Soil moisture deficits often hinder rangeland revegetation efforts. Due to sheer numbers and germination timing, invasive annual species can easily outcompete those of desired seeded species for resources, including water. One way to increase seedling establishment may be to increase the amount of water available to seeded species. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) can absorb and release hundreds of times their weight in water and slowly release it. Concentrated SAP bands at or near seedling rooting depth may act as a soil water reservoir for germinating seedlings and increase rangeland seedling establishment. The objective of these studies was to evaluate the effect of banded SAP on soil moisture and seedling establishment through a series of eight glasshouse and field trials with different combinations of: species, SAP band rate, SAP band placement depth, seeding rate, fertilizer application, and seedling distance from the SAP band. Two grasses, bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides) or Siberian wheatgrass (Agropyron fragile) were used as test species in all studies but one. In that study six species commonly used in rangeland restoration [bottlebrush squirreltail, crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.)), Lewis flax (Linum lewisii Pursh), yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nuttall ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Young), and forage kochia (Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad.)] were used. Concentrated band of SAP at rates up to 6000 kg ha-1 were placed below the seeds at depths ranging from the soil surface to 15 cm deep or mixed into the top 8 or 15 cm of soil. Measurements varied with trial. Soil moisture measurements included gravimetric water content, volumetric water content, and/or soil matric potential. Seedling growth parameters included seedling time to emerge, number emerged, longevity, percent of seedlings alive, shoot length, blade count, root length, root biomass, shoot biomass, and/or root:shoot ratio. Banded SAP at high rates increased usable soil moisture up to 49 days in the glasshouse and in spring of the first year after installation in the field. Rates ? 1500 kg ha-1 increased seedling longevity up to 12 days in the glasshouse but resulted in raised and cracked soil. This negatively impacted seedling survival in the field but not the glasshouse and may also reduce the amount of available soil moisture over time. Banded SAP at rates < 1500 kg ha-1, intended to reduce soil cracking, had no impact on soil moisture or live seedlings in the field. Further work is needed to investigate alternative application methods, such as blending the SAP into the soil.

<p> Effects of siltation were measured by determination of growth rates through x-radiography and trapped clastics sediments through coral sample decalcification. Results show an increase in growth rate with an increase in suspended particulate matter. This is attributed to an increase in nutrient levels with increased SPM values.</p> <p> Support of algal banding being an annual indicator was given by comparison of x-radiographs to actual coral slabs.</p> <p> Observation of radiographs reveal an offshore trend in regard to the distinctiveness of annual banding, with the bands being less obvious on outer shelf corals.</p> <p> Large variations in growth rates found within the sample population as a whole, as well as intra-reef samples reveal the limited applications to which these determinations can be used.</p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

No description available.

Black vulture (Coragyps atratus) and turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) roosting dynamics were studied at eight roosts near Radford, Virginia. Black vulture numbers at a permanent roost ranged from low monthly means in June 1982 and 1983 to peak monthly means in December 1981 and 1982. Turkey vulture numbers ranged from low monthly means in July 1982 and 1983 to peaks in December 1981 and 1983. Vultures used two temporary roosts at nearby landfills from March through October in 1983. Vultures marked with cattle eartags were observed moving among roosts. Road counts were poorly correlated (r = 0.39, P = 0.05, r = 0.39, P = 0.12, black vultures and turkey vultures respectively) with roosting vulture numbers, and may not be good indicators of vulture numbers. Long term monitoring of vulture populations is best accomplished by six counts in December, on the same date each year, as vultures leave permanent roosts. Movement of problem roosts may be most effective when accompanied by removal of attractants. Accretion of fecal material on metal leg bands constricted tarsi of black and turkey vultures. Teflon bands did not constrict the tarsus, but tag loss was high. Adult black vultures had longer tarsi and shorter wing chords than juveniles. Two nests were used in 1983 and 1984 by two pairs of black vultures, consisting of one marked and one unmarked bird. / Master of Science

