Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

In ectothermic vertebrates, body segmentation is often linked to final body length. This thesis focuses on the realtionship between final body length, ecological (temperature) and genetic (sex) factors and the count of body vertebrae in the Paroedura geckos, closely focusing on the Paroedura picta species. Individuals of this species were exposed to three different constant rearing temperatures, where they achieved different final sizes. We tested the correlation between the number of presacral vertebrae and final body size and the effect of rearing temperature and sex on the vertebrae number. The data point to high genetic and enviromental canalisation of the vertebrae count. Large conservation in the number of presacral vertebae were found even across the genus Paroedura regardless of the considerable evolutionary changes in body size. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

This work deals with vertebrates bone preparation of birds and mammals to enrich the science classes at secondary school. It also expands the collection of vertebrate skeletons at the department of biology and enviromental studies. The display would be enriched by Talpa europea, apodemus sylvaticus, rattus rattus, alectoris rufa and skulls of octodon degus. In this work there are described ways how to prepare taxidermy and bone preparation is described from the beginning of collecting vertebrates, then methods of preparation (maceration, hot water maceration, dermestidae bettles and more) including degreasing and bleaching and final treatment not the get it damaged by insect. This work is completed by survey. There are involved teachers of biology at elementary schools. The idea of questionnaire was to find out what's equipment like and how often do teachers use nature products to enrich the lessons. Key words - taxidermy, osteological preparation, birds, mammals

Health is one of the most important elements in every individual’s life. Even though there is much advancement in science, the quality of healthcare has never been up to the mark. This appears to be true especially in the field of Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is the analysis of human joints and bodies and providing remedies for any pains or injuries that might have affected the physiology of a body. To give patients a top notch quality health analysis and treatment, either the number of doctors should increase, or there should be an alternative replacement for a doctor. Our Master Thesis is aimed at developing a prototype which can aid in providing healthcare of high standards to the millions.  Methods: Microsoft Kinect SDK 2.0 is used to develop the prototype. The study shows that Kinect can be used both as Marker-based and Marker less systems for tracking human motion. The degree angles formed from the motion of five joints namely shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle were calculated. The device has infrared, depth and colour sensors in it. Depth data is used to identify the parts of the human body using pixel intensity information and the located parts are mapped onto RGB colour frame.  The image resulting from the Kinect skeleton mode was considered as the images resulting from the markerless system and used to calculate the angle of the same joints. In this project, data generated from the movement tracking algorithm for Posture Side and Deep Squat Side movements are collected and stored for further evaluation.  Results: Based on the data collected, our system automatically evaluates the quality of movement performed by the user. The system detected problems in static posture and Deep squat based on the feedback on our system by Physiotherapist.

Os peixes da classe Chondrichthyes correspondem a um grupo antigo e bem sucedido que tem demonstrado modificações significantes na estrutura esquelética das nadadeiras pares desde o Paleozóico até o presente. Uma análise anatômica criteriosa baseada no esqueleto apendicular de Chondrichthyes foi realizada e levantou novos caracteres esqueléticos com significado filogenético. A estrutura esquelética das nadadeiras é uma ferramenta complementar e importante para a resolução de questões filogenéticas ainda debatidas dentro da classe, como por exemplo, a questão da monofilia dos tubarões e o posicionamento filogenético das raias. No presente estudo 154 espécies foram analisadas visando expor detalhes da organização das cartilagens radiais, basais, e a morfologia das cinturas peitoral e pélvica. Além disso, duas análises filogenéticas foram realizadas baseadas em 105 caracteres propostos a partir dos padrões esqueléticos das nadadeiras pares observados e de informações da literatura. Algumas relações previamente exploradas em trabalhos morfológicos e moleculares prévios foram recuperadas, como a monofilia de muitas ordens de elasmobrânquios, a relação de grupos irmãos entre os Heterodontiformes e Orectolobiformes, a relação de grupos irmãos entre Zanobatus e os Myliobatiformes, além de um maior suporte ao clado recentemente proposto, Rhinopristiformes. Contudo o grupo Hypnosqualea não foi recuperado no presente estudo, ainda que os tubarões tenham sido resolvidos como parafileticos e apresentando uma nova relação de grupos irmãos com os Batoidea. Adicionalmente, novos caracteres relacionados ao esqueleto apendicular foram propostos para os Holocephali, e estes devem ser testados como potenciais sinapomorfias em analises filogenéticas futuras / Fishes of the class Chondrichthyes correspond to an ancient and well-succeeded group that has demonstrated significant modifications in the skeletal structures of the paired fins from the Paleozoic to the present day. A thorough anatomical analysis based on the appendicular skeleton of Chondrichthyes was realized and raised new skeletal characters with phylogenetic implications. The skeletal structure of paired fins is a complementary tool in the resolution of still debated phylogenetic questions within the class, such as the controversy involving the monophyly of sharks and the phylogenetic positioning of rays. In the present study, 154 taxa were analyzed exposing details of the morphology and arrangement of radials, basals and pectoral and pelvic girdles. In addition, two phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on 105 characters proposed from the observed skeletal patterns of paired fins and data from the literature. Some previous relationships explored in morphological and molecular studies were recovered herein, such as the monophyly of several orders of elasmobranchs, the sister-group relationship between Heterodontiformes and Orectolobiformes, the sister group relationship between Zanobatus and Myliobatiformes, besides a greater support to the recently proposed clade Rhinopristiformes. However, the hypnosqualean group was not recovered in the present study, although the sharks were resolved as paraphyletic and presenting a new sister group relationship with the batoids. Additionally, new characters related to the appendicular skeleton were suggested as derived for the Holocephali, but they must be tested as potential synapomorphies in future phylogenetic analysis

