This study explores a solution to a growing problem involving the landscapes of many prominent landmarks in America. The probability that terrorists will target and attack public and private sites has mandated increased security presence. The initial response was to surround sensitive facilities with barriers and guards. Thus, the images of these sites intended to be publicly open and welcoming are being transformed to seemingly modern fortresses. To date, the solution to the problem has focused on sophisticated engineering and electronics to help protect vulnerable architecture. Meanwhile, the potential contribution of the landscape architecture profession has not been fully recognized. This thesis develops a planning process to guide the integration of site design and physical security. It describes the role of the landscape architect on design teams charged with the complex task of protecting against terrorism. The document provides the landscape architect with a flowchart, site images, and a step-by-step process that leads to reconciliation of conflicting needs. The thesis culminates with a conceptual schematic site design that demonstrates how the site planning and design process proposed in this thesis can be a mechanism to achieve both secure and socially desirable landscapes. This thesis helps resolve the current dilemma of how to maintain an adequate degree of security while preserving a sense of openness on a site. The paper identifies functions specific to the landscape architecture profession that ease and improve collaboration on secure site design. It identifies a niche that has the potential to increase the demand for landscape architectural services. Most importantly, the planning and design process proposed in this document fills a void in the existing literature by addressing the significance of landscape architecture in antiterrorism practices. / Master of Landscape Architecture

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Background Promoters are key players in gene regulation. They receive signals from various sources (e.g. cell surface receptors) and control the level of transcription initiation, which largely determines gene expression. In vertebrates, transcription start sites and surrounding regulatory elements are often poorly defined. To support promoter analysis, we present CORG http://corg.molgen.mpg.de, a framework for studying upstream regions including untranslated exons (5' UTR). Description The automated annotation of promoter regions integrates information of two kinds. First, statistically significant cross-species conservation within upstream regions of orthologous genes is detected. Pairwise as well as multiple sequence comparisons are computed. Second, binding site descriptions (position-weight matrices) are employed to predict conserved regulatory elements with a novel approach. Assembled EST sequences and verified transcription start sites are incorporated to distinguish exonic from other sequences. As of now, we have included 5 species in our analysis pipeline (man, mouse, rat, fugu and zebrafish). We characterized promoter regions of 16,127 groups of orthologous genes. All data are presented in an intuitive way via our web site. Users are free to export data for single genes or access larger data sets via our DAS server http://tomcat.molgen.mpg.de:8080/das. The benefits of our framework are exemplarily shown in the context of phylogenetic profiling of transcription factor binding sites and detection of microRNAs close to transcription start sites of our gene set. Conclusion The CORG platform is a versatile tool to support analyses of gene regulation in vertebrate promoter regions. Applications for CORG cover a broad range from studying evolution of DNA binding sites and promoter constitution to the discovery of new regulatory sequence elements (e.g. microRNAs and binding sites).

Multiple scholars have briefly discussed the Maya use of the atlatl. Yet, there has never been a decisive encompassing discussion of prevalence and use of the atlatl in the Maya region with multiple lines of support from iconographic and artifactual analyses. This thesis explores the atlatl at Chichén Itzá, Tikal, and Caracol Maya sites to prove that atlatl prevalence can be interpreted primarily based on projectile point “classification function” analysis with support from iconographic and artifactual remains. The classification functions are derived from creating mutually exclusive groups of dart points and arrow points by using discrete functional analysis. Discerning between dart and arrow points can be completed with a high degree of accuracy based on maximum shoulder width of lithic points in an assemblage. Because the atlatl and bow complexes have been primarily constructed of perishable materials, the best method to determine the prevalence of atlatl use is by identifying the launcher based on projectile point identification. Using a cross-site comparison of projectile point size, the Maya use and prevalence of the atlatl will be elucidated