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T14:38:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Simone Cristina Girardi.pdf: 4377774 bytes, checksum: 366158b7c208a2a4a26392aebcbc096b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Pimelodidae is a family of fishes of South America, and although several taxonomic and molecular studies have been conducted, the phylogenetic relationships among the genera are not still fully understood. In order to provide data to assist in the understanding of the relationships within this family, cytogenetic studies were performed in two species of Iheringichthys and seven species of Pimelodus from three river systems. The specimens were collected in the Piquiri River, Upper Paraná River basin; in the Iguaçu River, downstream to the Iguaçu Falls in the Middle Paraná River basin; in the Iguaçu River, Lower Iguaçu River basin and in the Ijuí River, Upper Uruguay River basin. The analysis showed the presence of 2n=56 chromosomes for all species, corroborating the hypothesis of this basal diploid number for the family. The AgNORs, confirmed by 18S rDNA-FISH, were localized in the terminal position on long arm of a chromosome pair for all analyzed species, which has been reported for all species of Pimelodidae and may indicate a basal trait for the family. The heterochromatin distribution pattern found herein is similar to those described for other Pimelodidae, and allowed us to differentiate most of the species, becoming an important marker. The location of 5S rDNA sequences in Iheringichthys species allowed their differentiation, and can be used as a taxonomic marker. In Pimelodus species, it was verified a variation in the number and position of 5S rDNA sites. In P. britskii and P. maculates, sites of 5S rDNA and 18S were found in synteny, which may indicate a derived condition for these species, considering that they are the only for pimelodids species till now studied that have this feature. The results of this study provided data that contribute to the knowledge of the evolutionary history of the species for Pimelodidae; establishing phylogenetic relationships and assisting in the identification of these species. / Pimelodidae é uma família de peixes da região Neotropical, e embora vários estudos taxonômicos e moleculares tenham sido realizados, as relações filogenéticas entre seus gêneros ainda não são totalmente compreendidas. Com o intuito de fornecer dados para auxiliar no entendimento das relações dentro desta família, foram realizados estudos citogenéticos em duas espécies de Iheringichthys e em sete espécies de Pimelodus de três sistemas hidrográficos. Os exemplares foram coletados no rio Piquiri, Bacia do Alto rio Paraná; no rio Iguaçu, jusante às Cataratas do Iguaçu na Bacia do Médio rio Paraná; no rio Iguaçu, Bacia do Baixo rio Iguaçu e no rio Ijuí, Bacia do Alto rio Uruguai. As análises mostraram a presença de 2n=56 cromossomos em todas as espécies, reforçando a hipótese de número diplóide basal para a família. As AgRONs, confirmadas pela FISH-DNAr 18S, foram localizadas na região terminal do braço longo de um par de cromossomos em todas as espécies estudadas, sendo que posição terminal desta região é observada em todas as espécies de Pimelodidae e pode indicar um caracter basal da família. O padrão de distribuição de heterocromatina encontrado é semelhante ao observado em outros Pimelodidae, e permitiu diferenciar a maioria das espécies, sendo um importante marcador. A localização das sequências de DNAr 5S nas espécies de Iheringichthys permitiu diferenciá-las, podendo ser utilizado como marcador taxonômico. Em Pimelodus, variação quanto ao número e posição de sítios do DNAr 5S foi observada. Em P. britskii e P. maculatus os sítios de DNAr 5S e 18S foram localizados em sintenia, o que pode indicar uma condição derivada para estas espécies, visto que são as únicas espécies de Pimelodidae que apresentam esta característica até o momento. Os resultados do presente estudo fornecem dados que contribuem para o conhecimento da história evolutiva das espécies de Pimelodidae, permitem estabelecer relações filogenéticas e auxiliam na identificação destas espécies.