Alterações na coluna vertebral de cães são comumente encontradas na rotina clínica e cirúrgica veterinária. Existem poucos estudos sobre a anatomia ultrassonográfica musculoesquelética do segmento toracolombar e lombar da coluna vertebral normal de cães. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a anatomia ultrassonográfica musculoesquelética normal dos segmentos vertebrais avaliados com imagens obtidas pela ressonância magnética, tomografia computadorizada e peças anatômicas visando demonstrar a sua capacidade de identificação de estruturas. A varredura ultrassonográfica permitiu a visibilização da musculatura da região, processos articulares, processos espinhosos, ligamentos interespinhosos e ligamento amarelo na janela lombossacra. A tomografia computadorizada forneceu imagens com melhor detalhamento ósseo quando comparada ao exame ultrassonográfico. A ressonância magnética de baixo campo permitiu a identificação das mesmas estruturas que o exame ultrassonográfico acrescido da identificação do líquido cefalorraquidiano, processos transversos e melhor detalhamento dos discos intervertebrais e medula espinhal. Com o conhecimento da anatomia ultrassonográfica da região, acredita-se que lesões musculares e ligamentares possam ser identificadas. Vale salientar que em regiões onde a tomografia computadorizada e a ressonância magnética não estejam acessíveis a ultrassonografia da região pode ser uma boa alternativa para identificar possíveis alterações não visibilizadas ao exame radiográfico, ou complementar o mesmo. / Changes in the spine of dogs are usually found in clinical and surgical practices. There are few studies on musculoskeletal ultrasound anatomy of thoracolumbar and lumbar segments of the normal spine of dogs. The aim of this study was to compare normal musculoskeletal ultrasound anatomy of the vertebral segments evaluated with images obtained by magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and anatomical parts in order to establish its ability to identify structures. The ultrasound scan allowed visualization of the muscles of the region, articular processes, spinous process, interspinous ligament and yellow ligament in the lumbosacral window. Computed tomography provide images with better bone details when compared to ultrasound examination. Low field magnetic resonance imaging allowed the identification of the same structures as the ultrasound examination plus the identification of cerebrospinal fluid, transverse processes and better detail of the intervertebral discs and spinal cord. Knowledge of ultrasound anatomy of the region may lead to detection of muscle and ligament injuries. It is emphasized that in areas where CT and MRI are not accessible, ultrasonography of the region can be a good alternative to identify possible alterations not visualized by radiographic examination or supplement it.

Primary cilia are sensory organelles that facilitate early skeletal development, as well as maintenance and adaptation of bone later in life. These solitary, immotile organelles are known to be involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and mechanotransduction, a process by which cells sense and covert external physical stimuli into intracellular biochemical signals. Bone is a metabolically active tissue that continuously recruits osteogenic precursors and relies on osteocytes, the sensory cells of bone, to coordinate skeletal maintenance. Overall bone quality is dependent on the integrity of the initial structure formed, as well as this organ’s ability to adapt to physical loads. Proper differentiation and controlled proliferation of osteogenic progenitors are critical to the initial formation of the skeleton, while osteocyte mechanotransduction is essential for adaptation of developed bone. These phenomena rely on primary cilia, but little is known about the origin of osteogenic precursors and the ciliary mechanisms that promote osteogenesis. In this thesis, we first characterize an osteochondroprogenitor (OCP) population that rapidly and extensively populates skeletal tissues during juvenile skeletal development (Chapter 2). We also demonstrate that the primary cilium is critical for these cells to differentiate and contribute to skeletogenesis. We then show this OCP population is required for adult bone adaptation and is mechanoresponsive (Chapter 3). Again, we demonstrate that primary cilia are necessary for these OCPs to sense physical stimuli and differentiate into active bone-forming cells. Finally, we identify a novel link between ciliary calcium and cAMP dynamics in the osteocyte primary cilium (Chapter 4). Specifically, we show that a calcium channel (TRPV4) and adenylyl cyclases, which produce cAMP, bind calcium to mediate calcium entry and cAMP production, respectively, and these phenomena are critical to fluid flow-induced osteogenesis. Collectively, our results demonstrate that an easily extracted progenitor population is pre-programmed towards an osteogenic fate and extensively contributes to bone generation through primary cilium-mediated mechanisms at multiple stages of life. Furthermore, we identified ciliary proteins that are potentially unique to the osteocyte and can be manipulated to encourage osteogenesis by tuning calcium/ cAMP dynamics. For these reasons, we propose that this OCP population and their primary cilia, as well as osteocyte ciliary proteins that coordinate calcium/ cAMP dynamics, are attractive therapeutic targets to encourage bone regeneration.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A construÃÃo de novas aplicaÃÃes voltadas à ComputaÃÃo de Alto Desempenho (CAD) tÃm exigido ferramentas que conciliem um alto poder de abstraÃÃo e integraÃÃo de software. Dentre as soluÃÃes apresentadas pela comunidade cientÃfica estamos particularmente interessados naquelas baseadas em tecnologia de componentes. Os componentes tÃm sido usados para abordar novos requisitos de aplicaÃÃes de alto desempenho, entre as quais destacamos: interoperabilidade, reusabilidade, manutenibilidade e produtividade. As abordagens das aplicaÃÃes atuais baseadas em tecnologia de componentes, no entanto, nÃo conseguem abstrair formas mais gerais de paralelismo de maneira eficiente, tornando ainda o processo de desenvolvimento difÃcil, principalmente se o usuÃrio for leigo no conhecimento das peculiaridades de arquiteturas de computaÃÃo paralela. Um tempo precioso, o qual deveria ser utilizado para a soluÃÃo do problema, à perdido na implementaÃÃo eficiente do cÃdigo de paralelizaÃÃo. Diante desse contexto, esta dissertaÃÃo apresenta o HPE (Hash Programming Environment), uma soluÃÃo baseada no modelo # de componentes paralelos e na arquitetura Hash. O HPE define um conjunto de espÃcies de componentes responsÃveis pela construÃÃo, implantaÃÃo e execuÃÃo de programas paralelos sobre clusters de multiprocessadores. A arquitetura Hash à constituÃda de trÃs mÃdulos distintos: o Front-End, o Back-End e o Core. A contribuiÃÃo principal deste trabalho reside na implementaÃÃo de um Back-End, como uma plataforma de componentes paralelos que estende o Mono, plataforma de componentes de cÃdigo aberto baseado no padrÃo CLI (Common Language Interface). Feito isso, unimos o back-End Ãs implementaÃÃes jà existentes do Front-End e do Core, ambos em java e sobre a plataforma de desenvolvimento Eclipse, atravÃs de serviÃos web (web service). Ao final, apresentaremos um pequeno teste de conceito, construÃdo por um programa paralelo construÃdo a partir de componentes #, segundo as premissas e conceitos apresentados neste trabalho. / The development of new High Performance Computing (HPC) application has demanded a set of tools for reconciling high level of a abstraction with software integration. In particular, we are interested in component-based solutions presented by the scientific community in the last years. Components have been applied to meet new requirements of high performance application such as: interoperability, reusability, maintainability and productivity. Recent approaches for component based development time in HPC context, however, have not reconciled more expressive ways for parallel programming and efficiency. Unfortunately, this issue increases the software development time and gets worse when user have poor knowledge of architectural details of parallel computers and of requirements of applications. Precious time is lost optimizing parallel code, probably with non-portable results, instead of being applied to the solutions of the problem. This dissertation presents the Hash Programming Environment (HPE), a solution based on the # (reads "Hash") Component Model and on the Hash Framework Architecture. HPE defines a set of component kinds for building, deploying and executing parallel programs targeted at clusters of multiprocessors. The Hash Framework Architecture has three loosely coupled modules: the Front-End, the Back-End and the Core. The main contribution of this work is the implementation of the Back-End and the Core. The main contribution of this work is the implementation of the Back-End, since we have an early version of the Front-End and Core, both developed in Java on top of the Eclipse Platform. The Back-End was implemented as a parallel extension of a Mono, an open source component platform based on CLI (Common Language Interface) standard. Once independently done, we bound all the modules together, using web services technology. For evaluating the proposed Back-End, we have developed a small conceptual test application, composed by # components.

Bibliography: leaves 332-354. / 480 leaves : ill., map, photos (col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This thesis provides the results of osteological analyses of skeletal remains, archaeologically exhumed from a discrete section of the St Mary's Anglican Church cemetery located in Adelaide, South Australia, and a comprehensive survey of related historical records and documents. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Anatomical Sciences, 2004

Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Computer Science Department, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.