The hypothesis tested in this study is that the application of ozone to reuse aquaculture water provides more favorable conditions for hybrid striped bass at production levels. Evaluation of water quality in fish culture systems being treated with ozone was made during a production trial (1200 fish/14,OOO 1). Originally, a control and four ozonated systems with doses of 3, 13, 25, and 45 g O3/kg feed/day supported fish for experimentation but, due to mechanical failure, only the control, the 13 and 25 g O3/kg feed/day treatments completed the full 35 week study. On an equal feeding basis, concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBODs), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were lowest in the most heavily ozonated systems. Ozone increased the biodegradation of DOC. Total suspended solids, particle size and distributions were impacted by ozone's flocculating properties. The percentages of particles in the smallest size range, 5-20 microns, were greater in the control system than the ozonated systems during weeks of equal feeding rates. When feeding rates differed, the control system maintained a larger number total particles per kilogram of feed administered. The pH of the ozonated systems was lower than the control which favored the ionized (less toxic) form of ammonia. Enhanced biodegradation of organics in the ozonated systems may have increased carbon dioxide production and caused a decline in pH. Greater nitrification in the ozonated systems may have also decreased the pH. Higher total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) levels were produced in the control on an equal feeding basis. Average weekly TAN t unionized ammonia (NH3), nitrite and nitrate concentrations remained at acceptable levels across treatments and throughout the production trial. Overall, the major indication of improved system conditions due to ozone treatment was that fish raised in the ozonated systems fed steadily throughout the growth trial while the control system's culture experienced periods of reduced feeding. / Master of Science

In this project I investigate the impact of musical influences on listeners, particularly in performance and composition. The study is motivated by a personal quest to understand how musical inspirations shape proficiency on an instrument and compositional abilities. Five pieces with varied grooves, tempos, and harmonics were composed and performed on March 19, 2024, at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm to examine these influences. Audience feedback indicated recognizable connections to music from the 1950s and 1960s. Post-concert analysis revealed insights into the direct and indirect influences on the compositions, detailing the thought processes behind each piece. The discussion offers a comprehensive summary, linking the work to instrumental techniques and highlighting the development of skills in composition and leadership. This project has broadened my perception of composition, demonstrating increased versatility and providing new methods for future musical endeavors. / <p>Dark Keys - Erik Cappelin</p><p>Clownen Pucko - Erik Cappelin</p><p>Leach - Erik Cappelin</p><p>Song for Ture Björkman - Erik Cappelin</p><p>The Equalizer - Erik Cappelin</p><p></p><p>Medverkande musiker:</p><p>Eskil Larsson - Tenorsaxofon</p><p>Hampus Adami - Ventilbasun</p><p>Mattias Lindberg - Piano</p><p>Hugo Löf - Kontrabas</p><p>Erik Cappelin - Trummor</p><p></p>

Potential predation between fishes of recreational interest has incited many bitter conflicts between angler groups. Large predators, such as esocids, are often at the center of these conflicts because of their capacity to alter fish populations. Such a conflict certainly exists between the Muskellunge Esox masquinongy and Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu fisheries of the New River, Virginia. Following the institution of a 42-in minimum-length limit (MLL) on Muskellunge, bass anglers feared that increased Muskellunge abundance might be negatively affecting Smallmouth Bass via increased predation. In order to ascertain the impacts of the 42-in MLL, I estimated the demographics, abundance, and food habits of Muskellunge combined with bioenergetics modeling to assess changes (i) in the quality of the Muskellunge fishery and (ii) in Muskellunge predation on Smallmouth Bass. Additionally, given the likelihood of future regulations to incite similar concerns from bass anglers, I modeled alternative length-limit regulations (iii) to assess their potential to improve fishery quality, thereby laying the groundwork for managers to address angler concerns before they arise. I found substantial increases in population size structure and in average adult density of Muskellunge since the institution of the 42-in MLL, but bioenergetics modeling did not indicate a notable increase in the consumption of Smallmouth Bass. I also found that high MLLs (e.g., 48-in) were likely to promote the largest increases in trophy production of Muskellunge compared to low MLLs or protected-slot limits (PSLs). This study suggests that the current Muskellunge population likely plays a small role in shaping Smallmouth Bass population dynamics and production in the New River; and lays the groundwork for predicting how the impact of Muskellunge on Smallmouth Bass might change under alternative regulations. / Master of Science

