Aerobic exercise is frequently recommended as a stress management strategy. This study examined the influence of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise in reducing cardiovascular reactivity to a subsequent stressor compared to a nonexercise attention control condition in 16 males (<u>m</u> age = 21 yrs; moderate activity level; positive family history for hypertension) using a within subject design. The order of experimental conditions was counterbalanced across subjects. During the exercise condition, subjects pedaled for 30 minutes on a bicycle ergometer at 59% ± 7.2 of their maximum (<u>m</u> V0₂= 48.5 ml/kg/min ± 10.7). subjects completed a physical activity questionnaire and anthropometric measurements during the 30 minute attention control condition. Forty-five minutes after the exercise or attention control sessions, BP, HR, stroke volume (SV) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were measured at baseline, during a pre-stressor anticipation period, and during the cold pressor test. stroke volume was measured with impedance cardiography and total peripheral resistance (TPR) was estimated. SBP was significantly lower during the second minute of the anticipation period (F [1,29] = 4.75, p = .04) forty-five minutes after exercising compared to the attention control condition. There were no significant differences between conditions for DBP, TPR or SV. These findings suggest that acute aerobic exercise may moderate SBP response to a subsequent non-exercise stressor. / Master of Science

Sludge dewatering and chemical conditioning requirements were examined from the perspective of biopolymer and cation release from activated sludge flocs. Both aerobic and anaerobic digestion processes were considered from two different activated sludge sources at a temperature of 20° C. Polymer demand and specific resistance to filtration increased with an increase in total soluble biopolymer concentration for all temperature ranges. In anaerobic digestion, the protein release was three times greater than the polysaccharide release. Conversely, aerobic digestion of the same sludge resulted in a greater release of polysaccharides than proteins. Polymer conditioning requirements in the anaerobic digestors were an order of magnitude higher than in the aerobic digestors; proteins were considered to be the biopolymer fraction responsible for the high polymer conditioning requirements and poor dewatering properties. Biopolymer is released to the supernatant as colloids bound by divalent cations. Peptidase and glucosidase activity were used to monitor enzymatic activity relative to biopolymer release and degradation. The reasons for the increases and decreases in hydrolase activity are unknown. / Master of Science

A cellulose-decomposing bacterium isolated from bovine feces was purified, identified as a member of the genus, Cellvibrio, and the new species name gilvus was proposed. Cellulose decomposition was demonstrated and cellobiose was the only hydrolytic sugar product. Excellent growth was obtained on mineral salts medium containing cellobiose, a vitamin mixture, and organic nitrogen (casein hydrolyzate) which was required for growth. Volatile and non-volatile acids, volatile neutral compounds, and carbon dioxide constituted the fermentation products. A preference for cellobiose was shown by a 30 to 46% greater growth rate than resulted on glucose. An investigation was conducted to explain this disaccharide preference. Intact cells oxidized glucose and cellobiose immediately and the rate of glucose oxidation was 10% less than obtained from cellobiose. Thus, hypotheses that adaptive hexokinase, hexokinase deficiency or impermeability to glucose could explain the preference were dispelled. Oxygen assimilation ratios of equivalent amounts of glucose, cellobiose and a mixture of these were 100:110:140. Alternate metabolic pathways were indicated. Resting cells grown on cellobiose esterified inorganic phosphate in the presence of glucose or cellobiose showed that these sugars were metabolized to phosphate esters. Relative rates of utilization of both sugars revealed that 130% more cellobiose was used at pH 6.5 and 590% more at pH 7.0. On a molar basis 30% more acid was formed from glucose than from cellobiose. A phosphorylase was indicated by the stimulation of cellobiose respiration by inorganic phosphate. Disaccharide preference was associated with the intracellular enzymes because soluble enzymes utilized 7.25 uM of cellobiose but only 2.8 uM of glucose. The adenosine triphosphate requirement for glucose utilization indicated hexokinase activity. Inorganic phosphate increased cellobiose utilization two-fold and was accompanied by esterification. Soluble enzymes from glucose-grown cells produced a constitutive cellobiose enzyme. Phosphate depressed glucose utilization while adenosine triphosphate depressed cellobiose utilization. Fructose-6-phosphate was the only ester detected in cells grown on either sugar. Cellobiose-grown cells contained 6.5 mg total P/2 g cells whereas glucose-grown cells contained only 2.1 mg. Glucose was converted to glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate and fructose-1,6-diphosphate by cell-free enzymes in the presence of adenosine triphosphate. Fructose-1,6-diphosphate was metabolized to pyruvic acid. This was evidence for an Embden-Meyerhof pathway. A cellobiose phosphorylase was demonstrated as a reversible reaction producing glucose and alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate. Conversion of glucose-1-phosphate to glucose-6-phosphate was not obtained but fructose-6-phosphate was formed. Ground cells oxidized fructose-1,6-diphosphate and fructose-6-phosphate in the presence of diphosphopyridine nucleotide, coenzyme-A and methylene blue. These preparations in which oxidizing systems were saturated with fructose-1,6-diphosphate and cofactors oxidized glucose and cellobiose at greatly increased rates above that obtained from the ester. Gluconic acid was detected in the final reaction mixtures. An explanation of the disaccharide preference resides in several factors. The very active direct phosphorylation of cellobiose yielding a hexose phosphate at less expense energy-wise than the adenosine triphosphate-requiring phosphorylation of glucose showed cellobiose to be a more efficient energy-yielding substrate. The weak hexokinase would limit the formation of hexose phosphates which in turn could impede the energy obtained as high energy phosphate compounds necessary for growth and reproduction. A portion of available glucose was probably wasted in the direct oxidation to gluconic acid. Finally, a proposed scheme for the metabolic pathways of glucose and cellobiose in Cellvibrio gilvus was presented. / Ph. D.

