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Neural prostheses are being developed to provide motor capabilities to patients who suffer from motor-debilitating diseases and conditions. These brain-computer interfaces (BCI) will be controlled by activity from the brain and bypass damaged parts of the spinal cord or peripheral nervous system to re-establish volitional control of motor output. Spike sorting is a technologically expensive component of the signal processing chain required to interpret population spike activity acquired in a BCI. No systematic analysis of the need for spike sorting has been carried out and little is known about the effects of spike sorting error on the ability of a BCI to decode intended motor commands. We developed a theoretical framework and a modelling environment to examine the effects of spike processing on the information available to a BCI decoder. Shannon information theory was applied to simulated neural data. Results demonstrated that reported amounts of spike sorting error reduce mutual information (MI) significantly in single-unit spike trains. These results prompted investigation into how much information is available in a cluster of pooled signals. Indirect information analysis revealed the conditions under which pooled multi-unit signals can maintain the MI that is available in the corresponding sorted signals and how the information loss grows with dissimilarity of MI among the pooled responses. To reveal the differences in non-sorted spike activity within the context of a BCI, we simulated responses of 4 neurons with the commonly observed and exploited cosine-tuning property and with varying levels of sorting error. Tolerances of angular tuning differences and spike sorting error were given for MI loss due to pooling under various conditions, such as cases of inter- and/or intra-electrode differences and combinations of various mean firing rates and tuning depths. These analyses revealed the degree to which mutual information loss due to pooling spike activity depended upon differences in tuning between pooled neurons and the amount of spike error introduced by sorting. The theoretical framework and computational tools presented in this dissertation will BCI system designers to make decisions with an understanding of the tradeoffs between a system with and without spike sorting. / Dissertation

In recent years, literature in the area of web-based interventions for health-related concerns has burgeoned due to the increasing popularity and accessibility of the World Wide Web. Researchers have investigated the success of web-based programs to facilitate improved health behaviors, weight loss, and social support. However, due to the relatively recent application of web-based health-behavior programs, little research has studied whether these interventions are effective with overweight older adolescents. The purpose of this study was to test the application of health behavior theory in an on-line intervention designed to address health behaviors such as exercise and nutrition in a sample of overweight older adolescents. Using a pre-test, post-test, randomized, control group design, participants (n=71) were randomly assigned to either the comparison (Information) group, or the treatment (Information plus Discussion) group. Specific aims of the study were: 1) To test a new health behavior theory, the Model of Influence of Social Support on Health Behavior (MISSHRB), in a group of older adolescents; 2) To determine the feasibility and clinical utility of an internet intervention for social support for overweight older adolescents, and 3) To examine the impact of that intervention on the MISSHB variables. Results provided partial support for the MISSHRB, with social support correlating significantly with expectancies, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control. Results also provided support for the hypotheses that family general support, family specific support, attitudes, and engagement in health behaviors would improve over time. Results supported the feasibility of using an internet intervention with overweight older adolescents, with participants easily engaging in the study, fulfilling study requirements and reporting improved perceptions of the utility of online groups for providing social support. Additionally, results approached significance for medical outcomes, with trends representing Body Mass Index decrease over time, and suggesting that the Information plus Discussion group lost more weight than the Information group. These data suggest that internet information and discussion groups have promise as a means of social support for older overweight adolescents who are interested in improving their health behaviors. These results also provide information about the usefulness of web-based programs in facilitating overweight older adolescents’ engagement in health-related behaviors and the utilization of internet support groups for other marginalized or socially stigmatized groups.

The present study assessed the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and healthcare cost, utilization and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of type 2 diabetes patients using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) database. Study subjects were at least 18 years of age, diagnosed with diabetes and taking ≥1 oral antidiabetic medication. Data were extracted over a 5-year period (01/01/2006-12/31/2010). The main study outcomes were healthcare costs and utilization and HRQoL. The study covariates were age, gender, race, smoking status, census region of residence, marital status, insurance status, Charlson comorbidity index score and additional bed days. Study objectives were addressed using generalized linear model, negative binomial and multivariate regression analyses. A final un-weighted sample size of 7,003 patients was obtained. Mean age (±SE) was 61.2 (±0.24) years, mean BMI (±SE) was 32.2 (±0.12), and 50.4% were males. The majority was white (77.4%), did not smoke (84.5%), and were married (60.4%). Based on BMI categories, 12.6% had normal weight (BMI: 18.0-24.9); 29.2% were overweight (BMI: 25.0-29.9); 45.6% were obese (BMI: 30.0-39.9), and 12.6% were morbidly obese (BMI≥ 40.0). Compared to normal-weight patients; overweight, obese or morbidly obese patients had significantly higher (p<0.05) diabetes-related direct medical costs. However, overweight patients had significantly lower (p=0.021) all-cause direct medical costs. Furthermore, compared to normal weight patients, obese patients had a significantly higher (p=0.009) number of ambulatory care visits, while overweight patients had a significantly lower (p=0.035) number of emergency department visits. In addition, being obese or morbidly obese was associated with a significantly higher (p<0.0001) number of prescribed medicines compared to normal-weight patients. Compared to normal-weight patients; being obese or morbidly obese was also significantly (p<0.0001) associated with lower physical component summary (PCS-12) scores (i.e., worse quality of life) while being overweight was significantly (p=0.038) associated with higher mental component summary (MCS-12) scores (i.e., better quality of life). In conclusion, the present study suggests that among type 2 diabetes patients, being obese may be associated with negative consequences (in terms of healthcare costs, utilization and outcomes). Hence, there is the need to address obesity among type 2 diabetes patients in order to improve their health outcomes and significantly reduce healthcare costs and resource utilization. / text

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has increased considerably over the last few decades. As a result, increasing numbers of American children are developing multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis. This thesis examines the use of Monte Carlo computer simulation for understanding risk factors associated with childhood overweight. A computer model is presented for predicting cardiovascular risk factors among overweight children and adolescents based on BMI levels. The computer model utilizes probabilities from the 1999 Bogalusa Heart Study authored by David S. Freedman, William H. Dietz, Sathanur R. Srinivasan and Gerald S. Berenson. The thesis examines strengths, weaknesses and opportunities associated with the developed model. Utilizing this approach, organizations can insert their own probabilities and customized algorithms for predicting future events.

In the United States, approximately 46 million people have doctor diagnosed arthritis and arthritis is the leading cause of disability. Arthritis is used to describe over 100 rheumatic diseases. The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. Physical activity has recently been recommended for individuals with arthritis. Moderate and vigorous physical activity was assessed within this study. The primary goal was to assess the associations between arthritis, physical activity and other variables found to be associated with physical activity participation in the general population. The secondary goal was to assess the association between healthcare provider communication about exercise and participation in physical activity among those with a diagnosis of arthritis. BRFSS (2007) data and SPSS v.16 was utilized for data analysis. Results indicate the odds in favor of participating in moderate physical activity increase when a healthcare provider suggests physical activity for individuals with arthritis. This outcome stresses the significance of healthcare providers communicating the benefits of physical activity to individuals with arthritis and the general public.

INTRODUCTION: National obesity rates are leading to higher rates of Type 2 Diabetes, increasing the number of people at risk of invasive infections with Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (iMRSA) upon onset of ESRD and hemodialysis. However, an association between adiposity and risk of iMRSA has not been researched. AIM: The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of an iMRSA cohort in the Atlanta metro area between 2005-2008; to examine BMI-related health outcomes within the cohort; and to compare proportions of BMI categories in this cohort to BRFSS data. METHODS: Surveillance data collected by the CDC EIP program on iMRSA in Atlanta, Georgia was used. BMI was calculated for each eligible case. Statistical analysis was carried out in SPSS. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed on select variables. A p-value of < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine significance. BRFSS BMI data for Georgia was compared to the study population. RESULTS: Overweight and obese cases were more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes by regression analysis. Cases with diabetes were at greater odds of having undergone dialysis within the previous year (univariate OR=2.3, p=0.000; multivariate OR=2.5, p=0.000). The proportion of iMRSA patients with diabetes is much greater (42.8%) than in the general population of the United States (7.8-10.7%). DISCUSSION: The results indicate that there may be a higher risk for iMRSA in overweight and obese individuals, particularly if other adiposity-related health problems are present.

Tyrimo probleminis klausimas: ar laisvalaikiu sportuojančių moterų mityba yra sveikesnė nei nesportuojančių ir ar yra ryšys tarp laisvalaikiu sportuojančių moterų kūno kompozicijos ir maisto raciono. Tyrimo objektas – laisvalaikiu sportuojančių ir nesportuojančių moterų kai kurie kūno kompozicijos rodikliai ir mitybos ypatumai. Tiriamojo darbo tikslas buvo nustatyti laisvalaikiu sportuojančių ir nesportuojančių moterų mitybos ypatumus bei sąsają su riebaline kūno mase. Iškėlėme tokius darbo uždavinius: 1. Įvertinti tiriamųjų kai kuriuos kūno kompozicijos rodiklius (riebalines odos raukšles, KMI, riebalinę kūno masę) bei palyginti juos tarp laisvalaikiu sportuojančių ir nesportuojančių moterų. 2. Įvertinti laisvalaikiu sportuojančių ir nesportuojančių moterų mitybos ypatumus bei juos palyginti. 3. Įvertinti laisvalaikiu sportuojančių moterų mitybos sąsają su riebaline kūno mase. Tyrimo metodai – literatūros apžvalga, antropometriniai matavimai, kūno riebalinės masės procentinis apskaičiavimas, anketinė apklausa, mitybos raciono apklausa, analizė ir matematinė statistika. Tyrimo organizavimas: mūsų tyrimas buvo pradėtas vykdyti 2011 metų gegužės mėnesį, o baigtas – 2012 sausio mėnesį. Tyrimo eigos metu vyko tiriamųjų pasirinkimas, supažindinimas su tyrimo tikslais, metodais. Šiame tyrime dalyvavo dvi tiriamųjų moterų grupės – sportuojančios ir nesportuojančios. Laisvalaikiu sportuojančių moterų grupė buvo iš n=50 tiriamųjų, kurių amžius 25±5 metai. Nesportuojančių... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Research problem question: whether leisure exercising women’s nutrition is healthier than unexercising women’s, and whether there is a connection between leisure exercising women’s body composition and diet. The object of research – some of leisure exercising women’s and not exercising women’s body composition details and their nutrition habits. The aim of the study was to determine the connection between the leisure exercising and not exercising women's nutrition peculiarities and their body fat mass. We set the following tasks: 1. To evaluate the research of some indicators of body composition (fat skin folds, BMI, fat body mass) and to compare them among recreational athletes and untrained women. 2. To rate leisure exercising women's and not exercising women's feeding habits and compare them. 3. To rate connection between leisure exercising women’s nutrition and body fat mass. Research methods - review of literature, anthropometric measurements, body fat mass percentage calculation, a questionnaire of nutrition, analysis and mathematical statistics. Research organization: our investigation was launched in 2011 May and completed - 2012 January. During the study course we selected objects, introduced them to research methods. There were two groups of women - leisure exercising (50) aged 25 ± 5 years and not exercising (30) age 24 ± 5 years. After this study, we made the following conclusions: 1. In both groups, leisure exercising and unexercising women, body mass... [to full text]

Darbo objektas – Lietuvos sporto universiteto Socialinės pedagogikos studijų krypties studentų KMI ir fizinis aktyvumas. Darbo tikslas – ištirti Lietuvos sporto universiteto Socialinės pedagogikos studijų krypties studentų fizinį aktyvumą, KMI ir sąsajas tarp jų. Uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti ir įvertinti Lietuvos sporto universiteto Socialinės pedagogikos studijų krypties studentų kūno masės indeksą; 2. Ištirti Lietuvos sporto universiteto Socialinės pedagogikos studijų krypties studentų fizinio aktyvumo lygį; 3. Nustatyti ir įvertinti Lietuvos sporto universiteto Socialinės pedagogikos studijų krypties studentų fizinio aktyvumo bei kūno masės indekso sąsajas. Hipotezė: socialinės pedagogikos studentų fizinis aktyvumas yra per mažas, KMI nėra normalus (18,5 arba daugiau, arba mažiau kaip 25,0). Rezultatai: 1. Didesnės daugumos (80 proc.) apklaustų Lietuvos sporto universiteto Socialinės pedagogikos studijų krypties studentų kūno masės indeksas yra normalus. Vos keletas respondentų (3 proc.) turi per mažą kūno masės indeksą, o likusieji turėjo antsvorio. 2. Lietuvos sporto universiteto Socialinės pedagogikos studijų krypties studentų fizinis aktyvumas nėra aukštas. Daugiau negu pusė (60 proc.) neužsiėminėjo aukšto intensyvumo fiziniu aktyvumu, o kurie užsiėminėjo tai darė 1-2 dienas per savaitę (16,7 proc.) ar 3-4 dienas per savaitę (21,7 proc.). Vidutinio intensyvumo fiziniu aktyvumu neužsiėminėjo trečdalis respondentų (33,3 proc.). Taip pat beveik trečdalis (30 proc.)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The object: Lithuanian Sports University Social Pedagogy students’ BMI and physical fitness. The aim: to investigate Lithuanian Sports University Social Pedagogy students’ physical fitness, BMI and interconnections between them. The Objectives: 1. To calculate and evaluate BMI (Body Mass Index) of Lithuanian Sports University Social pedagogues. 2. To investigate the level of their physical fitness. 3. To establish and evaluate connections between Social Pedagogy students’ physical fitness and their BMI. Hypothesis: the physical activity of social pedagogues is inadequate, BMI is not normal (18.5 or less, or more than 25.0). The Results: 1. The majority of Lithuanian Sports University Social pedagogues (80%) had an optimal BMI, 3% of them had low BMI and the rest had overweight. 2. The level of physical fitness of the aforementioned students was not very high. More than a half (60%) did not exercise. Those who did took physical activity 1-2 days a week (16.7 %) or 3-4 days a week (21.7 %). The average level of physical fitness was not peculiar for 33.3% of respondents. Moreover, almost three quarters of them (30%) had an average physical activity 1-2 days a week, and 26.7% exercised 3-4 days a week. However, the majority of students (80%) said they go somewhere by foot 5-7 days per week. 3. The physical fitness interrelates with BMI. It turned out that those students who had an average or a high level of physical activity distinguished them with an optimal BMI. On the contrary... [to full text]

Policymakers, politicians, and media outlets have declared an obesity epidemic. In doing so, they have named a variety of villains, including fast food. Despite the framing of fast food as being a leading contributor to weight gain and obesity, we have yet to understand the impact that fast food has on those who work with it every day. The purpose of this dissertation is to understand the food choices, BMIs, and self perceived weights of the food service worker population. Using Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and field, I investigate the role of the workplace and external cultural influences, such as the family, in navigating an obseogenic workplace environment that is centered on selling highly caloric food to the Canadian public in a quick and cost effective manner. The first stage of this research addresses the question: Are food service workers more likely to be overweight or obese and perceive themselves as being overweight compared to the general population? In order to do this, I analyzed secondary survey data from the Canadian Community Health Survey cycle 5.1 (2009-2010). I used logistic regression techniques to construct models that analyze the likelihood of having high BMIs and high self perceived weights in both the food service worker and general Canadian populations. In addition to this, I sought to understand the food choices that contribute to weight gain in fast food workers. To do this, I conducted forty semi-structured qualitative interviews with workers from a variety of fast food chains. The results of my research disprove my original hypothesis that food service workers are more likely to be overweight or obese because of their frequent exposure to fast food. Instead, I found that they are less likely to be overweight or obese than the general Canadian population. Additionally, they are also less likely to perceive themselves as being overweight or obese. Through the qualitative interviews, I found that these individuals participate in a process of regulation where they monitor their food intake at work. Additionally, I found that their consumption patterns stemmed from habitus generated through cultural exposures in other areas of their lives. Pierre Bourdieu (1984) argues that we develop habitus through meaningful cultural exposure. We use our habitus, or engrained dispositions, to navigate hierarchical spaces or fields. Through this research, I found that workers viewed their jobs as being temporary and their cultural consumption patterns did not seem to change from their exposures to their workplaces. The majority were part time students, working in this industry to pay for living expenses and tuition. For the most part, they were raised in middle class homes where their mothers prepared food for their families from scratch on a daily basis. Fast food was viewed as a special treat and not an item to consume on a regular basis. I conclude that the meaningful exposures we have to food and cultural norms throughout life are more important in determining our food choices than our exposure to fast food restaurants.