Arterial routes are key structuring components of the urban structure. These routes perform vital functions, including the connectivity of nodes or nodal areas, providing access to urban opportunities, linking metropolitan / municipal areas and providing access to the public transportation system. In order to protect the functionality of these routes, which primarily relates to a mobility function, development along these routes should be controlled. The formulation of policies for development along arterial routes is vital to ensure sustainable, integrated development along these routes without negatively impacting on the urban structure as a whole. A number of challenges are experienced during the formulation–process of these policies, especially since development along these routes is multi–faceted in nature. A case study of Ontdekkers Road, which is a major arterial route located within the City of Johannesburg, is used as the main point of departure. A comparison of the three sections of the route extending from Krugersdorp to Johannesburg (i.e. Voortrekker, Ontdekkers and Main Road) and the applicable development policies provides insight into the key challenges experienced during the policy–formulation process and the implementation of these policies. The study provides key recommendations in response to the challenges experienced along major arterial routes. The recommendations predominantly relate to the multi–faceted nature of development along these routes; the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to policy–formulation; the importance of comprehensive public participation that involves the relevant stakeholders, professionals and authorities; and the continuous interaction between neighbouring municipalities to identify cross–border issues and co–ordinate planning initiatives. The dynamic nature of development along arterial routes necessitates dynamic policies that consider changing social, economic and physical conditions. To this end, the study recommends the review of development policies on an annual basis and the implementation of contingency–based planning. / Thesis (M.Art. et Scien. (Town and Regional Planning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Arterial routes are key structuring components of the urban structure. These routes perform vital functions, including the connectivity of nodes or nodal areas, providing access to urban opportunities, linking metropolitan / municipal areas and providing access to the public transportation system. In order to protect the functionality of these routes, which primarily relates to a mobility function, development along these routes should be controlled. The formulation of policies for development along arterial routes is vital to ensure sustainable, integrated development along these routes without negatively impacting on the urban structure as a whole. A number of challenges are experienced during the formulation–process of these policies, especially since development along these routes is multi–faceted in nature. A case study of Ontdekkers Road, which is a major arterial route located within the City of Johannesburg, is used as the main point of departure. A comparison of the three sections of the route extending from Krugersdorp to Johannesburg (i.e. Voortrekker, Ontdekkers and Main Road) and the applicable development policies provides insight into the key challenges experienced during the policy–formulation process and the implementation of these policies. The study provides key recommendations in response to the challenges experienced along major arterial routes. The recommendations predominantly relate to the multi–faceted nature of development along these routes; the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to policy–formulation; the importance of comprehensive public participation that involves the relevant stakeholders, professionals and authorities; and the continuous interaction between neighbouring municipalities to identify cross–border issues and co–ordinate planning initiatives. The dynamic nature of development along arterial routes necessitates dynamic policies that consider changing social, economic and physical conditions. To this end, the study recommends the review of development policies on an annual basis and the implementation of contingency–based planning. / Thesis (M.Art. et Scien. (Town and Regional Planning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Injury to the human neck is a frequent consequence of automobile accidents and has been a significant public health problem for many years. The term `whiplash' has been used to describe these injuries in which the sudden differential movement between the head and torso leads to abnormal motions within the neck causing damage to its soft tissue components. Although many different theories have been proposed, no definitive answer on the cause of `whiplash' injury has yet been established and the exact mechanisms of injury remain unclear. Biomechanical research is ongoing in the field of impact analysis with many different experimental and computational methods being used to try and determine the mechanisms of injury. Experimental research and mathematically based computer modelling are continually used to study the behaviour of the head and neck, particularly its response to trauma during automobile impacts. The rationale behind the research described in this thesis is that a computational model of the human head and neck, capable of simulating the dynamic response to automobile impacts, could help explain neck injury mechanisms. The objective of the research has been to develop a model that_,, can accurately predict the resulting head-neck motion in response to acceleration impacts of various directions and severities. This thesis presents the development and validation of a three-dimensional computational model of the human head and cervical spine. The novelty of the work is in the detailed representation of the various components of the neck. The model comprises nine rigid bodies with detailed geometry representing the head, seven vertebrae of the neck and the first thoracic vertebra. The rigid bodies are interconnected by spring and damper constraints representing the soft-tissues of the neck. 19 muscle groups are included in the model with the ability to curve around the cervical vertebrae during neck bending. Muscle mechanics are handled by an external application providing both passive and active muscle behaviour. The major findings of the research are: From the analysis of frontal and lateral impacts it is shown that the inclusion of active muscle behaviour is essential in predicting the head-neck response to impact. With passive properties the response of the head-neck model is analogous to the response of cadaveric specimens where the influence of active musculature is absent. Analysis of the local loads in the soft-tissue components of the model during the frontal impact with active musculature revealed a clear peak in force in the majority of ligaments and in the intervertebral discs very early in the impact before any forward rotation of the head had occurred. For the case of rear-end impact simulations it has been shown for the first time that the inclusion of active musculature has little effect on the rotation of the head and neck but significantly alters the internal loading of the soft-tissue components of the neck.

