abstract: An issue with the utilization of swimming pools is that pumps are operated an excessive number of hours to keep the pool free of debris and algae. Case in point, according to the pool industry, a pump should operate one hour for every ten degrees of ambient temperature. A dynamic model and a control strategy have been developed using Matlab/Simulink that uses environmental conditions together with chemicals that hinder or aid algae growth in order to determine algae population. This model suggests ways to function the pump on shorter time intervals to reduce energy consumption, while simultaneously maintaining algae populations at acceptable levels. Other factors included in the model are pool thermal dynamics and pool pump/filter performance characteristics, since they also have an effect algae growth. This thesis presents the first step for an alternative way of operating a swimming pool by minimizing operating costs while eliminating algae. / Dissertation/Thesis / algae simulink model / M.S.Tech Technology 2012

nÃo hà / O objetivo deste trabalho à analisar o comportamento do ICMS e de seus principais componentes de modo a garantir um diagnÃstico adequado sobre estas sÃries para formulaÃÃo de polÃticas pÃblicas. A metodologia utilizada baseia-se em Perron e Yabu (2009a; 2009b), que propÃe um modelo de tendÃncia baseado na tÃcnica de MÃnimos Quadrados Generalizados Quase FactÃveis. Os dados utilizados referem-se à arrecadaÃÃo do ICMS, alÃm de seus principais macrossegmentos, quais sejam Energia ElÃtrica, ComunicaÃÃo e CombustÃveis, e foram coletados junto a SEFAZ-CE. AlÃm disso, as informaÃÃes possuem periodicidade mensal e compreendem o perÃodo de janeiro de 1990 a agosto de 2012. Os resultados destacam que apenas a arrecadaÃÃo de ICMS apresentou trajetÃria com uma taxa de crescimento significativa, enquanto que a arrecadaÃÃo do macrossegmento de Energia ElÃtrica cresceu a uma taxa constante, ao passo que o setor de CombustÃvel apresentou uma taxa de crescimento positiva. No segmento de ComunicaÃÃo a arrecadaÃÃo cresceu a uma taxa decrescente. / The aim of this study is to analyze the behavior of the ICMS and its major components to ensure a proper diagnosis about these series for public policy formulation. The methodology used is based on Perron and Yabu (2009a, 2009b), which proposes a trend model based in technique of Nearly Feasible Generalized Least Squares. The data used refer to the ICMS collection, in addition to its main macrosegments, namely Eletric Power, Communication & Fuels, and were collected from SEFAZ-CE. Furthermore, the information are monthly and cover the period from January 1990 to August 2012. The results high light that only ICMS collection presented a trajectory with a growth rate significantly, while the collection of macrossegment of Eletric Power grew at a steady rate, while the fuel sector showed a positive growth rate. In the Communication segment revenues grew at a decreasing rate.

As leitoas são consideradas a categoria de matrizes que deve ter uma atenção especial na preparação para a vida produtiva, pois a introdução no momento certo no rebanho de produção é crucial para o desempenho e longevidade desta futura matriz. Todo período experimental deste trabalho foi realizado em uma granja produtora de leitões, localizada no Centro-Oeste do país, com capacidade de alojar 2400 fêmeas (Camborough 22®). O primeiro estudo teve como objetivo determinar se leitoas com maiores taxas de crescimento, em diferentes categorias de idade no início do estímulo à puberdade, apresentam o primeiro estro em idade mais precoce. As leitoas foram avaliadas de acordo com dois grupos de idade à exposição ao cachaço (A= 130-149 d, n= 751 e B= 150-170 d, n= 735) e de acordo com três classes de taxa de crescimento (TC) do nascimento ao início do estímulo (I = 550-649 g/d, n= 371; II= 650-725 g/d, n= 749 e III= 726- 830 g/d, n= 366). A idade no momento da exposição ao cachaço para as leitoas dos Grupos A e B foram 142,6 ± 4,9 e 157,0 ± 5,1 dias, respectivamente. No