Para o parâmetro FE, LT e DT, não foram encontrados dados significantes. Através deste estudo foi possível verificar o possível comprometimento nos parâmetros do controle da força de preensão do membro superior não parético de indivíduos com hemiparesia.

L'étude de l'os est d'un intérêt majeur en Anthropologie. Constituant la charpente des vertébrés, le squelette est le reflet de l'activité motrice. En effet, chaque élément du squelette a une fonction dictée par sa forme et un rôle autorisé par sa morphologie. C'est l'illustration la plus visible de l'adaptation. Ce processus est largement étudié dans la lignée humaine et ce dogme est au cœur de nombreuses recherches en Anthropobiologie. Ces caractères sont inscrits dans la forme de l'os. Chaque courbure, apophyse ou crête témoignent au moins en partie de l'action d'un muscle ou d'une fonction dictée par un lent processus évolutif voire adaptatif. Cette évolution se fait par l'évolution de caractères externes de l'os par sa forme ou l'anatomie " visible " d'une part et par l'évolution de caractères plus internes, subtils et directement lié aux propriétés biomécaniques de l'os à savoir l'os trabéculaire. L'os trabéculaire est un matériau plus fragile, déformable que l'os cortical. Il constitue une trace indirecte des contraintes appliquées squelette. C'est ainsi que les activités locomotrices, alimentaires ou occupationnelle seront inscrite dans l'endostructure osseuse. C'est la théorie développée par Wolff dès 1870 dans " The law of bone remodelling ". Il développa cette conception d'un processus actif, évolutif par l'observation macroscopique des travées de l'extrémité supérieure du fémur chez l'homme. Si la contrainte exercée sur un os en particulier augmente, il va se remodeler pour devenir plus rigide et résister à la charge dans ce segment d'os particulier et pour cette force particulière de contrainte. Nous avons étudié cette théorie sur deux modèles chez le vivant au niveau du membre supérieur et au niveau du membre inférieur pour caractériser les contraintes asymétriques appliquées à l'os trabéculaires. La latéralité ou préférence manuelle est un exemple d'activité asymétrique. Ses effets sur l'os sont bien connus lors de la pratique de sports intensifs ou d'activités très latéralisées. Cependant peu de données existent sur les activités usuelles et la préférence manuelle de l'homme jeune sans activité particulière. Par une étude en microscanner avec des coupes de 41 microns, des volumes d'intérêt dans les os du squelette carpien radial ont été réalisés sur des individus d'âge jeune sans antécédent particulier de façon bilatérale. Plusieurs variables cliniques et anthropométriques ont également été recueillis. Nous avons pu mettre en évidence des caractères endostructuraux expliquant la variabilité interindividuelles en les comparant avec des éléments anthropomorphiques et la force de serrage manuelle. Par ailleurs, les défauts d'axe en varus ou en valgus exercent des contraintes asymétriques également sur les articulations portantes. La chirurgie prothétique du genou croit ces dernières années de façon exponentielle par un effet conjoint de l'amélioration des techniques, et l'augmentation de l'incidence de l'arthrose. / The study of bone is of major interest in Anthropology. The skeleton is an image of motor activity. Indeed, every element of the skeleton has a function dictated by its shape and role and then by its morphology. This illustrates the most visible adaptation of the bone. This process is widely studied in the human lineage. This theory is an important path of research in Anthropology. These characters are inscribed in the shape of the bone. Each curve, or crest reflect the action of a muscle or a function dictated by a slow evolutionary process. This change is by changing external characteristics of the bone by its form or anatomy "visible" on the one hand and by the evolution of more internal character, subtle and directly related to the biomechanical properties of bone namely trabecular bone. Trabecular bone is a more brittle material, deformable than cortical bone. It is an indirect trace of the stresses applied to the bone. Thus locomotion, feeding or occupational activities can be analyzed into the bone endostructure. This is the theory developed by Wolff in 1870 in "The law of bone remodeling." He developed this idea of ??an active, evolving process by macroscopic observation of the spans of the proximal femur in humans. If the stress on a particular bone increases, it will remodel to become more rigid and withstand the load in that particular bone segment and for this particular force of constraint. We studied this theory on two models in the living human being. One concerned the upper limb and the second the lower limb to characterize asymmetrical forces on trabecular bone. Laterality or handedness is an example of asymmetrical activity. Its effects on bone are well known in the practice of intensive sports or very lateralized activities. However, little data exist on the usual activities and the handedness of the young man with no particular activity. We performed a microCT study with cuts 41 microns slices. Volumes of interest in radial carpal bones were performed on both sides on young human adults without particular medical history. Several clinical and anthropometric variables were also collected. We were able to highlight endostructural patterns explaining the interindividual variability in comparison with anthropometric parameters and crush or pinch grip. Furthermore, axis deviations in varus or valgus exert asymmetric constraints also on weight-bearing joints. The prosthetic knee surgery increases exponentially in the last decades by a combined effect of improved techniques and the increased incidence of osteoarthritis. The OA is multifactorial but the weight has a major effect on cartilage wear. We further know that the morphology and deformation of members influence this phenomenon. We wanted to characterize the response of the bone to endostructure these asymmetrical stresses on the tibial plateau. We collected tibial plateaus during total joint replacement surgeries for knee and compare the bone under chondral internal and external with microCT 7.4 micron slices. Some parameters highlight the major effect weight and body mass such as bone volume fraction BV/TV, structure model index SMI, trabecular space Tb. and trabecular number Tb.N. Subchondral densification during osteoarthritis is associated with a reduction in its elastic modulus, which could increase cartilage stress, and accelerate cartilage loss.

