A marine seismic refraction study, conducted in August 1976 by personnel from Oregon State University and the University of Connecticut between Cape Simpson and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, provides data for analysis which yields a subsurface structural and geological cross-section of the area. The results suggest that the structural homocline which dips to the east southeast on land extends to the offshore region as well. Correlation of geologic data from wells drilled on land with the refraction data permits tentative identification of geologic sequences on the basis of their seismic velocity. This study correlates 1.60 to 1.65 km/s layers to Quaternary sediments, 1.82 to 2.51 km/s layers to Tertiary strata, 2.91 to 3.40 km/s layers to Mesozoic formations to the east and 2.99 to 4.43 km/s to Early Mesozoic formations to the west. Velocities of 5.28 to 6.08 km/s are associated with probable argillite and phyllite of the Pre-Mississippian basement. At greater depths, refractors with velocities of 6.40 to 7.07 km/s are related to crystalline material which may be silicic or mafic. No seismic velocities typical of the upper mantle are present on the record sections, but a minimum depth calculation places the Mohorovicic discontinuity deeper than 20 km. Although the observed crustal velocities are ambiguous towards theories of the origin of the Canada Basin and the tectonic history of the northern Alaska margin, they tend to favor the orocline-Rift theory of Carey (1955) over a subduction margin. / Graduation date: 1979

No description available.

A study of the growth of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) was carried out during the spring and summer of 1958 in the Mackenzie Delta, N.W.T. Growth rates were obtained for four fawns over this period. Their growth is described by Brody's equation and the von Bertalanffy equation. The rate of growth of reindeer fawns is slightly less than that of the Columbian Black-tailed Deer, whereas the birth weight of the reindeer is double that of the Black-tailed Deer. A description of the relative growth of several body measurements is given. Hind foot length, heart girth, height-at-withers, muzzle circumference, and antler length were measured. The measurement error of height-at-withers and muzzle circumference limits the usefulness of this data. The changes in herd numbers and composition of the Mackenzie Delta Reindeer Herd over the period 1938-1958 are analyzed. Of the three population determining factors (natality, mortality, and dispersal), dispersal (losses by straying) was by far most important and natality (number of fawns) was least important in determining the total annual increment to the herd over the period 1938-1958. The age distribution of the herd over the period 1938-1958 has been relatively stable. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

This is a memorial to gold mining in Southeast Alaska. The structure takes visitors from the Treadwell trail onto the edge of a popular local beach, reclaiming a forgotten place that was once the largest gold mine in the world. A tangible tribute to this obscure period of history, this building kindles a connection between artifacts and the community. It is a liminal space, connecting ocean and mountain, past and present, civilization and wilderness. An investigation of the Treadwell Gold Mining complex influenced its form and function. Its foundation is two deep concrete footings that achieve stability in the loose tidal flat sand. Its building assembly is a result of model studies to understand the connections between the central wall, roof, and floor. This is the end result of a desire to build a meaningful place in Alaska. / Master of Architecture

The intensification of cyclonic winds in the Gulf of Alaska during winter belies the relatively constant geostrophic circulation as being indicative of actual flow. In the absence of direct current measurements, effects of various meteorological phenomena have been eliminated from monthly mean sea level measurements over the decade 1950 to 1959, and the resulting height anomalies equated to monthly mean Sverdrup transports. A linear relationship is obtained, except during summer when it permits an estimate of the increase in recorded sea level due to runoff. The data suggest that during summer the geostrophic transport is a good indication of general flow, but that during winter the distribution of mass does not adjust to the Sverdrup transport, and the resulting barotrophic flow is about one and one-half times the geostrophic flow during this period. Mean seasonal Sverdrup transport indicates maximum recirculation in the Gulf of Alaska gyre during winter, a reduced but equal recirculation during summer and fall, but none during spring. These results conflict with existing interpretations of flow in the Gulf of Alaska, and should form the basis for renewed oceanographic explorations in this region. / Graduation date: 1969

Diurnal time budgets and habitat use patterns of breeding Ugashik marbled godwits (Limosa fedoa beringiae) were studied on the north-central portion of the Alaska Peninsula during spring and summer 1995-1996. Marbled godwits were observed from blinds and behaviors were described for the four phases of the breeding season: pair-formation, egg-laying, incubation and post-hatching. During pair-formation, males spent the majority of time performing flight displays (40.2%), most notably the ceremonial flight (30.7%). Males spent 34.3% of the egg-laying period guarding their mates probably to reduce the threat of cuckoldry. Females incubated during the daytime and males incubated at night. Off-duty males were engaged in maintenance activities (49.4%) or were alert/erect (22.7%). Four marbled godwit nests and the first newly hatched, downy marbled godwit chicks ever recorded in Alaska were found within the study site. One parent guarded the chicks which allowed the other to forage in nearby wetlands. Males performed male-exit flight as they prepared to depart for coastal staging lagoons approximately three weeks after their chicks hatched. Interspecific and intraspecific hostility peaked during the post-hatching period although aggressiveness towards neighboring shorebirds decreased. Godwits may benefit from the aggressive nature of some neighboring shorebirds and more timid species may receive a similar benefit from nesting close to godwit semi-colonies. The scattering of nests in loose semi-colonies may reduce predation by offering both nest concealment and group defense. Cover types and microhabitat characteristics were compared between sites used by marbled godwits ("present") and paired sites where no godwits were observed throughout the breeding season ("absent"), and among sites used for broodrearing, foraging, ground display and nesting. Logistic regression models predicted the probability of godwit occurrence or the probability of a godwit broodrearing, foraging, displaying or nesting based upon significant site features. Results indicate that different cover types were used for broodrearing, foraging, ground display and nesting, and cover types differed between present and absent sites. Microhabitat characteristics were different between present and absent sites, and they varied among the different use sites. The odds of finding a godwit at a site or the odds of finding a godwit broodrearing, foraging, displaying or nesting changed with changes in the significant microhabitat characteristics. As the percent shrub cover increased the odds of finding a brood or a nest increased 2.65-fold and 1.95-fold, respectively. The vegetation at broodrearing sites was taller (1.6 dm) than the vegetation at the other use sites, while the vegetation at nest sites was considerably shorter (1.3 dm) and denser. The probability of finding a godwit foraging increased with increasing forb cover and water depth, and decreasing shrub and moss cover and site roughness. Godwits used the periphery of wetlands for ground display. These grassy areas were typically transition zones between the wetland itself and the drier shrub communities. / Graduation date: 1997

No description available.

This research evaluated the importance of select competencies in the area of human behavior, important to home-based caregivers employed independently and/or within a service agency in the State of Alaska. Data were gathered from respondents working in home-based care (N=76), and from those working in a related field (N=38). Data were collected on a forty-three (43) item instrument, using a five-point Likert type scale. The instrument was validated by a consensus of panelists using the Delphi technique. The reliability of the instrument was determined to be +0.893, using the Hoyt-Stunkard method. Analysis of variance tests were completed for each of the forty-three (43) competencies and for two work status characteristics to determine differences between responses of those working in home-based care and those working in a related field. Factor analysis, using the R-mode, provided for clustering of competencies and constituted the major analysis procedure for the study. The purpose of the study was to provide curriculum planning direction for postsecondary training in human behavior-related competencies for home-based caregivers. The results of the study indicated the presence of five (5) clusters of content considered basic to training curriculum for all home-based caregivers. The clusters included: One Family systems (8 competencies); Two - Nutrition and food management (6 competencies); Three - Human development (13 competencies); Four Home safety and accessibility (9 competencies); and Five Organization and interpersonal skills (8 competencies). Overall competency means ranged from 2.986 to 4.522. Significance tests showed thirteen (13) rejected hypotheses for the forty-three (43) competencies. The mean scores for twelve (12) of those rejected were slightly higher for those working in home-based care than for those working in a related field. The results of the study present direction for postsecondary vocational curriculum development in human behavior-related competencies important to home-based caregivers. / Graduation date: 1993

Thesis (M.F.A.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 138 p. Includes abstract.

There is no abstract available for this thesis.