The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of solute carbonation and carbohydrate (CHO) concentration on gastric emptying during prolonged cycling. Eight highly trained male cyclists completed four two hour cycling bouts during which one of four test solutions were consumed. The test solutions consisted of a carbonated 10 % CHO solution (CK), a non-carbonated 10 % CHO solution (NCK), a carbonated non-CHO solution (CNK), and a noncarbonated non-CHO solution (NCNK). Approximately 150 ml (8.5 ml/kg/hr) of one of the test solutions were consumed every fifteen minutes. The first 105 minutes of each trial was a continuous ride on an electrically braked cycle ergometer at 70 % V02 max. The last fifteen minutes of each trial was a self paced "performance ride" on an isokinetic cycle ergometer. The subjects were instructed to complete as much work (kilojuoles) as possible during the performance ride. Gastric contents were aspirated within five minutes following the performance ride and analyzed to determine the amount of the original test solution emptied.Of the original1273 ml ingested during each trial, the volumes emptied were 993.6 ±78.1, 1064.6 ±75.3, 1097.4 ±94.2, and 1147.2 ±95.9 ml (±SE) for CK, NCK, CNK, NCNK, respectively. The only significant difference was between trials CK and NCNK (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in total work output between any of the trials. However, when the performance data from the CHO trials were pooled and compared to the combined data from the non-CHO trials, total work output was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the CHO group (1185.19 + 21.81, and 1092.85 + 21.52 Kj (+ SE) for the CHO and non-CHO groups, respectively). These data suggest that carbonated or 10 % CHO solutions, independent of one another, may not significantly inhibit gastric emptying. They also suggest that there may be some interaction between carbonation and CHO concentration which caused an additional inhibition of emptying. In addition, the potential for improved performance exists with the consumption of 10 % CHO solutions. / Human Performance Laboratory

The purpose of this study was to determine the association of age, gender, and cardiorespiratory fitness level upon normative heart rate and systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses per MET during the BSU/Bruce Ramp protocol. This research was delimited to 451 subjects, 201 men (mean age 46.5 ± 11.9 yrs) and 250 women (mean age 42.9 ± 11.4 yrs), low to moderate risk subjects. The majority of subjects were tested to enter the Ball State University Adult Physical Fitness Program. These subjects were tested using the BSU/Bruce Ramp protocol between 1992 and 1998.Multiple regression showed gender had a positive association upon submaximal SBP values. Gender's association with heart rate was negative between minute 3-6 and positive between minute 6-9. Age only had an association upon submaximal heart rate, which was negative. Cardiorespiratory fitness had a negative association upon SBP between minute 6-9 and a negative association with heart rate between minute 3-6.SBP increased 6.6 ± 4.4 and 6.0 ± 4.2 mmHg/MET between minute 3-6 for men and women, respectively. Analysis of variance demonstrated gender was not statistically significant between minute 3-6. SBP increased 4.7 ± 3.1 and 3.8 + 2.7 mmHg/MET between minute 6-9 for men and women, respectively. Gender was statisticallysignificant between minute 6-9 (p<.05). Heart rate increased 8.5 + 2.3 and 10.7 + 3.3 bpm/MET between minute 3-6 for men and women, respectively. Analysis of variance demonstrated gender was statistically significant between minute 3-6 (p<.05). The increase was 9.5 + 2.3 and 9.2 + 2.7 bpm/MET between minute 6-9 for men and women, respectively. Gender was not statistically significant between minute 6-9.In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the normative hemodynamic responses during the BSU/Bruce Ramp protocol are similar to submaximal normative data previously reported in the literature for incremental type protocols. / School of Physical Education

It is important to investigate how the golf swing changes with extended play because fatigue affects the performance of athletes playing sports similar to golf. Golf is a physically demanding sport when playing 18 holes while walking and carrying a bag. The effect of playing 18 holes of golf on the mechanics and swing outcome of the golfer are currently unknown. The knowledge of how extended play affects the golf swing will aid golfers, golf coaches, and researchers in understanding proper golf training and play affected swing mechanics. This study investigates the effect of playing 18 holes of simulated golf on the mechanics and performance of the golfer. A total of seven male and female recreational golfers scoring between 80 and 95 on 18 holes of walked golf were recruited for 3-D motion analysis of 140 tee shots. Mechanical variables and outcome variables at three phases of the golf swing were tested over time to evaluate the relationship between time (playing golf), mechanical variables, and the outcome of the golf shot tested statistically using path analysis. Weight transfer to the lead leg at ball contact was significantly related to club head velocity (CHV). Over time, golfers were less able to achieve a weight transfer to the lead leg, which was directly related to the golfers' club head velocity. The lead knee and lead ankle angles were also affected by time, which had an influence on club head velocity. These results suggest that golfers do change their swing throughout the course of 18 holes of walked golf and there are key swing mechanics which significantly influence golf performance. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / Current Army models and simulations provide limited representation of the actions and behaviors of the individual combatant (Soldier, Sailor, Marine, or Airman). As the Army transforms into the Future Force, more emphasis is being placed on modeling the actions and behaviors of the individual combatant. The Training and Doctrine Command Analysis Center - Monterey has initiated the Individual Combatant Research Project. One research area is modeling how individual entities react to indirect fire, which is the focus of this thesis. From a study of both historical examples and current U.S. Army doctrine, we derived the input factors and responses. We selected the most significant input factors and derived a general model to represent this phenomenon. From the general model we derived a specific model that we implemented as a behavior rule using the Combined Arms Analysis Tool for the 21st Century, CXXI. In order to determine the effectiveness of the model, we used the face validation method. Our data analysis consisted of a twosample t-test, a Mann-Whitney test, and a two-way analysis of variance. From our analysis we concluded that implementation of our model in CXXI was an improvement that made CXXI more realistic and functional. / Captain, United States Army

This investigation sought to identify differences in the human psychophysiological stress response when mediated by affiliation, by assessing heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), electrodermal activity (EDA), serum Cortisol (SC) concentration, interleukin-2 (IL-2) concentration, and state anxiety among subjects who underwent an anagram solution task. Thirty male subjects from the University of North Texas were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions and asked to solve a series of difficult anagrams either alone or with a companion. Subjects assigned to the control condition were asked to copy permutations of the anagrams. Before, and immediately after the anagram/copying tasks HR, SBP, DBP were measured, blood samples drawn, and The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) administered to all subjects. EDA was measured throughout all trials. Changes from baseline through the experimental period for all dependent variables were analyzed by employing difference scores derived from contrasting baseline and experimental measures. These scores were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) resulting in one significant between group effect among all dependent variables examined. Contrary to stated hypotheses, the alone condition significantly differed from the companion and control conditions by demonstrating a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure from baseline through the experimental period. It was concluded that the decrease in systolic blood pressure from baseline through the experimental period for the alone group was a result of chance sampling of individuals possessing unique psychophysiological response patterns. Appraisals of inter-group differences in response patterns across all dependent variables suggest that an insufficient stressor, and limitations in design, statistical analysis, and measurement may have contributed to this investigation's results. Implications of findings were discussed along with suggestions for future research.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 W544 / Master of Science / Human Nutrition

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Background: Sport as a whole, and especially cycling, has become a major part of the majority of the world population’s daily lives. There have been several studies done to determine the effects of chiropractic treatment on individual muscle groups (Maris, 2003; Sher, 2002). However, very few studies have been done to look at the combined effects of chiropractic on the performance of specific sports. Objective: To investigate the effects of chiropractic manipulative therapy on power output over a one kilometer distance in asymptomatic amateur cyclists. Method: The study consisted of 30 participants. All participants accepted had to meet the inclusion criteria. They were equally and randomly allocated into 3 groups. Group 1 received chiropractic therapy of the lumbar spine. Group 2 received chiropractic therapy of the sacroiliac joint whilst participants in Group 3 received no immediate intervention as they were the control group. Participants in Group 1 and 2 were motion palpated to determine the level of spinal dysfunction. All three groups then cycled on a stationary bike for a one kilometer sprint. Allocated treatment for Group 1 and Group 2 then followed, with Group 3 receiving no intervention. Objective measurements consisted of average power output as well as time over the one kilometer distance from start to finish. Results: Both test groups showed significant clinical as well as statistical improvement over the six week clinical study period. This means that as the average power output measurements increased, the time decreased for both Group 1 and Group 2. Although there were some degree of increased power output and decrease in time of Group 3, it was not significant enough to say that they had increased performance. Conclusion: Chiropractic manipulative therapy did cause an increase in average power output in asymptomatic amateur cyclists over a one kilometer distance.