This is a thesis project done on behalf of BillerudKornäs in collaboration with Örebro University in a research project investigating grip stiffness of carton board packages. This is of interest because a better understanding of it would allow optimizing of the packaging design and result in a better product. In this thesis the mission has been to develop a setup for a sensor enabling a method of testing on packages. This has been carried out as a product development project. After a preparation study a specification of requirements was written. With the use of this a number of concepts were generated. Through evaluation one concept was chosen for further development and built as a prototype model. The prototype did not work satisfactory at the end of the project but could with some improvements be useful in testing packages with the intended sensor. / Detta är ett examensarbete utfört åt BillerudKorsnäs i samarbete med Örebro universitet inom ett forskningsprojekt där greppstyvhet hos kartongförpackningar undersöks. Det här är intressant eftersom att en djupare förståelse inom området skulle möjliggöra optimering av förpackningsdesignen och resultera i en bättre produkt. Uppgiften i detta examensarbete har varit att utveckla en testrigg för en sensor med syfte att möjliggöra en laborativ metod för att testa förpackningar. Detta har bedrivits som ett produktutvecklingsprojekt. Efter att en förstudie gjorts togs en kravspecifikation fram. Med hjälp utav vad som definierats i denna generades ett antal koncept. Genom utvärdering valdes ett koncept för vidareutveckling och byggdes sedan som prototypmodell. Prototypen fungerade inte tillfredställande vid projektets slut men skulle efter vissa förbättringar kunna vara användbar vid tester av förpackningar med den avsedda sensorn.

The overall aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of forced use on arm and hand recovery after stroke by applying a restraining sling on the non-affected arm and to investigate psychometric properties of selected upper limb measures. Papers I and II reported a randomised trial with 1- and 3-month follow-ups. Thirty patients 1 to 6 months after stroke were included and received regular training for 2 weeks of intervention. The forced-use group had in addition a restraining sling on the non-paretic arm. Outcome measures were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the Modified Ashworth scale, the 16-hole peg test, grip force, the Action Research Arm test, and the Motor Assessment Scale (Paper I), and the Motor Activity Log (MAL) (Paper II). Results in Papers I and II showed no statistical difference in change between groups. Both groups improved over time. Paper III assessed the responsiveness of the MAL and its cross-sectional and longitudinal validity. The MAL was responsive to change, with Standardised Response Means and Responsiveness Ratios larger than 1.0. Correlations between the MAL and the other measures were mostly close to 0.50. Paper IV investigated test–retest intra-rater reliability of measuring grip force with Grippit, and assessed relationships between grip forces of both hands, and between sustained and peak grip force. The paretic hand needs to score a change of 10% or 50 N to exceed the measurement error. The mean ratio between sides was 0.66, and between sustained and peak grip force, 0.80–0.84. In conclusion, this thesis provides preliminary evidence that forced use does not generate greater improvement on upper limb motor impairment, capacity, and performance of activity than regular rehabilitation. The findings indicate that the MAL is a responsive measure of daily hand use in patients with stroke. Correlations of construct validity indicated that daily hand use might need to be measured separately from body function and activity capacity. The coefficients calculated for repeatability and reproducibility were acceptable, and the Grippit instrument can be recommended.

Conventional vehicle suspensions consist of a spring and a damper, while mass is rarely used. A mass, if properly used, can also create a damping-like effect. However, a mass has only one terminal which makes it difficult to be incorporated into a suspension. In order to use a mass to achieve the damping-like effect, a two-terminal mass (TTM) has to be designed. However, most of the reported TTMs are of fixed moment of inertia (TTM-CMI), which limits the further improvement of the suspension performance and responsiveness to changes in environment and driving conditions. In this study, a TTM-based vibration absorber with variable moment of inertia (TTM-VMI) is proposed. The main component of the proposed TTM absorber contains a hydraulic-driven flywheel with sliders. The moment of inertia changes with the positions of the sliders in response to the driving conditions. The performance of the proposed TTM-VMI absorber has been analyzed via dynamics modeling and simulation and further examined by experiments. The analysis results indicate that the TTM-VMI absorber outperforms the TTM-CMI design in terms of body displacement; and ride comfort, tire grip and suspension deflection for zero and impulse inputs with comparable performance for sinusoidal input.

Abstract Background/problem definition: Mental illness, such as anxiety, is a health problem affecting about 10-20% of adolescents worldwide. Studies have found a person’s physical fitness to be associated with their mental health, but most studies have been done in the western world and few have investigated sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. It has also been found that SSA countries’ guidelines regarding physical activity are few and incomplete, although the importance of it is well known.   Aim: To investigate to what extent physical fitness: grip strength (GS), 20 meter shuttle run test (20MSRT), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) correlate to self-assessed anxiety in South African students at the UWC.   Methods: The study had a quantitative, cross-sectional and correlational research design with a non-randomized convenience sampling. The physical fitness data were collected through a hydraulic grip strength dynamometer, 20MSRT and by measuring anthropometric measurements in order to calculate BMI and WC. An electronic version of the GAD-7 form was used for self-assessed anxiety.   Results: The results showed a significant positive correlation between BMI and levels of anxiety in women, but not in men. The correlation of anxiety related to WC, GS and 20MSRT showed no significance for the whole sample or related to gender, respectively. Conclusion: No significant correlation could be determined between physical fitness and anxiety. Severe anxiety affected 25% of the population, supporting previous research indicating that students are a group prone to anxiety. / Sammanfattning Bakgrund: Mental ohälsa, till exempel ångest, är ett hälsorelaterat problem som drabbar cirka 10-20% av ungdomar i världen över. Studier har visat att en persons fysiska kondition (physical fitness) kan kopplas till mental hälsa och välmående, men de flesta studier har gjorts i västvärlden och det råder brist på forskning i länder söder om Sahara. Dessutom har afrikanska länder söder om Sahara få och inkompletta riktlinjer gällande fysisk aktivitet trots att betydelsen av fysisk aktivitet är väl etablerad. Syfte: Att undersöka om och till vilken utsträckning fysisk kondition (innefattande grepp styrka, beep-test, BMI och midjemått) korrelerar med självskattad ångest (GAD-7) hos Sydafrikanska studenter vid University of the Western Cape (UWC).   Metod: En kvantitativ tvärsnittsdesign användes och korrelationer studerades. Deltagarna rekryterades genom ett icke randomiserat bekvämlighetsurval. Datan för fysisk kondition och hälsa samlades in genom en greppstyrka-dynamometer, beep-test samt genom antropometriska mätningar för att mäta midjemått och räkna ut BMI. Självskattad ångest samlades in genom en elektronisk version av GAD-7 formuläret.   Resultat: Resultaten visade en statistiskt signifikant, positiv korrelation mellan BMI och ångest bland kvinnor. Inga signifikanta korrelationer kunde i övrigt ses i gruppen som helhet eller hos kvinnor respektive män. Konklusion: Ingen signifikant korrelation fastslogs mellan fysisk kondition och ångest. Svår ångest rapporterades av 25% av deltagarna, vilket stödjer tidigare forskning på området som indikerar att studenter är en grupp utsatt för ångest.