M.Tech. / Purpose: A study to determine the efficacy of Traumeel® gel using phonophoresis in the treatment of a latent trapezius myofascial trigger point, with regards to pain perception, cervical spine range of motion and pressure pain tolerance.Methods: A single-blinded, controlled study design was utilised. Thirty participants who all presented with a latent trapezius myofascial trigger point were randomly divided into two groups of fifteen. Each individual was subjectively and objectively assessed from baseline values prior to receiving treatment. Group A received ultrasound utilising ultrasound gel over the trapezius myofascial trigger point, as the control group. Group B received phonophoresis with Traumeel® gel over the trapezius myofascial trigger point. All participants received two treatments per week, with a total of seven consultations, over the three week study period. The subjective data was obtained utilising a Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) whilst a hand held Algometer tested pressure pain tolerance and a Cervical Range of Motion Measuring Instrument (CROM) measured cervical spine range of motion. These were utilised to form the objective data. The Data was analysed using non-parametric tests. The two independent treatment groups were assessed for capability at treatments one, four and seven using the Mann-Whitney U-test (non-parametric version of the independent sample T-test). Changes over the three week period were observed and analyzed using the Repeated Measures test or the Friedman Test (Devey, 2010). Results: In this study ultrasound utilising ultrasound gel had a statistically significant impact on the trapezius myofascial trigger point. Statistical analysis of the Traumeel® gel suggests that there was no statistical significance with regards to any of the treatment parameters or variables measured. Subjectively ultrasound gel proved to be statistically and clinically significant in decreasing the participant’s pain perception. There was no statistical improvement but there was a clinical improvement in the Traumeel® gel group.

M.Tech. / This study aimed to determine the difference between the standard dry needling technique versus the rapid dry needling technique with regards to which technique would provide quicker relief of symptoms, as measured by an increase in participant’s pressure tolerance and range of motion and a decrease in subjective pain. Subjectively it was seen that both groups had a statistical decrease in the participants perceived pain with the Oswestry Disability Index, the McGill’s Pain Questionnaire and the Numeral Pain Rating Scale. Both groups showed significant changes over the two time variables (pre-Treatment one and post-Treatment four) with regards to all the questionnaires. Group 2 showed the most significant change when comparing the two groups with regards to the Oswestry Disability Index and the Numeral Pain Rating Scale. From these results it is seen that subjectively all the participants felt relief with respect to their perceived pain. However, objectively the rapid dry needling technique proved to improve pain faster and more consistently throughout the treatment period over the standard intra-muscular dry needling technique. Therefore the rapid dry needling technique is more effective in treating active Gluteus medius muscle trigger points.

The thesis discusses the possibility of a rationalizing of a production of handguns in the conditions of the Česká zbrojovka, a.s. company. In the beginning of the theoretical part, it deals with a familiarization with CZUB, its subsidiaries and a manufacturing portfolio. The following is a division of weapons, a describe of components of firearms and their method of a production. The practical part focuses on the possible rationalization of a production of components of a trigger, a hammer and a magazine catch. After analyzing the current situation in the company, the individual variants of the new technologies are described theoretically first of all. The technological processes for each component at each considered technology are created for these new variants. The following is the calculation of the required values for the final comparison. The final part is the technical-economic evaluation, which compares various technological options among themselves. In the final discussion, the possibility of the individual technologies and their implementation risks in the production process are mentioned.

Background: Biomechanical stiffness has been linked to risk of injury and found to be a measureable characteristic in musculoskeletal disorders. Specific identification of stiffness may clarify who is most likely to benefit from the trigger point dry needling (TDN). The purpose of this study is to investigate the reliability and concurrent validity of the MyotonPRO® to the criterion of shear wave ultrasound elastography for the measurement of biomechanical stiffness in the infraspinatus, erector spinae, and gastrocnemius of healthy subjects over increasing muscle contraction. Second purpose is to investigate the biomechanical effects of TDN to latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the infraspinatus, erector spinae, or gastrocnemius. Research Design and Method: The first phase of the study investigated 30 subjects who completed three levels of muscle contraction in standardized test positions for the infraspinatus, erector spinae and gastrocnemius. Biomechanical stiffness measures were collected using shear wave elastography and MyotonPRO®. The second phase of the study investigated 60 new subjects who were categorized into infraspinatus, erector spinae, or gastrocnemius group based on an identified latent MTrP. These subjects underwent TDN while monitoring biomechanical stiffness at baseline, immediately post TDN, and 24 hours later. Analysis: Discriminate ability, reliability, and correlations were calculated for measured stiffness variable across the three conditions of contraction in the first phase of the study. Differences between stiffness at baseline and after TDN were calculated in the second phase of the study. Results: Correlation of the two measurement methods in the three muscle regions was significant and strongest in the gastrocnemius. MyotonPRO reliability was excellent, and demonstrated ability to discriminate between the three levels of muscle contraction. In the second phase, immediate decreased stiffness was observed in the MTrP following TDN treatment. Significant decreased stiffness was found in in the erector spinae and gastrocnemius group who also demonstrated a localized twitch response during TDN. Stiffness returned to near baseline values after 24 hours. Discussion: The MyotonPRO® stiffness measurement was found to be reliable and discriminate across predefined muscle contraction intensities. TDN may cause an immediate change in stiffness but this change was not observed at 24 hours. It is not known whether these effects are present in a symptomatic population or related to improvements in other clinical outcomes. Future studies are necessary to determine if a decrease in biomechanical stiffness is an indication of patient improvement in pain and function.