Developing computational models of the human spine has been a hot topic in biornechanical research for a couple of decades in order to have an understanding of the behaviour of the whole spine and the individual spinal parts under various loading conditions. The objectives of this thesis are to develop a biofidefic multi-body model of the whole human spine especially for dynamic analysis of impact situations, such as frontal impact in a car crash, and to generate finite element (FE) models of the specific spinal parts to investigate causes of injury of the spinal components. As a proposed approach, the predictions of the multi-body model under dynamic impact loading conditions, such as reaction forces at lumbar motion segments, were utilised not only to have a better understanding of the gross kinetics and kinematics of the human spine, but also to constitute the boundary conditions for the finite element models of the selected spinal components. This novel approach provides a versatile, cost effective and powerful tool to analyse the behaviour of the spine under various loading conditions which in turn helps to develop a better understanding of injury mechanisms.

Darbo tikslas – palyginti dviejų skirtingų kineziterapijos programų poveikį pacientų funkcinei būklei esant skausmui dėl juosmeninės stuburo dalies disko išvaržos. Uždaviniai: 1. Įvertinti kineziterapijos programos vandenyje efektyvumą: skausmui, funkcinei būklei, juosmens–dubens srities stabilumui ir judesių valdymui bei statinei liemens raumenų jėgos ištvermei. 2. Įvertinti kineziterapijos programos salėje efektyvumą: skausmui, funkcinei būklei, juosmens–dubens srities stabilumui ir judesių valdymui bei statinei liemens raumenų jėgos ištvermei. 3. Palyginti kineziterapijos vandenyje ir kineziterapijos salėje programų efektyvumą: skausmui, funkcinei būklei, juosmens–dubens srities stabilumui, judesių valdymui bei statinei liemens raumenų jėgos ištvermei. Metodai: 1. Literatūros šaltinių analizė. 2. Anketinė apklausa. 3. Skausmo intensyvumo vertinimas naudojant skaičių analogijos skalę (SAS). 4. Juosmens–dubens srities stabilumo vertinimas naudojant slėgio matavimo prietaisą su grįžtamuoju ryšiu „Stabilizer“. 5. Juosmens–dubens srities valdymo funkcijos įvertinimas 5 testų rinkiniu pagal Hannu Luomajoki. 6. Nugaros ir pilvo raumenų statinės jėgos ištvermės vertinimas statinės atlikties testais. 7. Testų atlikties filmavimas ir vaizdinės medžiagos analizė. 8. Matematinė statistinė analizė. Tyrimas atliktas VšĮ Vilkaviškio ligoninė. Tyrime dalyvavo 28 tiriamieji (16 moterų ir 12 vyrų), kurie atsitiktine tvarka buvo suskirstyti į dvi grupes: kineziterapija vandenyje (n=14) ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim: to study and to compare impact of different kinezitherapy programs on a functional state of a patient in case of pain due to spinal hernia of waistline. Objectives: 1. to assess the efficiency of kinezitherapy program in water in terms of pain, a functional state, stability of waist – coxa area , management of movements and stamina of static waist muscles’ power; 2. to assess the efficiency of kinezitherapy program in a gym in terms of pain, a functional state, stability of waist – coxa area , management of movements and stamina of static waist muscles’ power; 3. to compare the efficiency of kinezitherapy program in water and in a gym in terms of pain, a functional state, stability of waist – coxa area, management of movements and stamina of static waist muscles’ power. Methods: 1. Analysis of literature sources; 2. Questionnaire; 3. Pain efficiency assessment via the Digital Analog Scale (DAS); 4. Assessment of stability of waist – coxa area with a pressure measurement device with a feedback “Stabilizer“. 5. Assessment of waist – coxa area management function with 5 test kit of Hannu Luomajoki. 6. Assessment of static power stamina of back and abdominal muscles by static exercising tests. 7. Shooting of test exercising and analysis of video material. 8. Mathematical statistical analysis. Research has been conducted at the Public Enterprise Vilkaviškio ligoninė. A total number of respondents: 28 (16 females and 12 males), divided in two groups randomly: kinezitherapy... [to full text]

Degenerative disc disease is a common ailment with enormous medical, psychosocial and economic ramifications. This study was designed to investigate the utility of a thiol-modified hyaluronan(TMHA) and elastin-like polypeptide(EP) composite material as a potential tissue engineering scaffold to reconstitute the nucleus pulposus in early degenerative disc disease. TMHA and EP were combined in various concentrations and cross-linked using poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate. Resulting materials were evaluated biomechanically and biologically. Confined compression testing revealed that the addition of EP to TMHA-based gels resulted in a stiffer construct, but remained an order of magnitude less stiff than native nucleus. The in vitro cell culture experiments with human intervertebral disc cells demonstrated 70% cell viability at three weeks with apparent maintenance of phenotype. The addition of EP did not have a significant biologic effect. An in vivo pilot study demonstrated biocompatibility of the TMHA-based hydrogels; additional power is required to adequately assess treatment effect.

Patients undergoing elective surgery typically fast for 8-12 hours before surgery. However, oral preoperative carbohydrate ingestion may increase postoperative insulin sensitivity and reduce complications. To determine the effects of carbohydrate supplementation prior to CABG or spinal surgery, 38 patients were randomized to receive a carbohydrate supplement or to fast for 12 hours preoperatively. Baseline and postoperative measurements of insulin sensitivity were completed using the short insulin tolerance test and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Patient discomfort was measured immediately before surgery. Insulin sensitivity was not significantly different between groups. However, the supplemented group experienced a significantly smaller rise in glucose levels following surgery (p=0.03) and had higher postoperative HOMA-β scores (p=0.02). Fasted patients were significantly more thirsty (p=0.01), hungry (p=0.04) and anxious (p=0.01) before surgery and experienced a significantly longer hospital stay (p=0.008). Carbohydrate supplementation improved outcomes, warranting re-evaluation of fasting practices prior to major surgery.

Degenerative disc disease is a common ailment with enormous medical, psychosocial and economic ramifications. This study was designed to investigate the utility of a thiol-modified hyaluronan(TMHA) and elastin-like polypeptide(EP) composite material as a potential tissue engineering scaffold to reconstitute the nucleus pulposus in early degenerative disc disease. TMHA and EP were combined in various concentrations and cross-linked using poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate. Resulting materials were evaluated biomechanically and biologically. Confined compression testing revealed that the addition of EP to TMHA-based gels resulted in a stiffer construct, but remained an order of magnitude less stiff than native nucleus. The in vitro cell culture experiments with human intervertebral disc cells demonstrated 70% cell viability at three weeks with apparent maintenance of phenotype. The addition of EP did not have a significant biologic effect. An in vivo pilot study demonstrated biocompatibility of the TMHA-based hydrogels; additional power is required to adequately assess treatment effect.

Patients undergoing elective surgery typically fast for 8-12 hours before surgery. However, oral preoperative carbohydrate ingestion may increase postoperative insulin sensitivity and reduce complications. To determine the effects of carbohydrate supplementation prior to CABG or spinal surgery, 38 patients were randomized to receive a carbohydrate supplement or to fast for 12 hours preoperatively. Baseline and postoperative measurements of insulin sensitivity were completed using the short insulin tolerance test and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Patient discomfort was measured immediately before surgery. Insulin sensitivity was not significantly different between groups. However, the supplemented group experienced a significantly smaller rise in glucose levels following surgery (p=0.03) and had higher postoperative HOMA-β scores (p=0.02). Fasted patients were significantly more thirsty (p=0.01), hungry (p=0.04) and anxious (p=0.01) before surgery and experienced a significantly longer hospital stay (p=0.008). Carbohydrate supplementation improved outcomes, warranting re-evaluation of fasting practices prior to major surgery.

Bakalauro darbe analizuojamas kineziterapijos vertikalioje vonioje ir salėje procedūrų derinimo poveikis, pacientų funkcinės būklės, skausmo, nugaros ir pilvo raumenų statinės ištvermės kaitai, esant juosmeninės stuburo dalies skausmams. / Physiotherapy bachelor thesis analyzes the vertical bath and hall harmonization of procedures and the patient's functional status change in lumbar spine pain.