I denna studie har tio undersökningsdeltagare sett tio klipp från skräckfilmer som alla innehåller jumpscare-scener, det vill säga scener med plötsliga förändringar som används för att ge tittare en skrämselupplevelse. Undersökningsdeltagarna har för varje klipp fått värdera både i ett bildformulär och i ord hur pass skrämda de blev och vad de tror var anledningarna till det. Jumpscare-scenerna som användartestet bestod av har alla olika komponenter som utmärker dem för att det skulle vara möjligt att se vilka komponenter som bidrog mest till att skrämmas. Begreppen pre-scare, precise-scare och post-scare har utvecklats och använts i undersökningen för att förklara de olika temporala delarna av en jumpscare-scen. Studien utgår bland annat från den så kallade Startle reflexen, som utlöses på grund av plötslig och stark stimuli och audio-visuellinriktad litteratur som exempelvis Chions Audio-Vision. Resultaten visar bland annat att de mest skrämmande jumpscare-scenerna har långa, obehagliga uppbyggnader med lågfrekventa ljud eller musikstycken i prescare- momentet och ett så starkt, oväntat, högfrekvent ljud i precise-scare-momentet som möjligt. De innehåller ofta dissonant och oregelbunden musik och röster samt skrik förstärker även skrämseleffekten eller den så kallade startle-reflexen.

The stopping of an earlier intended action is best explained in a race between a go process and a stop process (Logan & Cowan, 1984). The finish line, to which each process races, has been likened to a point of no return, specifically one that marks the onset of a final ballistic (unstoppable) process. Of note is the typical relation of reduced go probabilities and faster go latencies at shorter signal onset asynchronies (SOAs). (The SOA is the time interval between presentation of the go signal and presentation of the stop signal.) We report, in some cases, sub-maximal surface electromyograms (EMGs) at onset when trying to stop a maximal speeded action. These data indicate reduced synaptic drive to reach the motor pools as a result of earlier stopping effects and, as such, hold important implications for a theory of control. First, we interpret these data to suggest that the point of no return is phantom. Sub-maximal EMGs indicate a point in the control stream beyond which some EMG will be later observed but, importantly, they fail to mark the onset of a final ballistic process if, once breached, the same process remains subject to further effects of stopping. The alternative interpretation, however, that of a final ballistic process that receives sub-maximal input which results in sub-maximal output (i.e., EMG onset) cannot be ruled out from these data. We used the Hoffmann (H) reflex to probe further the mechanism of control for stopping a voluntary action. The H-reflex, an involuntary reflex that is taken as an index of spinal control, is relevant to the control of stopping because it is typically facilitated a short time before EMG onset. In other words, it provides a window of control within which a final ballistic process would otherwise be expected to locate. Thus, we interpret the effects of stopping on the H-reflex before EMG onset as strong evidence against a final ballistic process. Second, while the race model can explain the relation between the go probabilities, the go latencies and the SOAs, it fails to explain the sub-maximal EMG onsets that describe that same action in some cases. We submit a mechanism of excitatory-inhibitory interaction at all times up to the motor pool to explain both sets of empirical data. The viability of this theory is demonstrated using computer analyses. / Education, Faculty of / Kinesiology, School of / Graduate

Orientador: José de Anchieta de Castro e Horta Junior / Banca: Luiz Takase / Banca: Claudio Aparecido Casatti / Banca: Luciana Pinatto / Banca: Mirela Barros Dias / Resumo: O reflexo auditivo de sobressalto (RAS) é uma reação motora rápida e evidente frente a um estímulo acústico intenso e inesperado. Trata-se de um reflexo acústico-motor do tronco encefálico que está presente em muitas espécies de mamíferos, incluindo o homem. Possui caráter tanto defensivo frente a uma possível agressão quanto de alerta frente a aconteci-mentos não esperados. Além do RAS resultar em uma resposta sobre a musculatura esque-lética, possui ação sobre o sistema nervoso autônomo promovendo aumento da pressão arterial e da freqüência cardíaca. No rato o circuito neural elementar do RAS é constituído por: neurônios do gânglio espiral, neurônios da raiz coclear (CRN), neurônios reticuloespi-nais do núcleo reticular caudal da ponte (PnC) e motoneurônios da medula espinal. O RAS pode ser modulado pela habituação, sensibilização, inibição por estímulo prévio (PPI) e pela potenciação por um estímulo adverso. Estas modulações podem ocorrer mediante a influên-cia de diversas substâncias neuroativas sobre os componentes deste circuito. Neste traba-lho avaliamos a origem de aferências monoaminérgicas (serotonina e noradrenalina) e CART-érgicas para os CRN e PnC. Para isso foram utilizados 54 ratos Wistar, adultos fê-meas, que foram submetidos a injeções de traçadores neuronais anterógrados e retrógrados para mapeamento de vias nervosas e a identificação imuno-histoquímica de substâncias neuroativas. Todos os protocolos experimentais foram aprovados pela Comissão de Ética no Uso de Animais do Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu - UNESP (protocolo no 17/08). Nos-sos resultados demonstram que o grupamento noradrenérgico A5 é uma fonte de aferências noradrenérgicas e CART-érgicas para os CRN e PnC, enquanto que o núcleo dorsal da rafe (DR) é a origem de aferências serotoninérgicas para estas regiões. Existem conexões recí-procas entre o DR, o A5 e o PnC. Além disso,... / Abstract: The acoustic startle reflex (ASR) is a rapid motor reaction elicited by a sudden intense acoustic stimulus. This is an acoustic-motor reflex of brainstem conserved across mammal's species including man. Moreover the ASR is defensive behavior against both possible ag-gressive and alert to unexpected events. The ASR evokes responses of skeletal muscles as well as of autonomic nervous system with elevation of blood pressure and acceleration of the heart rate. In the rat, the elementary neural circuitry of ASR is mediated by ganglion cells of the organ of Corti, the cochlear root neurons (CRN), the pontine caudal reticular nucleus (PnC) and motoneurons of the spinal cord. The ASR could be modulated by habituation, sensitization, prepulse inhibition (PPI), and fear potentiation. These modulations were medi-ated by the influence of neuroactive substances on components of neuronal circuitry of ASR. In this work we evaluate the origin of monoaminergic (serotonin and noradrenaline) and CART-ergic afferents to CRN and PnC. Adult Female Wistar rats (n=54) were submitted to injections of retrograde and anterograde neuronal tracers in track-tracing experiments and identification of neuroactive substances in brain by immunohistochemistry technique. All ex-perimental protocols are according with Ethics Committee on Animal Use (protocol: 17/08). Our results demonstrate that noradrenergic area A5 (A5) is a source of noradrenergic and CART-ergic afferents to CRN and PnC, and dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) is origin of seroto-ninergic afferents to these regions. There are reciprocal connections between DR, A5 and PnC. Furthermore, after 14 and 21 days of lesion in A5, the percentage of PPI increased during intervals of 100 and 150 milliseconds without modification of ASR. This data suggest that A5 have direct action on elementary circuit of ASR evidenced his connections and modulation of PPI. Moreover, A5 and DR connections bring new insights about modulation ... / Doutor

Estudos iniciais sobre a aquisição da locomoção aquática por bebês identificaram uma seqüência ordenada de padrões de movimento ao longo do primeiro ano de vida. A explicação dada a respeito dessa constatação sustenta que isso se deva a alterações no controle motor causado pela maturação do sistema nervoso. Estudos posteriores têm contestado a existência dessa seqüência predeterminada de padrões, sugerindo uma menor predisposição do organismo e uma maior influência ambiental na aquisição desses comportamentos. O presente projeto visou investigar o efeito da estimulação sistemática do reflexo de nadar no comportamento de bebês na locomoção aquática no primeiro ano de vida. Participaram do experimento dezeseis bebês, com idade media de quatorze semanas, divididos em dois: grupo experimental e controle. O registro dos dados foi feito com uma câmera (Panasonic Camerascope S-VHS Movie modelo AG 456) e a identificação e quantificação dos movimentos foram feitas mediante a análise quadro a quadro utilizando-se do software APAS 2000 (Ariel System). Consideraram-se os movimentos do corpo todo ou de partes e que durassem pelo menos dois segundos. Os resultados obtidos permitiram identificar diferenças significativas na duração do comportamento predominante do mergulho ventral autônomo entre os grupos nos componentes, cabeça, braços, pernas e tronco em nível de 5%. Nas outras demais posições experimentais os resultados obtidos não foram totalmente conclusivos. O que nos leva a afirmar que houve efeito de prática entre os grupos principalmente para a posição experimental do mergulho ventral autônomo / Early studies about acquisition of swimming behavior in infants identified an ordered sequence of movement patterns span the first year of life. The explanation attributed to this fact defends that it happens due to changes in motor control caused by the maturation of nervous system. Nevertheless, it has been questioned, suggesting a smaller predisposition of the organism in the skills acquisition process, suggesting a bigger environmental influence in the acquisition of this behavior. In this way, the present study aimed testing the effects of practice on elementary swim patterns. For this, sixteen full-terms, fourteen weeks ear old infants, were recruited from the Londrina State University community in Londrina. The infants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group was taken to the aquatic environment twice a week for a period of seven consecutive months and received thirty minutes of stimulation of swimming patterns each day. The control group received no systematic stimulation. Both groups were taken to aquatic environment twice a month and filmed for a period of fifteen minutes in each experimental position. The movements made by all the body or the segments, during more than two consecutive seconds, were considered to this analysis. From the data gathered it was possible to identify some behavioural patterns regarding to the action of the head, the limbs and the trunk. A planned comparison confirmed that the duration of the most frequent movement of the experimental group was longer than that of the control group. Those results suggest that the effects of practice can provide variations on some swimming behavior

The medium format photographs created in conjunction with my senior thesis exhibit, Everyday Decay, use texture, line, intimate framing, warm color palettes, and layering to explore an aspect of the everyday landscape that we interact with often but generally ignore. The choice of medium and subject of decay creates a sense of the past, aided by the warm tones that imply affinity and nostalgia.

Book Summary: Packed with new research, relevant case studies, and today’s best practices, the Seventh Edition has been extensively revised and updated throughout and features six all-new chapters, updated research, a streamlined table of contents, and new online teaching and learning resources to save you time and help your students succeed.

Purpose: To pilot test the efficacy of a documented 5-week karate training intervention for rehabilitation and neuroprotection in older adults. Methods: eleven older adults (4 male, 7 female, age 59-90y; 168.4±5.8cm; 67.2±10.7kg), five older adults (4 male, 1 female, age 67-76y;176.8±6.4 cm; 69.9±17.6kg) with chronic conditions, and two young adults (2 female, age 23; 165.1±4.9cm; 60.1±6.7 kg) participated. A commercial balance board was used to assess balance through dynamic posture. Arm and leg strength, Timed Up and Go (TUG), and spinal cord excitability (via the soleus H- reflex) were assessed. Results: Over the intervention participants completed approximately 2437 steps, 1762 turns, 3585 stance changes, 2047 punches, 2757 blocks, and 1253 strikes. Dynamic postural performance improved after the intervention (tTarget (18%, p=0.128), tCenter (9%, p<0.01), and tTotal (14%, p=0.073)), with 9 participants showing improvements in balance. No significant changes were found in TUG group data (p=0.539) but 5 neurologically intact participants (4-9%; p<0.05) and 1 Parkinson’s Disease participant (3%, p<0.05) improved. There was significant improvement to strength in the left hand (2%, p=0.037) and right leg (40%, p=0.050). Spinal cord excitability remained unchanged across the group a but 5 (3 neurologically intact (195%, 215%, 48% (avg= 153%); p<0.05); 2 Parkinson’s Disease participants (19%, 23%; p<0.05)) had significantly modulated H-reflex amplitudes following the intervention. Conclusion: Five weeks of training caused improvements in balance reactions and strength suggesting that neuromechanical integrity improved. Whole-body training in martial arts enhanced neuromuscular function and postural integration. The observations of this pilot investigation provide quantitative groundwork for explorations of dose and development of martial arts interventions as functional fitness intervention for older adults. / Graduate / 2022-01-01

The present study was undertaken to investigate the origin of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide immunoreactive (irCART) fibers observed in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and assess the role of CART peptide on phenylephrine (PE)-induced baroreflex. Immunohistochemical and retrograde tract-tracing studies showed that some of the irCART fibers observed in the NTS may have their cell bodies in the nodose ganglia. In urethane-anesthetized rats, intracisternal or bilateral intra-NTS microinjection of the CART peptide fragment 55-102 (0.1-3 nmol), referred to herein as CARTp, consistently and dose dependently attenuated PE-induced bradycardia. CARTp, in the doses used here, caused no significant changes of resting blood pressure or heart rate. Bilateral intra-NTS injections of CART antibody (1:500) potentiated PE-induced bradycardia. Injections of saline, normal rabbit serum, or concomitant injection of CARTp and CART antiserum into the NTS caused no significant changes of PE-induced baroreflex. The result suggests that endogenously released CARTp from primary afferents or exogenously administered CARTp modulates PE-induced baroreflex.

Acute stretching increases postural stability in nonbalance trained individuals. J Strength Cond Res 26(11): 3095-3100, 2012-Studies into the relationship between acute stretching and maintenance of postural balance have been inconclusive. It was hypothesized that familiarization with the task and subsequent learning might be involved in the conflicting results. Therefore, this study was to designed determine if a regimen of static stretching exercises after a familiarization period would improve a person's ability to maintain a stabilometer in a neutral position and whether stretching had the same effect on individuals with extensive involvement with balancing tasks. Forty-Two college students (21 male, 21 female) and 10 surfers (all male) performed tests on a stabilometer on 2 separate days after 3 days of familiarization. Testing followed either 30 minutes of quiet sitting (nonstretched) or 30 minutes of stretching activities (stretched). Stretching exercises consisted of various assisted and unassisted static stretches of the muscles around the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Improved flexibility after the stretching exercises was demonstrated by significant (p , 0.05) 6.5 6 2.7 cm (mean 6 SD) increase in the sit and reach. Balance time for the students improved significantly by 11.4% (2.0-second increase), but the surfers had no significant change. Thus, stretching improved maintenance of balance perhaps by helping the subjects to eliminate the gross muscle contractions that caused large stabilometer displacements and to replace them with fine muscle contractions that caused little or no stabilometer displacements. However, it appears that experience doing balance tasks supplants any stretching benefit.

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