This study examined the suitability of Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) for introduction into Virginia and other mid-latitude waters by comparing the performance of northern (M. s. salmoides), Florida, and hybrid largemouth bass in a 342 ha south-central Virginia reservoir, Briery Creek Lake (BcL). Fingerling northern and Florida largemouth bass were stocked into Briery Creek Lake in 1986, following impoundment, and in 1987. Largemouth bass were collected for genotypic and performance analyses in the autumn and spring beginning in 1989 and ending spring 1991. Electrophoretic analyses demonstrated that hybrid largemouth bass (F1 and Fx) dominated the 1987-1990 cohorts and indicated that one or both founding stocks were genetically impure. Comparisons of electroshock catch composition showed no survival advantage for Florida largemouth bass (FLMB) age-1 and older and no differential vulnerability to angling among the four presumptive genotypes of largemouth bass in Briery Creek Lake. Age-O FLMB proportions declined over both winters (1989-1990 and 1990-1991) indicating relatively high first-mortality in the thermal regime of Briery Creek Lake (3,875 annual mean of heating degree days). Statistical comparisons of growth revealed no consistent differences among the respective bass genotypes, although survival and growth tended to be slightly higher for PI hybrid bass. The average total length of largemouth bass in BCL was below the state's average by age three. Total lengths of age-O FI and northern largemouth bass (NLMB) were higher than FLMB and Fx bass in October, perhaps as a result of earlier spawning among NLMB and between the subspecies. Relative weights of largemouth bass in BCL were generally below 95; and few significant differences in (Wr) were observed among the presumptive largemouth bass genotypes. The suboptimal condition (Wr) of largemouth bass in BCL coupled with the decline in growth and condition of bass with increasing age suggested inadequate prey abundance in Briery Creek Lake. Overall, Florida subspecific alleles did not increase in BCL over time, but the population genetic composition shifted toward an Fx mixture in the 1990 year class; future generations of largemouth bass should be dominated by Fx individuals. Results of this study did not demonstrate substantial performance differences among northern and Florida largemouth bass, and their hybrids, except for poorer first-year survival of the Florida subspecies. Therefore, this study provides no support for the continued introduction of Florida largemouth bass in Virginia or other mid-latitude regions. / Master of Science

An on-site interview and mail survey questionnaire of anglers on the James River, Virginia, was conducted to compare the characteristics of anglers, estimate angler compliance and illegal harvest, and determine the factors related to angler compliance with a black bass slot length limit regulation of 280 to 356-mm (11 - 14 in) and a daily creel limit of five bass. Boat and bank anglers differed significantly in yearly tackle expenditures, travel distances, knowledge of existing regulations, and species preference. Angler compliance with the slot limit averaged nearly 85% for the entire river, while angler compliance with the creel limit was over 99%. The total illegal harvest of black bass averaged approximately 10% of the total bass harvested. Comparisons between known complying anglers and known non-complying anglers showed differences in daily bait expenditures and yearly tackle expenditures. Non-complying anglers had a yearly tackle expense that was one-half that of complying anglers, and a daily bait expense that was more than twice that of complying anglers. All other characteristics were similar. Comparisons between anglers who knew the regulations and those who did not showed differences in species preference and yearly tackle expenditures. For fishery managers, understanding the factors related to an angler's probability of complying will be an important criteria when establishing or changing fishing regulations. By understanding those factors that cannot be manipulated by managers and serve only as predictors of compliance (i. e., angling methods), and those factors that can be modified (i. e., regulation knowledge), managers should better comprehend angler behavior. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to determine the food habits of age-O smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu Lac~p~de) in the New River and to examine spatial, temporal, and size-related differences in foraging success. Understanding factors that regulate foraging success of age-O smallmouth bass may provide further insight into factors regulating yearclass strength in smallmouth bass populations. Larval and juvenile smallmouth bass (8.5-85 mm Total Length; TL) were collected from two sites in the New River, West Virginia in the late spring and early summer of 1990. Stomach analysis revealed that the first foods of smallmouth bass (TL - 9 mm) were primarily Chironomidae and Copepoda. Aquatic insects, primarily Ephemeroptera, became more abundant in the stomachs as TL increased. A shift in the proportions and types of prey consumed occurred at approximately 15 mm TL and was attributed to increased mouth width and fin development. / Master of Science

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that has been used widely both in civilian and military for positioning, navigation, timing and other position related applications. The hardware-based GPS receivers provide the least user flexibility. Thus, it is necessary to have Software-based GPS receivers for easy and quick implementation, simulation and analysis of algorithms. Software-based GPS receiver processes the GPS signal at the radio frequency or intermediate frequency depending on the hardware configuration of the receiver. In this development of the acquisition and tracking processes of the software receiver, the front-end device that converts the radio frequency signal from the antenna to an intermediate frequency is the Mitel 2021 GPS receiver board. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter then digitizes the output signal from the RF front-end. The data is then processed using MATLAB programs to achieve acquisition and tracking of the GPS signals. The software GPS receiver can perform acquisition and tracking using different parameters and threshold values. This flexibility of operation allows weaker signals to be tracked and processed. In this software receiver design, the focus is on the acquisition and tracking of L1 band C/A code GPS signals used by most civilian applications. The purpose of this thesis is to develop the acquisition and tracking algorithms to extract the navigation data bits from the raw GPS signals. The navigation data bits provide all the necessary information to compute the pseudorange between the receiver and the visible satellites and determine the receiver location. Both MATLAB simulated GPS data and realistic GPS signals from a GSS 6560 simulator are used to verify the performance of the acquisition and tracking programs. The acquisition program is capable of locating the beginning of the C/A code and the carrier frequency to within the desired accuracy. From the output of the acquisition program, the tracking program can decode the navigation data bits. The tracking algorithm implemented is based on the block adjustment of synchronizing signal (BASS) method. / Master of Science

The objective of this research was to measure the concentrations of the cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury and zinc in bass and carp taken from the Occoquan Reservoir in Virginia with three purposes in mind. First, to determine whether the amounts of metals present represent any hazard to humans when the fish are used as food. Second, to assess the degree of change in the concentrations over time when compared with a previous study. Third, to discover whether the geographical patterns of metal concentrations point to source areas of elevated stream contamination. Fish were collected from three stations. Liver and fillet samples were prepared using wet digestion techniques and analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Average concentration in the edible fillet of all fish sampled for all metals studied were below published action levels. Eleven out of sixty-four bass had levels of lead in the fillet above a US FDA action level of 0.25 µg/g. Zinc and copper in bass livers, and zinc in carp livers were significantly higher than in fish sampled in the earlier study. However these increases could be caused by seasonal variations, and not be indicative of a long-term increase in metals levels. Bass from the arm of the reservoir that passes through the most highly developed area of the watershed were found to have significantly higher liver copper levels and fillet mercury levels, than did bass taken from the other stations. / Master of Science

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is a tropical marine fish, with increasing commercial aquaculture importance worldwide. One of the major limitations to intensive aquaculture is disease. Diseases spread rapidly in an aquatic environment and pose a major threat to the development and introduction of new species, such as cobia, in aquaculture. This is due to the necessity to use wild caught broodstock, which pose a greater threat to introducing disease to a facility. Bacteria of the genus Vibrio play a major role in the diseases of cultured cobia and other species of marine fish. The goal of this study is to reduce the incidence of disease in a population, by either eliminating the potential pathogen or increasing the resistance of the host. To reach that goal, a disinfection assay to evaluate the effectiveness of nine common aquaculture chemical disinfecting compounds was evaluated against two bacterial pathogens (Vibrio anguillarum and V. ordalii). Both bacterial species were susceptible to a variety of common disinfecting compounds including Chloramine-T®, chlorine, ethanol, iodine, Lysol®, Roccal®-D Plus, and Virkon-S®. In addition, both species showed a resistance to disinfection with formalin and tap water. The humoral immune response of cobia to vaccination with a commercially-available vaccine for Vibrio spp. was evaluated by an ELISA. There was a significant difference between control and vaccinated groups (P<0.0001), showing significant antibody production resulting from vaccination. / Master of Science

This study was made to secure certain new information concerning the food habits and growth of the white bass, Lepibema chrysops (Rafinesque), which is quite generally considered a good game and good fish.