Background: The effect of trigger point dry needling (TDN) on myofascial trigger points (MTP) in Achilles tendinopathy are unknown. Objectives: To determine the feasibility of a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the effects of TDN to exercise in a patient population with Achilles tendinopathy. Methods: This single-factor, pretest-posttest control group design included 22 subjects between the ages of 24 and 65 years with Achilles tendinopathy. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a control group (MT+Ex) or experimental group (TDN+MT+Ex). Subjects in both groups completed 8 physical therapy treatment sessions over 4 weeks. The intervention for the TDN+MT+Ex group included TDN to MTPs in the gastrocnemius, soleus or tibialis posterior each session while the same soft tissue mobilization and exercise program was conducted in both groups. Results: Within group analysis was performed for each group at 4 week and 90 day follow up. Significant improvement (p < .05) was achieved for FAAM, NPRS, pain pressure threshold and strength in both groups at 4 weeks and 90 days. The GROC was significant for MT + Ex at 90 days. The MCID for the FAAM, GROC were surpassed in both groups at 4 weeks and 90 days. NPRS surpassed the MCID for the MT + Ex group at 4 weeks. Conclusion: A large RCT to investigate the effects of TDN on MTP in Achilles tendinopathy is feasible with modifications. Recommendations: Special considerations for data collection sites should be given to the health care system, insurance payor, and financial burden to subjects.

Title of thesis: The effect of manual therapy on visual acuity. Goal: The main goal is to present theoretical facts about manual eye therapy, to examine the effect of manual therapy of oculomotor muscles on selected parameters: visual acuity, subjective evaluation using a questionnaire and eye muscle pain in patients with refractive errors and eye accommodation disorders. Methods: The research was completed by 20 patients with refractive errors and eye accommodation disorders, from aged 18 to 55 years. An initial and subsequent treatment and exit examination and of eye muscles with the help of manual techniques, in particular, reciprocal inhibition and mobilization of eyeball were performed. The initial examination was performed by an optometrist, who assessed visual acuity by using an Autorefractometr, Snellen optotype and Red-green test test. After than was performed the subjective evaluation questionnaire, then was performed palpation assessment of attachments of eye muscles. Palpation pain proband evaluated using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale.The resulting data were processed using statistical software R. A paired t-test was used to calculate p-values. Statistical significance was assessed at the critical significance level of 0.05 and 0.01. Results: Our measurement did not show a statically...

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The aim of this research is to investigate the performance of a bi-stable device using a single active element and to design a higher order all optical binary delta-sigma modulator (BΔΣM). A Delta sigma modulator has two important components that require enhancement to achieve robust modulation. The first component is the integrator which accumulates the error and at the same time leaks it. Here, the integrator is a single ring laser consisting of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and a filter to allow the light frequency of interest into the ring. The other component is the bi-stable device (called Schmitt trigger) that switches either ON (1) or OFF (0). There are different novel approaches to developing a bi-stable circuit. First, the coupled two ring lasers where each ring suppresses each other. Second, a novel idea that considered as a bi-stable device with single active element to achieve reduced power and reduce cost. This type of circuit is merged ring lasers with using single SOA. This system is modeled and its bistability hysteretic characteristics is investigated. The first bi-stable device is used to construct an all optical BΔΣM with 1st, 2nd and 3rd -order approaches. It performs better when the SOA bulk device is replaced by multi-quantum well (MQW) SOA.

Modern streamflow measuring equipment, water quality sampling techniques and a better understanding of pollutant washoff are continuously being developed as today's society is in critical need of improving water management, minimizing developmental impacts and preventing environmental hazards. In particular, the study of the spatial, temporal and volumetric characteristics of annual pollutant loading caused by variations in precipitation, land use and other anthropogenic factors is of great significance due to their relation to future global water demands. The research presented here falls in three parts. In the first part of the dissertation, an acoustical Doppler velocity profiler installed in a submerged concrete channel is proposed to continually measure the annual fluctuation in streamflow levels down to dry channel conditions. The tailwater influenced, intermittent streamflow conditions for the City of Kissimmee, Florida were selected for the evaluation of this approach under a 3-year study from 2006 to 2008. The performance of these concrete channels were systematically evaluated by comparisons with established field measurement techniques over various stream configurations and flow conditions. The second part of this research investigates the dynamics of flood wave detection with respect to enabling an automatic water quality sampler to start collecting samples. The main focus was on the accurate detection of flood waves in the absence of rainfall and the presence of fluctuating baseflows and stream stages. In the 3-year study, it was shown that a dual parameter trigger, utilizing independent measuring equipment, resulted in accurate flood wave detection with minimal false triggering of the autosampler. In addition, an incremental or percent deviation from a moving average of stage or flow proved to be a more consistent indicator for the presence of a flood wave. In the third part of this work, the frequency of water quality sampling and the associated level of detail for sampling of rainfall events were investigated with respect to accurately depicting annual pollutant loads. It was found that the seasonal variations in baseflow pollutant loads are not accurately represented by current 4-quarter grab sampling. Also, significant pollutant loading within rainfall events may not be captured by only performing grab sampling during baseflow conditions. In addition, although increased pollutant concentrations were observed within the initial 30 minutes of the flood wave, their actual loadings did not represent a significant impact on the annual pollutant loads. A biweekly grab sampling frequency was found to be adequate in many cases to depict the annual pollutant loads, but depending upon the targeted constituent and particular streamflow condition, rainfall event sampling might also be necessary. The results of this research complemented with other studies will promote better understanding of intermittent streamflows, accurate flood wave detection, and assessment of annual pollutant loads to our nation's waterbodies.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.