Twelve obese normotensive females were studied to determine the effects of either a 71% carbohydrate (HC) hypocaloric diet or a 33% carbohydrate (LC) hypocaloric diet concommitant with an aerobic exercise program on sodium (Na) balance and blood pressure changes. Subjects participated three times a week in a submaximal periodic exercise session and were placed on one of the diets for 28 days. Posttreatment, each participant consumed a 1000 kcal mixed diet while remaining in the exercise program. Daily Na losses were measured by 24 hr urine collection, and blood pressure measurements were made weekly. Both treatment groups significantly decreased in weight with LC losing more than HC (8.0 kg by LC group; 6.7 kg by HC group). Although urine Na balance was negative for the first 2 days of both VLCD's, Na excretion fell over time to result in net Na retention over the experimental period. Though the LC group lost more Na during the first week than EC during subsequent weeks, the differences between groups were nonsignificant. There were no significant differences between groups in serum Na or urine Na balance. However, Na urinary loss significantly decreased across time. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased non-significantly an average of 4% from baseline values throughout the treatment (5.2/4.0 mmHg in the HC group and 4.3/2.3 mmHg in the LC group). Carbohydrate inclusion in both diets was found to be effective in retaining Na after 4 days on a VLCD. Changes on different postural positions did not reveal evidence of hypotension. Overweight normotensive individuals did not reduce blood pressure values below normal levels. / M.S.

The present study used a linear mixed model analytic approach to assess the association between a combined respondent and spousal exercise score and cognitive outcomes of older adult respondents drawn from a nationally representative dataset, The Health and Retirement Study. Informed by the Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition (STAC), the present study sought to understand the role of both an individual and their spouse's aerobic physical activity in an individual's cognitive outcomes and trajectories. Utilizing longitudinal survey data collected across twelve years (N=3,189), the combined exercise status of a married couple was found to be a significant predictor of cognitive outcomes; when an interaction between time and couple exercise status was included in the model, this was also found to be a significant predictor of four specific cognitive outcomes. The highest cognitive benefit was identified among individuals where both they and their partner participated in the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity, suggesting an additive effect. These findings and their implications are discussed further. / Master of Science / The present study explores how the combined exercise behaviors of a married older adult couple may predict the cognitive outcomes of one partner. Data was analyzed across twelve years and included married individuals between the ages of 65 and 95. Findings showed that the combined couple exercise status predicted outcomes in cognitive function of the respondent. Additionally, the interaction between time and the couple exercise status significantly predicted cognitive outcomes. The addition of a spouse's aerobic physical activity was beneficial to the cognitive outcomes of their partner. The cognitive benefit was highest among couples where both partners participated in aerobic physical activity. These findings and their implications are discussed further.