Short term studies have suggested that ground based timber harvesting on wet sites can alter soil properties and inhibit early survival and growth of seedlings. Persistence of such negative effects may translate to losses in forest productivity over a rotation. During the fall and winter of 1989, numerous salvage logging operations were conducted during high soil moisture conditions on wet pine flats in the lower coastal plain of South Carolina following Hurricane Hugo. A long-term experiment (split-plot within an unbalanced randomized complete block design) allowed assessment of long term effects of rutted and compacted primary skid trails and subsequent site preparation on soil properties and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) productivity. The experiment had 12 blocks, four levels of site preparation as the whole plot factor (bedding, disking with bedding, disking, and no site preparation), and two levels of traffic as the subplot factor (primary skid trail, no obvious traffic). After 23 years, bedding and disking with bedding treatments effectively enhanced soil physical properties and stand productivity via promoting greater survival and stocking, but had little effect on the size of individual trees relative to disking and no site preparation treatments. Primary skid trails significantly reduced the size of individual trees, but had no appreciable long term effects on soil properties or stand productivity after 23 years. The study suggests that bedding is the most efficient practice to enhance soil properties, seedling survival, and stand productivity on wet sites. However, site preparation is not necessary for these soils and sites, if strictly intended to restore soil properties and stand productivity in primary skid trails. Reduction in individual tree sizes on primary skid trails emphasizes benefits in minimizing the spatial extent of disturbance. / Master of Science / Heavy equipment traffic associated with ground-based timber harvesting has potential to alter soil properties resulting in lower productivity of the subsequent forest. Various soil tillage techniques have been suggested to offset changes in soil properties and forest productivity on disturbed soils, and to enhance soil properties and forest productivity on undisturbed soils. An experiment was conducted on low-lying Atlantic Coastal Plain sites to compare the effects of four soil tillage treatments (bedding, disking, disking with bedding, no tillage) on soil properties and forest productivity 23 years after treatments were installed. Bedding displaces soil from furrows into continuous, linear mounds called beds, such that bed surfaces are above the original soil surface. Disking is a tillage practice commonly implemented in agriculture. For the disking with bedding treatment, plots were disked followed by bedding. The no tillage treatment served as a control. Additionally, the experiment provided comparison of soil properties and forest productivity between soils heavily disturbed by logging activities and relatively undisturbed soils. Bedding and disking with bedding created favorable, localized soil conditions that promoted greater loblolly pine survival which translated to approximately double the total stand volume per unit area relative to disking and no tillage treatments. Differences in the sizes of individual trees among tillage treatments were minimal. Heavily disturbed soils and soils undisturbed by logging activity were similar in terms of soil properties and loblolly pine volume per unit area; however, individual trees were smaller on heavily disturbed soils. The implications of this study provide practical guidance for forest management decisions. Of treatments compared, bedding is the most efficient to increase total stand productivity on poorly drained sites. Disking with bedding offers no additional benefits, but is more expensive to implement. Results also imply that soils disturbed by logging have potential to recover over time such that long term forest productivity is sustained. However, the reduction in individual tree sizes emphasizes benefits of minimizing soil disturbance during timber harvests.

This thesis is an analysis and synthesis of the geologic and archaeological history of the Dickie Carr site, 41PR26, on Mill Creek in north central Texas. Included are analyses of the stratigraphy, sedimentary environments, and soils of the locality. A regional comparison is made with respect to the Late Quaternary geology of the upper Trinity River basin, Texas to interpret the geologic data. Two stratigraphic units were identified that record the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. The buried lower unit is comprised of terrace, floodplain, and channel deposits with extensive pedogenesis. The unit is Late Pleistocene in age and contains the remains of Mammuthus columbi. The upper stratigraphic unit is comprised of terrace and floodplain sediments with well-expressed pedogenesis. The unit is Early Holocene in age with Late Paleoindian and Late Archaic occupations. The archaeological components are compared and contrasted with documented sites from the Elm and East Forks of the Trinity River. The occupations are examined in a geoarchaeological context. The Late Paleoindian occupation is post-depositional and located in terrace deposits. The Late Archaic occupation is syndepositional and located in floodplain deposits.

Graduation date: 1996

A conceptual site model (CSM) is simply a description of the environmental conditions at a contaminated site and surrounding area, which provides all interested parties with a vision of the site. CSM mainly identifies the source-pathway&amp / #8208 / receptor linkage to guide for effective site characterization, risk assessment and remedial investigations. Development of CSM is complicated because it is &lsquo / case specific&rsquo / and there is no single route to follow during decision making concerning the contaminated site. Moreover, type and extent of information needed varies according to size and level of contamination and site heterogeneity. The objective of this study is to develop a decision support tool that guides the site assessors during identification of possible decision routes that can be encountered / the procedure to be followed / and the information and data to be collected at each stage. This tool also introduces interactions between CSM andsampling strategies designed for various purposes. Developed decision support tool adapts to each specific contaminated site. Furthermore, a detailed review of sampling strategies is presented as a guidance for site assessors. The decision support tool is equipped with standardized tools used for CSM development, i.e. information/data collection forms, illustrative tools and exposure pathway diagram. Information on site, geology, hydrogeology, contamination source, contaminants and receptors is collected via CSM form. Illustrative tools may vary from very simple site sketches to very complex 3D drawings depending on the needs of the specific contamination cases. Exposure pathway diagram (EPD) is used to identify all transport mechanisms and potential exposure pathways. EPD is embedded into a user&amp / #8208 / friendly decision assistance tool based on Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic for Applications. The applicability and utility of the decision support tool was tested using two case studies. Case study applications indicated that the developed methodology satisfies the objectives aimed in this study.

