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All organisms have been subjected to and have evolved with the ubiquitous force of gravity, and most exhibit the ability to sense and respond to this stimulus. To simplify an investigation of the molecular components of a cell's gravity response, this dissertation employs the single-celled spores of the fern Ceratopteris richardii. These spores have a polar calcium flux that is determined by the gravity vector, but an understanding of what the molecular components driving this flux are and how they influence subsequent developmental processes is lacking. Of the possible molecular components, available literature pointed to Ca²⁺-ATPase transporters as an obvious key participant and so they were selected as the main molecule of investigation. Our results describe the first cloned Ca²⁺-ATPase from C. richardii, CrACA1. CrACA1 has high similarity to known plant Ca²⁺-ATPases, specifically plasma membrane (PM) Ca²⁺-ATPases from Arabidopsis, and exhibits in vivo Ca²⁺-ATPase activity. An improved method for the statistical analysis and presentation of qualitative RT-PCR data was employed. The RNA, as well as the protein, of CrACA1 is present during the polarity fixation window which supported the need for further analyses of the role of Ca²⁺-ATPases. Our results showing that Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitors significantly alter the gravity-directed calcium flux of spores are consistent with previous work but offer valuable new insights. The spore PM Ca²⁺-ATPases have large impacts on the calcium flux and rhizoid growth but no appreciable impact on polar axis alignment. The results on endomembrane-type Ca²⁺-ATPases make it clear that this class of pumps has major roles in both axis alignment and tip growth; rhizoid growth is inhibited but alignment to the gravity vector is improved. The updated model for gravity perception responses in C. richardii spores places a strong emphasis on calcium channels and Ca²⁺-ATPases working in concert to result in a bottom-localized calcium pool to align the polar axis with hints of store-operated calcium mobilization. The work presented represents an increase in our knowledge of one way a single cell can respond to the force of gravity, offering testable hypotheses to further refine gravity perception models incorporating calcium localization. / text

The conductor of a large instrumental ensemble is constantly confronted with the task of detecting and correcting rhythm and pitch performance errors in daily rehearsals. The purpose of this investigation was to design a computer-assisted instruction program for error detection skills development and then evaluate this program's effectiveness in training beginning conductors to identify rhythm and pitch errors within 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-voice synthesized music excerpts from the existing band literature. The transfer of error detection skills from synthesized to acoustic sounds also was explored indirectly by virtue of utilizing taped excerpts from wind band performances to assess error detection skills.Subjects (N=24) in this study were drawn from the pool of undergraduate instrumental music education majors at Ball State University and were randomly assigned to control treatment groups prior to the administration of the Acoustic Error Detection Skills Inventory. Following this pretest, the treatment group used the Computer Error Detection Skills Program for approximately eight hours during an eight week treatment period. At the end of the treatment period, and control and treatment groups were administered the Acoustic Error Detection Skills Inventory posttest.The data were analyzed using a series of one-way, repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA) to assess pretest to posttest changes in subjects' scores on the Acoustic Error Detection Skills Inventory. Composite scores (reflecting general skill in error detection) improved significantly for the treatment group (p = .007), while the pretest to posttest gain for the control group was not statistically significant (p = .232). These results suggest that the Computer Error Detection Skills Program was effective in enhancing subjects' rhythm and pitch error detection skills and the viability of using synthesized sound sources for training was confirmed.The following recommendations were made: (1) Jazz directors need to do more listening to jazz music, (2) band directors who direct jazz programs should join IAJE, (3) jazz ensembles shouldtheir own improvisational skills, and rehearse in the fall, (4) jazz ensemble directors should develop (5) jazz ensemble directors should have their students sing their parts during rehearsals for increased learning efficiency and retention. / Human Performance Laboratory

As a part of a project designed to mimic a Space Shuttle flight (LMS), eight healthy males completed 17 d of -6° head down tilt bedrest to assess the in vivo torque velocity relationship of the calf muscle group and the cardiorespiratory responses to supine cycling exercise. The subjects age, height, and weight were 42.7 ±8.1 y, 182.3 ±6.5 cm, and 82.2 ±12.1 kg, respectively. Testing was completed prior to bedrest (CON), on bedrest days 2 & 3 (BR 1), 8 & 9 (BR2), and 13 & 14 (BR3), as well as recovery days 3 & 4 (R1), and 7 & 8 (R2). Maximal plantar flexion force production at seven angular velocities (0, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300'- s-1) was unchanged (P>0.05) during bedrest and recovery. Muscle biopsy specimens obtained from the soleus before and on day 17 of bedrest showed no change (P>0.05) in muscle fiber composition, muscle fiber area, capillary to fiber ratio, or capillary density. Citrate synthase activity decreased 21% (P<0.05) from 122.1 ±7.8 to '97.1 ±5.1 µmol -min-1 • g dry wt-1, while phosphorylase activity was unchanged (P>0.05). VO2max (L • min-1) was decreased (P<0.05) from CON (3.24 ±0.20) during BR1 (2.99 ±0.17; -7.3%), BR2 (3.00 ±0.17; -7.1%), BR3 (2.92 ±0.20; -9.0%), and R1 (3.02 ±0.20; -6.6%), but was not different (P>0.05) than CON by R2 (3.13 ±0.19; -3.3%). Maximal heart rate and ventilation did not change (P>0.05) from CON during bedrest or recovery. Initial changes in VO2max (BR1) were significantly correlated with fluid balance during bedrest day 1 (r=0.91, P<0.05). These data suggest that the testing protocols in this investigation may be sufficient to attenuate functionally significant changes in muscle morphology and strength during 17 d of simulated microgravity. The results also suggest that the time course for changes in VO2max are not linear and are related to the initial changes in body fluid volumes. / Human Performance Laboratory

Graduation date: 1991

Peak oxygen uptake (VO2PEAK) in endurance exercise trained (ET =8) subjects (VO2PEAK = 61.7 1.6 ml 02.kg.min-1) was compared to the V02 PEAK of untrained (UT = 8) subjects (V02 PEAK = 38.4 1.7 ml 02 -kg.min1) after four hours of -6* head-down rest (HDR).Although both groups showed a reduction in blood volume (BV) following HDR, this decrement was greater for ET subjects (delta BV = -3.23 0.46 mi/kg; P <0.05). The ET subjects had a greater decrease in VO2=(delta 02E -5.58 1.05 ml 02-kg.min-1; P <0.05) than their UT peers (VO2PEAK = -2.44 0.79 ml02-kg.min-1). These data suggest that the greater reductions in VO2PE, observed for the ET group were associated with a greater BV loss resulting from 4 h of HDR prior to exercise.

Cardiovascular and hormonal responses to +700 head-up tilt (HUT: orthostatic challenge) were compared between six endurance exercise trained (ET) and six untrained (UT) subjects prior to and immediately following 4 hours of -60 head-down rest (HDR). The ET subjects showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in orthostatic tolerance time (pre syncopal symptoms) during post-HDR HUT, while no difference was observed between ET and UT groups in pre-HDR HUT. The volume regulatory hormonal responses were similar between ET and UT groups whether during HUT or HDR. The pre-syncopal subjects had a greater increase in plasma arginine vasopressin and less increase in plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone during HUT than was observed in non syncopal subjects. These data suggest that HDR deconditioning was more effective in the ET subjects.

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.

Le principal objectif de ce travail est l’étude de l’influence de la pesanteur sur la mécanique <p>respiratoire et le contrôle de la respiration, ainsi que sur les interactions cardio-respiratoires pendant les différents stades du sommeil. <p><p>Le chapitre introductif présente le contexte général et les objectifs de la thèse. Des sections abordant le sommeil, la respiration, et l’interaction cardio-respiratoire y sont présentées, résumant l’état actuel des connaissances sur les effets de la pesanteur sur chacun de ces systèmes. <p>Dans le deuxième chapitre, l’expérience “Sleep and Breathing in microgravity”, qui constitue la source des données à la base de ce travail, est présentée en détail. <p>L’étude des signaux de longue durée requiert avant tout de disposer d’outils performants <p>d’analyse des signaux. La première partie de la thèse présente en détail deux algorithmes :un <p>algorithme de détection automatique d’événements respiratoires (inspiration / expiration) <p>basé sur des réseaux neuronaux artificiels, et un algorithme de quantification de l’amplitude <p>et de la phase de l’arythmie sinusale pendant le sommeil, utilisant la méthode des ondelettes. <p>La validation de chaque algorithme est présentée, et leur performance évaluée. Cette partie <p>inclut aussi des courtes introductions théoriques aux réseaux de neurones artificiels ainsi <p>qu’aux méthodes d’analyse temps–fréquence (Fourier et ondelettes). <p>Une approche similaire à celle utilisée pour la détection automatique d’événements respiratoires a été appliquée à la détection d’événements dans des signaux de vitesse du sang <p>dans l’artère cérébrale moyenne, mesures obtenues par Doppler transcrânien. Ceci est le <p>sujet de la thèse annexe. <p>Ces deux algorithmes ont été appliqués aux données expérimentales pour extraire des <p>informations physiologiques quant à l’impact de la pesanteur sur la mécanique respiratoire et <p>l’interaction cardio-respiratoire. Ceci constitue la deuxième partie de la thèse. Un chapitre <p>est consacré aux effets de l’apesanteur sur la mécanique respiratoire pendant le sommeil. <p>Ce chapitre a mis en évidence, pour tous les stades de sommeil, une augmentation de la <p>contribution abdominale en microgravité, suivi d’un retour progressif vers des valeurs observées avant le vol. L’augmentation initiale était attendue, mais l’adaptation progressive <p>observée ne peut pas être expliquée par un effet purement mécanique, et nous suggère la <p>présence d’un mécanisme d’adaptation central. Un deuxième chapitre présente les résultats <p>comparant l’arythmie sinusale pendant le sommeil avant le vol, en apesanteur et après le retour sur terre. Le rythme cardiaque pendant le sommeil dans l’espace présente une moindre <p>variabilité. Les différences NREM–REM observées sur terre pour les influences vagales et sympathiques sont accentuées dans l’espace. Aucun changement significatif n’est présent pour <p>le gain et la différence de phase entre les les signaux cardiaque et respiratoire en comparant <p>le sommeil sur terre et en apesanteur. <p>La dissertation termine par une discussion générale du travail effectué, incluant les prin- <p>cipales conclusions ainsi que les perspectives qui en découlent. / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished