Programming parallel computers remains a difficult task. An ideal programming environment should enablethe user to concentrate on the problem solving activity at a convenient level of abstraction, while managing the intricate low-level details without sacrificing performance. This thesis investigates a model of parallel programming based on the Bird-Meertens Formalism (BMF). This is a set of higher-order functions, many of which are implicitly parallel. Programs are expressed in terms of functions borrowed from BMF. A parallel implementation is defined for each of these functions for a particular topology, and the associated execution costs are derived. The topologies which have been considered include the hypercube, 2-D torus, tree and the linear array. An analyser estimates the costs associated with different implementations of a given program and selects a cost-effective one for a given topology. All the analysis is performed at compile-time which has the advantage of reducing run-time overheads. the cost model's accuracy in choosing a cost-effective implementation and predicting its performance has been studied for three programs. The main contribution of the thesis is the cost model which aims to predict realistic performances and which considers several possible parallel implementations for a given programbefore selecting a cost-effective one.

This thesis concerns the use of the Bird- Meertens Formalism as a mechanism to control parallelism in an imperative programming language. One of the main reasons for the failure of parallelism to enter mainstream computing is the difficulty of developing software and the lack of the portability and performance predictability enjoyed by sequential systems. A key objetive should be to minimise costs by abstracting much of the complexity away from the programmer. Criteria for a suitable parallel programming paradigm to meet this goal are defined. The Bird-Meertens Formalism, which has in the past been shown to be a suitable vehicle for expressing parallel algorithms, is used as the basis for a proposed imperative parallel programming paradigm which meets these criteria. A programming language is proposed which is an example of this paradigm, based on the BMF Theory of Lists and the sequential language C. A concurrent operational semantics is outlined, with the emphasis on its use as a practical tool for imcreasing confidence in program correctness, rather than on full and rigorous formality. A prototype implementation of a subset of this language for a distributed memory, massively parallel computer is produced in the form of a C subroutine library. Although not offering realistic absolute performance, it permits measurements of scalability and relative performance to be undertaken. A case study is undertaken which implements a simple but realistic algoritm in the language, and considers how well the the criteria outlined at the start of the project are met. The prototype library implementation is used for performance measurements. A range of further possibilities is examinedm, in particular ways in which the paradigm language may be extended, and the possibility of using alternative BMF-like type theories. Pragmatic considerations for achieving performance in a production implementation are discussed.

Dispersal is a fundamental ecological and evolutionary process that can create demographic and genetic linkage between neighbouring and distant locations, influencing the dynamics, structure and ultimately the persistence of populations. To understand observed population dynamics and structure and to predict future change, accurate and comprehensive data are required describing the pattern and magnitude of dispersal and gene flow across all relevant spatial scales. However, this is a major empirical challenge. In this thesis, I aimed to obtain comprehensive empirical data quantifying natal dispersal patterns and population genetic structure across multiple spatial scales using the European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) as a model species. I used a combination of field observations of shags individually ringed on the Isle of May, Scotland and molecular genetic techniques to accomplish these aims. By locating adult shags that had been ringed as chicks on the Isle of May at their breeding locations across eastern Scotland, I demonstrated divergent dispersal distributions at small versus large spatial scales. Using both mitochondrial DNA markers and a newly developed set of microsatellite markers, I quantified population genetic structure across a pan-European scale. This was weak across both molecular markers suggesting a role for occasional effective long-distance dispersal. However, a suite of evolutionary forces besides gene flow can create observed population genetic structure. Therefore, I quantified population genetic structure across populations in eastern Scotland, and quantitatively linked this indirect estimate of gene flow with my direct field observations of dispersal. Dispersal parameters derived explicitly from field observations and the spatial organisation of populations were shown to strongly influence observed population genetic structure. Overall, these data demonstrate the need to utilise both field observations and genetic methods to comprehensively estimate the extent and effectiveness of dispersal and highlight the importance of accurately quantifying long-distance dispersal in particular for predicting future change.