Les bactéries méthanotrophes, qui existent dans les recouvrements des sites d'enfouissements, peuvent oxyder le CH[indice]4 émis par ces sites. La capacité de ces recouvrements à atténuer le CH[indice]4 dépend à la fois des propriétés physiques et chimiques du matériau, du débit du biogaz et de sa composition, et des paramètres climatiques. Ces recouvrements, communément appelé Biorecouvrements d'oxydation passive de méthane (BOPM), pourraient venir en complément d'autres systèmes tels que les puits de captage de biogaz ou encore pourraient servir sur les sites ne disposant d'aucun système de récupération des biogaz. Cette possibilité de réduction des émissions de CH[indice]4 a motivé des travaux de construction et de suivi sur le site d'enfouissement de Saint-Nicéphore (Québec, Canada). Vous trouverez d'abord dans ce mémoire l'analyse d'une méthode de calcul de l'efficacité des BOPMs à oxyder le CH[indice]4 et une comparaison des taux d'efficacités entre 2 BOPMs de porosités différentes. Cette méthode de calcul est basée sur les profils de concentration des gaz et le rapport N[indice]2 /O[indice]2 pour déterminer la quantité d'oxygène qui a migré dans le sol avant d'être consommé. Plusieurs questions ont été soulevées lors de cette analyse dont, entre autres, la constance du rapport N[indice]2 /O[indice]2 dans le sol et l'effet de la respiration du compost sur les calculs d'efficacité. Quant à la comparaison entre les 2 BOPMs, les résultats ont montré qu'en augmentant la porosité de mise en place du substrat, la pénétration de l'oxygène était favorisée et, par conséquence, son efficacité à oxyder l'était également. Vous trouverez ensuite une observation de l'effet des changements climatiques sur le comportement des BOPMs de compositions différentes pendant une longue période et une étude de l'effet de l'alternance jour/nuit sur leurs efficacités lors de cycles très courts. Pour de longs cycles, il a pu être constaté qu'après le dégel du sol, les quantités de méthane libérées ont été très importantes et elles ont eu un impact direct sur la performance des BOPMs, que l'augmentation du rapport diffusion/advection a eu pour conséquence une nette amélioration de l'efficacité de la BOPM et que les bactéries méthanotrophes ont été plus influencées par les variations de température que par ces valeurs (températures). Pour les cycles courts, les variations journalières de température à 0,10 mètre de la surface du sol ont été suivies de considérables variations des concentrations de CH[indice]4 . Vous trouverez enfin, une étude complémentaire sur l'importance de la croûte superficielle sur l'efficacité des recouvrements. Les résultats des essais de perméabilité à l'air et les courbes de rétention en eau qui ont servi à caractériser le substrat y sont succinctement présentés.

Homol'ovi II is a fourteenth-century, ancestral Hopi pueblo with over 700 rooms. Although known by archaeologists since 1896, no systematic excavations were conducted at the pueblo until 1984. This report summarizes the findings of the excavations by the Arizona State Museum of five rooms and an outside activity area, which now form the core of the interpretive program for Homolovi Ruins State Park. The significant findings reported here are that the excavated deposits date between A.D. 1340 and 1400; that nearly all the decorated ceramics during this period were imported from villages on the Hopi Mesas; that cotton was a principal crop which probably formed the basis of Homol'ovi II's participation in regional exchange; that chipped stone was a totally expedient technology in contrast to ground stone which was becoming more diverse; and that the katsina cult was probably present or developing at Homol'ovi II. These findings from the basis for future excavations that should broaden our knowledge of the developments taking place in fourteenth-century Pueblo society connecting the people whom archaeologists term the Anasazi with those calling themselves Hopi.