Thesis (M.A.)--San Francisco State University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-36). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1971. / Vita. Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--San Francisco State University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-36).

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Indiana University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

The performance of dynamic jumps is the result of complex interactions between many factors, including preflight characteristics, muscle strength and activation timings, and the elastic properties of external contact surfaces. The aim of this study was to determine the contributions of these factors to the performance of dynamic jumps and to gain a greater understanding of the underlying mechanics. Theoretical computer simulation models were developed incorporating muscle representations and elastic interfaces between the model and the external contact surfaces for vaulting and tumbling takeoffs in gymnastics. The simulation models were customised to represent the elite male gymnast analysed in this study by calculating subject specific inertia and muscle parameters from experimental testing with the gymnast. The simulation models were evaluated by comparing simulations of each movement with actual vaulting and tumbling performances by the elite male gymnast and then used to quantify the contributions to vaulting and tumbling performance. The characteristics of the preflight were found to have a major influence on both vaulting and tumbling performance, In addition, for tumbling, the takeoff strategy (activation timings of the muscles) was also crucial, with it being possible to produce a range of postflight performances by just changing the strategy used during the takeoff. Vaulting and tumbling performances were found to be relatively insensitive to changes (within realistic limits) in the elastic nature of the contact surfaces and for vaulting the elasticity of the shoulder joint had a considerable effect on performance. In addition the use of the hand/foot was found to prolong the duration of contact with an external surface.

The colour vision of adult citrus psylla, Trioza erytreae, was investigated in the laboratory using the behavioural parameters: alightment and walking. Light green flushing leaves (under which the nymphs develop) were significantly preferred, visually, to dark green mature leaves for alightment. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy showed (when expressed in the parameters of human colour vision) that flush has a very slightly longer dominant wavelength, and roughly double the reflectance and purity. Alightrnent frequency correlated almost equally well with "purity" (as noted by Moericke, 1952 et seq., in "yellow-sensitive" aphids) as with the aphidological colour parameter "long/short ratio" developed by Kennedy et al. (1961). Elucidation of the mechanism underlying the citrus psylla's alightment colour preference was initially attempted with a printed spectrum and several paint series of measured spectral characteristics. It was clear that T.erytreae belongs to the "yellow-sensitive" group of Homoptera, but it was impossible to distinguish which pararneter(s) of colour the psyllids were responding to. Phototactic (walking) response to the individual parameters of colour was therefore measured using a monochromator. The phototactic action spectrum (against wavelength) was tri-modal, with peaks in the yellow-green (YG), blue (B), and ultra= violet (UV). Rate of phototaxis was not influenced by bandwidth (roughly equivalent to purity), but was proportional to intensity (roughly equivalent to reflectance). To investigate the influence of the above three wavelength regions on alightment, use was made of a very simple flight chamber incorporating a target of coloured light. Yellow-green and UV light both independently stimulated alightment . Their effect was additive. Different thresholds indicated distinct YG and UV receptor systems. Blue light alone did not stimulate alightment, and was strongly alightment-inhibitory in combination both with YG and with UV light. On the basis of the above physiological/behavioural findings, a new alightment formula was drawn up for describing the hamopteran's apparent manner of alightment determining integration of surface reflectance. The flush preference and alightment distributions on the series of artificial surfaces were found to correlate slightly more accurately, on average, as well as more consistently, with the new formula than with previously-available colour parameters. These findings are placed in perspective to the literature, and their possible economic relevance is discussed.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o perfil eletrocardiográfico dos eqüinos praticantes de hipismo clássico em São Paulo e também se estes parâmetros sofrem influências em relação ao tipo de atividade física desempenhada pelo animal (provas de salto abaixo de 1,20 metros e provas acima de 1,20 metros), faixa etária e fatores sexuais. Foram utilizados 100 eqüinos de hipismo clássico, representados por 61 machos e 39 fêmeas, com idades entre 4 e 19 anos. A freqüência cardíaca variou de 18,50 batimentos por minuto (bpm) a 89,45bpm, com média de 40,2077±13,3321, o ritmo cardíaco mais freqüente foi o sinusal com 56%, seguido de taquicardia sinusal 23%, arritmia sinusal 20% e bradicardia sinusal com 1%. As alterações encontradas foram: marcapasso migratório 25%, bloqueio átrio-ventricular de 2°grau (BAV de 2°grau) 9%, BAV de 1°grau 7%, complexos ventriculares prematuros 2% e bloqueio sinoatrial/ \"sinus arrest\" e complexos atrial prematuro com 1%. O eixo elétrico no plano frontal em 87% dos casos esteve entre o e +90 graus. O score cardíaco médio foi de 94,9±16,1milisegundos e em relação à duração na derivação bipolar II, obteve-se onda P com 0,1100±0,0242 segundos, intervalo P-R com 0,3140±0,0744 seg., complexo QRS com 0,0908±0,0250 seg., intervalo QT com 0,4908±0,0536 seg. e onda T com 0,1130±0,0330 seg. Quanto à amplitude também na derivação bipolar II, obteve-se onda P única em 35% dos casos com média de 0,2671±0,0747 milivolts, onda P bifásica em 11% dos eqüinos com média de 0,3136±0,1098mV e onda P bífida em 54% dos animais, sendo esta dividida em porção 1 e 2 (P1 e P2), P1 teve média de 0,1352±0,0492mV e P2 teve média de 0,2259±0,0502mV. A onda R e a onda T estiveram presentes em 100% dos eqüinos obtendo média de 1,0220±0,5028mV e 0,4425±0,2042mV, respectivamente. Quanto à morfologia, considerando-se todas as derivações analisadas, encontraram-se 11 configurações distintas para a onda P e 5 configurações diferentes para o complexo QRS e para a onda T. Segundo as análises estatísticas, houve diferenças significativas na duração, amplitude e morfologia de algumas ondas, intervalos e complexos, em relação ao grupo de atividade física, sexo e idade. / This study aimed to evaluate the electrocardiographic profiles of horses practicing show jumping in São Paulo as well as whether these parameters are affected by kind of physical activity performed by the animal (competitions below 1.20m jumps or above 1.20m), the age level or gender. A hundred show jumping horses were used, being 61 males, and 39 females. Their ages ranged from 4 to 19 years. Heart rate ranged from 18.50 beats per minute (bpm) to 89.45bpm, with an average of 40.2077±13.3321, the most frequent rhythm was sinusal with 56%, followed by sinus tachycardia 23%, sinus arrhythmia 20% and sinus bradycardia 1%. The alterations found were: wandering pacemaker 25%, second-degree atrioventricular block (BAV 2°) 9%, first-degree BAV 7%, ventricular premature complexes 2% and sinoatrial block / sinus arrest as well as premature atrial complexes 1%. The electrical axis at the frontal plane in 87% of the cases was between 0 and +90°. The average cardiac score was 94.9±16.1 milliseconds. In relationship to the bipolar lead II, P wave with 0.1100±0.0242 seconds, P-R interval of 0.3140±0.0744 seconds, QRS complex of 0.0908±0.0250 seconds, QT interval of 0.4908±0.0536 seconds and T wave with 0.1130±0.0330 seconds were obtained. In the amplitude, also at the bipolar lead II a single-peaked P wave was obtained in 35% of the cases with an average of 0.2671±0.0747 millivoltz, biphasic P wave in 11% of horses with an average of 0.3136±0.1098 mV and bifid P wave in 54% of the animals, being the latter divided into portions 1 and 2 (P1 and P2). P1 got an average of 0.1352±0.0492mV and P2 got an average of 0.2259±0.0502 mV. R wave and T wave were present in 100% of the horses, getting an average of 1.0220±0.5028mV and 0.4425±0.2042mV respectively. In relationship to the morphology, considering all the analyzed leads, 11 different configurations for P wave, and 5 different configurations for T wave were observed. According to the statistical investigation, there were significant differences in duration, amplitude and morphology of some waves, intervals and complexes in relationship to the physical activity group, sex and age.