The Jacobian Conjecture is a long-standing open problem in algebraic geometry. Though the problem is inherently algebraic, it crops up in fields throughout mathematics including perturbation theory, quantum field theory and combinatorics. This thesis is a unified treatment of the combinatorial approaches toward resolving the conjecture, particularly investigating the work done by Wright and Singer. Along with surveying their contributions, we present new proofs of their theorems and motivate their constructions. We also resolve the Symmetric Cubic Linear case, and present new conjectures whose resolution would prove the Jacobian Conjecture to be true.

Researchers, explorers, and philosophers have dedicated many lifetimes attempting to discover, document, and quantify the vast physical processes and interactions occurring in nature. Our understanding of physical processes has often been reflected in the form of numerical models that assist academics in unraveling the many complexities that exist in our physical environment. To that end, integrated surface water-groundwater models attempt to simulate the complex processes and relationships occurring throughout the hydrologic cycle, accounting for evapotranspiration and surface water, variably saturated groundwater, and channel flows. <br /><br /> The Bass Lake watershed is located in the Muskoka district of Ontario, within a crystalline rock environment consistent with typical Canadian Shield settings. Numerous data collection programs and methods were used to compile environmental and field-scale datasets. The integrated surface water-groundwater model, HydroGeoSphere (Therrien et al. , 2005), was used for all Bass Lake watershed simulation models. <br /><br /> Simulation results were compared to expected trends and observed field data. The groundwater heads and flow vector fields show groundwater movement in expected directions with reasonable flow velocities. The subsurface saturation levels behave as expected, confirming the evapotranspiration component is withdrawing groundwater during plant transpiration. The surface water depths and locations of water accumulation are consistent with known and collected field data. The surface waters flow in expected directions at reasonable flow speeds. Simulated Bass Lake surface elevations were compared to observed surface water elevations. Low overland friction values produced the most accurate Bass Lake elevations, with high overland friction values slightly overestimating the Bass Lake water level throughout the simulation period. Fluid exchange between surface water and groundwater domains was consistent with expected flux rates. The integrated surface water-groundwater model HydroGeoSphere ultimately produced acceptable simulations of the Bass Lake model domain.

The Jacobian Conjecture is a long-standing open problem in algebraic geometry. Though the problem is inherently algebraic, it crops up in fields throughout mathematics including perturbation theory, quantum field theory and combinatorics. This thesis is a unified treatment of the combinatorial approaches toward resolving the conjecture, particularly investigating the work done by Wright and Singer. Along with surveying their contributions, we present new proofs of their theorems and motivate their constructions. We also resolve the Symmetric Cubic Linear case, and present new conjectures whose resolution would prove the Jacobian Conjecture to be true.

Successful stock enhancement of hatchery-reared fish depends heavily on the release of individuals able to demonstrate strong survival skills. Overall survival of fishes is a reflection of a successful blend of physiology, anatomy, and behavior. With fishes being highly phenotypically plastic, the potential exists for all aspects of hatcheryreared fish to vary significantly from their wild counterparts while having potentially adverse effects on their survival after release. Previous analyses have demonstrated significant differences between the feeding behavior of hatchery-reared and wild caught largemouth bass (Micropterus floridanus) in the laboratory, as well as differences in the development of the skull between these two groups. The aim of this study was to determine if oral and pharyngeal jaw dentition differed between hatchery and wild bass. Scanning electron micrographs of the oral and pharyngeal jaws from an overlapping size range of 30 hatchery-reared and 30 wild bass were compared for the number and characteristics of oral and pharyngeal teeth. Wild bass were found to have features which would presumably allow more efficient capture of prey. The results of the study suggested that wild bass exhibited greater number of teeth when compared to hatchery reared bass. They also exhibited oral and pharyngeal teeth which were greater in length, and pharyngeal teeth that were greater in width when compared to hatchery-reared bass. This deficiency in dentition could have a significant effect on prey-capture success when introduced into the wild. We suggest that exposure to wild prey during the grow-out phase of aquaculture could provide the necessary adaptive plasticity of hatchery-reared bass dentition

