Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, causes potentially preventable damage in part through the dysregulation of neural calcium levels. This dysregulation likely affects the activity of the calcium-sensitive phosphatase, calcineurin, with serious implications for neural function. To test this possibility, the present study characterized the role of calcineurin in a rat model of brain trauma, the lateral fluid percussion injury model. Golgi-Cox histochemistry revealed an acute post-TBI loss and delayed overgrowth of dendritic spines on principal cortical cells. The spine loss appeared to require calcineurin activity, since administering a calcineurin inhibitor, FK506, 1 hour after TBI prevented the spine loss. Additional experiments showed how calcineurin activity might be related to the spine loss. Specifically, Western blots and enzyme activity assays revealed an acute increase in the cortical activity of calcineurin and its downstream effector, the actin-depolymerizing protein, cofilin. The cofilin activation was blocked by the same FK506 treatment that prevented spine loss, suggesting a relationship between cofilin activation and spine loss. To investigate long-term consequences of calcineurin activation after TBI, rats were administered FK506 (Tacrolimus) 1 hour after TBI and then monitored for spontaneous seizure activity months later. Acute post-TBI treatment with FK506 reduced the frequency of late non-convulsive seizures but did not prevent late convulsive seizures, cortical atrophy, or thalamic damage. The results of the present study implicate calcineurin in the acute dendritic remodeling and late non-convulsive seizures that occur after TBI. Importantly, these findings reveal calcineurin as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of TBI and its sequalae.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Los Angeles, 2008. / CD-ROM entitled "The motion graphics scores of Severin Behnen" includes the animated scores. Includes bibliographical references (v. 1, leaves 138-142).

Music analysis and source separation have become important and allied areas of research over the last decade. Towards this, analyzing a music signal for important events such as onsets, offsets and transients are important problems. These tasks help in music source separation and transcription. Approaches in source separation too have been making great strides, but most of these techniques are aimed at Western music and fail to perform well for Indian music. The fluid style of instrumentation in Indian music requires a slightly modified approach to analysis and source separation. We propose an onset detection algorithm that is motivated by the human auditory system. This algorithm has the advantage of having a unified framework for the detection of both onsets and offsets in music signals. This onset detection algorithm is further extended to detect percussive transients. Percussive transients have sharp onsets followed closely by sharp offsets. This characteristic is exploited in the percussive transients detection algorithm. This detection does not lend itself well to the extraction of transients and hence we propose an iterative algorithm to extract all types of transients from a polyphonic music signal. The proposed iterative algorithm is both fast and accurate to extract transients of various strengths. This problem of transient extraction can be extended to the problem of harmonic/percussion sound separation(HPSS), where a music signal is separated into two streams consisting of components mainly from percussion and harmonic instruments. Many algorithms that have been proposed till date deal with HPSS for Western music. But with Indian classical/film music, a different style of instrumentation or singing is seen, including high degree of vibratos or glissando content. This requires new approaches to HPSS. We propose extensions to two existing HPSS techniques, adapting them for Indian music. In both the extensions, we retain the original framework of the algorithm, showing that it is easy to incorporate the changes needed to handle Indian music. We also propose a new HPSS algorithm that is inspired by our transient extraction technique. This algorithm can be considered a generalized extension to our transient extraction algorithm and showcases our view that HPSS can be considered as an extension to transient analysis. Even the best HPSS techniques have leakages of harmonic components into percussion and this can lead to poor performances in tasks like rhythm analysis. In order to reduce this leakage, we propose a post processing technique on the percussion stream of the HPSS algorithm. The proposed method utilizes signal stitching by exploiting a commonly used model for percussive envelopes. We also developed a vocals extraction algorithm from the harmonic stream of the HPSS algorithm. The vocals extraction follows the popular paradigm of extracting the predominant pitch followed by generation of the vocals signal corresponding to the pitch. We show that HPSS as a pre-processing technique gives an advantage in reducing the interference from percussive sources in the extraction stage. It is also shown that the performance of vocal extraction algorithms improve with the knowledge about locations of the vocal segments. This is shown with the help of an oracle to locate the vocal segments. The use of the oracle greatly reduces the interferences from other dominating sources in the extracted vocals signal.

This document discusses the relationship between trumpet and percussion over the past centuries, the development of music for trumpet and percussion ensembles, trumpet and percussion in twentieth-century chamber music and the creation of music for trumpet and marimba. A listing of all known trumpet and percussion duos is included. An exploration of the development of the Wilder Duo and a listing of all known trumpet and marimba duos is also included. There are analyses of works by Gordon Stout, Paul Turok and Alec Wilder. These analyses examine sound, form, harmony, melody and rhythm for each piece. Musical illustrations are included. These analyses are divided into chapters. Each chapter begins with a short biography of each composer. A short description of each work is also given. Summaries are included at the end of each analytical chapter.

