In order to identify complex systems capable of modeling artificial life, we study the notion of complexity within a class of dynamical systems called cellu- lar automata. We present a novel classification of cellular automata dynamics, which helps us identify interesting behavior in large automaton spaces. We give a detailed comparison of our results to previous methods of dynamics classification. In the second part of the thesis, we study the backward dynamics of cellular au- tomata. We present a novel representation of one-dimensional cellular automata, which can be used to charcterize all their garden of eden configurations. We demonstrate the usefulness of this method on examples. 1

A major goal in restoration is to reestablish native plant communities. There are several ways to reestablish species, but for large areas the most logistically feasible approach is to sow seed of desirable species. However, most wetland seeds are buoyant and are extremely difficult to establish in designated areas before floating away. In upland areas, tackifiers have been used to stabilize hill slopes from erosion and to keep seeds in place. The tackifier works as an adhesive that binds the seeds to the soil. However, the use of a tackifier has not been widely employed in wetland restorations, and prior to its broad implementation into wetland restoration practice, it is important to determine if tackifiers will hold up in wetland conditions. In greenhouse studies, we tested the effectiveness of different tackifier types and concentrations on Bolboschoenus maritimus seedling emergence, the influence of soil moisture and flooding on the duration of tackifier effectiveness, the effect of a mulch addition on tackifier effectiveness (Bolboschoenus maritimus, Schoenoplectus acutus and S. americanus), the effectiveness of pre-germination in enhancing Bolboschoenus maritimus seedling emergence using a tackifier, and the effectiveness of tackifier over time. We concluded that the use of a tackifier was effective at keeping seeds from washing away for at least 15 days, a mulch addition did not enhance tackifier effectiveness, and pre-germination did not benefit B. maritimus seedling emergence. The results from this study provide strong evidence that the use of a tackifier could be an effective solution to establish bulrush species in designated areas in wetland restorations.

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Recently, cotton production throughout the southern U.S. have declined substantially. Additionally, the pest status of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), has increased in soybean. As a result, there is growing interest to have commercial access to transgenic soybean varieties that express the Bt toxins to help manage against lepidopteran pests. However, soybeans are assumed to be a key host in the natural refuge concept used for Bt cotton. Research was conducted to determine if the introduction of Bt soybeans into the U.S. would present an unacceptable risk to the sustainability of other crops. This project examines the contribution of soybean to the susceptible heliothine populations in the natural refuge system, the potential of delayed in-season emergence of H. zea from field corn, effects of soil moisture on emergence and pupal duration, fitness of adult H. zea from Bt and non-Bt corn, and provide more accurate parameters for future resistance development models.

Tobacco seed performance is traditionally measured as percentage germination at 14 d under controlled laboratory conditions. However, under greenhouse conditions, seed lots with equal 14-d germination may exhibit substantial differences in uniformity of early seedling growth and spiral root incidence that impact the number of usable transplants. A seedling performance index (SPI) was developed to quantitatively describe greenhouse tobacco seedling performance. The 14-d emergence, relative leaf area uniformity, and seedling leaf area determined by computer image analysis were used to calculate the index. Greenhouse tobacco seed trials demonstrated that seed with the Rickard pellet had higher emergence, but the higher spiral root incidence associated with the Rickard pellet lowered the SPI compared to the Cross Creek pellet. Primed seed lots of flue-cured cultivars (NC 72 and NC 71) had a significantly higher SPI than the nonprimed seed lots at one location but not at a second location. Seed lots sown in Premier Pro-Mix TA commercial medium had a higher spiral root incidence, which resulted in a lower SPI compared to Carolina Choice, Carolina Gold, and Sunshine LP5 commercial media. The index quantitatively determined differences in seedling performance under greenhouse conditions not reflected by standard germination tests. Significant differences in the SPI were observed among seed lots with certified 90% germination. The SPI is a simple method to describe seedling performance because the data used to calculate the SPI is obtained from one seed tray image. In contrast, frequent counting and seedling evaluations are involved with standard germination and vigor tests. / Master of Science