Anaerobic digestion is widely used for stabilization of solids in sewage sludges. Recent changes in the priorities and goals of digestion processes are focusing more attention on the efficiency of these processes. Increasing hauling cost and restrictions for land applications are two factors which are driving the increased attention to digestion efficiency. Noxious odor production from the land applied biosolids is another important issue related to digestion efficiency. Existing anaerobic digestion or aerobic digestion processes failed to provide simultaneous solution to biosolids related problems i.e. simultaneous VS reduction, better dewatering of biosolids and lesser odors from the biosolids. Studies done by Novak et al. (2004) using different activated sludges show that anaerobic-aerobic digestion and aerobic-anaerobic digestion both increase volatile solids reduction compared to a single digestion environment. They proposed that there are 4 VS fractions in sludges: (1) a fraction degradable only under aerobic conditions, (2) a fraction degradable only under anaerobic conditions, (3) a fraction degradable under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, and (4) a non degradable fraction. It has also been found (Akunna et al., 1993) that anaerobic-aerobic sequential treatment of wastewater can help in achieving substantial nitrogen removal. These results suggest that sequential anaerobic-aerobic digestion can address multiple biosolid related problems. This study was designed to understand the effect of sequential anaerobic-aerobic digestion on the properties of resulting effluent biosolids. The study was carried out in two operation phases and during both phases one digester was maintained at thermophilic conditions and the other at mesophilic temperature conditions. In first operation phase (Phase-I) thermophilic digester was operating at 20 day SRT and mesophilic anaerobic digester was at 10 day SRT. The aerobic digesters following anaerobic digesters were operating at 6 day SRT. In second operation phase (Phase-II), both thermophilic and mesophilic anaerobic digesters were operating at 15 day SRT and both had two aerobic digesters operating in parallel at 3 day and 6 day SRTs. In addition, batch experiments were also conducted to measure the performance of aerobic-anaerobic digestion sequence. Another study was carried out to understand the nitrogen removal mechanism during aerobic digestion of anaerobic digested sludge. The feed sludge was spiked with four different concentrations of nitrate and nitrite. It was observed during the study that aerobic digestion of anaerobic sludge helps in achieving higher Volatile solid reduction (~65% vs ~ 46% for mesophilic digestion and ~52% for thermophilic digestion). This result supports the hypothesis concerning the different fractions in volatile solids. Experimental results also show that the increase in VSR upon increasing anaerobic digestion SRT (more than 15 days) is less than the increase in the VSR due to the same increment of aerobic digestion SRT. Reduction in COD and VFA were also measured to be more than 50% during aerobic digestion. Investigation of nitrogen fate during the sequential anaerobic-aerobic digestion show more than 50% total nitrogen removal. Higher nitrogen removal was in thermophilic anaerobic – aerobic digester combination than that in mesophilic anaerobic–aerobic combination. The most probable reason for the removal was simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. Higher concentration of readily available VFA from thermophilic anaerobic digested sludge provide advantage in denitrification in following aerobic digester. The resulting biosolids produced during sequential digestion process were also analyzed for dewatering properties and odor production. Proteins and polysaccharides concentrations were observed to decrease during aerobic digestion for thermophilic anaerobic - aerobic digestion combination, while in another combinations polysaccharide concentrations increases at aerobic phase with 3 day digestion. The concentration of polysaccharides decreases at higher digestion period of 6 and 9. The result of decrease in polysaccharide and protein was reflected by the reduction in the polymer dose consumption and decrease in the optimum CST for the biosolids resulting from the sequential anaerobic aerobic digestion. Experimental results from odor experiments show that odor production potential of the biosolids decreases with increase in both anaerobic phase SRT and aerobic phase SRT. Thermophilic biosolids produces comparatively low odors but for longer periods, while mesophilic biosolids produces higher magnitude of odors during storage but only for comparative shorter period. Aerobic digestion of anaerobic sludge helps in reducing more than 50% odor production, but freeze-thaw cycle experiment shows that in both anaerobic and sequential anaerobic – aerobic digested sludges have higher potential for odor production. Higher aerobic digestion SRTs (6 days and above) shows more potential of reducing odors, but more experimental work is required to be done. / Master of Science

The effects of an aerobic walking program, from 22 to 30 wk gestation, on aerobic fitness, riboflavin and thiamin status, and birth outcome were studied in 28 healthy, pregnant women, 24-36 yr of age, receiving vitamin-mineral supplements. Aerobic capacity was evaluated by measurements of heart rate (HR) and relative oxygen consumption (VO₂, ml/kg/min) during two submaximal treadmill walking tests (22 and 30 wk). HR responses were significantly lower for walking subjects (W; n=l8) compared to nonwalking (NW; n=l0) at two (~2.9 METS) and four (~3.8 METS) min, and near significant at six (~4.6 METS) min of the 30 wk tests. HR at two min of exercise for NW subjects increased significantly from 22 to 30 wk. Oxygen consumption for W decreased significantly from 22 to 30 wk at two, four, and six min of exercise. Comparison of VO₂ changes (22 to 30 wk) between W and NW indicated a significant difference at six min and near significance at four min. Riboflavin and thiamin status, as determined by erythrocyte glutathione and transketolase activity coefficients, was adequate for 86% of the subjects with respect to riboflavin and 96% for thiamin. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.58) between aerobic activity scores and ETKAC values (W group). Participation in a walking program slightly improved aerobic capacity without affecting birth outcome or riboflavin and thiamin status in pregnant women taking vitamin-mineral supplements. / Ph. D. / incomplete_metadata

Two weeks of sprint interval training (SIT) increased maximal aerobic power (VO2peak), however maximal anaerobic power (Wmax; 30-sec “all out” Wingate test) was unaffected, possibly due to chronic fatigue induced by 14 daily training bouts (Rodas et al. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 82:480-86,2000). The effect of fewer SIT bouts on these parameters is unknown, and no study has assessed changes in performance or muscle metabolism during intense aerobic exercise after SIT. PURPOSE: We examined whether 6 bouts of SIT, performed over 2 wks with 1-2 d rest between bouts, elicited changes in endurance performance or metabolism during a “challenge ride” to exhaustion @ ~80% VO2peak· METHODS: 8 subjects (6 men; 23±2 yr) were studied before and 2-3 d following the SIT protocol (6 bouts x 4-8 Wingate tests, 4 min rest). RESULTS: VO2peak was unchanged by SIT (Post: 45.5 ± 5 vs. Pre: 44.6 ±3.2 ml/kg/min) as was mean power during 4 repeated Wingate tests (Post: 574.8 ± 29.9 vs. Pre: 569.8 ±31.3 W). Wmax during 4 repeated Wingate tests increased by 14% following SIT (Post: 1067.0 ± 234 vs. Pre: 934.3 ± 173.6 W; p < 0.05). Most strikingly, cycle time to exhaustion increased by 101% after SIT (Post: 51.1 ± 30.8 vs. Pre: 25.4 ± 14.4 min, p < 0.01). Biopsies obtained prior to, and during the challenge rides revealed that resting muscle glycogen was higher after SIT (Post: 614 ± 39 vs. Pre: 489 ± 57 mmol/kg dry wt., p < 0.02), and glycogen degradation during exercise was attenuated (p < 0.05). The maximal activity of CS was 29% higher following training (Post: 16.7 ± 2.3 vs. Pre: 11.5 ± 1.8 mmol/kg wet wt., p < 0.05) which is indicative of a higher muscle oxidative potential. CONCLUSION: 6 bouts of SIT (~15 min total exercise time) markedly increased intense aerobic cycling performance and peak anaerobic power. The physiological mechanisms that account for these improvements remain to be fully elucidated, but include alterations in glycogen metabolism and an increased muscle oxidative potential. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

Sixteen males and sixteen females were recruited for this study; eight of each gender were aerobically trained athletes; the remaining eight were untrained control subjects. Each subject performed a maximal exercise stress test for aerobic capacity (VO2max). On a separate day the blood volume and the cardiovascular responses to progressive (0 to -50 torr) lower body negative pressure (LBNP) were determined. The female subjects were observed to be significantly more tolerant of the LBNP than the male subjects. No differences between groups were observed in changes in leg volume, cardiac index, blood pressure, or heart rate during LBNP. However, the females, in comparison to the males, maintained stroke index at a higher level, and increased regional vasoconstriction more, during the LBNP induced hypotensive stress. These findings suggest that female subjects withstand LBNP to -50 torr better than male subjects.

Orientador: Jose Guilherme Cecatti / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T20:24:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lima_SergioRicardoCavalcante_D.pdf: 8095700 bytes, checksum: f9c0a9d332dacd6ce2b290bc89881c1a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Embora seja frequente a associação entre boa saúde e atividade física, existem ainda muitas dúvidas em relação à atividade física durante a gestação: tipo, intensidade, época e duração. Já existe evidência na literatura científica sobre os benefícios da atividade aeróbica durante a gestação, melhorando o condicionamento físico materno. Especialmente a prática de exercícios físico na água durante a gestação pode estar associada que melhora da capacidade aeróbica, melhora nas trocas gasosas, reeducação respiratória e auxílio no retorno venoso. Por outro lado, ainda não há evidencias que excluam a possibilidade de riscos para a mãe e feto, sobretudo quando a atividade física é de alta intensidade. Objetivos: fazer uma revisão sobre o assunto para a orientação sobre a prescrição de atividade física durante a gestação e avaliar a efetividade e segurança da realização de exercício físico aeróbico moderado em água, através da hidroginástica, para gestantes de baixo risco e sedentárias. Sujeitos e Método: foi realizado um ensaio clínico controlado e aleatorizado com 71 gestantes de baixo risco, admitidas no Ambulatório de Pré Natal Normal do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas ou no Centro de Saúde de Barão Geraldo. As gestantes que aceitaram participar do estudo foram alocadas aleatoriamente em dois grupos, segundo atividade física . No primeiro grupo, experimental, a gestante realizou exercício físico aeróbico moderado e regularmente, em piscina coberta, com água aquecida, três vezes por semana, com sessões de 50 minutos cada uma...Observação: O resumo, na íntegra, poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital / Abstract: Although the association between good health and physical activity is often highlighted, there are still several doubts regarding physical activity during pregnancy: kind, intensity, period and duration. There is already evidence in scientific literature on the benefits of aerobic activity during pregnancy, improving the maternal physical conditioning. Especially the practice of physical exercises in water immersion during pregnancy may be associated with the improvement of aerobic capacity, better gas changes, respiratory reeducation and better venous return. On the other hand, there are still not evidences excluding the possibility of risks to the mother and fetus, especially when the physical activity is of high intensity. Objectives: to perform a review on this topic for the orientation on the prescription of physical activity during pregnancy and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of performing moderate aerobic physical activity in water, through water aerobics, by low risk and sedentary pregnant women. Subjects and Method: a randomized controlled trial was performed including 71 low risk pregnant women admitted to the Pre Natal Outpatient Clinic at the Hospital das Clínicas, University of Campinas, or at the Health Center of Barão Geraldo. The women accepting to participate in the study were randomly allocated into two groups, according to physical activity. In the first group, experimental, the woman practiced moderate aerobic physical activity regularly in an indoor swimming pool, with warm water, three times a week, in sessions of 50 minutes each...Note: The complete abstract is available with the full electronic digital thesis or dissertations / Doutorado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Doutor em Tocoginecologia