The current study investigated the process of change underlying two different evidence-based treatments that yield similar outcome effectiveness in the treatment of depression: Cognitive Therapy (CT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). The phase model of psychotherapeutic change (Howard et al., 1993) change is used to provide both a theoretical and practical framework in which to assess different patterns of change across the treatment modalities. The phase model posits that recovery from distress occurs in three sequential stages: remoralization, remediation and rehabilitation. CT can be conceptualized as a treatment in which the primary focus is on the treatment of symptoms (remediation), whereas IPT can typically be conceptualized as focusing on interpersonal conflicts and functioning (rehabilitation). The study utilized the TDCRP dataset (Elkin et al., 1985). Survival analysis indicated no significant difference in terms of onset or pattern of improvement across treatment orientations. Chi square analyses indicated individuals treated with IPT spend significantly more time engaged in rehabilitation compared to their CT counterparts. Taken together, these findings represent evidence that the process of therapeutic change is similar, if not virtually identical, across therapeutic orientation. The analyses also indicate that the phases of therapy may not necessarily be mutually exclusive and sequential, but may instead represent co-occurring patterns of improvement which are not sequentially determined.

The urban environment has attracted much scientific attention as it stands at the core of environmental changes caused by the growing human population. The responses of bird communities to urbanization have been especially frequently studied. Despite the intensive research, there are several unresolved questions resonating in the field of urban ecology of birds: i) Are cities ordinary components of the original environment with the same macroecological bird diversity patterns as can be observed in the surrounding environment or do they have some specific impacts on native avifaunas? ii) Which traits are characteristic for species being able to persist in cities and for those avoiding urban areas? iii) How does the impact of the most important factors influencing urban bird communities - area, habitat heterogeneity and spatial position - change with spatial scale? Towards answering these questions, data on breeding bird communities were extracted from 41 European urban bird atlases, avifaunas of regions in which cities are embedded were retrieved from the EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds. Finer scale bird community data were obtained from the atlas of Prague and by point counts conducted in Prague. Data on bird traits were collated from published resources and additional environmental and...

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science October 2012 Johannesburg, South Africa / Food is not always readily available and therefore an important limiting resource to birds. South African forests have a similar fruiting and flowering phenology to tropical forests in that food availability fluctuates over space and time. South African indigenous forest is naturally fragmented in a non-forest matrix and therefore differs from tropical forests. Anthropogenic landuse change has contributed to the increased fragmentation of indigenous forest. The isolated nature of patches provides a suitable platform from which to assess changes in a forest bird community between seasons because they are structurally and functionally distinct from the surrounding vegetation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess food as a driver of community dynamics and dietary patterns of birds in a Mist Belt Mixed Podocarpus forest patch between two distinct seasons, winter and summer. This was assessed through a combination of field techniques and stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen. Further, birds were categorised as forest specialists, forest generalists, and forest visitors based on published information to provide extra insight into community changes. Species richness and abundance differed between seasons due to the local movements and turnover of birds and due to the influx of migrants into the forest. In addition, nectarivores and frugivores increased in abundance and biomass in the forest in winter when flowers and fruit were readily available from canopy trees, such as Halleria lucida and Podocarpus latifolius. However, insect-eating guilds increased in summer when there was a greater diversity of invertebrates. Nectarivores, granivores, and omnivores vertically tracked food within forest height strat to where it was most abundant, demonstrating a close association with the location of their food resources. Further, the niche of several species, particularly insectivores and nectarivores, broadened in winter when food resources were limited. However, there was niche contraction in several bird species in summer when resources were more readily available. Overall, the forest acted as a refuge for guilds, particularly frugivores and nectarivores, in winter. Furthermore, this study suggested that food limitation is species-specific and does not apply to all species. Understanding the drivers of community change has important implications for forest management and conservation of forest flora and fauna.

A Tomografia de Coerência Óptica ou OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) representa importante avanço em diagnóstico e monitoramento de doenças oculares, nos últimos anos, porém na Medicina Veterinária, o emprego da técnica ainda é pouco difundido. Objetivou-se, portanto, utilizar a OCT, no estudo da retina de papagaios-verdadeiros (Amazona aestiva) adultos sadios, visando-se à sua caracterização, bem como, padronizar a técnica do exame para a espécie. Foram avaliadas as camadas da retina, mensuradas as espessuras em diferentes áreas desta e verificada a ocorrência de variações. A dilatação pupilar foi obtida com a instilação de uma gota de brometo de rocurônio (5mg/ml) nos momentos 0, 2, 15, 17, 30 e 32 minutos. Os animais foram sedados com maleato de midazolam (0,5mg/kg) por via intramuscular e anestesiados com propofol (5,0mg/kg) por via intravenosa. Foram realizadas as mensurações das espessuras da Retina Total (RT), da Retina Neurossensorial (RN) e do Complexo de Células Ganglionares (CCG) há 2 milímetros (mm) do pécten em direção à fóvea, cujas médias foram 279,40 micrômetros (m), 255,90µm e 138,60µm, respectivamente. Estas médias foram comparadas com as médias encontradas em lâminas histológicas digitalizadas em microscópio automático de fluorescência e mensuradas com auxílio do software VS-ASW®, e foram obtidos os valores de 260,30µm para RT, 238,20µm para RN e 129,30µm para CCG, demonstrando alto coeficiente de correlação entre todas as medidas. As imagens permitiram demonstrar a anatomia da retina com visibilização e identificação de suas camadas, variações e anormalidades. Estes dados vêem auxiliar no diagnóstico e monitoramento de retinopatias nos papagaios-verdadeiros. / Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) represents an important advance in the diagnosis and monitoring of ocular diseases nowadays, but in veterinary medicine, the use of the technique is still not widespread. The aim of this study in research was to use the OCT in the study of the retina of blue-front parrots (Amazona aestiva) healthy adults, aiming at its characterization, as well as to standardize the examination technique for the species. The retinal layers were evaluated, the thicknesses measured in different areas of the retina and the occurrence of variations was verified. Pupillary dilatation was obtained by instillation of a drop of rocuronium bromide (5mg/ml) at moments 0, 2, 15, 17, 30 and 32 minutes. The animals were sedated with midazolam maleate (0.5mg/kg) intramuscularly and anesthetized with intravenous application of propofol (5.0mg/kg). Measurements were made of thicknesses of Total Retina (RT), Retinal Neurosensory (RN) and Ganglion Cell Complex (GCC), distant 2 millimeters (mm) from the pecten towards the fovea, whose mean values were 279.40 micrometers (µm), 255.90µm and 138, 60µm, respectively. These averages were compared to the averages found on histological slides scanned in an automatic fluorescence microscope and measured with the aid of the VS-ASW® software, and obtained values of 260.30µm for RT, 238.20µm for RN and 129.30µm for GCC, demonstrating high correlation coefficient between all measurements. The images allowed to demonstrate the anatomy of the retina with visibility and identification of its layers, variations and abnormalities. These data aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of retinopathies in blue-front parrots.

Although it is widely recognized that exotic plant invaders can affect diversity of native plant communities, a few studies of natural systems concern about the nature abundance and diversity loss and the associated consequences for higher trophic levels. Little is known impact of exotic riparian plant on higher-order consumers, such as birds. Such is requirement to understand underlying mechanisms of invasive processes and formulating effective management strategies. We examined interaction between invasive knotweed (Reynoutria sp. div., next only knotweed) and bird communities. We recorded occurrence of birds along three rivers in riverbanks that were either dominated by native vegetation or invaded by knotweed. Birds were recorded in breeding seasons in 2011 and 2012 near town Frýdek-Místek and Valašské Meziříčí. We interested especially in (i) how knotweed composition within riparian systems affects avian communities and (ii) what common bird characteristics are influenced by knotweed. Our outcome found positive effect of Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) and Great Tit (Parus major) in high knotweed cover and negative effect of Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea). Interspecific comparison common avian characteristics suggest that knotweed invasion can impact avian abundance living in lower...

A Tomografia de Coerência Óptica ou OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) representa importante avanço em diagnóstico e monitoramento de doenças oculares, nos últimos anos, porém na Medicina Veterinária, o emprego da técnica ainda é pouco difundido. Objetivou-se, portanto, utilizar a OCT, no estudo da retina de papagaios-verdadeiros (Amazona aestiva) adultos sadios, visando-se à sua caracterização, bem como, padronizar a técnica do exame para a espécie. Foram avaliadas as camadas da retina, mensuradas as espessuras em diferentes áreas desta e verificada a ocorrência de variações. A dilatação pupilar foi obtida com a instilação de uma gota de brometo de rocurônio (5mg/ml) nos momentos 0, 2, 15, 17, 30 e 32 minutos. Os animais foram sedados com maleato de midazolam (0,5mg/kg) por via intramuscular e anestesiados com propofol (5,0mg/kg) por via intravenosa. Foram realizadas as mensurações das espessuras da Retina Total (RT), da Retina Neurossensorial (RN) e do Complexo de Células Ganglionares (CCG) há 2 milímetros (mm) do pécten em direção à fóvea, cujas médias foram 279,40 micrômetros (m), 255,90µm e 138,60µm, respectivamente. Estas médias foram comparadas com as médias encontradas em lâminas histológicas digitalizadas em microscópio automático de fluorescência e mensuradas com auxílio do software VS-ASW®, e foram obtidos os valores de 260,30µm para RT, 238,20µm para RN e 129,30µm para CCG, demonstrando alto coeficiente de correlação entre todas as medidas. As imagens permitiram demonstrar a anatomia da retina com visibilização e identificação de suas camadas, variações e anormalidades. Estes dados vêem auxiliar no diagnóstico e monitoramento de retinopatias nos papagaios-verdadeiros. / Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) represents an important advance in the diagnosis and monitoring of ocular diseases nowadays, but in veterinary medicine, the use of the technique is still not widespread. The aim of this study in research was to use the OCT in the study of the retina of blue-front parrots (Amazona aestiva) healthy adults, aiming at its characterization, as well as to standardize the examination technique for the species. The retinal layers were evaluated, the thicknesses measured in different areas of the retina and the occurrence of variations was verified. Pupillary dilatation was obtained by instillation of a drop of rocuronium bromide (5mg/ml) at moments 0, 2, 15, 17, 30 and 32 minutes. The animals were sedated with midazolam maleate (0.5mg/kg) intramuscularly and anesthetized with intravenous application of propofol (5.0mg/kg). Measurements were made of thicknesses of Total Retina (RT), Retinal Neurosensory (RN) and Ganglion Cell Complex (GCC), distant 2 millimeters (mm) from the pecten towards the fovea, whose mean values were 279.40 micrometers (µm), 255.90µm and 138, 60µm, respectively. These averages were compared to the averages found on histological slides scanned in an automatic fluorescence microscope and measured with the aid of the VS-ASW® software, and obtained values of 260.30µm for RT, 238.20µm for RN and 129.30µm for GCC, demonstrating high correlation coefficient between all measurements. The images allowed to demonstrate the anatomy of the retina with visibility and identification of its layers, variations and abnormalities. These data aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of retinopathies in blue-front parrots.

acase@tulane.edu / Tyrannus is a highly diverse genus with respect to migration strategies within the largest adaptive radiation of birds in the world (Tyrannidae). Within the genus, there are Nearctic- Neotropical migrant, Neotropical austral migrant, intratropical migrant, and resident species and subspecies. The overall goal of this dissertation was to use a variety of methods to explain the diversity of migration patterns found in the New World (focusing on the Tyrannus genus) to gain a better understanding of the ecology and evolution of migration in birds. In my first chapter I developed a phylogeny to account for phylogenetic relatedness in analyses demonstrating that natural selection has acted on two morphologies relevant to the strategy-specific niches of migratory versus resident Tyrannus (wing pointedness), which may be part of a suite of co-adaptations that are adaptive for migratory populations. Then I showed that New World migratory passerines are tracking with different aspects of seasonality in the Northern versus the Southern Hemisphere, better equipping further research exploring differential impacts of climate change on different types of migrants. In my final chapter I developed a novel gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC/MS) protocol to discover evidence that austral migrant Fork-tailed flycatchers had higher concentrations of oleic and linoleic acid in their diets compared to residents, demonstrating that a diet switch from insects to fruit is important to fuel spring migration, via the accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This study has improved our understanding of the ecology and evolution of migration in birds by extending hypotheses developed for Nearctic migrants into a genus with both Nearctic and austral migrants. Taken together, my findings demonstrate important new information for proximate versus ultimate mechanisms driving the evolution of migration in birds, as well as elucidating important ecological patterns of Nearctic-Neotropical versus Neotropical austral migration that may be important for developing species distribution models and conservation plans under climate change scenarios where both future temperature and rainfall regimes are expected to change. / 1 / Maggie MacPherson