Horseweed has been documented in 70 countries and 40 different crops around the world and is listed as being a problem weed in no-till production systems. Horseweed has developed resistance to many herbicide modes of action including glycine. Field experiments were conducted from 2004 to 2006 in the Mississippi Delta to evaluate the field emergence of horseweed and most effective treatment programs for its control. Field emergence of horseweed was observed occurring primarily in the fall of the year, September through early November, when temperatures were between 15.6 to 23.4 C with later flushes occurring from late January through early April with temperatures ranging from 5.2 to 16 C. Tillage in September followed by herbicide in March gave 100% control of horseweed across all locations. Glyphosate + 2,4-D and glyphosate + dicamba were the best glyphosate-based treatments and provided 90% or better horseweed control 4 WAT both years. Glufosinate-based burndowns provided 81 to 97% horseweed control and soybean yields were generally similar with all glufosinate-based programs.

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No description available.

The development of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars with modified phosphorus (P) composition has nutritional and environmental benefits, but poor seed germination and emergence presents challenges for commercial production. Different genetic mutations in two sources of germplasm, CX1834 and V99-5089, decrease the phytate and increase the inorganic phosphorus (Pi) content of seed. In V99-5089, a mutation in the D-myo-inositol 3-phosphate synthase 1 gene (MIPS1) also results in elevated sucrose content with a concomitant decrease in raffinose and stachyose content, further improving the nutritional value of soybean meal. Prior to the release of V99-5089-derived germplasm, germplasm with the MIPS1 mutation was characterized and compared to CX1834-derived germplasm to determine the effects of this mutation on agronomic and seed composition traits in multiple environments. The correlations between P and sugar seed composition traits were favorable for improving the nutritional composition of soybean. Lack of genotype à environment interaction for sugar traits allows for selection in one growing environment. Despite the significant genotype à environment interaction for phytate and Pi, lines with the MIPS1 gene could readily be distinguished from normal phytate lines, even in unfavorable environments. Phenotypic selection for seed Pi content was more effective than marker assisted selection with the Satt453 marker. The CX1834-derived lines were lower for phytate and higher for Pi content compared to the V99-5089-derived lines. The use of subtropical winter nursery environments for population development resulted in significant reductions in emergence of low phytate genotypes, skewing segregation ratios and prohibiting the analysis of agronomic traits. Emergence was significantly affected by genotype, environment, and the genotype à environment interaction in three emergence tests of advanced low phytate lines. Emergence of modified lines was reduced but some were in a range that would not prohibit commercialization of P modified cultivars. Yields of the best emerging lines were not significantly different from the control cultivars. The results of this study indicate that the development of commercial cultivars with the V99-5089-derived MIPS1 mutation is possible but breeders and producers must focus attention on emergence during population development and seed production to emphasize selection of lines with high emergence potential. / Ph. D.

When entrepreneurs interact and receive feedback they sort through and transform various subjective venture ideas into intersubjective venture concepts. This dissertation examines the dialogue of entrepreneurs in the nascent stages of opportunity development from a process theory approach to understand how entrepreneurs sort, navigate and make sense of ideas they encounter through feedback exchanges. Using conversational analysis, several conversation patterns are identified that shape the emergence process. Legitimacy associations, status quo assertions, experiential actualities, engagement hypotheticals, and deontic declarations contribute to the nonlinear opportunity emergence process. These discourse structures derived from speech acts are attended to, adopted, and implemented as they align with assessment filters of credibility, feasibility, desirability, and identity plausibility which are key elements of the opportunity interpretation process used during ideation and pivoting interactions. / Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation explores the very early stages of the entrepreneurship processes of ideation and opportunity development. Using speech acts theory and conversation analysis, I describe how entrepreneurs do things with words and how they navigate conversations with others about their idea. I identify different kinds of conversations that can be used to sort through confusing comments and flesh out ideas into venture concepts that make sense to the entrepreneur and those they get feedback from who help shape their ideas. I explain why entrepreneurs listen to some ideas and not others when trying to make sense of a possible pivot.