From September 24, 1971, to February 15, 1972, 53 gray squirrels were trapped, marked, and displaced up to 7,120 feet from their home woodlot to other woodlots on the College Farm of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Twenty-three (43%) remained where released. Nine (17%) homed. Four were displaced a second time; none returned. No squirrel homed more than 3,624 feet. More females (52%) establi~hed residence than males (27%). More juveniles (64%) established residence than either adults (36%) or subadults (33%). Most squirrels that homed (67%) took less than 14 days. More squirrels homed when released in the winter (44%) than in the fall. More males (23%) homed than females (10%). More adults (18%) and subadults (17%) homed than juveniles (9%). Movements between woodlots seemed more than random wandering. Traveling squirrels did not use cover lanes exclusively. More females (61%) were observed in more and won more (36%) agonistic encounters than males were observed in (39%) and won (17%). More juveniles (71%) engaged in agonistic encounters than either adults (42%) or subadults (50%). More agonistic encounters (45%) were won more than 30 days after release than before 30 days (16%). One adult male, 1 adult female, 1 subadult male, 2 subadult females, and. 1 juvenile female were observed in sexual encounters where released. / Master of Science

The toxicity of an ozonated, secondary-treated municipal waste effluent to bluegill sunfish was investigated in a continuous-flow bioassay system. Four bioassay experiments were conducted, one with untreated secondary effluent and three with ozonated, secondary effluent. Ozone was applied at dosages between 12.1 and 52.0 mg/l for contact times between five and ten minutes. Several waste parameters were measured periodically throughout the investigation to determine the effects of ozonation on the secondary-treated effluent. No toxicity was demonstrated during any of the bioassays. Analytical data demonstrated that ozone treatment of secondary effluents resulted in large reductions in color, but only small reductions in COD. Increases in pH and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were observed. / Master of Science

The public concern which has materialized in recent years regarding the quality of the nation's surface waters has created a need to upgrade wastewater treatment processes. New treatment objectives, in general, relate to the removal of phosphorus, achieving nitrification, and essentially eliminating the carbonaceous oxygen demand of wastewaters prior to discharge. The objective of this study was to operate a pilot plant scale activated sludge type treatment plant, using domestic sewage and employing alum as a coagulant in the primary process. Alum addition and flocculation were provided prior to a conventional primary clarification process. The secondary treatment consisted of a combination of the complete-mixed and plug-flow process operated in series. It was found that this treatment scheme was capable of removing 95 percent of the total phosphate content of the municipal wastewater in contrast to the 20 to 30 percent removal normally provided by conventional activated sludge plants. The more efficient primary process gave an average reduction in phosphorus of 67 percent. The reduced carbonaceous and nutrient load to the secondary biological process provided more complete phosphate removal and resulted in a reduction in hard-to-handle secondary sludge. In addition to consistently high removals of phosphorus, the pilot plant achieved 93 percent nitrification and reduced influent BOD by 87 percent, on the average. Chemical precipitation was found to be a stable and predictable means of upgrading the effluent of conventional secondary wastewater treatment plants. With a minimum of equipment and capital outlay, the chemical precipitation scheme could be adapted to existing plants or incorporated into the design of new plants. / Master of Science

This discourse considers some analytical aspects involved in the application of trilinear coordinates to boundary value problems in plane elasticity. Trilinear coordinates, also known as homogeneous point coordinates, are defined. The concepts of triaxial stress, strain, bending moments and curvature are introduced: utilizing these concepts, the stress-strain relationship, moment-curvature relationship and a few other basic equations of two dimensional elasticity are developed for an isotropic material. All these relationships are presented in matrix form - as an aid to finite element stress analysis. Governing equations corresponding to some two dimensional problems in elasticity are deduced for the trilinear system. An investigation was carried out on the method of integration of a function composed of trilinear variables. A few functional relations between the trilinear variables are also developed. To illustrate the application of the theory, two examples on simply supported equilateral triangular plate are considered. / Master of Science

The axial temperature distribution and average heat transfer coefficients were measured for a coiled tube heat exchanger. Water was heated inside the tube under turbulent flow conditions by low pressure steam condensing on the outside. Inside and outside film coefficients were determined at relatively high Reynolds numbers. Consequently, inside convection coefficients were of the same order of magnitude as the outside condensation coefficients. The inside coefficients were found to be in agreement with recent analytical solutions. Even with large variations in fluid transport properties, the axial temperature distribution was essentially linear and therefore may be represented by previous analytical solutions. Initial measurement of convective dispersion in coiled tubes was attempted using magnetic flowmeters. This approach was not successful and yielded only preliminary qualitative information as a result of an unexpected experimental problem. Recommendations are presented for an improved flowmeter design that could be used for future dispersion measurements. / Master of Science

