Among the South African Thysanura, the order Lepismatoidea has spread over the whole sub-continent, while all except one species of the order Machiloidea are confined to the discontinuous forest belt which lies below the escarpment of the inland plateau. The Machiloidea are not , however, strictly confined to the actual forests within their geographical region, some species invading regions of considerable aridity. Investigations on the ecology, water relations and orientation behaviour of a representative species of each order have been carried out. These have revealed that: (i) the physical conditions in the typical niche of the Machiloidea are extremely stable, whereas those in the habitat of the Lepismatoidea are subject to some considerable fluctuation. (ii) the Lepismatoidea are more resistant to desiccation than the Machiloidea; in both cases this resistance is due in part to physical barriers in the cuticle and partly to an active metabolic process. (iii) the Machiloidea rely on their eversible vesicles, situated on the abdominal coxosternites, for the uptake of water which cannot be drunk, such as a thin film of water or soil capillary water. (iv) the Lepismatoidea are able to absorb water from a subsaturated atmosphere. (v) the behavioural responses of both in respect of humidity, temperature, light and gravity, are such as to keep them in conditions within the range of their physiological limitations. From these results it is concluded that the Machiloidea can survive outside the shelter of forests, provided that water is readily available in some form in which it can be absorbed by the animals. The general implications of the results are such as to permit the erection of an hypothesis explaining the distribution of the Thysanura in South Africa in terms of t he availability of wate. The results also lead to speculations on the evolution of the Pterygota.

We present a method for anisotropic mesh refinement to high-order numerical solutions. We accomplish this by assigning metrics to vertices that approximate the error in that region. To choose values for each metric, we first reconstruct an error equation from the leading order terms of the Taylor expansion. Then, we use a Fourier approximation to choose the metric associated with that vertex. After assigning a metric to each vertex, we refine the mesh anisotropically using three mesh operations. The three mesh operations we use are swapping to maximize quality, inserting at approximate circumcenters to decrease cell size, and vertex removal to eliminate small edges. Because there are no guarantees on the results of these modification tools, we use them iteratively to produce a quasi-optimal mesh. We present examples demonstrating that our anisotropic refinement algorithm improves solution accuracy for both second and third order solutions compared with uniform refinement and isotropic refinement. We also analyze the effect of using second derivatives for refining third order solutions. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Mechanical Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Current models of face perception suggest independent processing of identity and expression, though this distinction is still unclear. Using converging methods of psychophysics and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in healthy and patient populations we assessed the relationship between these two perceptual processes. First, using perceptual aftereffects, we explored the neural representations underlying identity and expression. The expression aftereffect only partially transferred across different identities, suggesting adaptation within identity-invariant and identity-dependent expression representations. Contrarily, the identity aftereffect fully transferred across different expressions. This asymmetry cannot be explained through low-level adaptation. The identity-dependent component of the expression aftereffect relies on adaptation to a coherent expression, not low-level features, in the adapting face. Thus adaptation generating the expression aftereffect must occur within high-level representations of facial expression. Second, using fMRI adaptation, we examined identity and expression sensitivity in healthy controls. The fusiform face area and posterior superior temporal sulcus showed sensitivity for both identity and expression changes. Independent sensitivity for identity and expression changes was observed in the precuneus and middle superior temporal sulcus respectively. Finally, we explored identity and expression perception in a neuropsychological population. Selective identity impairments were associated with inferior occipitotemporal damage, not necessarily affecting the occipital or fusiform face areas. Impaired expression perception was associated with superior temporal sulcus damage, and also with deficits in the integration of identity and expression. In summary, psychophysics, neuroimaging and neuropsychological methods all provide converging evidence for the independent processing of identity and expression within the face network. However, these same methods also supply converging evidence for a partial dependence of these two perceptual processes: in the expression aftereffect, the functional sensitivities of the FFA and pSTS, and identity deficits observed in a patient with primarily impaired expression perception and a spared inferotemporal cortex. Thus, future models of face perception must incorporate representations or regions which independently process identity or expression as well as those which are involved in the perception of both identity and expression. / Medicine, Faculty of / Graduate

I have investigated the evolutionary response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to salt (NaCl) stress, and the physiological mechanisms responsible for this adaptation. Populations of P. aeruginosa founded from the same ancestral genotype were selected at three different concentrations of NaCl, low, moderate and high for about 660 generations with four independent replicates for each concentration. Adaptation was measured as the fitness of the evolved populations relative to the ancestor assessed in direct, head-to-head competition experiments conducted in the same environment in which they were selected (direct response) as well as in all alternative environments (correlated response). Results suggest that selection in each salt environment led to adaptation to that environment and a modest degree of specialization that evolved because correlated responses to selection were smaller than direct responses. In order to identify the physiological mechanisms contributing to the populations' adaptation in high NaCl concentration, I chose a sample of evolved lines that showed the strongest evidence for specialization to salt and competed them against the common ancestor in KCl and sucrose. Results suggested that increased Na+ /H+ antiporter activity is probably the primary mechanism behind adaptation to high NaCl concentration, however alternative mechanisms cannot be excluded. Tolerance curves, which measure the performance of a genotype across a gradient of salt concentrations, suggested no change in the high salt group’s ability to tolerate extreme concentrations of NaCl. We conclude that high salt evolved population showed improvements to its ionic/osmotic stress resistance strategies mainly to Na+ efflux strategies but with no changes to salt niche.

The genetic requirements for Influenza virus to infect and adapt to new species is largely unknown. To understand the evolutionary steps required by a virus to become virulent, a human virus (A/HK/1/68) (HK), avirulent in mice, was subjected to 20 and 21 serial lung-to-lung passages in mouse. Sequence analysis revealed the emergence of eleven mutations within the NS1 gene of the new virulent strains, many of which occurred in binding sites for transcriptional and translational cellular factors. In the present study we have rescued viruses containing each of the NS1 mouse adapted mutations onto A/PR/8/34 (PR8) backbone. We found 9 of 16 NS1 mutants were adaptive by inducing mortality, body weight loss in BALB/c mice and enhanced virus replication in MDCK cells with properties of host cell interferon transcription inhibition. Sequence comparisons with the highly pathogenic A/Hong Kong/156/1997 (H5N1) and the most severe pandemic A/Brevig Mission/1/1918 (H1N1) NS1 genes showed convergent evolution with some of the mouse adapted viruses for F103L plus M106I and V226I plus R227K mutations respectively. The F103L and M106I mutations in the HK NS1 gene were shown to be adaptive by assessment with respect to replication, early viral protein synthesis, interferon-β antagonism and tropism in the mouse lung. We extended the study and proved increased virulence associated with F103L+M106I mutations in their respective H5N1 NS1 gene on the PR8 and HK backbones, as well as the PR8 NS1 gene and the H9N2 (A/Ck/Bj/1/95) gene in the PR8 and A/WSN/33 backbones respectively. However the V226I and R227K mutations in their respective HK and 1918 NS1 genes slightly enhanced virulence and viral growth at later stages of infection. This study demonstrates that NS1 is a virulence factor; involved in multiple viral processes including interferon antagonism and viral protein synthesis. Furthermore, NS1 mutations acquired during mouse adaptation are proven to be adaptive in human, mouse and avian NS1 genes.

Explicit and implicit processes play a role in visuomotor adaptation. (Bond & Taylor, 2015; Werner et al, 2015). The purpose of the current experiment was to investigate the potential contributions of explicit and implicit processes to visuomotor adaptation when awareness was manipulated directly and indirectly. To manipulate the degree of awareness directly, participants were assigned to a Strategy or No-Strategy group, in which they were made aware or remained unaware of the distortion respectively. They were then further subdivided into groups to train with a large (60°), medium (40°) or small (20°) visuomotor distortion, such that participants could become aware of the distortion indirectly with increasing sizes. All participants performed a reaching task to three targets with a cursor that was rotated clockwise relative to their hand by the assigned degrees, and then completed a series of no-cursor reaches without visual feedback to establish the contribution of explicit and implicit processes to visuomotor adaptation. Within the no-cursor reaching trials, the contribution of explicit and implicit processes to visuomotor adaptation were determined by having subjects reach (i) with any strategies they had gained during training (explicit + implicit processes), and (ii) as they did before training with the cursor rotation (implicit processes). Our results showed that the contribution of implicit processes to visuomotor adaptation was greater in the No-Strategy group compared to the Strategy group. Moreover, implicit processes took time to develop, and decayed following a 5-minute break. In contrast, the contribution of explicit processes was greatest in the Strategy group, and increased with rotation size in the No-Strategy group. Explicit contributions also remained consistent over Blocks, as well as when re-tested following a 5-minute break. Thus, the results of the current experiment indicate that there are notable differences in explicit and implicit contributions to visuomotor distortions depending on if, and how participants become aware of the perturbation. The results also highlight the importance of instructions when evaluating reaching performance in aftereffect trials, as they can modulate reaching errors observed.

The main goal of the thesis is to develop a specific proposition for adaptation of LGI Czechia's marketing strategy with respect to its current position on the Czech market. The first part of the thesis offers indispensable theoretical knowledge of marketing theory and financial analysis. These theoretical foundations are practically applied in the second part of the thesis, which begins with introduction of LGI Czechia, analysis of its marketing strategy and marketing environment as well as its internal predispositions. Based on particular findings the thesis summarizes key marketing areas suitable for improvement. Next part focuses on the adaptation of marketing strategy as it captures problematic areas and develops specific marketing solutions for improvement. Additionally the thesis also offers basic financial analysis of LGI Czechia in comparison with its competitor Kühne + Nagel.

Aim of my work is find out if current adaptation process in transnational organization is sufficient and satisfy its needs in area of adaptation of employees. In the first theoretical part i am focus on leading of human resoureces in connection with personal l function on culture of company, its strategy and policy. Also in this part you can find explanation of perception of the word adaptation. Describe of process for adaptation of new emplyees. In methodology part I intruduce my aim of the thesis, also with methodology which i use for reach to answer on my aim of the thesis. In the last part, which is empiric, I focus on analyze of external and internal environment of company and also analyze of current situation of human resources in this company. The aim of these analyses is determinate needs and targets of the company adaptation process. These findings help us to determinate criteria and indicators. After this we confront these criteria and indicators with current situation of adaptation process in company. The result of these finding leads me to suggest company couple new guesses, how to improve and make its adaptation process more effective.

Les milieux métallifères d’origine anthropique sont des habitats particulièrement stressants pour les êtres vivants du fait des fortes concentrations en métaux lourds et des changements environnementaux profonds qui y sont présents. Certaines espèces, dites métallophytes, sont capables de se développer dans ces milieux extrêmes. Parmi ces espèces, les pseudométallophytes (qui peuvent se développer à la fois dans des sites pollués et dans des sites non pollués) constitue des modèles particulièrement intéressants pour étudier l’adaptation locale et l’influence des différences forces évolutives dans la différentiation phénotypique entre populations. Arabidopsis halleri est une espèce pseudométallophyte modèle pour l’étude de la tolérance et de l’hyperaccumulation des métaux du fait de sa proximité avec l’espèce prééminente A. thaliana. Des études préalables sur la tolérance et l’hyperaccumulation du zinc chez cette espèce ont suggéré une possible évolution des populations métallicoles sous l’effet des fortes concentrations en métaux. Notre objectif a donc été de mieux comprendre les mécanismes évolutifs prenant place dans ces populations. Pour cela nous avons proposé d’utiliser la génomique des populations ainsi que l’expérimentation en milieu contrôlé et ce à une échelle locale. Nous avons tout d’abord cherché des traces de sélection dans le génome de cette espèce par une approche de criblage génomique sur 820 marqueurs AFLP. Nous avons pu identifier des locus potentiellement sous sélection dans les populations métallicoles qui constituent de bons candidats pour l’adaptation aux sites métallifères. De manière intéressante, certains candidats sont spécifiques à des populations ce qui suggère une évolution convergente ou des pressions de sélection différentes entre les sites. Une partie de ces candidats a été cartographiée chez A. thaliana dans le but de définir des gènes candidats. Nous avons dans un deuxième temps cherché à comprendre l’influence des différentes forces évolutives dans la distribution de la tolérance au zinc chez A. halleri. La tolérance au zinc de populations a été caractérisée par des mesures morphologiques et physiologiques et l’influence de la sélection par une approche Qst/Fst. Nos résultats suggèrent que, pour les populations échantillonnées, la tolérance au zinc augmente dans les populations métallicoles sous l’effet de la sélection. Cette sélection s’exerçant potentiellement sur la variabilité présente dans les populations non métallicoles ancestrales. Enfin, la dernière partie de cette étude s’intéresse à l’association entre les génotypes et les phénotypes de la tolérance au zinc. / Due to the high concentration of heavy metals and the important environmental modifications, ecological conditions of metalliferous sites are very stressing for most organisms. A few plant species, coined “metallophyte”, have acquired the capacity to grow on heavy metal contaminated soils. Among this group, the pseudometallophyte species (able to grow on contaminated as well as on non contaminated soils) constitute highly relevant models to study local adaptation and relative influence of evolutionary forces in shaping phenotypic differentiation among populations The pseudometallophyte plant Arabidopsis halleri is a model species for tolerance and hyperaccumulation of heavy metal because it is a close relative of the pre-eminent species A. thaliana. Previous studies on heavy metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation of A. halleri suggested evolution of metallicolous populations in response to high level of metal exposure. In order to investigate the evolutionary processes in neighboring metallicolous and non-metallicous A. halleri populations, we adopted population genomics and phenotyping approaches. First we explored the A. halleri genome to detect signatures of directional selection. We performed a genome-wide scan analysis using 820 AFLP markers. We identified some loci potentially under selection in metallicolous populations that constitute high-quality candidates for general adaptation to metalliferous sites. Interestingly, some candidates were population specifics, suggesting the possibility of convergent evolution or existence of different selection pressure in the different sites. Some of these candidates were mapped on A. thaliana genome to identify candidate genes. Our second objective was to evaluate the contribution of selection versus other forces in shaping distribution of zinc tolerance in A. halleri. We measured morphological and physiological traits to estimate zinc tolerance and role of selection was inferred using Qst/Fst approach. Our results suggest that, in the sampled populations, zinc tolerance has been increased in metallicolous populations through selection on standing variation within local non-metallicolous ancestral populations. The last part of this study focuses on looking for a link between genotype and phenotype of zinc tolerance.

The purpose of this study was to determine how angina pectoris patients experience and cope with their chronic illness following diagnosis. Qualitative methodology, using phenomenological theory, was used to guide the study. The study was conducted with a convenience sample of six male angina patients, ranging in age from 42 to 72 years, with recency of diagnosis from two to thirty-four months. None of these subjects were known to have had a myocardial infarction (MI). Using a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions, the investigator interviewed each subject at home, on two occasions. Data coding and analysis were approached using the constant comparative method developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967). The findings of the study revealed angina patients progressing through four phases of coping experience as they adjusted to their illness and its concomitant need for risk modification. These phases were identified as: (1) Initial Coping Response; (2) Managing Specific Adjustment Areas; (3) Secondary Coping Response; and (4) Awareness of Resulting Changes. The findings supported the use of a chronic illness framework adapted from Strauss et al. (1984) for identifying some of the adjustment areas encountered and coping strategies utilized by the angina patients investigated. Nurses and other health professionals are angina patients investigated. Nurses and other health professionals are in a critical position to assist angina patients in coping with their illness. The phases of coping experience identified in this study may serve as a useful guide to help these health professionals assess the nature of problems and concerns related to coping with angina so that better adjustment in daily life will ensue. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate