thesis (MAppSc in Physiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 1995

Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 2002. Graduate Programme in Biology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-183). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ82779.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-132).

The aim of this project was to investigate the use of textile structures as muscles to assist people with muscular deficiency or paralysis. Due to the average life expectancy continuing to increase, support for those needing assistance to move unaided is also increasing. The purpose of this project was to try to help a patient who would normally need assistance, to move their arm unaided. It could also help with rehabilitation of muscular injuries and increasing strength and reducing muscular fatigue of manual workers. The approach considered was to develop an extra corporal device for the upper limbs, providing the main required motions. Most devices currently available use motors and gearboxes to assist in limb movement. This study investigated a way of mimicking the contraction of biological skeletal muscles to create a motion that is as human as possible with a soft, flexible and lightweight construction. Electroactive polymers (EAPs) and pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) were investigated. It became clear that at present, the EAPs were unable to create the forces and speed of contraction required for this application. The use of pneumatics to create artificial muscles was developed upon. PAMs, like the McKibben muscle and the pleated pneumatic muscle mimic the natural contraction of skeletal muscle. These current PAMs were used as a basis to develop a new type of pneumatic artificial muscle in this project. A 90 mm ball-like structure was developed, produced from an air impermeable rubber coated cotton fabric. Joining three oval panels together created a 3-D spherical shape. Three of these structures were linked together, and when inflated, created an acceptable level of contraction and force. This method of producing artificial muscles created a soft, lightweight and flexible actuator with scope for different arrangements, sizes and positions of the muscle structure. The contraction process was mathematically modelled. This calculated the predicted rate and level of contraction of a 2-D muscle structure. These mathematical findings were able to be compared to the practical results, and produced similar contraction characteristics. The muscle structures were incorporated into a garment to form a type of muscle suit which could be worn to assist movement. This garment has an aluminium frame to protect the wearer's bones from stresses from the contracting muscles. This study has shown that the muscle suit developed can create movement for wearers that would normally need assistance, and also reduce muscle fatigue, which would be useful for manual workers. This is incorporated into a functional and wearable garment, which is easy to dress and more lightweight and aesthetically pleasing than current muscle suits.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1998. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1998. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

The present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between perinatal complications and subsequent development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral characteristics. The biological mothers of 74 children diagnosed with ADHD and 77 children displaying no characteristics of the disorder completed the Maternal Perinatal Scale (MPS), the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Parent Rating Scales (BASC-PRS), and a demographic survey. In addition, the biological mothers of 120 children with no characteristics of ADHD or any other behavior disorders completed only the MPS so that exploratory factor analysis of the MPS could be completed.Following factor analysis, stepwise discriminant analysis of the resulting five factors was utilized to explore the nature of the relationship between such perinatal factors and ADHD. Results of this analysis indicated that emotional factors, or the amount of stress encountered during pregnancy and the degree to Relationship Between Perinatal Complications 3 was planned, were the items that maximized the separation between the ADHD and Non-ADHD groups. Additional discrimination between the groups was attributed to the extent of insult or trauma to the developing fetus and the outcome of prior pregnancies. ADHD children were also found to have experienced twice as many behavioral, social, or medical problems, and were more likely to reach developmental milestones with delays.Stepwise discriminant analysis also revealed the Attention Problems and Hyperactivity scales of the BASC-PRS were most significant in differentiating between the ADHD and Non-ADHD subjects. Using the BASC-PRS resulted in approximately 90% of the total sample being correctly classified as ADHD or Non-ADHD. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that emotional factors and the general health of both the mother and the developing fetus were the best predictors of later behavioral patterns reported on the BASC-PRS. / Human Performance Laboratory

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Peter G. Fajer, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Biological Science. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Jan. 26, 2006). Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 161 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

The SH3 and cysteine rich domain 3 (Stac3) gene is expressed specifically in skeletal muscle and essential for skeletal muscle contraction and postnatal life in mice. In this dissertation project, I conducted two studies to further understand the role of STAC3 in skeletal muscle development, growth, and contraction. In the first study, I compared the contractile responses of hindlimb muscles of Stac3 knockout and control mice to electrical stimulation, high [K+]-induced membrane depolarization, and caffeine and 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-CMC) activation of ryanodine receptor (RyR). Frequent electrostimulation-, high [K+]-, 4-CMC- and caffeine-induced maximal tensions in Stac3-deleted muscles were approximately 20%, 29%, 58% and 55% of those in control muscles, respectively. 4-CMC- and caffeine-induced increases in intracellular calcium were not different between Stac3-deleted and control myotubes. Myosin-ATPase and NADH-tetrazolium reductase staining as well as gene expression analyses revealed that Stac3-deleted hindlimb muscles contained more slow type-like fibers than control muscles. These data together confirm a role of STAC3 in EC coupling but also suggest that defective EC coupling is only partially responsible for the significantly reduced contractility in Stac3-deleted hindlimb muscles. In the second study, I determined the potential role of STAC3 in postnatal skeletal muscle growth, fiber composition, and contraction by disrupting Stac3 gene expression in postnatal mice through the Flp-FRT and tamoxifen-inducible Cre-loxP systems. Postnatal Stac3 deletion inhibited body and limb muscle mass gains. Histological staining and gene expression analyses revealed that postnatal Stac3 deletion decreased the size of myofibers and increased the percentage of myofibers containing centralized nuclei without affecting the total myofiber number. Postnatal Stac3 deletion decreased limb muscle strength. Postnatal Stac3 deletion reduced electrostimulation- but not caffeine-induced maximal force output in limb muscles. Similarly, postnatal Stac3 deletion reduced electrostimulation- but not caffeine-induced calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. These results demonstrate that STAC3 is important to myofiber hypertrophy, myofiber type composition, contraction, and EC coupling in postnatal skeletal muscle. / Ph. D.

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