[ES] El propósito fundamental perseguido en esta tesis es el de establecer las relaciones entre el movimiento y la interpretación. Se ofrece una perspectiva global del fenómeno, a partir de la concepción holístico-kinética personal centrada en el repertorio actual para percusión. Las decisiones teórico-interpretativas son fruto de la reflexión y la continua praxis artística y docente realizada a lo largo de los años. Por una parte, a través de recitales tanto como solista como en diferentes proyectos relacionados con la creación, interpretación y difusión del arte de la percusión y por otra, en el desempeño de la función docente como especialista en distintos ámbitos y niveles. Se establecen las bases conceptuales necesarias para extrapolar unos principios comunes a los diferentes instrumentos o conjuntos de instrumentos a través de la interpretación del gran repertorio contemporáneo. El trabajo de investigación se lleva a cabo a partir del análisis, grabación, entrevistas a grandes intérpretes, estudios y trabajos similares en otros campos asociados por su empleo del movimiento como medio de expresión. La tesis cristaliza en diferentes resultados y conceptos teórico-prácticos que se ven reflejados en la edición de una partitura, la definición de unos principios generales interpretativos y la grabación en distintos formatos de las diferentes piezas que conforman el corpus principal de estudio. Los registros audiovisuales se agrupan en dos bloques: la edición de un CD de audio con 5 piezas del repertorio contemporáneo para percusión y clarinete bajo, y la grabación de las tres piezas fundamentales de la tesis en formato de video de alta calidad de acceso libre en la red. / [CA] El propòsit fonamental perseguit en aquesta tesi és el d'establir les relacions entre el moviment i la interpretació. S'ofereix una perspectiva global del fenomen, a partir de la concepció holístic-cinètica personal centrada en el repertori actual per percussió. Les decisions teòric-interpretatives són fruit de la reflexió i la contínua praxi artística i docent realitzada al llarg dels anys. D'una banda, a través de recitals tant com a solista com en diferents projectes relacionats amb la creació, interpretació i difusió de l'art de la percussió i per una altra, en l'exercici de la funció docent com a especialista en diferents àmbits i nivells. S'estableixen les bases conceptuals necessàries per extrapolar uns principis comuns als diferents instruments o conjunts d'instruments a través de la interpretació del gran repertori contemporani. El treball de recerca es porta a terme a partir de l'anàlisi, gravació, entrevistes a grans intèrprets, estudis i treballs similars en altres camps associats que empren el moviment com a mitjà d'expressió. La tesi cristal·litza en diferents resultats i conceptes teoricopràctics que es veuen reflectits en l'edició d'una partitura, la definició d'uns principis generals interpretatius i l'enregistrament en diferents formats de les diferents peces que conformen el corpus principal d'estudi. Els registres audiovisuals s'agrupen en dos blocs: l'edició d'un CD d'àudio amb 5 peces del repertori contemporani per a percussió i clarinet baix, i l'enregistrament de les tres peces fonamentals de la tesi en format de vídeo d'alta qualitat d'accés lliure a la xarxa. / [EN] The fundamental purpose pursued in this thesis is to establish the relationships between movement and interpretation. A global perspective of the phenomenon is offered, starting from the personal holistic-kinetic conception centered on the current repertoire for percussion. Theoretical-interpretative decisions are the result of reflection and continuous artistic and teaching practice carried out over the years. On the one hand, through recitals both as a soloist and in different projects related to the creation, interpretation and dissemination of the art of percussion and, on the other, in the performance of the teaching function as a specialist in different fields and levels. The necessary conceptual bases are established to extrapolate some common principles to the different instruments or sets of instruments through the interpretation of the great contemporary repertoire. The research work is carried out from the analysis, recording, interviews with great interpreters, studies and similar works in other fields associated with their use of movement as a means of expression. The thesis crystallizes in different results and theoretical-practical concepts that are reflected in the edition of a score, the definition of general interpretive principles and the recording in different formats of the different pieces that make up the main corpus of study. The audiovisual records are grouped into two blocks: the edition of an audio CD with 5 pieces of the contemporary repertoire for percussion and bass clarinet, and the recording of the three fundamental pieces of the thesis in free access high-quality video format in network. / Soriano Morales, J. (2021). Una visión holística del movimiento en el arte de la percusión actual a través de la aplicación de una concepción kinética personal [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/172193

This thesis covers pretty much everything about the 4’th movement of “I Ching” by Per Nørgård (“IV. Towards Completion. Fire over Water”). I have delved deep into an analysis, that helped me develop my own interpretation and understanding of the piece.  While I was doing my research, I discovered fascinating links between music and mathematics, that showed me how much we don’t know and that there are interesting subjects left for us to find. My exploration did not stop there just yet, I also found out about the “I Ching”, an ancient Chinese book, that covers a broad topic, which can be summed up in two words: Yin & Yang. This, combined with a bit of mathematics contributed to the creation of a unique vocabulary that Per Nørgård pioneered, called: “infinity series”. My thesis aim is to promote Per Nørgård’s music, that has not yet been discovered by enough percussionists.

The Peabody Conservatory commissioned Estudios De Frontera by Alejandro Viñao in 2004. Percussionist Robert Van Sice initiated the commissioning process. Estudios De Frontera is the first composition for percussion ensemble by Viñao. Viñao's Estudios is written in two movements. The first is titled Homage to Nancarrow. As the title implies the compositional processes are directly influenced by Conlon Nancarrow. The composer states: "Homage to Nancarrow is concerned with the perceptual illusion of multiple simultaneous speeds or tempi....This movement explores the type of rhythms that create the illusion that multiple independent tempi are being heard while remaining playable by musicians." The purpose of this document is to provide a rhythmic analysis describing the techniques used by Chopin, Ligeti, and Nancarrow, and demonstrating their manifestation in the first movement of Alejandro Viñao's Estudios de Frontera. The analysis provides detailed information in regards to Nancarrow's rhythmic structures including: ostinato, hemiola, isorhythm, accelerations, and implied poly-tempo. Additionally, by seeking advice from notable performers and ensembles, the areas of greatest concern are identified, and strategies towards rehearsal and performance are recommended. The performance guide is included as an appendix to the analytic body of the paper.

Three Ideas is a collection of three one-act (musical) plays intended to be performed either as a series or as separate pieces. In order for them to be performable in either of those ways, they need some sort of unifying fabric running throughout the collection, yet they must remain individually strong enough to stand alone outside the context of the series and still seem complete. The concepts Tonal and Nagual, Bell's Theorem, and Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind were chosen because of their theatrical possibilities as well as their philosophical implications. All three of the concepts deal with an unknown, or at least unseen, force that has a strong influence (possibly control) over our actions and the actions of objects around us. This force could possibly radiate from within ourselves, or it could be completely outside us.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces a robust cellular proliferative response among neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/NPCs) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. This proliferative effect is thought to contribute to the innate cognitive recovery observed following TBI. Inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis impairs cognitive function. Furthermore, enhancement of injury-induced hippocampal neurogenesis via intraventricular administration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) improves cognitive function in animals following TBI. In this experiment, we investigated the direct association between injury-induced hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive recovery utilizing an antimitotic agent, arabinofuranosyl cytidine (Ara-C). In this study, adult rats received a moderate lateral fluid percussion injury (LFPI). Immediately following injury, Ara-C with or without bFGF was infused into the lateral ventricle via an osmotic mini-pump for 7 days. To label dividing cells animals received daily single injections of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) at 2-7 days post-injury. To examine the effect of Ara-C on cell proliferation, a group of animals was sacrificed at 1 week following injury. Brain sections were immunostained for BrdU and cell type specific markers, and the number of BrdU+ cells in the hippocampus was assessed by stereology. To examine the effect of inhibition of injury-induced cell proliferation on cognitive recovery, animals were assessed on Morris water maze tasks (MWM) either at 21 to 25 days or 56-60 days post-injury. We found that post-injury Ara-C treatment significantly reduces injury-induced cell proliferation in the DG and abolishes the innate cognitive recovery on MWM performance at 56-60 days post-injury. Additionally, Ara-C diminishes bFGF enhanced cell proliferation in the DG and cognitive recovery following TBI. These results support the causal relationship between injury-induced hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive functional recovery. Our studies suggest that the post-TBI neurogenic response is an endogenous repair mechanism that contributes to the restoration of hippocampal function post-injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to short-term and long-term consequences that can cause many different life-long disorders. Studies of TBI have generally focused on the acute stage; however, it is now becoming important to investigate chronic responses following TBI as clinical reports of dementia and cognitive impairments have been linked to a history of TBI. Recent data have established that cognitive function is associated with hippocampal neurogenesis. Chronic injury induced changes in the brain may affect this endogenous process. Chronic responses following TBI include cell death pathways and inflammatory responses that are persistent in the brain for months to years after injury. In this study we investigate the chronic consequences of TBI on adult neurogenesis and the possible involvement of chronic-inflammation in regulating adult neurogenesis. We used two popular TBI animal models, Control Cortical Impact (CCI) and Lateral Fluid Percussion Injury (LFPI) models, to examine focal and diffuse injury responses respectively. Adult rats received CCI, LFPI, or sham injury and were sacrificed at either 15 days or 3 months after injury to examine either subacute or chronic TBI-induced responses respectively. We found no change in levels of proliferation activity at both time points in both TBI models compared to sham animals. Using Doublecortin immunolabeling we found an enhanced generation of new neurons at 15 days after injury and by 3 months this activity was significantly reduced in both TBI models compared to sham animals. We also found persistent inflammation in the injured brains at both time points. Morphological assessment showed that LFPI model of TBI causes shrinkage of the ipsilateral hippocampus. Our results show that moderate TBI induced hippocampal neurogenesis in both models at the early time post-injury. However, at chronic stage, reduced hippocampal neurogenesis is observed in both models and this is accompanied by chronic inflammation. These results suggest that persistent inflammatory responses maybe detrimental to normal neurogenic activity, leading to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in long-term TBI survivors.