Public land acquisition for wildlife-related purposes was studied, using land acquisition under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act between 1947 and 1970 for the analysis. On the basis of a literature review, variables were selected for graphing and for regression analysis. Data was compiled from Federal Aid and other sources. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were run for selected land acquisition and other pertinent variables. Of 31 subproblems, 21 produced equations significant at the 0.99 probability level; 5 produced equations significant at the 0.95 probability level; 3 did-not produce significant equations; and 2 produced no equations. Land acquisition under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act appeared to be strongly related to fund availability, competing uses for funds, increasing land prices, decreasing opportunity to buy suitable land, and increasing hunter demand for public hunting areas. / Master of Science

Many industrial operations produce phenolic wastes which are objectionable to receiving waters by conventional biological treatment, It has been established that some actinomycetes, especially Streptomyces species, are capable of decomposing a wide variety of aromatic compounds, including phenols, The.purpose of this investigation was to determine the growth characteristics of an aquatic actinomycete and to evaluate its potential for degrading o-chlorophenol. Results of the investigation showed that this Streptomyces species has two growth stages, primary and secondary. In the primary stage, growth was restricted to the bottom or subsurface of both liquid and solid media, Secondary growth occurred extensively on the medium surface, Orthochlorophenol degradation was evaluated by adding it in different concentrations to the developing cultures of the organism. The rate of degradation was increased by increasing the dose of o-chlorophenol up to a concentration of 400 milligrams per liter, Growth inhibition was clearly evident at a concentration of 500 milligrams per liter. / Master of Science

This thesis attempts to demonstrate the harmony between technique and meaning in the work of James Purdy, a contemporary American short story writer and novelist. Four major themes are explored and examined in depth: the universal human need for love and recognition; the desire to escape the past and achieve rebirth; the failure of the family unit to promote the growth of its children; and the dream-like perception of internal human reality. Purdy's use of dialogue, imagery, characterization, grotesque scenes, and written versions serves to complement the analysis of the themes. Among the works discussed are five novels and a novella: Malcolm, The Nephew, Cabot Wright Begins, Eustace Chisholm and the Works, Jeremy's Version, and "63: Dream Palace." Some attention is given to selected short stories in Color of Darkness and Children Is All. In addition, Purdy's importance as a significant voice in American fiction is given consideration. / Master of Arts

The method of Neutron Activation Analysis has been used in a test case for the development of a technique for using trace elements in plants as pollution indicators for automobile exhaust effects. The plant study in the present work is a pilot program to develop sample collection, preparation, and analysis techniques. The results obtained indicate that natural growth plants can be used successfully as indicators of automobile pollution incorporating the methods of analysis of this study. This work has been a test case for the computer program, which was used in the VPI&SU Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratory and was developed during the course of this study. The peak finding and area calculation routines incorporate uncomplicated techniques which have been shown by the test data to produce consistent results. A versatile feature of the program is that it can determine simultaneously, both . qualitatively and quantitatively, the presence of the more than 60 different elements contained in the program library. It has been shown that neutron activation analysis, employed in conjunction with the computer program described herein, using the analytical techniques developed in the VPI&SU Laboratory can provide an effective tool for defining the environmental impact area of automobile traffic. / Master of Science

The semimembranosus muscles from eight U. S. Choice beef top rounds from four carcasses were used to study the effect of oven roasting and oven braising methods on selected beef characteristics. Roasts from different locations in the muscle were randomly allotted to the four methods of cooking: oven roasted, wrapped in foil, cooked in a thermal polyester bag, and wrapped in a thermal polyester wrap. Tho roasts were cooked to an internal temperature of 66 C. (150 F.) in two electric ovens set at 149 C. (300 F.) Mean percentage total cooking loss was less for oven roasts than the oven braised methods. Volatile loss was higher for the oven roasts, and mean drip losses were more than four times greater for oven braised roasts. Determination of moisture by using a Brabender Moisture Tester and of press fluid by using a Carver Press were not significant. Roasts cooked in thermal polyester bags·and wraps increased approximately 10 C. (20 F.) when removed from the oven as compared to 5 C. (10 F.) for foil wrapped roasts and 3 C. (5 F.) for oven roasts. Mean scores for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptability were higher for oven roasts. The descending order for the other treatments was foil wrap, polyester bag, and polyester wrap. The mean shear value was slightly less for the oven roast than the oven braised methods. / Master of Science