A magnetic stimulator consisting of a capacitor discharge and associated control circuits was designed and constructed for use in research and practice. This stimulator is capable of delivering an output voltage of 1000 V and output peak current of 8 kA to a coil. Depending on the coil used, the rise time of the current pulse can be varied in steps of 30 µs or less. After each discharge, the stimulator measures the output current amplitude to within 0.2 kA and rise time to within 10 µs, and displays their values on a liquid crystal panel. The stimulator can operate in pulsed or in repetitive discharge mode (1 pulse per 5 seconds). With minor modifications, the stimulator can operate up to 1600 V and provide up to 16 kA. The rise time can be changed in steps of 10 µs or less. The capability to provide output current of variable rise time makes this stimulator is a versatile instrument for both research and clinical use of magnetic stimulation. This feature, which is found in no other stimulating instrument, is important for studying the effect of current rise time on magnetically induced stimulation. With this device we can determine the optimum current pulse shape for effective stimulation with the minimum energy. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this thesis was to explore the potential of a designed physical outdoor environment to improve the social environment and thereby enhance the psychological healing process at Psychiatric institutions. Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital situated in Pretoria West served as a model for testing the hypothesis. The physical and social environment at Weskoppies was analyzed through observations, interviews and literature research. Findings from analysis and theoretical research regarding the influences that physical and social outdoor environments have on mental health, were synthesized to establish design guidelines. These informed the design decision making process and assisted in the proposal of an outdoor environment with emotional healing potential. An open space framework and catalytic sketch plan was designed to illustrate the application of the design guidelines. The author found that an outdoor environment that encourage independence, purpose, consciousness, rest, connectedness and physical activities have the potential to enhance the psychological healing process. The open space framework and sketch plan proved that these guidelines can be accommodated on different scales. / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted

archives@tulane.edu / 1 / Arielle Crook

Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine Johannesburg 2014 / silver (NCS) dressings have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects which aid healing, particularly in burns and chronic wounds. However, they are cytotoxic and may delay healing in acute wounds. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of a NCS dressing on wound healing in full-thickness excisional wounds in a porcine model. Healing of porcine skin was assessed on day 3, 6, 9 and 15 post-wounding. Five wounds dressed with NCS and five untreated wounds dressed with polyurethane film (the control) were assessed per day (n=40 wounds). The rate of healing was measured using digital photographs. The inflammatory response, restoration of the epithelium and blood vessel formation were evaluated using haematoxylin and eosin stained sections. Picrosirius red staining and confocal microscopy were used to assess collagen formation. Proliferation of keratinocytes was calculated using sections immunolabelled for Ki-67. Additionally, the quality of the re-epithelialised wounds was assessed using a Clinical Assessment Score. There was no difference in the rate of healing between wounds treated with NCS and those dressed with polyurethane film. Inflammation was increased in NCS-treated wounds on day 3 post-wounding. However, compared to controls, on day 15 post-wounding the epithelium of NCS-treated wounds more closely resembled normal epithelium. Additionally, a greater number of mature blood vessels were seen in NCS-treated wounds. Differences were also observed in the deposition of collagen in NCS-treated wounds compared to controls. These results suggest that NCS may be beneficial for scar formation. Further investigation is needed into the effect of NCS and its role in the treatment of wounds, including novel uses such as the prevention of scarring.

The ability of NSAIDs to delay bone healing has been long known, although the extent and exact mechanism remains elusive. The present study evaluates the effect of short duration NSAID on bone healing in dogs following experimental tibial osteotomy. Carprofen was administered twice daily for either 0, 2, or 8 weeks following surgery. Bone healing was evaluated radiographically using RUST scoring at 4 and 8 weeks postop. Postmortem, quantitative CT of for bone mineral density analysis, histologic cartilage:callus ratio of the fracture, and biomechanical testing were performed. Biomechanically, stiffness and maximum stress were higher in dogs that received no carprofen than those that received 8 weeks. Radiographic healing scores were the same for dogs which did not receive carprofen and those receiving a short course, but both were more healed than dogs which received 8 weeks of carprofen. There was no treatment effect on cartilage:callus ratio or bone mineral density.

The material characteristics play a role in the suitability of chitosan for biomedical applications. This is not surprising since the degree of deacetylation of chitosan influences antimicrobial activity, degradation rate, immune reaction and mechanical properties such as strength and elongation. This study examines chitosans of variable material characteristics for wound and bone healing applications. Chitosan films of 76, 78, 80, 87, 91, 92, and 95% degree of deacetylation were tested in vitro for cellular responses by fibroblast and bone cell lines. The in vitro responses were compared to the material characteristics of molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, swelling index, and ash content.

No description available.

Self-healing materials have received considerable development in the last decade. Recent results have demonstrated healing in polymeric materials via a chemical reaction using a healing agent or response to thermal treatment. The goal of this research is to develop a new composite material, for application in wire insulation, that can detect damage and heal itself using resistance heating. The composite material is composed of a conductive network embedded in a polymer matrix. The conductive network is used for damage detection and resistive heating. A matrix material is used that melts when heated and flows to fill damage. External electronic circuitry is used to implement a damage detection algorithm and apply current for resistive heating. Surlyn 8940 is chosen as the polymer matrix and carbon fibers are selected for the resistive heating elements. Methods for melt processing Surlyn are developed and used to produce Surlyn films and composite samples where carbon fiber is embedded in a Surlyn matrix. A finite element model of the resistive heating process is developed to predict the temperature distribution. Thermal imaging is used to characterize resistive heating while optical microscopy and tensile testing are used to characterize healing. Damage detection using capacitive measurements is demonstrated and characterized. The self-healing composite is placed on top of another conductive material such as in the wire insulation application. Capacitance measurements are made using the conductive network inside the composite is used as one electrode and the wide conductor as the second electrode. / Master of Science

How to design with empathy? "The very essence of architecture consists of a variety and development reminiscent of natural organic life. This is the only true style in architecture." Alvar Aalto For me architecture has the power to enhance human's lives. Our beautiful world needs a fine and delicate touch to modify their nature and abstract their essences without changing its soul. The focus of this thesis is to empathize with nature and use it as an instrument to heal the mind and provide comfort to the body. The empathy of architecture with the users and the environment is a key to provide healing. For that reason, the architecture tends to create more than a building; it also creates it's own spirit. This project is a Cancer Treatment Center located in the Andes of Peru, which purpose is to response to the emotions and needs of the patients and staff. Cancer is a complex disease, which can make the patient feel lost in the world. The interplay with nature will create a healing environment and a spiritual retreat, which creates relief and connection with the universe. The building provides the users places to breath deeply, think and connect with each individual belief. The design looks for a natural organic plan, which takes advantage of the light and the surroundings. The green design works as a placebo for the patients, which are passing through theses difficult stages. Following the new trends and trying to separate of the idea of a mega hospital, the center is small in scale, but it has a program, which provides care and treatment at the same time. The walls are strong and solid to show the support and protect the inhabitants, but they are also flexible to blend with the high mountains in the horizon. It also has a green oasis, which is the heart of the project that runs from the beginning to end and merged with the natural slope land. The culture plays an important role in the planning of the design. Adjusting to the customs and beliefs, the building respects the vernacular architecture, and gets inspiration of traditional materials and construction methods that the Inca's empire used like adobe and stone. / Master of Architecture / This thesis is an architectural project which main function is a cancer treatment center located at the Andes of Peru. Cancer is a difficult disease that takes many lives every year. In Peru, the lack of facilities and the little concern to take care for the Quechuas (usually indigineous population from Peruvian highland, and decendents of the Inca’s Empire) create a big need for this kind of healthcare centers. The current cancer problematic in the country and the new trends of healthcare make of “Diospi Suyana Hospital” (a Christian non-profit organization) the perfect site to discover the connection between architecture, nature and healing. Since ancient times the approach to a natural environment has been a powerful tool to help cure the body and mind of patients. The urbanized societies and the fast advance of technology has left behind the sensibility for the human scale and affiliatation to nature. The patients with cancer have to deal with high pressure and a mix of feelings. It is relevant to designing with empathy, the architectural design tend to seek for nature as a placebo to bring back emotions and build a hope atmosphere. The purpose of this project is to enhance the ambient of care with the introduction of natural light, green areas and earth materials creating a healing environment and a spiritual refuge where mind and body could compenetrate. Hopefully this journery can be a proof that green architecture (architecture based on nature and sustainability) makes a difference in healing providing the users a better enviroment to cure their illness and soul.

Text in Afrikaans / Die kerklike diens van genesing bet deur die geskiedenis uitgestaan as een van die aktiwiteite van die kerk van Jesus Christus wat vanwee verskillende redes voortdurend in die brandpunt was. Die afgelope dekades is gekenmerk deur die toename van gelowiges uit verskillende denominasies en groepe wat by die nadenke oor en beoefening van die diens van genesing in die kerk betrokke geraak bet. Die toename bet meegebring dat die kerklike diens van genesing op verskillende wyses (praktyke) beoefen is en dat verskillende redes as regverdiging daarvoor aangebied is. Onderliggend hieraan le bepaalde teoriee waarvan die beoefenaars soms bewus was, en soms nie. Die huidige navorsing ondersoek die teoriee en praxes van verskillende genesingsbedienings binne 'n bepaalde akademiese en kerklike raamwerk. In die verband is 'n vergelykende studie deur middel van 'n kwalitatiewe ondersoek na die werk van twee uiteenlopende instansies gedoen, naamlik die London Healing Mission ( wat onder toesig van die Anglikaanse kerk funksioneer en daarom 'n vaste tradisie bet), en die Vineyard Christian Fellowship van Boise, in die VSA, wat 'n jong gemeente is, en by die sogenaamde 'Third Wave' beweging inpas. Die teoriee en praktyk van elke bediening word in die studie ge!dentifiseer en met mekaar vergelyk. Uit hierdie vergelyking word verskillende gevolgtrekkings gemaak, onder andere oor die bestaansreg van die kerklike diens van genesing en die formaat wat dit behoort aan te neem. Sekere opmerkinge word op grond van die navorsingsresultate gemaak wat in die Pinkster, Charismatiese en Gerefonneerde kerke asook vir die kerk in die algemeen, van waarde kan wees. Die navorsingsresultate word gebruik om 'n bedieningsmodel vir die genesingsbediening in die kerk te ontwerp. Die ondersoek word afgesluit met aanbevelings met die oog op moontlike toekomstige navorsing. / Throughout history the healing ministry has been one of the outstanding activities of the church of Jesus Christ which remained continuously and for various reasons the focal point of attention. The past decades were characterized by an escalation of believers from different denominations and groups who became involved in the meditation and practicing of the healing ministry in the church. This escalation has resulted in the healing ministry being practiced in multiple ways and various reasons being given as justification for doing so. This was done in the presence of underlying theories of which the practitioners were either consciously or subconsciously aware or unaware of. The present research explores the theories and practices of the healing ministry within a particular academic and ecclesiastical context. A comparative study was undertaken by means of a qualitative investigation covering the work of two divergent institutions namely: The London Healing Mission (which is supervised by the Anglican Church and therefore has a specific tradition) and the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Boise, USA, which is a 'new' congregation and fits in with the so called Third Wave movement. The theories and practices of both these ministries are identified and compared with one another. Various conclusions are reached through this comparison, referring amongst others to the healing ministry's right of existence and the format in which it should be practiced. Remarks that are being·made with regard to the results of the research should be of value to the Pentecostal, Charismatic and Reformed churches in particular, but to the Church in general as well. These results are also used to design a ministering model for the healing ministry. The study concludes with certain recommendations for possible future research. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / Th. D. (Praktiese Teologie)