This thesis comprises a programme of work investigating the use of active human computer models and the effects of forthcoming automotive safety features on vehicle occupants; more specifically, their unbelted kinematics and sustained injuries. Since Hybrid III anthropometric crash test dummies are unable to replicate human occupant kinematics under severe braking, the thesis highlighted the need to research the most appropriate occupant computer model to simulate active safety scenarios. The first stage of the work focussed on occupant kinematics and developed unique human occupant reflex response target curves describing the head and torso relative angle change as a function of time, based on human volunteers’ low deceleration sled tests. These biomechanics curves were, subsequently, used to validate an active human model, asserting its torso response, while confirming that further development in its neck response was necessary. The sled test computer validation proved that only an active human model was suitable to model a pre-braking phase. The second stage of the work combined the occupant’s kinematics of the pre-braking phase, followed by a subsequent frontal crash into a rigid barrier inducing an airbag deployment. The results suggested that, in a 1g frontal deceleration pre-braking phase, the kinematics of an unbelted occupant within the vehicle compartment was complex and in some cases extreme. With the parameters adopted within this unique study, it was observed that occupant motion and position relative to the airbag system varied depending on awareness level, seat friction, braking duration and posture. Additionally, it was observed that a driver holding the steering wheel with one hand could be out of the airbag deployment reach due to extreme Out-Of-Position (OOP). Results also concluded that the dynamic OOP scenario was intricate and would yield to higher occupant injuries. Future studies, into brake dive, seat geometry, seat stiffness and cabin packaging, are recommended to capture the vehicle configuration providing the highest dynamic OOP safety risk. Finally, the investigations conducted, as part of this doctoral programme, led to the provision of new knowledge in the validation of active human models, a unique demonstration of the importance using human computer models, rather than crash test dummies, as well as the potential for the evaluation of future restraint systems in dynamics unbelted OOP, considering various posture scenarios.

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Literature has described soccer as the most popular sporting code in the world. South Africa heralds a registry of 1.8 million players. The purpose of the study was to conduct a detailed analysis of soccer injuries sustained in South African professional soccer team over one competitive season. The study utilized a questionnaire to collect quantitative data assessing age of players injures, playing position, site of injury, mechanism of injury, injury management, physiotherapy access and prevention measures which was administered by a physiotherapist at competitive matches. The study defined injury as any injury sustained during competitive matches where a player received medical attention. The study sample consisted of 26 male soccer players ranging from 17-39 years with a mean age of 23.77 years (SD=5.233). Injury prevalence was reported as 58% with a significance (p<0.05) in the ages of players injured compared to the non-injured. The majority of injuries were sustained by the 20-24 year old players coupled with midfielders being the most predominant position encountering injury (40%). The lower limbs were the most affected (67.1%) with the knee being reported as the most affected joint (21.4%). Defenders and midfielders were significantly more likely to sustain a lower limb injury compared to goalkeepers and forwards who were seen to incur more trunk injuries. The majority of injuries were the result of being tackled (27.2%). A significance was reported with mechanism of injury and playing position (Fisher’s Exact=41.118, p<0.05). Injurymanagement was predominantly self treatment followed by physiotherapy treatment (30%). The main contributor to the decrease in physiotherapy treatment received by players the absence of the service at the club (65.7%) and financial reasons (54.3%). The results of the study confirm that many SouthAfrican professional soccer players are prey to sustaining injury during one competitive soccer season. The study highlighted the need to start prevention efforts at club level in order to curtail the high injury prevalence at professional levels.

No description available.

The present study comprises the second phase of a larger and ongoing research study investigating the brain damage effects of cumulative mild head injury in rugby. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cumulative mild head injury sustained in the game of rugby would cause brain injury as evidenced by impaired performance on sensitive neuropsychological tests. Participants were Springbok professional rugby players (n = 26), Under 21 rugby players (n = 19), and a non-contact sport control of national hockey players (n = 21). Comparisons of performance were carried out across a spectrum of neuropsychological tests for the three rugby groups (Total Rugby, Springbok Rugby, and Under 21 Rugby) versus the performance of the non-contact sport control group (Hockey Control), as well as comparisons of performance f9r the subgroups of Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs. Comparisons revealed a consistent pattern of poorer performance across all rugby groups relative to the performance of the controls on tests highly sensitive to the effects of diffuse brain damage. Within rugby group comparisons (Forwards versus Backs) showed significantly poorer performance for Total Rugby Forwards and Springbok Rugby Forwards relative to the performance of the respective Total Rugby Backs and Springbok Rugby Backs on sensitive, as well as on somewhat less sensitive, neuropsychological tests. The performance of Under 21 Rugby Forwards relative to Under 21 Rugby Backs demonstrated similar trends. Brain reserve capacity theory was used as a conceptual basis for discussing the implications of these findings.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 2000. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of manipulation of the cervical spine in the treatment of subacute and chronic whiplash injury utilizing a placebo treatment as a means of comparison. Treatment of whiplash injury still requires research in order to establish the effectiveness of manipulation as an adjunct in the management of this type of injury (Spitzer et al. 1995, Foreman and Croft 1995:468). Manipulation and mobilization have demonstrated some degree of effectiveness in the treatment of whiplash injury in past studies (Woodward et al. 1996, McKinney 1989 / M

Employment outcomes in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are far from ideal and have serious implications for quality of life and financial well-being post-injury. Numerous potential correlates of return to work, including locus of control and awareness of deficit, have been examined in past studies with mixed findings. The current study investigated these issues in a relatively ignored segment of the TBI population—those who receive services through state-funded vocational rehabilitation programs. Thirty State of Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) clients with TBI completed comprehensive interviews, the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS), the Internal Control Index (ICI), and several neuropsychological test measures. Overall time spent working decreased from 75% pre-injury to 39% post-injury. Participants with poor vocational outcomes underestimated their level of impairment on the PCRS relative to informant ratings, and generally fared worse post-injury than participants with more accurate awareness of their limitations. Locus of control and cognitive function measures did not predict vocational outcome. Given the need for DVR clients to be aware of their deficits in order to set realistic goals, vocational counselors should address awareness of deficit early in the rehabilitation process to optimize employment outcomes and allocation of resources. / Graduate

No description available.

A brief review of the literature on traumatic anuria (acute tubular necrosis, lower nephron nephrosis) has been presented, including a complete bibliography. Special attention was paid to the pathology and pathogenesis of the syndrome and it was concluded that Oliver's recent work (271) probably comes closest to presenting the true picture. He describes tubular necrotic lesions for which the chemical toxins (mercuric chloride, carbon tetrachloride) were responsible, and tubulorhectic lesions which were characteristic of the shock kidney. These lesions could appear at any level in the renal tubule and were characterized by destruction of the basement membrane. Pigment casts were apparent if intravascular pigment release was associated with the illness. The work of Phillips, Van Slyke and associates (291, 292, 355, 356), of Oliver (271) and of Block et al (41) lead one to conclude that renal ischemia is the chief pathogenetic mechanism, though it is obvious that specific extrinsic renal toxins play a major role in specific cases. The role of hemoglobin appears to be chiefly in the production of obstructive casts later in the course of the disease; these pigments are precipitated in the lower nephron where urine is concentrated; and acidified, and dehydration and oliguria contribute to their formation. Three hundred rats were studied in eighteen experiments concerning crush syndrome. It was concluded that the most important single factor tending to aggravate the renal effects of crushing injury is the antecedent state of dehydration. Myoglobin is not an essential factor in the development of renal damage but tends to aggravate the existing uremia. Acute renal failure was seen to be a late effect of shock; animals developed acute tubular necrosis only if initial shock was severe, but not severe enough to produce death from circulatory failure. Development of this delicate balance of factors was aided by reduction of renal reserve by unilateral nephrectomy. A seldom described but distinct and consistent phenomenon was observed in the development of marked, immediate and persistent diuresis in response to the trauma of limb ligation. This polyuria was of a dilute urine and was taken as an indication of initial increased glomerular filtration followed by decreased reabsorption of water because of tubular damage. It was not an indication of a recovery phase as is recorded in the clinical syndrome. Testosterone propionate, desoxycorticosterone acetate, cortisone acetate and Compound F did not appear to be promising as therapeutic agents, although in one experiment Compound F showed some promise. Neither did combined therapy with testosterone and cortisone reduce the mortality rate or decrease uremia. Although there was no doubt that the syndrome of acute renal failure due to acute tubular necrosis could be produced in large numbers of these relatively inexpensive laboratory animals by dehydration and limb ligation, production could not altogether be standardized and the syndrome ran such a short course that serial observations were difficult to obtain and separation of shock deaths was occasionally impossible. It is felt that future work might well make use of some other laboratory animal, perhaps the dog or cat, and that an initial stress of controlled hypotension or renal artery occlusion could be used. It is also our opinion that further investigation into the value of Compound F as a therapeutic agent in this syndrome is justified. / Medicine, Faculty of / Graduate

The effects of septal lesions in rats on the hyperglycaemic response to stress, adrenal weight and water intake were investigated. Tested four times post-operatively at approximately weekly intervals, septal rats did not manifest significantly different resting blood glucose levels than control animals nor did they demonstrate an abnormal degree of hyperglycaemia following periods of unavoidable foot shock. No adrenal hypertrophy was evident in septal subjects compared to controls. Daily water intake was significantly higher among septals. The results concerning blood sugar levels and adrenal weights are taken as evidence that septal rage may not represent true hyperemotionality since certain appropriate physiological concomitants are absent. A second experiment investigated resistance to capture and handling and aspects of open field behaviour in septal and control rats following injections of chlorpromazine hydrochloride or saline. Septalectomized rats resisted handling and capture to a greater extent than controls, traversed fewer squares and demonstrated less rears in an open field, and had a greater tendency to leave a home cage and enter an open field. Chlorpromazine affected neither control nor septal subjects except to suppress the tendency of septal rats to leave a home cage and enter an open field. The behaviour of septal rats is discussed in terms of apparent emotionality. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

This exploratory study was designed to gather information about the needs and concerns of significant others of patients with recent spinal cord injuries. The respondents were asked about the impact of the patients' injuries on their own lives and about their feelings in relation to the treatment they and their patients were receiving from health care personnel. The study was conducted with a convenience sample of seven respondents, five women and two men, designated as significant others by seven patients with recent spinal cord injuries. Using a semi-structured interview guide each significant other was interviewed in depth from one to three times over a period of three to six weeks following their patient's injury. The interview guide covered eight selected themes relating to the significant other's': - need to feel that he or she is getting adequate information - need to feel that he or she is being helpful to the patient - need to feel able to cope with home and family responsibilities - need to have someone from whom he or she can obtain emotional support - need to express feelings, both positive and negative - need to feel that his or her patient is getting good care - past experiences and methods of coping with crisis situations - needs and concerns that may arise because of the likely major effects the patient's injury will have on the significant other's life in the future. All respondents reported needing initial access to physicians who would give a true report of their patients' medical conditions and progresses. Thereafter five respondents reported receiving adequate information from their patients or the nurses. The six respondents who were given a negative prognosis for their patients' recovery of function expressed less apparent emotional conflict than the one who was told there was some possibility of recovery. After the first interview three respondents stressed the need for practical information about how to help with their patients' physical care, although during the first interview all respondents expressed fear that any physical assistance they attempted might harm their patients. All respondents felt their greatest value to their patients was as a source of emotional support. Two respondents reported being able to defer all home and family responsibilities; the other five stated their home and family responsibilities were not directly increased by their patients' injuries. However these five reported stress caused by the necessity of coping with the patients' needs as well as home and family responsibilities. All seven significant others reported using some sources of external support, the most common being family members and close friends. All respondents voiced positive feelings about their patients and the health care they were receiving. Only three respondents expressed strong negative feelings which were directed at the cause of their patients' injuries or what they perceived as incorrect or inappropriate information given to them by health care personnel. All respondents stressed their need to know their patients were receiving good care. All significant others reported their patients' injuries were the severest crises they or their patients had ever undergone, but all also stated they believed they would be able to cope with the crisis. The respondents reported their patients' gravest concerns for the future related to finances, work and sexual functioning. The respondents themselves voiced less concern about finances and sexual functioning. Other concerns for the future expressed by the respondents related to housing, transportation, family activities, social relationships and coping with the inevitable "ups and downs" of the patients. There were some differences in concerns expressed by male and female respondents. The findings of the study demonstrated the presence of selected needs and concerns in a small convenience sample of significant others of spinal cord injured patients. Further research would be necessary to determine whether the findings are representative and whether there is a relationship between expressed needs and concerns and the sex of patients and/or significant others. The study offers suggestions to practicing nurses who wish to improve their care of spinal cord injured patients and their significant others. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate