The present study investigated a theory of the etiology and generalization of stuttering behavior. The subjects were 24 male students at a medical center who responded to advertisements requesting participation in a research project on learning and heart rate. The age range of the subjects was 22-28 years, and the mean age was 22.8 years. Three stimulus topic words were used in the present study. Two of these words were semantically equivalent. The independent variables were the three words that the subjects were instructed to discuss: neutral word condition, experimentally induced noxious word condition, and word semantically equivalent to the noxious word condition. The six dependent measures were percentage of part-word repetitions, percentage of interjections, heart-rate beats per minute, electromyographic microvolts per minute, galvanic skin response ohms conductance per minute, and self-report ratings of "state" anxiety. As predicted, heart rate and a self-report "state" anxiety measure achieved significance in a pattern corresponding to part-word repetitions. Two other measures of state anxiety (galvanic skin response and frontalis electromyographic activity) did not reach significance, although the results were in the predicted direction. The theory that "trait" anxiety accounts for susceptibility of fluency failure under emotional stress was not confirmed. The hypothesis offered here (that part-word repetitions generalize along a semantic dimension) received only tentative support. Discussion of the results centered around the demonstration in the present study of the need for multifaceted treatments tailored to the individual learning histories of specific stuttering behaviors, as well as molecular assessments of stuttering prior to treatment.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2002. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

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

My thesis focuses on the perceptive afflictions caused by alteration of the normal biological functioning of sight and memory. These afflictions are related to the redefinition and disgregation of the classical and postclassical cinematographic characters, and affect cinematographic language, establishing a dialectical relation with the filmic image that contaminates our spectatorial perception. In the first chapter I propose a different reading of a few moments in film history, turning points in which a modification of the ordinary sensorial patterns has been introduced. From the German Expressionism to the late authorial experiments of the 60s, there is a sort of hidden history of film that passes through the continuous redefinition of the audience sensory activity. The different perspective upon broadly studied topics leads to the analysis of contemporary cinema: my thesis tries to investigate the reasons that led cinema to continually increase the representation of perceptive afflictions during the last years, and theses “affected” narratives of afflictions and dysfunctions have interesting effects upon so called “normal” perception of the reality surrounding us. The chapters 2 and 3 respectively analyze memory disorders and different dysfunctions of sight: these elements determine alterations in the ‘normal’ and ‘sensory’ perception of reality. They work as narrative factors changing the visual filmic instruments and redefining the role of the subject (and his/her uncertain definition of identity) in contemporary narratives that show how new technologies are profoundly transforming (and enhancing) the perceptive mechanisms involved in our spectatorial activity. In this work I analyze those films that are mostly committed to a clear and readable narration. My study primarily concentrates on American cinema of the last 30 years – with particular attention to popular Hollywood productions – because Hollywood has become the privileged ‘laboratory’ for the negotiation of gaze and images in the contemporary mediascape, while during the classical era experimental and avant-garde cinema were the “place” in which audience experienced the most important redefinitions of the boundaries between different types of mediated perception.

This diploma thesis deals with the Achilles tendinopathy, and particularly with its etiopatogenetics. The theoretical part includes information about the Achilles tendon, tendinopathy of Achilles tendon and a summary of dysfunctions of the locomotor system. We assumed that the dysfunction of the locomotor system is the main etiopatogenetic factor of the Achilles tendinopathy, and that it results in changes of its position and loading. In the practical part we tried to reveal these dysfunctions by examination of seven patients, and to prove its main etiopatogenetic influence by a successfull therapy. The aim of the thesis was to point out the importance of the examination as well as the therapy of the locomotor systems function. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

As disfunções temporomandibulares (DTM) compreendem uma série de alterações funcionais que podem acometer a articulação temporomandibular (ATM), a musculatura mastigatória ou ambas simultaneamente. Os distúrbios internos da ATM são modalidades específicas de DTM que se manifestam clinicamente por ruídos articulares associados a movimentos mandibulares desarmônicos ou limitados e, freqüentemente, dor. Sua etiologia e fisiopatologia ainda são desconhecidas, mas sugere-se a participação de fatores de postura de cabeça e corporal em sua gênese e perpetuação. A pesquisa aqui relatada, com o objetivo de verificar possíveis relações entre postura corporal global e distúrbios internos da ATM, procedeu à comparação entre 30 indivíduos portadores de sintomatologia característica de distúrbios da ATM (grupo teste) e 20 indivíduos saudáveis (grupo controle). Os métodos utilizados foram: o clínico, que constou de anamnese e fichas padronizadas para avaliação de características do sistema estomatognático; traçados e análise por cadeias musculares em fotografias de postura corporal; e análise de radiografia de coluna cervical em perfil. A comparação entre os grupos teste e controle revelou maior curvatura lordótica da coluna cervical no grupo teste, pelo método de diagnóstico clínico. No grupo controle, 79% dos indivíduos apresentaram diagnóstico clínico de retificação de coluna cervical e em apenas 10,5% a curvatura de coluna cervical foi considerada hiperlordótica, ao passo que, no grupo teste, somente 41,4% dos indivíduos apresentaram diagnóstico clínico de retificação, 37,9% apresentaram curvatura lordótica fisiológica e 20,7% obtiveram diagnóstico de hiperlordose (p=0,03). O grupo teste apresentou ainda maior prevalência de elevação de ombros: 63,3% versus 30,0% (p=0,04). Nenhuma outra relação estatisticamente significante foi encontrada na comparação dos grupos teste e controle. Em um segundo momento, o grupo teste foi dividido em três subgrupos, de acordo com a gravidade da DTM, avaliada pelo Índice Disfuncional de Helkimo. Nessa análise de subgrupos nenhuma correlação estatística foi demonstrada; no entanto, o grupo com maior gravidade de DTM apresentou tendência, embora não significante estatisticamente, à maior prevalência de hiperlordose de coluna cervical (50%) observada em radiografia, bem como algumas discrepâncias posturais, como protrusão de cabeça (100%) e de ombros (100%) e aumento de lordose lombar (83,3%). Os resultados sugerem que a coluna cervical e ombros, possivelmente por estarem localizados nas adjacências do sistema temporomandibular, estão intimamente relacionados aos distúrbios internos da ATM. Por outro lado, as poucas associações estatísticas entre o grupo teste e o controle, aliadas à tendência a desarmonias posturais encontrada no grupo de maior grau de disfunção, levam a concluir que o papel da postura corporal na fisiopatologia desta seria de baixa relevância, podendo inclusive não constituir fator etiológico, mas uma decorrência da DTM. / The temporomandibular joint dysfunctions (TMD) embrace a variety of functional disturbances that may affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory musculature, or both simultaneously. TMJ internal derangements are a specific case of TMD, clinically presented by articular sounds associated to jerk or limited mandibular movements, and often pain. Its etiology and physiopathology are broadly unknown, but it has been suggested that head-neck and body posture factors take part in its genesis and perpetuation. This study aimed at verifying possible relationships between body posture and TMJ internal disarrangements, by comparing 30 subjects presenting typical TMJ internal disarrangement signs (test group) to 20 healthy subjects (control group). Methods used included: 1) clinical, by means of anamnesis and standard files for stomatognatic system characteristics evaluation; 2) plotting and muscular chain analysis on body posture photographs; and 3) lateral cervical spine radiographic analysis. The comparison between the test and control groups has shown sharp lordosis on test group subjects cervical spine, through clinical diagnostic methods; 79% of control group subjects were clinically diagnosed as having cervical spine rectification, and only 10.5% presented hiperlordosis; whereas in the test group 41.4% of subjects had clinically diagnosed cervical spine rectification, 37.9% had physiological cervical spine curvature and 20.7%, hiperlordosis (p=0.03). The test group presented an even higher prevalence of elevated shoulders: 63.3%, against 30% of control group (p=0.04). No other significant statistical relationship was found when comparing both groups. Later the test group was divided into three subgroups according to TMD degree of severity, evaluated by the Helkimo Dysfunctional Index, but the comparative analysis has shown no statistical correlations; nevertheless, the subgroup with most severe dysfunction presented a tendency, though not statistically significant, to higher cervical spine hiperlordosis prevalence (50%) observed on radiography, as well as some body postural alterations, such as head protrusion (100%), shoulder protrusion (100%), and increased lumbar lordosis (83.3%). These findings suggest that cervical spine and shoulders, possibly due to their position close to the temporomandibular system, are intimately related to TMJ internal disarrangement. On the other hand, the scarce statistical relationships between the test and control groups, allied to a tendency to certain body alterations found in the most severed-dysfunction group, lead to concluding that the role of body posture on TMD physiopathology would be of low importance, and would possibly not constitute a TMD etiological factor, but a consequence of it.

<p>Objectives: This descriptive epidemiological dissertation aims to identify conditions of Swedish women’s sexual well-being. The focus is on the relationship between their idiosyncratically reported levels, during the last 12 months, of 5 sexual functions/dysfunctions per se and distressing and their socio-psychological situation, including aspects of their sexual history. Levels of sexual functions/dysfunctions are also related to levels of sexual satisfaction and to other aspects of life satisfaction.</p><p>Methods: Data on a randomized cross-sectional national sample of 1335 women aged 18-74 (59% of target sample) were gathered in 1996 using a combination of structured interviews and questionnaires/checklists. Analyses were performed for the total sample or for sub-samples aged 18-65 years. In 3 of the 4 dissertational articles, trichotomies of a 6-grade scale characterizing level of sexual dysfunctions into No/Mild/Manifest dysfunction were used.</p><p>Main results: Mild sexual dysfunctions were, generally, much more common than were manifest, and dysfunctional distress was considerably less common than were dysfunctions per se. All dysfunctions, and in particular orgasmic dysfunction, were closely associated with level of sexual well-being. Four factors independently pair-wise linking levels of dysfunctions per se with levels of distressful dysfunction were identified. These were Sexual interest/Desire, Genital function (lubrication and dyspareunia), Orgasm, Vaginismus. Three of these (not vaginismus) were powerful classificators of gross level of sexual well-being. Many of socio-demographic and socio-psychological contextual life-conditions were significantly associated with the different sexual functions/dysfunctions. However, the most prominent contextual variables were satisfaction with partner relationship and partner’s levels of sexual functions.</p><p>In conclusion, many different socio-psychological aspects must be taken into account to optimize treatment modalities and resources when dealing with women’s sexual dysfunction in order to secure a good level of sexual well-being.</p>

Objectives: This descriptive epidemiological dissertation aims to identify conditions of Swedish women’s sexual well-being. The focus is on the relationship between their idiosyncratically reported levels, during the last 12 months, of 5 sexual functions/dysfunctions per se and distressing and their socio-psychological situation, including aspects of their sexual history. Levels of sexual functions/dysfunctions are also related to levels of sexual satisfaction and to other aspects of life satisfaction. Methods: Data on a randomized cross-sectional national sample of 1335 women aged 18-74 (59% of target sample) were gathered in 1996 using a combination of structured interviews and questionnaires/checklists. Analyses were performed for the total sample or for sub-samples aged 18-65 years. In 3 of the 4 dissertational articles, trichotomies of a 6-grade scale characterizing level of sexual dysfunctions into No/Mild/Manifest dysfunction were used. Main results: Mild sexual dysfunctions were, generally, much more common than were manifest, and dysfunctional distress was considerably less common than were dysfunctions per se. All dysfunctions, and in particular orgasmic dysfunction, were closely associated with level of sexual well-being. Four factors independently pair-wise linking levels of dysfunctions per se with levels of distressful dysfunction were identified. These were Sexual interest/Desire, Genital function (lubrication and dyspareunia), Orgasm, Vaginismus. Three of these (not vaginismus) were powerful classificators of gross level of sexual well-being. Many of socio-demographic and socio-psychological contextual life-conditions were significantly associated with the different sexual functions/dysfunctions. However, the most prominent contextual variables were satisfaction with partner relationship and partner’s levels of sexual functions. In conclusion, many different socio-psychological aspects must be taken into account to optimize treatment modalities and resources when dealing with women’s sexual dysfunction in order to secure a good level of sexual well-being.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A articulação temporomandibular (ATM) é uma articulação complexa com características e funções únicas. Certamente é uma das articulações mais utilizadas e seu uso inadequado e excessivo consequentemente promove inúmeros transtornos. Dentre as alterações de hipermobilidade articular, o deslocamento mandibular refere-se ao posicionamento, geralmente anterior, do côndilo mandibular sobre a eminência articular, com completa separação das superfícies articulares e consequente travamento. Quando os episódios se tornam frequentes, algum método de tratamento, seja conservador ou cirúrgico, deve ser utilizado, devido ao grande transtorno funcional e social gerados. A injeção de sangue autógeno na articulação temporomandibular é uma técnica minimamente invasiva, com escassos relatos na literatura e que foi recentemente reintroduzida. Onze pacientes diagnosticados com luxação recidivante da articulação da cabeça mandibular receberam injeções bilaterais de sangue autógeno no compartimento articular superior e região pericapsular. Em acompanhamento, que variou de 24 a 35 meses (média de 29,6 meses), 3 (27,3%) pacientes apresentaram recidivas. O mesmo protocolo de tratamento foi repetido para estes três casos, porém sem sucesso, sendo então encaminhados para procedimento cirúrgico de eminectomia. Dessa forma, dos 11 pacientes inicialmente tratados, 8 (72,7%) não apresentaram episódios de deslocamento mandibular recorrente após o procedimento proposto. Trata-se de um procedimento simples, rápido, pouco invasivo, de baixo custo e com mínima possibilidade de complicações, sendo uma alternativa de tratamento viável, antes de se indicar procedimentos cirúrgicos. / The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex joint with unique features and functions. It is certainly one of the most used joints and its improper and excessive use consequently promotes numerous breakdowns. Among the changes of joint hypermobility, the mandibular displacement refers usually as an anterior displacement of the condyle on the articular eminence with complete separation of the articular surfaces and consequent locking. When episodes become frequent, some method of treatment, either conservative or surgical, should be used, because of the functional and social disturbances. The injection of autologous blood in the temporomandibular joint is a minimally invasive technique, recently reintroduced. Eleven patients diagnosed with recurrent mandibular dislocation received bilateral injections of autologous blood in the upper joint compartment and pericapsular region. In follow-up ranging from 24 to 35 months (mean 29.6 months), 3 (27.3%) patients had recurrences. The same treatment protocol was repeated for these cases without success and were taken to surgical eminectomy. Thus, of the 11 patients initially treated, 8 (72.7%) didnt show any episode of recurrent mandibular dislocation after the proposed procedure. It is a simple, quick, minimally invasive procedure, with low cost and with minimal possibility of complications making a viable alternative treatment before recommending surgical procedures.