Ph.D., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Mole rats are a unique family of the rodent order and are known for a subterranean lifestyle, reduced eye size, regressed visual system and unusual patterns of circadian rhythmicity (co-existence of rhythmic and arrhythmic chronotypes within a species has been documented). Such dramatic changes especially that of phenotype, may lead to the prediction of significant differences in organisation of the brain and physiology, therefore these unusual phenotypic features form the core rationale providing the impetus for the present series of studies. Neuroanatomical examination of the mole rat brain for immunohistochemical markers of the cholinergic, catecholaminergic, serotonergic, orexinergic, and histaminergic systems revealed neuronal organisation that was remarkably similar to those previously reported in other rodents and mammals, despite the notable differences in lifestyle and phenotype. These results indicate a strong phylogenetic constraint acting at the systems level of neuronal organisation. The study of sleep and wake in rhythmic and arrhythmic chronotypes of a species of mole rat indicated the arrhythmic chronotype spent more time awake with a longer average duration of a waking episode and less time in sleep with a shorter average duration of a SWS episode. While remaining somewhat similar between mole rat chronotypes, total sleep time in the mole rats was significantly reduced in comparison to other rodents. These results also indicate independence of circadian rhythmicity and sleep homeostasis and possible alteration of specific genes involved in the sleep-wake cycle of the mole rats examined. Stereological assessment of absolute numbers of orexinergic neurons revealed that the arrrhythmic chronotype tends to have more orexinergic neurons per gram of body mass that the rhythmic chronotype, leading to the conclusion that enhanced vigilance and peripheral metabolism of the arrhythmic chronotype may underlie this difference. Immunohistochemical identification of nuclei involved with the sleep-wake cycle, showed no difference in the distribution of these nuclei between circadian chronotypes and no major differences when compared to other rodents. Some interesting and potentially functionally important homogeneities were observed in the distribution of GABAergic interneurons within the pontine region. Furthermore differential orexinergic terminal network densities were observed between chronotypes within the arcuate nucleus and the intergeniculate leaflet. Therefore despite unusual features in lifestyle and phenotype, the organisation of the mole rat brain remains remarkably similar to other rodents; however, distinctions of circadian chronotype consistently produced subtle differences in both the anatomy and physiology of these rodents.

Ph.D., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / This study investigated the effect of exogenous melatonin administration on transient global cerebral ischemia and adult neurogenesis in adult male Sprague- Dawley rats. It also determined serum melatonin concentrations in all the experimental groups and established any effect of melatonin on estimated total granule cell numbers. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups with each group consisting of 6 rats (n = 6). Post-induction time durations of 72 hours and 7 days was used. Single dose of 5 mg/kg exogenous melatonin was administered at each phases of 30 minutes before and after a 10 minutes transient bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries in the different groups, followed by reperfusion. Rats were anesthetized with 20 mg/kg of ketamine and 2.5 mls of blood was collected via cardiac puncture for estimation of serum melatonin concentration using commercially prepared radioimmunoassay ELISA kit. Free floating brain sections cut at 50 μm were immunostained for Ki-67, marker for proliferating cells. The total granule cell number in the dentate gyrus was estimated using the optical fractionator method on plastic embedded brain sections. Mean melatonin concentration (pg/mol) was 268.54 ± 28.73 (72 hours) and 277.83 ± 28.73 (7 days) compared to the sham control; 266.94 ± 37.6 and non surgical 262.96 ± 23.85 respectively. Differences in the concentration were not statistically significant (P<0.05). Histological finding indicated neuropil disruption with potentiation of restoration as the post ischemia days progressed in the melatonin administered groups. The estimated total granule cell number in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was not affected by exogenous melatonin administration. However, there was potentiation in proliferations of the neurogenic niche in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus demonstrating a very strong indications that melatonin enhanced the generations of proliferating cells in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Oxidative stress (OS) is strongly implicated in age-related neurodegeneration and other diseases. Under OS, the production of excessive oxidants leads to increased damages to cellular components. Recently, RNA has been discovered as a major target of oxidative damage, including the creation of abasic sites. In this work, we developed a method for quantifying abasic RNA in cell. Using this method, we have examined the potential role of the RNA-processing cellular foci, stress granule (SG) and processing bodies (PB) in eliminating abasic RNA in situ. We demonstrated that RNA is a major target of oxidative damage, constituting the majority of OS-induced abasic nucleic acids in HeLa cell. Importantly, the level of abasic RNA is strongly correlated with SG abundance. Furthermore, inhibition of SG/PB formation causes accumulation of abasic RNA, suggesting that SG/PB participates in removing oxidized RNA and protects cells under OS, which offers novel targets for therapeutic intervention in age-related diseases. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection