AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OFNicholas Seaton, for the Master of Science degree in Plant Biology, presented on December 4, 2019 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: THE EFFECT OF DEER BROWSE ON ACHYRANTHES JAPONICAMAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. David GibsonPlants respond in many ways to damage. These responses vary between sites depending on the severity and duration of the incident. One common form of damage in the forest understory is herbivory or browse. White tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have been observed to change the dominant species of forests by selectively browsing palatable species in the understory. These changes in species dominance can lead to unwanted consequences, sometimes resulting in a proliferation of weedy or invasive plants or a reduction in performance and competitive abilities based on morphological traits. Understanding the changes that occur to undesirable species after deer browse can help land managers in their prioritization of sites for land management and understand the driving forces behind a species’ success or failure. Using deer exclosure plots, this study looks at the effects of white-tailed deer on Achyranthes japonica, an herbaceous invasive species in the Ohio River floodplain of Illinois and surrounding states. White tailed deer have been observed to browse A. japonica throughout the invaders range, but little is known about the plant’s response. Deer browse data were collected in the summer of 2018 from May to August. Estimated deer densities among six study sites ranged from 8 to 22 deer per km2. Plants that were browsed during the growing season were morphologically different to those that were not browsed. Browsed plants were 11.5 ± 0.1 cm shorter (F1,218=11.658; p<0.001) on average and produced 0.33 ± 0.09 fewer nodes (F1,216= 4.045; p<0.05). Browsed plants also produced 2.7 ± 0.32 fewer flowering spikes and were similar in length to those of un-browsed plants. These morphological differences showed significant variation between sites. Floristic Quality Indices of the herbaceous plant communities (Ȳ =3.5) ranged from 3.2 to 3.9 among study sites. This study shows that site conditions can impact the response of A. japonica growth as it continues to invade across its current introduced range and that the species is adaptive and grows along-side other similar weedy species such as Microstegium vimineum and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. This study also indicated that deer browse has little to no impact on the growth of Achyranthes japonica.Keywords: Achyranthes japonica, Odocoileus virginianus, herbivory, browse, deer density, site quality

Nickel based superalloys have superior high temperature mechanical strength, corrosion and creep resistance in harsh environments and found applications in the hot sections as turbine blades and turbine discs in jet engines and gas generator turbines in the aerospace and energy industries. The efficiency of these turbine engines depends on the turbine inlet temperature, which is determined by the high temperature strength and behavior of these superalloys. The microstructure of nickel based superalloys usually contains coherently precipitated gamma prime (?) Ni3Al phase within the random solid solution of the gamma () matrix, with the ? phase being the strengthening phase of the superalloys. How the alloying elements partition into the and ? phases and especially in the site occupancy behaviors in the strengthening ? phases play a critical role in their high temperature mechanical behaviors. The goal of this dissertation is to study the site substitution behavior of the major alloying elements including Cr, Co and Ti through first principles based calculations. Site substitution energies have been calculated using the anti-site formation, the standard defect formation formalism, and the vacancy formation based formalism. Elements such as Cr and Ti were found to show strong preference for Al sublattice, whereas Co was found to have a compositionally dependent site preference. In addition, the interaction energies between Cr-Cr, Co-Co, Ti-Ti and Cr-Co atoms have also been determined. Along with the charge transfer, chemical bonding and alloy chemistry associated with the substitutions has been investigated by examining the charge density distributions and electronic density of states to explain the chemical nature of the site substitution. Results show that Cr and Co atoms prefer to be close by on either Al sublattice or on a Ni-Al mixed lattice, suggesting a potential tendency of Cr and Co segregation in the ? phase.

Since the inception of the first modern Canadian carceral structure in 1835, the prison library has existed. The condition of the prison libraries in Canadian federal institutions, as well as the diversity and quantity of their content has changed dramatically over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The modern-day federal prison library mirrors, in many ways, its “outside” Canadian public library counterpart. This thesis does not attempt to dispute or affirm the likeness between the Canadian prison and public library. Instead, in this thesis, I examine the evolution of the library from a space that reinforced hegemonic carceral control to a space where inmates could seek refuge and sanctuary. The first half of the thesis charts the emergence of the library as a, what I have termed, space mercy. This conceptualization of the library is inspired by Douglas Hay’s concept of mercy, in criminal law, as an ideological tool to reinforce hegemony. In the second half of the thesis I present a case study of the William Head Institution on Vancouver Island. Through the consulting of inmate publications, interviews, questionnaires, and other primary source material I posit that the prison library has evolved into a site of sanctuary. This term is taken from Laura Madokoro’s public history project Sites of Sanctuary. The site of sanctuary differs from the space of mercy in a number of ways and marked a distinct shift in the function and use of the prison library, by inmates, in Canada’s federal carceral institutions. / Graduate / 2021-07-20

FrpC protein produced by Neisseria meningitidis in a human host belongs to the family of bacterial RTX toxins due to the presence of RTX domain. FrpC possesses a calcium-dependent auto-catalytic cleavage activity which is localized within its 177 amino-acids long segment Self-Processing Module (SPM). As the SPM is naturally intrinsically disordered protein without bound Ca2+, the calcium binding is crucial for SPM folding which is followed by the auto-catalytic processing. The elucidation of the SPM structure may be the key step for understanding of enzymatic and biological function. The structure of folded SPM itself can be characterized only with difficulties due to the presence of flexible loop according to preliminary NMR data. The subject of this work is the description of SPM using fluorescence methods, characterization of ions binding to SPM and structural changes occurring during Ca2+ binding. In this work, the ion binding properties of SPM segment and its ion-induced folding was characterized. It was found that the dissociation constant kD of 17 μM coincided with the folding of SPM into the native calcium-bound state which occurs in the concentration range between 1 and 20 μM Ca2+. In the attempt to characterize the structure of ion binding site, the fully active single tryptophan mutants...

Denna rapport är resultatet av ett 10 veckor långt examensarbete om logistik i byggbranschen. Rapporten ska redovisa för- och nackdelar med Just In Time-logistik jämfört med lagerföring av material på byggarbetsplatsen. I arbetet ingår även att redovisa vissa extra kostnader som tillkommer i samband med respektive alternativ. Rapporten jämför de olika logistikmetoderna och utgår ifrån tre olika byggprojekt i stockholmsregionen som har helt olika förutsättningar. Målet med rapporten är att ta reda på om byggbranschen kan effektiviseras med Just In Time-logistik. Som hjälp för att nå målet har bland annat intervjuer gjorts och en enkät delats ut till de berörda på varje projekt.  Vad som kostar mest är inte helt enkelt att bestämma då vissa osäkra parametrar ingår i resultatet. Osäkerhet kring eventuella administrativa kostnader och kostnader till följd av förseningar av materialleveranser gör att resultatet inte är helt entydigt. Kostnaderna för att lagerföra material på arbetsplatsen har dock visat sig vara av betydande storlek och Just In Time-logistiken kan då vara ett alternativ att använda sig av istället. Risken för att material skadas minimeras, samt att material måste flyttas mellan olika upplagsplatser och onödiga kapitalkostnader elimineras då Just In Time-leveranser används.   Rekommendationen blir slutligen att alternativ till att lagerföra material på arbetsplatsen bör ses över, exempelvis Just In Time-logistiken som åtminstone i teorin är en värdig ersättare. / This report is the result of a thesis about logistics in the construction industry that has been going on for 10 weeks. The report shall present the advantages and disadvantages of Just In Time logistics and warehousing of materials at the construction site, as well as present some additional costs to be associated with each method. The report compares the different logistics methods and is based on three different projects with very different conditions in the region of Stockholm. The goal is to find out if the construction industry can be improved with Just In Time Logistics. To reach the goal, interviews and a questionnaire was made for all concerned at each project.  Which method that is most profitable is not easy to determine because of some unsettled parameters that the results include. Uncertainty about administrative costs and costs due to delays in material deliveries makes the result less clear. However, the costs related to warehousing of materials have proven to be significant, which could make the Just In Time method an alternative to warehousing. The Just In Time logistics minimizes the damage of stored materials, eliminates the unnecessary capital expenses and the fact that stored materials often need to be moved between storage sites.  The recommendation is ultimately to look for an alternative to warehousing of materials, such as Just In Time logistics, that at least in theory is a worthy substitute.

The premise of this thesis is to explore the transition of spaces through thresholds. This exploration begins with the urban environment and how one transitions through spaces into private spaces. In particular, this thesis addresses battered women and children and how their transition in life relates to transitional spaces. The journey began with research of precedence. However, the existence of shelters for battered women and children is relatively new. Therefore, I began at the roots of housing, community housing, monasteries, orphanages and dormitories. I also drew from my own experiences with roommates, dorm life and group situations. This design reflects the transition of spaces and how that relates to the life of battered women and children. The site is located in Washington, DC. / Master of Architecture

The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota preserves a unique death assemblage of sub-adult and adult male Columbian mammoths (Mammuthus columbi). Extensive work on the site has led to a detailed understanding of the taphonomy of the assemblage; yet the life histories and ecology of these mammoths remain relatively unknown. Tooth enamel from four Mammoth Site mammoth individuals were bulk sampled with one of the individuals (MSL 742) also serially micro-sampled for 𝛿13C, 𝛿18O, and 87Sr/86Sr. Isotopic results indicate that MSL 742 remained within the southern and western Black Hills year-round with no consistent migration patterns. 𝛿13C and 𝛿18O values contain minimal fluctuations, suggesting drinking water and forage was sourced from the local hot springs and surrounding landscape. This study suggests the high level of sloped landscapes in the region may have resulted in a “bull”-only region, explaining the absence of females and juvenile mammoths at the site.

Collection of sewage from toilets in a closed tank provides good protection for the environment and health. The closed tank reduces emissions of fertilizing substances, and other substances that may pose a risk, such as pathogens and drug residues. To reduce the water volume in the tank, it is advantageous to connect an extremely low-flush toilet, which means that the average flush volume is a maximum of 1 liter per flush. It is important that the toilet system is reliable for the technology to be used to a greater extent. This study examines experiences and functioning of extremely low-flush toilets to identify possible deficiencies and possible areas for improvement. Information has been obtained through telephone interviews and online surveys. The result shows that most respondents are generally satisfied with their extremely low-flush toilets. For the system to function optimally, it must be properly installed and maintained. There are some deficiencies that are more common, such as interruptions caused by flushing of incorrect objects or incorrect installation, but also some occasional errors. Many malfunctions appear to be caused by improper use or installation. There may be a need to develop certain technology components, such as the alarm function. The sound when flushing can be perceived as too loud. It is important that there are clear instructions for installation, maintenance, and use, as well as functioning service networks in case of problems.

A second nearly complete skeleton of the fossil ailurid Pristinailurus bristoli was recently recovered from the Hemphillian (late Miocene) Gray Fossil Site of northeast Tennessee. It appears to be significantly larger than the previously known skeleton of P. bristoli, which was surprising as the living red panda Ailurus fulgens is thought to be generally monomorphic, including between sexes. Here the presence of significant size difference in the geometric means of cranial and postcranial measurements and canine area in the two specimens of P. bristoli is tested relative to the distribution of size differences in intersex and intrasex pairs of A. fulgens. The presence of sexual dimorphism in these dimensions is also assessed in A. fulgens using t-tests. We report the first evidence of sexual dimorphism in both upper and lower canine area in A. fulgens. We also found evidence of significantly greater body size difference in the two specimens of P. bristoli than that present in A. fulgens. This could reflect a variety of causes, including the presence of multiple species or subspecies, a greater range of ecologically driven variability, or the presence of sexual dimorphism. We argue tentatively for sexual dimorphism as the most plausible explanation for the apparent size range of P. bristoli.

The distribution of substance P (SP) binding sites in guinea-pig airway was examined by in vitro autoradiography with tritium and iodine-labeled SP. Specific SP binding sites were most abundant in tracheobronchial smooth muscle but were also detected in the mucosa/submucosa. Binding within the mucosa/submucosa was especially high in the region of glands. Binding of iodine-labeled SP to cartilage was negligible. Tritium-labeled SP bound non-specifically to airway cartilage. These observations are consistent with the proposed effects of SP-containing afferent nerves on airway resistance and vascular permeability. The localization of specific SP binding sites suggests that SP may also affect exocrine glands in the respiratory tract.