520 L $$aIn the CNS, myelination of axons is essential for the rapid conduction of impulses down the nerve. In demyelinated or failing axons however, conduction is less efficient and requires more energy. The principal function of mitochondria is to provide energy for the axon but in doing so they generate most of the intra-axonal reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore and increased energy requirement will promote an increased production of ROS which could lead to significant damage to essential DNA, proteins and lipids and could eventually damage the axon. This thesis investigates the mitochondrial involvement in axonal pathology in the CNS diseases, multiple sclerosis (MS), autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) and tosomal dominant optic atrophy with cataract (ADOAC).

As more adults with cerebral palsy (CP) are surviving longer (1) an intervention is needed to help reduce spasticity and increase overall strength to improve mobility, and therefore life quality. Adults with CP are lacking a form of independent exercise that allows them to maintain or improve their ambulation skills (1, 2). A new approach to increase muscle strength and flexibility is called whole-body vibration (WBV). The goal of the current study was to determine the acute effects of using an individualized frequency (I-Freq) approach to WBV therapy on gait in adults with CP. In this study, eight adults with CP (age 20-51 years, six men, two women) participated in two sets of testing: the first set was used to determine their I-Freq and the second set to perform a 3D gait analysis before and after a WBV treatment. The WBV was administered in five sets of one minute of vibration followed by one minute of rest. The gait analyses included collection of kinematic and EMG data. Subjects experienced a significant increase in walking speed (P=0.047), stride length (P=0.017) and dynamic ankle range of motion (P=0.042) after the acute bout of WBV. These data show that WBV treatments at I-Freq could help adults with CP maintain their range of motion and overall mobility through an independent and cost effective means. 1. Murphy KP. The adult with cerebral palsy. Orthop Clin North Am2010 Oct;41(4):595-605. 2. Murphy KP, Sobus K, Bliss PM. The Adult with Cerebral Palsy: A Provider-Consumer Perspective. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America2009 Aug;20(3):509-+. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

This study developed an informative model of a nasal cavity of a Neanderthal and Anatomically Modern Human (AMH) hybrid based on the morphological measurements and nonmetric features of nonhuman primate hybrids. This study examined morphometric measurements and nonmetric traits of the interior nasal cavity of two species of baboons (olive and yellow) and their first generation hybrids to determine how hybridization affects the internal anatomy of the nasal cavity. The nasal cavity was chosen because the nasal cavities of Neanderthals and AMH are recognized as uniquely different in size and shape. This study found that functionally different regions within the baboon nasal cavity are altered in size and shape in response to hybridization. Changes in size and shape due to hybridization occurred in three regions, at the rhinion, choana, and mid-nasopharynx. In regions of more complex physiological function, the mid-bony cavity and the posterior nasopharynx, no size or shape response was observed, except a wider lateral recess. Males and females responded differently to hybridization; males showed heterosis and females showed heterosis in most areas, though dysgenesis in the inferior meatus. The opposing male and female trends may contribute to the greater sexual dimorphism observed in hybrids compared to parental taxa. This study found that frequencies of nonmetric traits in the baboon hybrid nasal cavity were no different from frequencies in parental taxa, nor were regional frequency differences observed because anterior and posterior nonmetric traits occurred at the same frequency. However, males expressed a significantly higher frequency of nonmetric traits than females. Assuming Neanderthal and AMH hybrid nasal cavities follow the trends observed in the baboon hybrid model, the Neanderthal and AMH hybrid nasal cavity would have a different shape and larger size at the rhinion, choana, and mid-nasopharynx, while the mid-bony cavity and posterior nasopharynx remained unchanged compared to parental taxa. However, because Neanderthals and AMH have been diverged for a longer time period, the traits of the nasal cavity may be very different in parental taxa due to adaptations to local conditions, which may result in hybrids with traits from one parent or the other. Further, an analysis of different hybridization scenarios between Neanderthals and AMH, based on observed hybridization in baboons and paleoanthropological evidence, suggests rapid gene swamping of the Neanderthal population by AMH during hybridization, as other authors have also concluded.

The purpose of this study was to investigate what view of humans that emerges when priests/reverends talk about man in relation to baptism. The study consists of qualitative interviews with four priests/reverends. There were two representatives from the church of Sweden, and two from the Pentecostal church. The aim and questions in the study focus on what view of humans that emerges. Will there be similarities and differences in the view of humans, and is it possible to refer the result to the respective church. The theory that is being used focusses on so called components of how humans are viewed and these components can be seen as building blocks in how a view of humans is formed. The background comes from the varying view of the baptism tradition that exists in Christianity. The church of Sweden mainly baptizes children, whereas the Pentecostal church practices believer´s baptism. The result demonstrates that the reflected view of humans in different ways can prove what each church of the interviewee represents.

Thesis (MAppSc in Physiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 1997

This thesis investigates walking patterns in healthy young people and in people with an increased risk of falling, and determines the physiological contributions to walking stability. First, a review of the relevant literature on techniques for assessing walking stability, age-related changes in balance and gait, and the contributions of vision, vestibular function, peripheral sensation and strength was undertaken. In response to a critical analysis of these findings, a new technique and protocol for the assessment of walking stability was developed. This involved measuring and analysing head and pelvis accelerations while subjects walked on a level surface and an irregular surface. Gait patterns were studied in 30 young healthy subjects and two groups known to be at increased risk of falling - 100 subjects over the age of 75, and 30 subjects with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. A series of vision, sensation, strength, reaction time and balance tests were also undertaken to identify subjects??? physiological abilities and risk of falls. Acceleration patterns of the head and pelvis differed according to physiological risk of falling, particularly when walking on the irregular surface. Those with a high risk of falling walked with a reduced velocity, cadence and step length, and exhibited less rhythmic acceleration patterns at the head and pelvis. Gait patterns were significantly associated with leg strength, peripheral sensation and reaction time. It is concluded that subjects with a high physiological risk of falling exhibit characteristic patterns of walking that indicate an impaired ability to control the movement of the pelvis and head, which may predispose to loss of balance.

Thesis (MAppSc in Physiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 1997

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.