Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) insults can have profound effects on the immature brain, impairing development and leaving survivors with lifelong physical and cognitive deficits. Improvements in neonatal care have resulted in more newborns surviving HI, but effective treatments for the long-term consequences of this disorder have yet to be established. Using the Rice-Vannucci model of hypoxia-ischemia at postnatal day (PND) 7, we investigated the effects of metformin and enriched rehabilitation on short and long-term motor and cognitive outcome in both male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. A battery of behavioural tests was used to assess early development and motor function from PND 8-21, while long-term motor and cognitive function was assessed from PND 49 onwards. Metformin, administered from PND 8-49, improved several aspects of early development that were compromised following HI (weight gain, neurological reflexes). However, it worsened motor impairments in the adhesive strip removal task and Montoya staircase. Enriched rehabilitation, beginning at PND 21, improved motor function in the adhesive strip removal task, open field and Montoya staircase. Additionally, it enhanced cognition in the Barnes maze and Morris water maze. Our results indicated that, despite early beneficial effects on development, metformin was not effective at improving long-term outcome. Enriched rehabilitation led to significant improvements in several aspects of motor and cognitive function, even when administered 2 weeks post-injury. This data suggests that enriched rehabilitation, but not metformin, may be a valuable intervention for treating behavioural impairments resulting from episodes of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia.

This thesis studies the self-discharge performance of recently developed rechargeable hybrid aqueous batteries, using LiMn2O4 as a cathode and Zinc as an anode. It is shown through a variety of electrochemical and ex-situ analytical techniques that many parts of the composite cathode play important roles on the self-discharge of the battery. It was determined that the current collector must be passive towards corrosion, and polyethylene was identified as the best option for this application. The effect of amount and type of conductive agent was also investigated, with low surface area carbonaceous material giving best performances. It was also shown that the state of charge has strong effects on the extension of self-discharge. More importantly, this study shows that the self-discharge mechanism in the ReHAB system involves the cathode active material and contains a reversible and an irreversible part. The reversible portion is predominant and is due to lithium re-intercalation into the LiMn2O4 spinel framework, and results from Zn dissolution into the electrolyte, which drives the Li+ ions out of the solution. The irreversible portion of the self-discharge occurs as a result of the decomposition of the LiMn2O4 material in the presence of the acidic electrolyte, and is much less extensive than the reversible process.

The mortality/morbidity and quality of life benefits of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are well established, yet adherence to exercise is generally poor post-discharge. Recent trials have attempted to enhance adherence to aerobic activities during transition from CR to home-based exercise. However, these trials have not addressed resistance training, which is also an integral part of many participants' CR exercise routines. Because accessibility to familiar training equipment (e.g., weight machines) and instruction may be limited for many patients upon completion of CR, poor adherence to this beneficial form of exercise can be resultant. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a brief intervention involving the provision of a motivation-enhancing instructional manual and elastic Thera-Bands® on self-efficacy for, outcome expectancies for, and adherence to, upper body resistance exercise. It was hypothesized that participants receiving the intervention would report higher self-efficacy, outcome expectancies and greater adherence than those in a standard care control condition. The study was a randomized controlled trial involving informed and consenting CR participants recruited from an established outpatient CR programme at a major urban hospital (N = 40; n_males = 32; M_age= 61.20 ± 11.10). Participants in the intervention group (n=20) received an orientation to home-based upper body resistance training, a theory-based instructional manual designed to enhance self-efficacy and outcome expectations, and Thera-Bands®. The standard care control group received an orientation to home-based upper body resistance training and standard care CR follow-up (n=20). Participants completed baseline measures of self-efficacy for performing resistance training and activities of daily living as well as outcome expectancy measures one week prior to discharge from CR. The same measures were completed again one week later (i.e., at the end of the CR program), and at 4-weeks post-discharge. Participants logged their sets of upper-body resistance exercises continuously throughout the 4-week period following completion of the CR program. There were no differences between groups on any of the study variables at baseline. Participants in the intervention condition reported higher self-efficacy and outcome expectations for resistance training than controls at the 4-week follow-up assessment. Adherence to resistance training was significantly greater with the intervention group completing over twice as many (105%) sets over the four weeks than the control group. Maintaining or increasing upper body strength is an important outcome of CR as it relates to the performance of many activities of daily living. However, adherence to resistance exercises may be difficult upon completion of supervised, facility-based CR. This study illustrates that the provision of a motivation-enhancing instructional manual and low cost materials has a positive impact on self-efficacy, outcome expectations and adherence to resistance training, and may help participants make a successful transition to home-based resistance exercise. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

Den här undersökningen av Alfta Rehab Centers rehabiliteringskurs har gjorts med syftet att ta reda på hur några deltagare upplever att kursen påverkat deras rehabilitering. Kvalitativ metod i form av semistrukturerade intervjuer har använts och sex deltagare som gått kursen har intervjuats. En latent innehållsanalys genomfördes på materialet som gav två huvudteman; upplevelse av att kunna påverka sin egen situation och upplevelse av att självbilden förändrats. Därtill utmynnade analysen i tio underteman.

No description available.

No description available.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating event that leads to either complete or partial paralysis, sensory loss and loss of autonomic control below the level of neurological interruption. Consequent to the physiological changes that accompany the sustenance of a SCI, many affected individuals experience increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, although not experienced by all individuals with SCI, decreased quality of life and depression are more common in these individuals than in the able-bodied population. Participation in regular exercise has been investigated as a way to decrease both cardiovascular risk and depressive symptoms in able-bodied individuals, however a relatively small number of similar investigations have been performed in individuals with SCI. The current study examined the effects of a training protocol that incorporated arm ergomety and resistance training, two relatively inexpensive and accessible exercise modalities, on blood lipid variables (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and HDLITC ratio), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and psychological well being (PWB). Baseline blood measures were obtained via fingerstick, and were subjected to automated analysis (Cholestech L.D.X, Cholestech, Hayward, CA). Resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) were obtained via auscultation, while resting heart rate (HR) was obtained using either chest electrodes or an ear clip HR monitor. Three successively more difficult, 6-minute bouts of arm ergometry were performed, during which were monitored HR, arm rating of perceived exertion (ARPE) and total body rating of perceived exertion (TRPE). Systolic blood pressure and DBP were measured via auscultation immediately following each exercise session. Two minutes of rest were allowed between arm ergometry bouts. Psychological measures including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale (CES-D) (Radloff, 1977), an adaptation of Cantril's ladder of life satisfaction (Cantril, 1965), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (Cohen et al., 1983), a bodily pain question from the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) (Ware and Sherbourne, 1992), the modified Exercise-Induced Feeling Inventory (EFI-C) (Rejeski et al., 1999) and perceived control questions from the Beliefs Scale (BS) (Shnek et al., 1997) were administered in interview format. One repetition maximum (1 RM) lifts were determined for chest press, shoulder flexion and elbow flexion. Participants were matched on the basis of Coli ratings (Coli et al., 1998) and years post injury (+/-10 years post) and then randomized to either exercise (EX) or control (C) groups. Subsequently EX participants took part in an exercise protocol that entailed the twice-weekly training of cardiovascular endurance and strength. During each exercise session, participants performed two bouts of arm ergometry and two resistance training exercises for shoulder musculature, elbow flexors, elbow extensors, chest musculature, wrist flexors, wrist extensors and back musculature, respectively. Duration of arm ergometry was adjusted according to individual participant tolerance, while work load was manipulated in order to attempt to elicit TRPE scores of approximately 3. Two sets of 15 repetitions of the resistance training exercises were performed during each of the first 6-8 sessions, in order to facilitate injury-free adjustment to resistance training. Subsequently, 3 sets of 10 repetitions were performed, with relatively heavier weights, in order to maximize improvements in strength. Control participants were asked to refrain from initiating a regular exercise program during the course of the study. Post-testing occurred 3 months following the acquisition of baseline measures for the C group, and following the completion of between 22 to 24 exercise sessions for the EX group. No significant changes in blood lipid variables, FBG or indices of PWB occurred during the course of the study. However, favourable baseline values for absolute blood data, FBG and PWB may have made improvements difficult. Improved arm ergometry tolerance was indicated in EX participants by significant differences in percentage improvement of ARPE at the conclusion of the study. Statistically significant improvements in strength were not observed for the EX group, except in the case of left elbow flexion; however, trends were observed that suggested increased strength in the EX group in comparison with the C group following the completion of the experimental protocol. Several recommendations are provided regarding the performance of future research examining the effects of arm ergometry and resistance training exercise on cardiovascular risk and PWB in individuals with SCI. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

No description available.

<p>Ledning av förändring är en av vår tids viktigaste uppgifter för ledare i organisationer men meningarna om hur förändring skall ledas går isär. Denna longitudinella realtidsstudie följer en förändringsprocess på Rehabkliniken på US i Linköping och studerar hur förändringen leds och hur medarbetarna reagerar. Syftet är att beskriva förändringsprocessen på Rehab för att förstå och tolka ledningen av förändringsprocesser och medarbetares reaktioner. Studien är en kvalitativ fallstudie, ansatsen induktiv. Totalt har 39 intervjuer och 21 observationer genomförts under våren år 2004. Slutsatsen är att förändringen på Rehab består av två förändringar i en. Dels en förändring som beslutats av landstingets ledning och dels en mer intern. Förändringen initieras och styrs ”top down” men har också inslag av ”bottom up” tack vare att egenkrafter i organisationen utnyttjas, vilket vi menar minskar motståndet och ökar acceptansen. Förändringen leds karismatiskt av verksamhetschefen, vilket kompletteras av de två medcheferna som leder mer instrumentellt. Information och kommunikation har varit viktiga verktyg för ledningen. Hur förändringen leds påverkar medarbetarnas reaktioner vilket i sin tur påverkar chefernas sätt att leda. I förändringen kan olika faser uttydas, om än med oklara gränser och förändringsprocessen hade vid studiens slut ännu inte avslutats.</p>

Ledning av förändring är en av vår tids viktigaste uppgifter för ledare i organisationer men meningarna om hur förändring skall ledas går isär. Denna longitudinella realtidsstudie följer en förändringsprocess på Rehabkliniken på US i Linköping och studerar hur förändringen leds och hur medarbetarna reagerar. Syftet är att beskriva förändringsprocessen på Rehab för att förstå och tolka ledningen av förändringsprocesser och medarbetares reaktioner. Studien är en kvalitativ fallstudie, ansatsen induktiv. Totalt har 39 intervjuer och 21 observationer genomförts under våren år 2004. Slutsatsen är att förändringen på Rehab består av två förändringar i en. Dels en förändring som beslutats av landstingets ledning och dels en mer intern. Förändringen initieras och styrs ”top down” men har också inslag av ”bottom up” tack vare att egenkrafter i organisationen utnyttjas, vilket vi menar minskar motståndet och ökar acceptansen. Förändringen leds karismatiskt av verksamhetschefen, vilket kompletteras av de två medcheferna som leder mer instrumentellt. Information och kommunikation har varit viktiga verktyg för ledningen. Hur förändringen leds påverkar medarbetarnas reaktioner vilket i sin tur påverkar chefernas sätt att leda. I förändringen kan olika faser uttydas, om än med oklara gränser och förändringsprocessen hade vid studiens slut ännu inte avslutats.