Introduction of fish species to North American drainages has occurred for over 100 years. Introduced fish species have been documented to have adverse effects on both the environment and native species of the drainage into which they have been introduced. To better understand the effects that introduced species may have on a particular drainage, it is essential to understand aspects of the introduced species’ life history. The objectives of the current study is to quantify the age, reproduction, growth, condition and diet of the yellow bass, Morone mississippiensis, in Barren River Lake, Kentucky. Monthly collections from three areas on Barren River Lake were made via a boat-mounted electrofisher from March 2008 to March 2009. Fish age was estimated by examining the sagittal otoliths of each individual. Reproductive condition was assessed using the mean gonadosomatic index (GSI) of all sexually mature individuals by month. Yearly growth rates were estimated by computing the mean length at age for each age class and subsequent calculation of the von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF). To estimate the condition of yellow bass as it changed throughout the sample period, relative weight of each individual was calculated and the mean monthly relative weight was calculated. To examine the diet of yellow bass, diet items were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level. Then, dry weight of each diet item was estimated and pooled by season to assess the season changes in the diet of yellow bass. Individuals of age group 3 were the most frequent. Mean GSI was significantly higher in March, April and May of 2008. Calculation of the VBGF yielded 254.7 mm as the maximum attainable mean total length of yellow bass in Barren River Lake. VBGF predicted mean total lengths of age classes 0-8 were as follows: 21.7 mm, 64.4 mm, 99.2 mm, 127.7 mm, 151.0 mm, 170.0 mm, 185.5 mm, 198.2 mm, and 208.5 mm. Relative weight was highest in summer. The diet of adult and sub-adult yellow bass relied heavily on chironomid larvae and pupae throughout the year, although diet item consumption was very low in winter. Young-of-year gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), however, became the most important adult diet item in the spring and summer. To better understand the impacts that the introduced yellow bass has on the ecosystem of Barren Rive Lake, a multi-year study including an estimation of relative abundance is recommended.

During the fall of 1973, the newly formed (American) Institute of Nautical Archaeology conducted its first systematic underwater survey of the southwestern coast of Turkey with the goal of locating the first shipwreck to be subsequently excavated by the Institute. Of the 18 wreck sites identified during the survey, a site off Sheytan Deresi (Devil’s Creek) proved to be the one that attracted George Bass, director of the survey, as most meriting further study. During the excavation that followed in September and October 1975, the site produced a number of complete and fragmentary ceramic vessels that formed the main artifact assemblage. Although the ceramic vessels brought to light at Sheytan Deresi have been studied by George Bass, Roxani Margariti and others since the 1975 excavation, locating precise parallels for the assemblage proved a difficult task and resulted in a less than full understanding of the site. The following thesis represents a renewed effort to answer a number of questions still surrounding the Sheytan Deresi site. In addition to expanding the extensive search for parallels undertaken by Bass and Margariti, recent research has involved a number of scientific analyses, including petrographic analysis of the ceramic assemblage, luminescence dating of ceramic fragments, and elemental examination of the fabric through neutron activation analysis and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The use of three-dimensional modeling has been adopted for the purposes of site interpretation. Although the impact of this more holistic approach cannot be entirely foreseen at this time, a number of interesting hypotheses regarding the site can now be suggested. It appears that the ceramic assemblage, which is now conclusively of a single origin, may be of a specialized maritime nature, and likely belongs to the Middle Bronze Age, reminiscent of, but entirely similar to, regional types of Anatolian and Cretan vessels. These tentative conclusions, as well as an examination of the site itself, suggest that the (Minoanizing) ceramic assemblage of Sheytan Deresi stood witness to a fairly small Middle Bronze Age coastal trading vessel that capsized rounding a dangerous cape, not far from its point of origin. We are still not in a position to fully comprehend the wrecking event that took place at Sheytan Deresi, but we are now firmly on course towards reaching that objective.

Hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis) aquaculture is a major commercial enterprise in the United States and internationally. Efforts to decrease diet costs and limit dependence on fishmeal, have led to the development of plant-based diets as an alternative aquafeed. Due to limiting concentrations of amino acids such as methionine, cystine, and taurine in plant meals such as soybean meal, supplementation of these plant-based diets with methionine or other sulfur amino acid compounds is typically required. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate different amino acid supplements in soybean-meal-based diets for hybrid striped bass for possible refinement of diets and reduction of production costs. One feeding trial evaluated methionine hydroxy analog (MHA) and Mintrex® which is MHA containing chelated zinc relative to L-methionine. The second trial evaluated the effects of supplemental taurine or arginine on fish performance and potential health benefits. In the first feeding trial, a basal soybean-meal-based diet (56% soybean meal and 15% fishmeal) marginally deficient in total sulfur amino acids (TSSA) (1.10% methionine and cystine) was supplemented with either L-methionine, Mintrex® or MHA calcium salt and fed to triplicate groups of juvenile hybrid striped bass for 10 weeks. The different methionine supplements provided similar weight gain, feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) values that tended to be greater than observed in fish fed the basal diet. Mintrex® supplementation provided much higher plasma zinc concentrations compared to fish fed the other methionine supplements. In the second feeding trial, soybean-meal based diets which satisfied the requirement for TSAA were supplemented with either taurine or arginine at 1.5% of dry weight. Supplemental taurine or arginine did not provide any improvements in weight gain, FER, PER or survival compared to the basal diet. Thus, taurine or arginine supplementation of soybean-meal-based diets does not appear warranted. However, sulfur amino acid supplementation of plant-based diets is critical, and Mintrex® appears to be an effective supplement to meet the methionine and zinc needs of hybrid striped bass.

Thesis (M. Mus. (Perf.))--University of Sydney, 2009. / Title from title screen (viewed October 27, 2009) Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music (Performance) to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. Includes bibliographical references.

Syftet med arbetet är att bidra till ökad kunskap om hur kontrabaspedagoger utformar gruppundervisning i sitt arbete med kontrabaselever. Det tycks finnas en stor brist på studier som behandlar gruppundervisning på kontrabas. I bakgrundskapitlet belyses därför gruppundervisning med dess för- och nackdelar, olika gruppundervisningsmetoder för stråkpedagoger samt forskning som visar positiva effekter av gruppundervisning. Föreliggande studie grundar sig på det designteoretiska och multimodala perspektivet. Datamaterialet består av två videodokumentationer från två olika kontrabaslärare. I resultatet redovisas hur lärarna använder tal, sång, specifika kontrabasord, gester och instrumentet kontrabas som resurser i undervisningen. Resultatet visar även att lärarna designar sina lektioner på olika sätt samt att de använder sig av olika tekniker vid spel. I det avslutande diskussionskapitlet lyfts de olika resurser lärarna använder sig av och hur de designar sina lektioner i relation till det designteoretiska och multimodala perspektivet. En av slutsatserna i diskussionen är att lärarens position gentemot eleven har betydelse för elevernas förmåga att imitera och transformera lärarens gester. / The purpose of this study is to contribute to further knowledge of how double bass teachers design their group lessons for double bass students. There seems to be a lack of studies that treat group tuition for double bass. The background chapter therefore provides pros and cons about group tuition, different methods for group tuition used by string teachers and previous research in the field that shows the positive effects of group tuition. The theoretical starting point of this study is based upon the design theoretical and multimodal perspective. The collected data material consists of two video documentations from two different double bass teachers. The result chapter describes how the teachers use speech, song, double bass words, gestures and the double bass as resources in teaching. The result also shows that the teachers design their lessons differently and use different kinds of techniques when playing. In the concluding discussion chapter the teachers’ different resources and how they design their lessons is lifted as the main topics according to the design theoretical and multimodal perspective. One of the conclusions in the discussion is that the teachers’ position towards the students is significant for the students’ ability to imitate and transform gestures from the teacher.

Felleskap for two tubas / James D. Thornton -- Fantasy for flute and tuba / Ben Miles -- Duo for bass trombone and tuba / Ron Newman -- Morgenmusik / Paul Hindemith -- Two Miniatures / Matt Hightower -- The carnival of Venice / J. B. Arban. / text