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We present a new algorithm for computing the straight skeleton of a polygon. For a polygon with n vertices, among which r are reflex vertices, we give a deterministic algorithm that reduces the straight skeleton computation to a motorcycle graph computation in O(n (log n) log r) time. It improves on the previously best known algorithm for this reduction, which is randomised, and runs in expected O(n √(h+1) log² n) time for a polygon with h holes. Using known motorcycle graph algorithms, our result yields improved time bounds for computing straight skeletons. In particular, we can compute the straight skeleton of a non-degenerate polygon in O(n (log n) log r + r^(4/3 + ε)) time for any ε > 0. On degenerate input, our time bound increases to O(n (log n) log r + r^(17/11 + ε))

Blainville (1835) wrote the first description of a sand lizard and named it Callisaurus draconoides. Since his time various authors have published articles concerning sand lizards. Girard (1851) described Holbrookia maculata, Trochel (1852) described Cophosaurus texanus, and that same year Baird and Girard synonymized Cophosaurus with Holbrookia providing the name Holbrookia texana, which has stood for over 100 years. Subsequently, Baird (1858) described Uma notata.

<p> The C-B-A ring formation sequence has been adopted towards a total synthesis of podocarpic acid starting from 2, 7-dihydroxynaphthalene. Experimental procedures which were developed by other workers have been modified to improve the yields and the purity of the products. </p> <p> Using naturally occurring podocarpic acid, a reliable procedure has been explored for the functionalization of C-6 and C-7 positions in order to construct the 19,6-lactone ring in synthetically satisfactory yields. Catalytic reduction of the aromatic ring C, after functionalization of ring B, has been investigated with the aim of developing a pathway towards the elaboration of the C, D ring system of the kaurane skeleton. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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No description available.

The primary focus of this study was to determine basal levels of myogenic (MRF4, myogenin, MyoD), proteolytic (FOXO3A, atrogin-1, MuRF-1), myostatin, and mitochondrial (PGC-1α & Tfam) mRNA in elderly women before and after aerobic training. This approach was taken to gain insight into the molecular adaptations associated with our observed increases in whole muscle cross sectional area (CSA) (11%, p<0.05), knee extensor muscle function (25%, p<0.05) and aerobic capacity (30%, p<0.05) with training. Nine elderly women (71±2y) underwent muscle biopsies obtained from the vastus lateralis before and after 12-weeks of aerobic training on a cycle ergometer. Post training biopsy samples were acquired 48 hours after the last exercise session. Aerobic training reduced (p < 0.05) resting levels of MRF4 by 25% while myogenin showed a trend to decrease (p = 0.09) after training. FOXO3A expression was 27% lower (p < 0.05) while atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 were unaltered after training. Additionally, myostatin gene expression was decreased (p < 0.05) by 57% after training. Lastly, aerobic training did not alter PGC-1α or Tfam mRNA. These findings suggest that aerobic training alters basal transcript levels of growth related genes in skeletal muscle of older women. Further, the reductions in FOXO3A and myostatin indicate the aerobic training induced muscle hypertrophy in older women may be due to alterations in proteolytic machinery. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Recently a new strategy for age-at-death estimation has been developed. In Stephanie Calce’s 2012 article, ‘A New Method to Estimate Adult Age-at-death Using the Acetabulum,’ she redesigns the previous attempts made by Rissech et al. (2006). Her technique simplifies Rissech et al. seven traits by condensing them into three easily identifiable traits. The aim of this paper is to determine that Calce’s original intent to create a more user-friendly and comprehensible scoring method was successful. My focus is to reveal if Calce’s technique is effective between different populations or whether interpopulation variation renders it an unstable approach to age estimation. I tested Calce’s forensic method of aging human skeleton’s on a random sample of skeletons of known age from the Hamann-Todd collection. In the test, Calce’s method proved to work well. As it is simpler than previously proposed methods, investigators should consider adopting it under appropriate circumstances. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Exercise induces morphological and metabolic adaptations that are highly specific to the mode of exercise training. These specific phenotypical changes are due to an equally specific molecular response that may depend on the activation and coordination intramuscular signaling pathways. Just as metabolic and morphological changes are influenced by the mode of exercise training, the signaling pathways that mediate exercise adaptation may also be directly related to the training status of skeletal muscle. For example, pre-conditioned skeletal muscle may exhibit a specific intracellular signaling response to an acute bout of exercise that is dependent on past training history. Both Akt (protein kinase B) and extra-cellular signal-related kinase (ERK 1 /2) have been shown to be phosphorylated in response to an acute bout of resistance exercise in human skeletal muscle and have been suggested to mediate the adaptive response to exercise. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the response of Akt and ERKI/2 to an acute bout of resistance exercise in three groups with distinctly different exercise training backgrounds. Twenty one subjects performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions of knee extension exercise at 70% 1-RM. The subjects consisted of a resistance-trained group (RE) (n=7), endurance trained group (END) (n=7) and a sedentary group (SED) (n=7). Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle before, immediately after, and 10 min post-exercise and were analyzed for phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. ERK1/2 phosphorylation increased 47%, and 54% from pre-exercise to immediately post-exercise in the SED and RE groups respectively (p < 0.05). ERK1/2 phosphorylation increased 95%, 196%, and 47% from pre-exercise to 10 min post-exercise in the SED, RE, and END groups, respectively. (p < 0.05). The magnitude of ERK1/2 phosphorylation 10 min post-exercise was different between each group and may be linked to the group's training status. (p < 0.05) Akt phosphorylation decreased 42% and 37% from pre-exercise to immediately post-exercise in the SED and END group, respectively (p < 0.05). There was a 40 % increase in Akt phosphorylation from immediate post-exercise to 10 min post-exercise in the END group. In conclusion, training status appears to influence the magnitude and time course of activation of both Akt and ERK1/2 in response to an acute bout of resistance exercise. The immediate response of both ERK1/2 and Akt may play a key role in the adaptive response of skeletal muscle ultimately resulting in metabolic and morphological changes that are dependent on the past training history of the individual. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science