Varumärkesutvidgning är i dag en trend inom affärsutveckling, då metoden underlättaringången på nya marknader. Utvidgningar är dock ingen genväg till en garanteradpublikframgång. Om utvidgningen ska fungera måste den struktureras så att den framstår somsjälvklar i konsumentens huvud, förutsatt att man vill att utvidgningsprodukterna ska köpas.Många är företagen som lyckats med sin utvidgning men många är även de som misslyckats,och som med det fått betala ett högt pris för lärdomen. I takt med att utvidgningsstrategiernahar ökat bland företag, är det också många som glider in på närbesläktade marknader, eller påhelt andra branscher. Varumärket får då fungera som en garant för den nya produkten. Utifråndet har företagsnamnet fått en huvudroll att spela, både för företag såväl som förkonsumenter. Eftersom det vi köper indirekt får en betydelse för oss själva, och för andragenom det varumärket symboliserar. Produkten är således så mycket mer i dag än en fysiskvara. Det är en känsla, och en visualisering av köparens livsstil. Det transcendenta varumärketanvänds därför som en plattform när företaget branschglider.Syftet med studien är att undersöka och beskriva branschglidningens spelregler. Samtanalysera om livsstil kan komma att påverka branschutvidgningar inom mode- ochmöbelbranschen. Ralph Lauren och Lexington är båda aktörer på livsstilsmarknaden.Företaget Chilli karakteriseras som en diversehandel, men gemensamt för de tre företagen äratt de alla har branschglidit. Därför känns det intressant att ta reda på om livsstil kan påverkakundens acceptans av en ny kategori.Uppsatsen består av en kvalitativ studie med en deduktiv metodansats. Vilket innebär attutgångspunkten varit från teoristudier, även fast empirin och den teoretiska referensramen ipraktiken bearbetats sida vid sida. Studiens teoridel behandlar varumärkets territorium ochvarumärkets betydelse för varumärkesutvidgningar. Medan empiridelen undersökeracceptansen för utvidgningsprodukter i korrelation med vanligt varumärke vs. livsstilsföretag.Det är först efter en introduktion på marknaden som det syns om varumärkesutvidgningenkommer att lyckas. Företag kan emellertid ändå i förväg pröva branschglidningens chanser,genom att analysera de basfaktorer som avgör hur kunden kommer att ta emotvarumärkesutvidgningen. Studien visar att identiteten måste föregå imagen eftersom det ärföretagets varumärke som bestämmer vad som faktiskt är en möjlig branschglidning.

Modelos de desusos do músculo esquelético como imobilização gessada, suspensão são frequentemente utilizados em grupos de pesquisas experimentais. Esse tempo de desuso por período prolongado pode determinar alterações significativas na citoarquitetura muscular. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os aspectos morfológicos do músculo sóleo de ratas em desenvolvimento pós-natal que tiveram seus membros posteriores direitos imobilizados, e posteriormente foram submetidas ao protocolo passivo de alongamento (alongamento manual passivo intermitente), por um período de sete dias. Utilizou-se 20 ratas da raça Wistar (Rattus Norvegicus Albinus) com 21 dias de idade, dividas em cinco grupos: Grupo Controle 21 dias (GC21- Animais com 21 dias), Grupo Imobilizado (GI- Animais de 21 dias que foram imobilizados por 7 dias), Grupo Imobilizado e Alongado (GIA- Animais de 21 dias que foram imobilizados por 7 e reabilitados pelo alongamento durante 3 dias) e Grupo Alongado (GA- Animais de 21 dias não imobilizados por 7 dias e posteriormente alongamentos durante 3 dias), Grupo Controle 30 (GC30 - Animais com 30 dias). Fragmentos dos músculo sóleo foi processado sob diferentes métodos histoquímicos, coloração hematoxilina-eosina e picro-sirius. As variáveis foram avaliadas inter- e intra-grupos através de técnicas estatísticas como: Teste de Kruskall Wallis e pós teste de Dunn. Conclusão: Os resultados indicaram que o músculo sóleo de ratas bebês sofreram modificações citoarquiteturais significativas quando o alongamento manual intermitente foi usado como recurso terapêutico após 7 dias de desuso do segmento posterior direito (imobilização em flexão plantar). Nos músculos imobilizados, ambas as proteínas (desmina e vimentina) tiveram seus conteúdos reduzidos em relação aos valores controle (21 ou 30 dias), indicando balanço negativo para o tecido pós-desuso. A quantidade dessas proteínas não foi modificada nos animais submetidos somente ao procedimento de alongamento intermitente. Os animais que sofreram imobilização e que foram reabilitados, a quantidade de desmina não aumentou significativamente, não atingindo valores similares ao grupo controle 30 dias. Esses dados sugerem que os filamentos de desmina necessitam de tempo superior a 3 dias de reabilitação por alongamento intermitente para restabelecerem a arquitetura intersticial das fibras e consequentemente favorecerem a transdução mecânica de sinais entre os meios intra e extracelular. Porém, o efeito citoarquitetural do alongamento sobre os filamentos intermediários deve ser acompanhado longitudinalmente e confirmados em adicionais estudos bioquímicos e moleculares. / Disuses models of skeletal muscle as immobilization , suspension are often used in experimental research groups. This time of disuse for a prolonged period can cause significant changes in muscle cytoarchitecture .This study aimed to evaluate the morphology of the soleus muscle of rats in postnatal development that had its members later immobilized rights, and subsequently were subjected to passive stretching protocol (passive manual stretching flashes), for a period of seven days. We used 20 Wistar rats (Rattus Norvegicus Albinos) race with 21 days of age , divided into five groups: Control Group (CG21- Animal 21 days ), Immobilized Group (IG- Animal 21 days that were immobilized for 7 days ) , Immobilized and Stretched Group (ISG - Animal 21 days that were immobilized for 7 and rehabilitated by stretching for 3 days) and Stretched Group (SG -Animal 21 days not immobilized for 7 days and subsequently stretching for 3 days), Control Group (CG30 - Animals 30 days).Fragments of the soleus muscle was processed under different histochemical methods, hematoxylin - eosin staining and picro-sirius. Variables were evaluated inter - and intra - groups through statistical techniques such as Kruskall Wallis and Dunn\'s post test . Conclusion: The results indicated that the soleus muscle of rats were babies citoarquiteturais significant changes when the manual stretching intermittently been used as a therapeutic resource after 7 days of disuse of the right posterior segment ( immobilization in plantar flexion). The immobilized muscles , both proteins (desmin and vimentin ) content had decreased compared to control values (21 or 30 days), indicating negative after- tissue balance disuse. The amount of these proteins was not modified in animals subjected only to intermittent stretching procedure. The animals underwent immobilization have been rehabilitated and that the amount of desmin was not significantly increased, not reaching values similar to the control group 30 days. These data suggest that desmin filaments need to 3 days longer than the time for rehabilitation to restore the intermittent stretching interstitial fiber architecture and hence favor the mechanical transduction of signals between intra-and extracellular media. However, the effect of stretching on cytoarchitectural intermediate filaments should be followed longitudinally and confirmed in additional biochemical and molecular studies .

Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-14T14:10:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-09-10. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2017-03-14T14:42:49Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000874537_20170910.pdf: 196952 bytes, checksum: 14c9266a6fa8f4e7f56cc071cd61808d (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2017-09-11T13:56:02Z: 000874537_20170910.pdf,. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2017-09-11T13:56:51Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000874537.pdf: 2021975 bytes, checksum: db0088447ee5d4aca908dd8948d7a9c2 (MD5) / A Disfunção Temporomandibular (DTM) pode acarretar limitações funcionais, como restrições dos movimentos mandibulares e redução da capacidade mastigatória. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do tratamento com educação sobre DTM e terapias de autocuidados no padrão de movimento mandibular e no desempenho mastigatório de mulheres com DTM crônica dolorosa. Cinquenta e duas mulheres com diagnóstico de DTM de acordo com o Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD), Eixos I e II - versão em português, foram selecionadas e aleatoriamente divididas em 3 grupos, controle (GC, n=16), educação (GE, n=18), e educação e autocuidados (GEA, n=18), de acordo com a sequência de tratamento que elas receberam. Um cinesiógrafo foi utilizado para registrar os movimentos mandibulares durante a abertura bucal máxima e mastigação habitual de um alimento teste (amêndoa), e o desempenho mastigatório foi avaliado pelo método dos tamises. Estas análises foram realizadas em 3 momentos, no baseline (T0), após 30 (T1) e 60 (T2) dias de acompanhamento. O teste t de Student para amostras pareadas foi utilizado para comparar os dados cinesiográficos e as porcentagens de desempenho mastigatório obtidos em T0 e em T1, para cada grupo. Além disso, a comparação entre os grupos em cada momento foi realizada utilizando one-way Anova, seguido do teste de Bonferroni para comparação múltipla das médias (α=0.05). Em relação aos registros cinesiográficos, resultados semelhantes foram encontrados em T0 comparado com T1, para os grupos GC e GE. Já, o grupo GEA mostrou um aumento significativo nos movimentos mandibulares vertical (T0=30.5±6.0mm; T1=35.6±6.4mm (p=0.000)) e anteroposterior (T0=18.1±8.9mm; T1=25.6±9.5mm (p=0.016)) durante a abertura bucal máxima, e um aumento no movimento mandibular vertical (T0=16±1.4mm; T1=17.4±1.7mm (p=0.023)... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / The temporomandibular disorders (TMD) may cause functional limitations, such as restrictions of mandibular movements, and reduced capacity masticatory. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of treatment with educational about TMD and self-care therapies on the mandibular movement pattern and masticatory performance of chronic painful TMD women. Fifty-two women diagnosed with TMD according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC / TMD) Axis I and II - Portuguese version, were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control (CG, n=16), education group (EG, n=18), and education and self-care (ESG, n=18), according to the treatment sequence that they received. A kinesiograph device recorded mandibular movements during maximum mouth opening and chewing, and the masticatory performance was evaluated by the sieves method. These analyzes were performed at baseline (T0), after 30 (T1) and 60 (T2) days of follow-up. The paired sample t-test was used to compare the data obtained at T0 and T1, for each group (α = 0.05). Moreover, a comparison among the groups in each moment, was performed using the parametric test 1-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons of means (α=0.05). Regarding to kinesiographic records, similar results were found at T0 compared with T1, for the CG and EG groups. Already, the ESG group showed a significant increase in vertical (T0=30.5±6.0mm; T1=35.6±6.4mm (p=0.000)) and anteroposterior (T0=18.1±8.9mm; T1=25.6±9.5mm (p=0.016)) mandibular movements during maximum mouth opening, and an increase in the vertical mandibular movement (T0=16±1.4mm; T1=1.7mm±17.4 (p=0.023)) during chewing, after 30 days of follow-up. Considering the masticatory performance, no significant differences were found between the periods (T0-T1), for all groups. In addition, after 30 and 60 days of follow-up...(Complete abstract electronic access below)

Abstract available in the Medicine and Sciences in Sports and Exercise.

[Truncated abstract] First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ1) motion is an important factor in normal weight transference during walking. Disruptions to normal range can influence joints both proximal and distal to the MTPJ1, potentially leading to pain and dysfunction. Whilst the MTPJ1 has been investigated significantly, the numerous methodologies described to quantify range of motion can be questioned and makes comparisons difficult. Range of MTPJ1 motion is commonly assessed in a clinical setting to determine pathology as well as to make decisions on appropriate intervention. The anatomical and biomechanical influence of tendo Achilles load and MTPJ1 motion has been well described; however few studies measuring MTPJ1 range control for Achilles load or describe ankle joint positioning. Further to this the effects of reducing tendo Achilles stiffness on MTPJ1 extensions has yet to be investigated. The purpose of this study was to describe a technique to quantify passive MTPJ1 extension and to determine the influence of ankle joint position on joint range. Secondly the effect of calf muscle stretching on MTPJ1 range was also investigated. The information gathered will assist both research and clinical protocols for quantifying MTPJ1 range, and provide a greater understanding of the anatomic and biomechanical relationship between tendo Achilles load and MTPJ1 extension. In order to fulfil the purposes of the study it was necessary to establish a reliable methodology to quantify non weight bearing MTPJ1 extension. Reliability testing was undertaken in three parts. '...' The results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in joint range immediately following a one minute stretch for variables ankle joint range of motion as well as MTPJ1 extension for ankle joint plantar flexed at 10 Newton's and ankle joint neutral and plantar flexed at 30 Newtons. No significant differences were noted in ankle or MTPJ1 range of motion in either the control group on immediate re-testing, or in both groups after a one week stretch program. The findings of this study support those documented in the literature pertaining to the ankle joint position, tendo Achilles load and plantar fascial stiffness to MTPJ1 range of motion. Increased stiffness at the MTPJ1 was noted dependant on ankle joint position from ankle joint plantar flexion through to ankle joint dorsiflexion. This appears most likely due to increases in tendo Achilles load and subsequent forces transmitted to the plantar aponeurosis. The present study also demonstrated a trend towards increased joint extensibility and limb dominance. The study also supports previous literature into gender differences and joint extensibility, with a positive trend towards increased MTPJ1 range evident in the female subjects tested. The study also demonstrated the immediate effect of calf muscle stretching on ankle and MTPJ1 range of motion. It remains however unclear as to the exact mechanisms involved in producing increased joint range be it reflex inhibition or actual changes to the viscoelastic properties of the soft tissues. Despite this, no changes were evident following a one week stretching program, which supports previous literature describing a short lag time before soft tissues revert to baseline length properties following a single stretch session.

Stretching is a widely prescribed technique that has been demonstrated to increase range of motion. Consequently it may enhance performance and aid in the prevention and treatment of injury. Few studies have investigated the frequency of stretching on a daily basis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stretching frequency on range of motion at the ankle joint. The detraining effect was also investigated after a period without stretching. Thirty-one female subjects participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to a control group who did not stretch a group who stretched two times per week (Stretch-2) or a group who stretched four times per week (Stretch-4). The stretching intervention was undertaken over four weeks and targeted the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Each stretch was held for duration of 30 seconds and repeated five times. Prior to the intervention (PRE), dorsiflexion was measured using a weights and pulley system that passively moved the ankle joint from a neutral position into dorsiflexion. After the four week stretching period (POST), dorsiflexion was measured once again to determine the change following the stretching programme. Following a further four week period where no stretching took place (FINAL), dorsiflexion was measured to determine the detraining effect. Electromyography was used to monitor the activity of the plantarflexors and dorsiflexors during the measuring procedure. The results of the study showed a significant increase in ankle joint range of motion for the Stretch-4 group (p<0.05) when comparing PRE and POST measurements. The Stretch-2 and control groups did not show significant differences (p>0.05) between PRE and POST measurements. When comparing the PRE and FINAL measurements of the Stretch-4 group, no significant differences were recorded (p>0.05). The POST and FINAL measurements were significantly different (p<0.05). After the detraining period the Stretch-4 group lost 99.8% of their range of motion gains. The present data provide some evidence that the viscoelastic properties of the muscle stretched were unchanged by the four week static stretching programme. The mechanism involved in the observed increase in range of motion for the Stretch-4 group is possibly that of enhanced stretch tolerance of the subject. Further research is required to support this conjecture.

<p> </p><p>ABSTRACT</p><p><strong>Background:</strong> There are many studies of stretching and its effects on the body. Research shows that stretching can have both positive and negative effects on the body. Meantime there are no qualitative studies on stretching and how the opinion of stretching is among soccer players. Female soccer players are a group that is rapidly growing and that is injured to a great extent.</p><p><strong>Purpose:</strong> To describe stretching exercising female soccer players’ opinion of stretching.</p><p><strong>Method:</strong> Ten stretching exercising female soccer players over fifteen years of age from two teams were interviewed in a semi-structured interview. The recordings were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis containing a process of abstraction.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The participants’ said that there are specific body- and surrounding factors that affects them to exercise stretching. The participants say that when they exercise stretching they follow a specific pattern. They also said that they have been given to little and that they would like more information of stretching. The participants’ talk about the knowledge they have about stretching from their own experiences of exercising stretching.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The participants’ opinion of stretching varies like results found in previous research. This study also shows that the participants’ would like more information about stretching and that they find that other people largely affect them to exercise stretching. Further research is needed about to be able to generalize the results found in this study and to deepen the understanding of the topic.</p><p> </p>

ABSTRACT Background: There are many studies of stretching and its effects on the body. Research shows that stretching can have both positive and negative effects on the body. Meantime there are no qualitative studies on stretching and how the opinion of stretching is among soccer players. Female soccer players are a group that is rapidly growing and that is injured to a great extent. Purpose: To describe stretching exercising female soccer players’ opinion of stretching. Method: Ten stretching exercising female soccer players over fifteen years of age from two teams were interviewed in a semi-structured interview. The recordings were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis containing a process of abstraction. Results: The participants’ said that there are specific body- and surrounding factors that affects them to exercise stretching. The participants say that when they exercise stretching they follow a specific pattern. They also said that they have been given to little and that they would like more information of stretching. The participants’ talk about the knowledge they have about stretching from their own experiences of exercising stretching. Conclusion: The participants’ opinion of stretching varies like results found in previous research. This study also shows that the participants’ would like more information about stretching and that they find that other people largely affect them to exercise stretching. Further research is needed about to be able to generalize the results found in this study and to deepen the understanding of the topic.

With each heartbeat, major arteries experience circumferential expansion due to internal pressure changes. This pulsatile force is called cyclic strain and has been implicated in playing a pivotal role in the genetic regulation of vascular physiology and pathology. This dissertation investigates the hypothesis that in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), pathological levels of cyclic strain activate the c-Myc promoter, leading to c-Myc transcription and downstream gene induction. To determine expression and time-dependency of c-Myc in HUVEC, mRNA and protein expression of c-Myc under physiological (6-10% cyclic strain) and pathological conditions (20% cyclic strain) were studied. Both c-Myc mRNA and protein expression increased more than three-fold in HUVEC (P4-P5) cyclically-strained at 20%. This expression occurred in a time-dependent manner, peaking in the 1.5-2 hour range and falling to basal levels by 3 hours. Subsequently, the mechanism of c-Myc transcription was investigated by using specific inhibitors to modulate c-Myc transcriptional activation. These compounds, obtained from the University of Arizona Cancer Center, attenuated cyclic-strain-induced c-Myc transcription by about 50%. Having established this reduction in expression, it was investigated how these effects modulate downstream genes that are regulated by c-Myc. The results indicate that direct targeting of the c-Myc promoter may decrease stretch-induced gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and heat shock protein 60 (HSP60). These findings may help in the development of a novel therapeutic opportunity in vascular diseases.

Nanochannel devices have been explored over the years with wide applications in bio/chemical analysis. With a dimension comparable to many bio-samples, such as proteins, viruses and DNA, nanochannels can be used as a platform to manipulate and detect such analytes with unique advantages. As a prerequisite to the development of nanochannel devices, various nanofabrication techniques have been investigated by many researchers for decades. In this dissertation, three different fabrication approaches for nanochannels are discussed, including a novel scanning coaxial electrospinning process, a heat-induced stretching approach and a standard contact photolithography process. The scanning coaxial electrospinning process is established based on conventional electrospinning process. A coaxial jet, with the motor oil as the core and spin-on-glass-coating/PVP solution as the shell, is deposited on the rotating collector as oriented coaxial nanofibers. These nanofibers are then annealed to eliminate the core material and form the hollow interior. Silica nanochannels with an inner diameter as small as 15 nm were obtained. The heat-induced stretching approach includes using commercially available fused silica tubings to create nanochannels by thermal deforming. This method and the electrospinning technique both focus on fabricate one-dimensional nanochannels with a circular opening. Fluorescent dye was used as a testing sample for single molecule detection and electrokinetic analysis in the resultant nanochannels. Another nanochannel device described in this dissertation has a deep-shallow step structure. It was fabricated by standard contact lithography, followed by etching and bonding. This device was applied as a powerful detection platform for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The experiment results proved that it is able to highly improve the sensitivity and efficiency of SERS. The SERS enhancement factor obtained from the device is 108. Moreover, the molecule enrichment effect of this device provides an extra 105 enhancement. The detection can be efficiently finished within minutes after simply loading the mixture of analytes solution and gold nanoparticles in the device. The sample consumption is in micro-liter range. Potential applications in diagnostics, prognositics and water pollutants detection could be achieved using this device.