Des mesures optiques en microcanaux permettent d'obtenir de nouvelles informations sur différents fluides complexes, en lien avec des procédés de récupération assistée du pétrole. Nos expériences reposent sur une méthode de microfabrication innovante en colle photoréticulable résistante en pression. Nous concevons un laboratoire sur puce pour l'étude de la dégradation des polymères sous écoulement. Intégrant une zone d'écoulement violent et un viscosimètre dans un même microsystème, nous caractérisons l'influence de la masse, de la concentration, de la chimie et de la géométrie. Par ailleurs, un système de vélocimétrie en microcanal nous permet de caractériser la rhéologie d'une phase hors équilibre de solutions semi-diluées de micelles géantes sur plus d'une décade de taux de cisaillements, mesurant indépendamment le glissement. Par des cartographies tridimensionnelles de cet écoulement, nous étudions ensuite l'apparition de structurations spécifiques à ces fluides à bandes de cisaillement: un effet de confinement amplifié et une instabilité d'interface, confrontés à un modèle théorique avec un accord quantitatif.

Šiuo metu Pasaulyje skrandžio apjuosimo reguliuojama juosta operacijos sudaro apie 43 % visų chirurginių operacijų, atliekamų nutukimui gydyti. Iki šiol nėra pilnai ištirta operacijoje naudojamų skrandį apjuosiančių reguliuojamų juostų konstrukcijos skirtumų įtaka gydymo rezultatams, taip pat nėra priimtų pacientų atrankos šiai operacijai kriterijų. Disertacijoje palyginome vienerių metų nutukimo chirurginio gydymo rezultatus naudojant skirtingas skrandį apjuosiančias reguliuojamas juostas – SAGB ir MiniMizer Extra. Nustatėme, kad skrandžio apjuosimo reguliuojama juosta operacija yra efektyvus ir saugus nutukimo gydymo būdas: vidutinis procentinis perteklinio kūno masės indekso sumažėjimas buvo 33,1 ± 21,9%; vertinant pagal BAROS, 34.1% pacientų pasiekė patenkinamą, 30,6% - gerą, 9,4% – labai gerą ir 2,4% – puikų gydymo rezultatą; pasitaikė 5 (4,9%) „didžiosios” komplikacijos. Esminių skirtumų tarp lygintų juostų efektyvumo ir komplikacijų skaičiaus po vienerių metų po operacijos nenustatyta: vidutinis procentinis perteklinio kūno masės indekso sumažėjimas SAGB ir MiniMizer Extra grupėse buvo atitinkamai 28,9 ± 21,3% ir 36,8 ± 22.1%, p=0.075, o „didžiųjų” komplikacijų skaičius atitinkamai 0 (0%) ir 5 (9.3%), p=0.069. 40 metų ir vyresni pacientai geresnių rezultatų pasiekė naudojant MiniMizer Extra juostą - vidutinis procentinis perteklinio kūno masės indekso sumažėjimas buvo 37,5 ± 20,8% prieš 23,6 ± 13,8 % SAGB grupėje, p=0.002. Pacientai, kurių pradinis KMI ≤ 47, geresnių... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / It has been estimated that LAGB represents about 42% of bariatric operations performed worldwide. There are a number of different adjustable gastric bands available. Few attempts have been made to compare the influence of band design differences for efficiency and complication rate. There are no accepted criteria for choosing this particular operation. In the dissertation we compared one year results after adjustable gastric banding using different adjustable gastric bands – SAGB and MiniMizer Extra. We have determined that laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is effective and safe bariatric procedure: the average percentage of initial excess body mass index loss was 33,1 ± 21,9%; 34.1% of patients achieved fair, 30,6% - good, 9,4% - very good and 2,4% - excellent results according to BAROS; only 5 (4,9%) major complications were diagnosed. No radical differences were stated between the efficiency and complication rate of the compared adjustable gastric bands: the average percentage of initial excess body mass index loss in SAGB and MiniMizer Extra groups was 28,9 ± 21,3% and 36,8 ± 22.1% respectively, p=0.075; major complication rate was 0 (0%) and 5 (9.3%) respectively, p=0.069. Patients at the age of 40 and older achieved better results using MiniMizer Extra band - the average percentage of initial excess body mass index loss was 37,5 ± 20,8% versus 23,6 ± 13,8% in SAGB group, p=0.002. Patients with initial BMI ≤ 47 achieved better results using MiniMizer Extra band... [to full text]

Migration acts as a selective force on the ecology and evolutionary trajectory of species, as well as presenting fundamental challenges for conservation. My thesis examines the impact of migration by exploring patterns of differentiation among and within migratory and non-migratory populations of the Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus). First, I use morphological, genotypic, stable isotope and leg band recovery data to quantify migratory connectivity in the species. Comparison across markers reveals a generally concordant pattern of moderate connectivity to the Gulf Coast, but overall mixing among populations on the wintering grounds. Combining data from multiple markers in a Bayesian framework improves the resolution of assignment of wintering birds to a breeding ground origin. Information on the species’ migratory patterns provides an explicit framework for interpreting patterns of genetic and ecological variation. I test two hypotheses regarding the interaction of gene flow and migratory habit: (1) migration facilitates gene flow; and (2) gene flow will occur most often along the axis of migration. Genetic population structure in migratory populations is weaker than in non-migratory populations, with gene flow facilitated by dispersal movements of females and first year breeders. As predicted, gene flow occurs most often along the north-south axis of migration, likely due either to opportunistic settling of dispersers or potentially, pairing on the wintering grounds. I investigate variation in the extent and scheduling of moult in relation to underlying genetic differences among populations, age, sex, body size, food availability and migratory habit. I find a pattern of interrupted moult across migratory populations, which may represent a trade-off between time allocated to breeding versus molt and migration. Loggerhead Shrikes in eastern and more southerly migratory populations undergo a greater extent of their moult on the breeding grounds and non-migratory individuals undergo a more extensive pre-formative moult than migratory individuals. I interpret this as suggesting a trade-off between resources allocated to molt versus those required for reproduction. / Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2011-01-25 15:54:36.593

No description available.

Preclinical PET systems image animal models of chronic human disease that are used to evaluate new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Once these animals are out of a controlled environment for PET imaging, they typically can not be taken back as they may have been exposed to outside disease. A highly compact PET system is thus required to be developed that can operate within a bio-safety cabinet inside a barrier facility. We investigated using 100-mm-long LYSO scintillator crystals oriented in the axial direction and read out at both ends by position sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PSPMTs) to construct a compact PET. The optimization of light collection for axial encoding of events was carried out using different reflector materials and surface treatments of 3 × 2 × 100 mm3 and 2 × 2 × 100 mm3 polished crystals. The detector response was examined by irradiating the crystals at discrete positions using an electronically collimated 511 keV photon beam. The ratio of two PSPMT signals was used to find the axial-resolution while their sum was used to determine the energy resolution. We then explored the effects of creating systematic band patterns of surface roughing on 1 to 4 long surfaces of the crystals to modulate light-transport with the goal of further improving axial-resolution. These experimental results were used to benchmark DETECT2000 Monte Carlo simulations for our detector geometry. The axial-positioning calibration was carried out by evaluating a uniform flood-irradiation method and comparing with the collimated-irradiation method using 2 × 2 × 100 mm3 crystal detectors. The best axial-positioning resolution of 3.4 mm was achieved in this study for 2 × 2 × 100 mm3 Teflon-wrapped crystals with banding-patterns on only two opposite surfaces, fulfilling the design criteria of our proposed PET. The benchmarked DETECT2000 models can now be used to predict the performance of a complete detector module design. The calibration methods agreed if the trigger threshold energies were adjusted to give similar single event rates in both PSPMTs for uniform flood-irradiation. The implementation of flood-irradiation method in our complete PET scanner will provide a simple axial-positioning calibration.