Knee injuries are highly prevalent in physically active individuals and are frequently associated with sport participation. Independently of the nature of the injury, subjective and objective clinical measures are used to assess, monitor and evaluate treatment outcomes in this population. To be clinically meaningful, these outcome measures should be relevant to the condition, the anatomical area, the individual or population, and importantly, possess adequate psychometric properties. Despite a high prevalence of knee injuries, there are several aspects of the subjective and objective knee evaluation in physically active individuals that remain unclear or have not been considered in previous research. The main aim of the present thesis was to fill some of the gaps identified in the literature regarding both subjective and objective knee measures in physically active individuals. Therefore, this thesis was divided into two distinct parts. The first part looked at the patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures of the knee and physical activity, and consisted of two studies. The first study was a systematic review conducted to explore the PRO measures that are commonly used in the evaluation of physical activity and return to sport following autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Aiming as well, to provide a critical analysis of these instruments from a rehabilitative perspective. This review revealed not only the heterogeneity in the selection, but also in the timing and reporting of patient-reported activity scoring instruments following ACI, which makes a systematic comparison difficult and introduces bias into the interpretation of these outcomes. Another important finding of this review, was that the instruments currently used to evaluate postoperative outcomes in an articular cartilage repair population do not always fulfil the rehabilitative needs of physically active individuals. The second study was conducted in recreational marathon runners and aimed to provide normative values for a widely used knee specific PRO measure in athletes with knee injury, the Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Alongside the normative KOOS subscales values stratified by age group and history of knee injury that were presented, this study also showed that recent history of knee running-related injury (RRI) has a negative impact on the KOOS scores. In runners with no history of knee RRI, the results observed suggested a lack of interaction between KOOS subscale values and age. Furthermore, the KOOS values seen were substantially higher compared to previously published normative population-based KOOS values. The second part of the present thesis comprised three experimental studies concerning single-leg cycling (SLC) exercise testing, in particular assessing the potential use of the self-paced test (SPT) concept as an objective measure following knee surgery. The first study analysed the reliability of a 5x2 min stages SPT anchored to the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) for SLC exercise testing. This study showed that this test protocol elicits reliable cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses. The second study examined the validity of the SPT protocol used in the previous study, through a concurrent comparison against a conventional fixed power incremental SLC exercise test. This investigation showed that the 5x2 min SPT provides a valid objective means for assessing peak aerobic capacity in SLC exercise testing. Moreover, it may be associated with increased activity enjoyment comparatively to conventional testing. The third and last experimental study investigated the effect of a 10 kg counterweight device (CW10) on cardiorespiratory, metabolic and perceptual responses to SLC exercise testing. The results of this study demonstrated that the CW10 despite eliciting an improvement in the activity enjoyment, did not affect peak cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to SLC exercise testing. When matched for test duration the SPT elicited higher peak power output and peak oxygen consumption than conventional incremental testing, regardless of the CW10 usage or not. In conclusion, the original work of the present thesis increases the body of knowledge of two distinct, but complementary fields in the subjective and objective knee assessment of physically active individuals. The outcomes provided both on PRO measures and SLC exercise testing, may have impact on the clinical practice of clinicians, sport rehabilitation professionals and researchers.

No abstract available / Dissertation (MA (Biblical and Religious Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Biblical and Religious Studies / MA / unrestricted

Planning is concerned with understanding and relating to the needs of various segments of the population. Thus it is imperative that planners should comprehend the views of any group which falls within their administrative or regulatory jurisdiction. This study has undertaken to examine the attitudes of mobile home owners toward the park in which their mobile home is located. Responses to a questionnaire by 281 residents living in a total of 31 parks were used as the primary source of information. Utilizing multivariate analytical techniques, the study investigated, first, the dimensions involved in mobile home living and, second, the relationship between resident satisfaction and physical and social characteristics of the mobile home park. Physical park characteristics that were examined included: size and age of the mobile home park; services and facilities within the park; size of lots; location of the park. Social characteristics of the park included resident perception of: differences between conventional single family neighborhoods, and mobile home parks; degree of friendliness of park dwellers as compared to residents of other types of neighborhoods; constraints on social interaction outside the park because of distance from other residential neighborhoods and/or community facilities; constraints on social interaction outside the park due to negative attitudes of non-park dwellers. In addition, information concerning attitudes toward rules and regulations as well as the extent of resident interaction within the park was sought out. A number of conclusions emerged from the study which are considered to be useful to planners in making future decisions concerning mobile home parks. These conclusions indicated: the minimum size for development of a satisfactory park; those park features that account significantly for resident satisfaction; the role of the municipality in the development of mobile home parks; the appropriate location for mobile home parks. Finally, a number of questions were raised that were considered to require further research. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

While the Twentieth Century largely saw the flight of the middle and upper classes to suburban communities, the past twenty-five years have seen a renewed interest in urban living. As the more economically stable classes return to city centers, poorer communities are being displaced. Gentrification, often championed as urban renewal, is promoted by politicians as a social-mixing tactic, but often the infiltration of the wealthy into poor neighborhoods pushes the poor community to the fringes. An extreme case of gentrification can be seen in the juxtaposition of Tower Hamlets, one of the poorest boroughs in London and the City of London, whose square mile is bursting at the seams with financial institutions. With significantly lower property values, Tower Hamlets Council is wary of City expansion eroding away the largely low-income immigrant communities that reside there. Even with relatively lower property values, the prohibitively high cost of housing in the UK, especially in London means living in the city center is almost impossible for even the middle classes, a fact that further illustrates the threat posed by the City to the mostly residential Hamlets. Peabody, one of the most prominent social housing associations in London found that when polled, 30% of their residents listed location of foremost importance above both "security of tenure" and the "right amount of space." 1 Unfortunately, recent political events in the United Kingdom have made it more difficult for the poor to remain in city centers. The recent lowering of the benefits cap by Parliament means that approximately 17,000 low-income families will be forced to move out of inner London.2 In addition, Parliament is also in the midst of changing housing laws to make it more difficult for immigrants to qualify for social housing.3 Given that the residents of housing estates chiefly value location and current policy is making living in the city center difficult for all but the wealthy, how can the poor and middle-class residents of urban communities resist the push of increasing urban property value towards the suburbs? This thesis will explore how architecture and planning can help these communities adapt to the changing economically-driven urban fabric without banishing their poorer residents to the suburbs. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu

No / Nanotechnologies for intracellular delivery are of great value in clinical and biological research. Diamond nanoneedle arrays are a novel and attractive platform to facilitate drug delivery with minimal cytotoxicity. Using our technique, the cellular membranes can be temporarily disrupted for enhanced diffusion of drug molecules to cytoplasm. Herein we show that this technique is applicable to deliver different types of anticancer drugs into a variety of cell lines, although the membrane of each cell line possesses varied rigidity and hardness and each drug has its own unique properties and targets. When anticancer drugs and nanoneedle arrays are collaboratively used to treat cancer cells, the cell viability dramatically decreases by up to 40 % in comparison with the cells treated with drugs only. Attractively, therapeutic molecules can be efficiently delivered to drug-resistant cells with the aid of nanoneedle arrays. The combination of diamond nanoneedle arrays and anticancer drug cisplatin can decrease the viability of A549 cisplatin-resistant cells to about 60 %, while the cells only treated with the same concentration of drug are essentially not affected due to their drug resistance. These results indicate that dense nanoneedle arrays represent an effective approach to enhance the delivery of biological molecules to different types of cells. Such approach will certainly be beneficial to microbiological research and clinical applications in the future.

The concept of home is one that has existed since humans first sought a place of refuge and shelter. These spaces have certainly evolved and been adapted over time, however, the logic behind this drive to create spaces that protect and envelope is the same. To have a home is to establish a space that is all your own. In its most basic form, it is essentially a container for the love and memories that are tied to home life and the relationships forged there. The concept of age-in living is one that can and should be elevated to the level of dwelling rather than living or simply existing. This thesis analyses the home at a fundamental level and fosters a way forward for families choosing to remain in their personal residence as long as possible. / Master of Architecture / Age-in living is an area of residential architecture that currently has no formal design or construction related guidelines. The fact is, this is an area of design that has received little to no formal consideration as a subject in its entirety. The traditional solution to this process has been assisted and independent living facilities for elderly individuals who have encountered troubles while living within their own homes. In an age where design guidelines address topics from biophilia, sustainability, and overall user well-being, this same mindset can be applied to age in living. Affordability also become a major component of retirement, especially when assisted living independent living, or memory care becomes necessary. This thesis serves as a design example of the potential within the area of age-in living within the residential environment. While this design guideline is intended for new construction homes, it can be applied to renovations as well.

The United States is experiencing a rapid rise in its citizens aged 85 and older, which is the fastest growing segment of the population. By the year 2050 the population of adults 65 years old and older is predicted to double in size. This trend, referred to as the graying of America, has been a catalyst for researchers eager to fill gaps in appropriate housing options for this population. For the past decades assisted living has grown as such an option for senior housing. The purpose of this study was to design an assisted living private dwelling unit based on criteria found in literature and in the findings of two research projects. Data were collected during site visits to five assisted living facilities as part of the Best Practices study. Data collected during the CAVE study, in which participants expressed preferences toward assisted living apartment designs, were also utilized. Design criteria emerging from both studies were found to be in support of current literature. A design concept employing these criteria was developed. The design was presented through graphic techniques including plans, elevations and isometric drawings. / Master of Science

People¡¦s individual personality and aesthetics tastes regarding living milieu can be examined and understood through their preferences on designs of living-room furnishing. The current research investigated college students¡¦ needs and cognition about living-room furnishing, sifted out various factors for living-room functionality demands, and understood cluster analysis among the groups derived from the factors. Additionally, the current study analyzed the relationships between functionality demands and furnishings of living-room, as well as the cognition situation of the students in the different groups regarding designs of living room. Forty-five (45) students of the National Sun Yat-San University were recruited as participants in the quasi-experiment for similarity of living room designs. In addition, one hundred and fifty (150) were collected for the questionnaire of living room needs and preferences. The methods for the data analysis in the current research included factor analysis, cluster analysis, MDS, and association and preference analysis. The major findings are listed as the followings. 1. The people¡¦s needs of living room functionality have three factors: family gathering, aesthetic taste, and sociableness. 2. The higher education level, the more demanding on the functions of ¡§family gathering and aesthetic taste¡¨. The higher monthly living budget, the more inclining for the function of ¡§sociableness¡¨. 3. Each group has different cognition dimensions and preference patterns about living designs.

A quantitative, descriptive, explorative survey was conducted to explore and describe nurses’ perceptions of disclosure to children of their HIV positive status in Addis Ababa. 100 nurses working in six conveniently sampled health centres participated by completing a self-administered questionnaire. The findings revealed that the majority of participants were of the opinion that children have the right to know their HIV status, participate in their own treatment, and that disclosure contributes towards improved adherence. Forty-one of the participants said that it is nurses’ role to support caregivers in the disclosure process. But 56.3% felt they lacked the training to disclose to children that they are infected with HIV. Accordingly, it is recommended that relevant and applied training is required to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills to disclose to children their status. The importance of nurses’ proactive role in disclosure to children of their HIV status needs to be emphasised. / Health Studies

1998 Dozier Award Winner / It is widely recognized that the role of the physician has undergone dramatic changes in the last century changes which have serous implications for the patient-physician relationship. This is an ethnographic study examining how certain changes in the role and abilities of biomedical physicians have affected patient attitudes and expectations about end-of-life care. In-home interviews were conducted with eighteen persons age fifty-five and older, including a sample of Hemlock Society members. Results indicate a broad spectrum of end-of-life concerns including capacity, autonomy, pain, and burden to loved ones. Most participants reported a reluctance to begin a discussion of death or future deteriorating capacity with their physicians. Instead, when conversations about death were reported, they had been largely limited to the scenarios of catastrophic illness (e.g., hospitalization, ventilator, etc.) and the Living Will. While this discussion does not overlook the utility of the Living Will, it proposes that reliance on this document for preparing patients for end-of-life care is inadequate.