Biomedical Commons^™

A Magnetic Resonance Compatible Knee Extension Ergometer, Youssef Jaber

Masters Theses

The product of this thesis aims to enable the study of the biochemical and physical dynamics of the lower limbs at high levels of muscle tension and fast contraction speeds. This is accomplished in part by a magnetic resonance (MR) compatible ergometer designed to apply a load as a torque of up to 420 Nm acting against knee extension at speeds as high as 4.7 rad/s. The system can also be adapted to apply the load as a force of up to 1200 N acting against full leg extension. The ergometer is designed to enable the use of magnetic resonance …

Rbc Lifespan Uncertainty: Models And Anemia Management Robustness, Rui Dai

Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014

This thesis discusses the modeling of uncertainty of red blood cell (RBC) lifespan distribution in patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD) patients, whose anemia is managed through periodic dosing of erythropoietin (EPO).

In healthy individuals, RBCs containing hemoglobin (Hgb) are produced in the bone marrow. When oxygen carried by hemoglobin is transported to human tissues throughout the body, the kidneys sense reduced level of Hgb and secretes EPO that simulates proliferation of red cell precursors and eventually producing red blood cells. However, in CKD patients, their kidneys fail to secrete enough EPO, so that too few of RBCs are produced …