geral, em 40 dias de estimulação, 85% das leitoas foram púberes. No grupo A, leitoas da classe TCIII manifestaram maior percentual cumulativo de fêmeas em estro dentro de 10 dias (38,1 vs. 29,0 vs. 27,6%) e 20 dias de estimulação (59,7 vs. 48,7 vs. 48,2%) em comparação às classes TCII e TCI, respectivamente (P<0,05). No entanto, dentro do grupo B não houve diferença nos percentuais de fêmeas púberes entre as classes de taxa de crescimento TCIII, TCII e TCI, aos 10 dias (43,2% vs. 45,3% vs. 44,3%) e 20 dias (63,8% vs. 67,3% vs. 63,7%) após a exposição ao macho. Leitoas da classe TCIII estimuladas mais jovens (grupo A) foram mais precoces à puberdade (P<0,05) do que as de baixa taxa de crescimento (159,6 vs 164,8 dias). No entanto, a idade à puberdade não foi afetada pela taxa de crescimento, quando as leitoas foram expostas ao cachaço em idade mais avançada (grupo B). No geral, a idade à puberdade foi positivamente associada com a idade no início da exposição ao cachaço (r=0,38; P<0.0001), e o intervalo de estímulo foi menor (r= -0,19; P<0.0001) em leitoas estimuladas mais velhas. Em conclusão, a estimulação da puberdade pode ser efetuada pela exposição ao macho em idade menos avançada em leitoas com alta taxa de crescimento. O segundo estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar o reflexo da taxa de crescimento e da espessura de toucinho (ET) na 1ª inseminação, sobre o desempenho subsequente da leitoa e sobre a variação de peso da leitegada ao nascimento. As leitoas foram separadas em três classes de TC do nascimento até a primeira inseminação: TCI (600-700 g/d; n= 345), TCII (701-770 g/d; n= 710) e TCIII (771-870 g/d; n= 366). As análises também foram realizadas considerando três grupos de leitoas de acordo com a ET (mm) na inseminação: ET 10-15 (n= 405), ET 16-17 (n= 649) e ET 18-23 (n= 367). Não houve diferença nas taxas de parto e retorno ao estro entre os grupos de TC e ET (P>0,05). Leitoas TCII e TCIII tiveram, respectivamente, 0,5 e 0,9 leitões a mais quando comparadas às leitoas TCI (P<0,05). Porém, leitoas TCIII apresentaram maior percentual de natimortos intra-parto (P<0,05) em comparação às leitoas das classes TCI e TCII. Leitoas da classe TCIII apresentaram maior número de leitões (P<0,05) pesando abaixo de 1.200 g ao nascimento, comparativamente às leitoas TCI. Além disso, o coeficiente de variação do peso ao nascer foi menor nas fêmeas TCI comparativamente ao das fêmeas TCII e TCIII. Leitoas TCIII apresentaram maior percentual de leitegadas com coeficiente de variação acima de 20%, comparativamente às TCI e TCII (P<0,05). Maiores números de leitões nascidos e nascidos vivos foram observados nas fêmeas do grupo ET16-17 em comparação ao grupo ET10-15 (P<0,05). Não houve diferença entre os grupos de ET no número de natimortos e nem nas variáveis relativas ao peso ao nascer dos leitões (P>0,05). Esses resultados mostram que não há vantagem, em termos de taxa de parto e número de leitões nascidos vivos, em realizar a primeira cobertura de leitoas com ganho de peso acima de 770 g/d e com mais de 17mm de ET. O terceiro estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a influência do peso da primeira inseminação sobre o desempenho reprodutivo e sobre a taxa de descarte ao longo dos três primeiros partos. As leitoas foram classificadas em três grupos, de acordo com seu peso na primeira inseminação: GI (130-150 kg, n= 298), GII (151-170 kg, n= 1007) e GIII (171-200 kg, n= 421). Leitoas do grupo GIII tiverem maior número total de leitões nascidos e maior número de natimortos (P<0,05) no primeiro parto comparativamente aos demais grupos de peso. No entanto, o número total de leitões nascidos em três partos não diferiu entre os grupos (P>0,05). Na inseminação após o primeiro desmame, houve diferença (P<0,05) na taxa de parto entre os três grupos de peso (89,3% vs. 80,3% vs. 74,9%) e a taxa de retorno ao estro foi menor no grupo GI (9,4%) do que nos grupos GII (16,4%) e GIII (19,5%). Ao final dos três partos, houve uma taxa de retenção de 66,6%. As taxas de descarte devido a problemas locomotores e por falha reprodutiva foram, respectivamente 10,8% e 11,2%. A taxa de remoção do grupo GIII (38,9%) foi maior (P= 0,006) do que no grupo GII (31,5%) e tendeu a ser maior (P= 0,06) do que no grupo GI (32,2%). A taxa de descarte devido a problemas locomotores foi superior (P<0,05) em fêmeas com maior peso na primeira inseminação (GIII) comparativamente com as dos grupos GII e GI (15,2% vs. 10,3% vs. 6,0%). Considerando que fêmeas mais pesadas apresentam maior taxa de descarte por problemas locomotores e menor taxa de retenção sem nenhuma falha reprodutiva, ao longo de três ciclos de produção, não é vantajoso realizar o primeiro acasalamento de leitoas com mais de 150 kg de peso corporal. / Gilts are regarded as the class of females that must have special attention in preparation for productive life, because the introduction at the right time in the herd of production is crucial for the future performance and longevity of this female. The studies were performed in a sow farm with capacity to accommodate 2,400 sows (Camborough 22®), located in the Midwest of Brazil (Parallel 14º). The objective of the first study was to verify whether pubertal estrus could be influenced by the growth rate and age of gilts at the onset of boar exposure. Gilts were evaluated according to two groups of age at boar exposure (A= 130-149 d, n= 751 and B= 150- 170 d, n= 735) and three classes of growth rate (Low= 550-649 g/d, n= 371; Intermediate= 650- 725 g/d, n= 749 and High= 726-830 g/d, n= 366). Gilts of groups A and B were, respectively, 142.6 ± 4.9 and 157.0 ± 5.1 days of age at the onset of boar exposure. Overall, 85% of gilts showed estrus within 40 days of boar exposure. Within group A gilts a higher (P<0.05) cumulative percentage of estrus within 10 days (38.1 vs. 29.0 vs. 27.6%) and 20 days (59.7% vs. 48.7% vs. 48.2%) of stimulation was observed in High than in Intermediate and Low growth rate gilts. Nevertheless, within group B there was no difference (P<0.05) in the percentage of estrus among High, Intermediate and Low growth rate classes within 10 days (43.2% vs. 45.3% vs. 44.3%) and 20 days (63.8% vs. 67.3% vs. 63.7%) of boar stimulation. Within group A, puberty was attained earlier (P<0.05) in High than in Low growth rate gilts (159.6 vs. 164.8 days). However, age at puberty was not affected by growth rate, when gilts were exposed to boar at an older age (group B). Overall, age at puberty was positively associated with the age at the onset of boar exposure (r= 0.38; P<0.0001) and the older the gilts were at boar exposure the lower was the interval (r= -0.19; P<0.0001) from stimulation to onset of puberty. In conclusion, successful stimulation of puberty can be obtained through an earlier exposure to boars in high growth rate gilts. The second study evaluated the influence of growth rate (GR) and backfat thickness (BF), at first mating of gilts, on the reproductive performance until the first farrowing and on the variation in birth weight of piglets. Gilts were categorized into three groups according to GR from birth until first mating: GRI (600-700 g/d, n= 345), GRII (701-770 g/d, n= 710) and GRIII (771-870 g/d, n= 366). Analyses were also performed considering three groups formed according to BF (mm) at mating: BF10-15 (n= 405); BF16-17 (n= 649) and BF18-23 (n= 367). There were no differences in farrowing rate and return to estrus rate among BF or GR groups (P>0.05). GRII and GRIII females had larger litter size compared to GRI gilts (P<0.05), respectively 0.5 and 0.9 more piglets, but a higher percentage of intrapartum stillborns (P<0.05) was observed in GRIII than in GRI and GRII females. Moreover GRIII females had more piglets (P<0.05) weighing less than 1,200 g, litters with a higher coefficient of variation for birth weight and a higher percentage of litters with coefficient of variation above 20% (P<0.05) than GRI females. More total born and born alive piglets were observed in BF16-17 compared with BF10-15 females (P<0.05).There were no differences among BF groups in number of stillborn neither in variables concerning the birth weight of piglets (P>0.05). These results show that there is no advantage, in terms of farrowing rate and number of born alive, in performing the first mating of gilts with GR >770g/d and BF >17 mm. The objective of the third study was to evaluate the influence of the weight at the first mating of gilts on the reproductive performance and on the removal rate until the third farrowing. Gilts were categorized into three groups according to weight at first mating: GI (130- 150 kg, n= 298), GII (151-170 kg, n= 1007) and GIII (171-200 kg, n= 421). In the first farrowing, GIII females had larger litter size compared to GRI and GII gilts (P<0.05), but a higher percentage of stillborns (P<0.05) also was observed in GRIII than in GRI and GRII females. However, total born over three parities were not different among groups (P>0.05). In the insemination after the first weaning, there were differences (P<0.05) in farrowing rate among all weight groups (89.3% vs. 80.3% vs. 74.9%) and return to estrus rate was lower in GI (9.4%) than in GII (16.4%) and GIII (19.5%) groups. The overall retention rate over three parities was 66.6%. Culling rate due to locomotion problems was 10.8% and due to reproductive failure was 11.2%.The removal rate over three parities in GIII females (38.9%) was higher (P= 0.006) than in GII females (31.5%) and tended to be higher (P= 0.06) than in GI females (32.2%). The culling rate due to locomotors problems was different (P<0.05) among all groups (6.0% vs. 10.3% vs. 15.2% for GI, GII and GIII, respectively). Taking into account that heavy females have higher culling rates due to locomotors disorders and lower retention rate without reproductive failure, over three productive cycles, it is not advantageous to perform the first mating of gilts with more than 150 kg of body weight.

Tese(doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto de Oceanografia, 2011. / Submitted by Cristiane Gomides (cristiane_gomides@hotmail.com) on 2013-10-17T13:22:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tatiana.pdf: 800712 bytes, checksum: 8a3d4e20ee5c684b5100fb7af1f23e95 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Sabrina Andrade (sabrinabeatriz@ibest.com.br) on 2013-10-17T16:37:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tatiana.pdf: 800712 bytes, checksum: 8a3d4e20ee5c684b5100fb7af1f23e95 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-10-17T16:37:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tatiana.pdf: 800712 bytes, checksum: 8a3d4e20ee5c684b5100fb7af1f23e95 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / O objetivo desta tese foi estimar a produção secundária em ambientes aquáticos, com enfoque no estuário da Lagoa dos Patos (Rio Grande, RS, Brasil). Os crustáceos são dominantes no zooplâncton da região em estudo, sendo utilizados como base das análises realizadas. A produção secundária foi estimada através de modelos matemáticos e do método enzimático. Para a aplicação dos modelos matemáticos, foram realizadas coletas em 5 pontos do estuário nas 4 estações do ano. Os resultados obtidos foram utilizados para estimativa da produção secundária através dos modelos de Huntley & Lopes (1992) e Hirst & Bunker (2003). Durante as coletas, também foram obtidas amostras de água do ambiente para a determinação da taxa de decaimento da atividade da quitobiase, parâmetro utilizado para estimativa da produção secundária através do método enzimático, o qual está baseado na atividade da quitobiase liberada na água durante a muda de crustáceos. Para aplicação deste método, foram realizados experimentos em laboratório para determinar as características da quitobiase do copépode Acartia tonsa, principal representante do grupo Copepoda do zooplâncton no estuário da Lagoa dos Patos. Os resultados de produção de carbono obtidos através dos modelos matemáticos e do método enzimático foram comparados. Por fim, foram realizados experimentos utilizando-se metodologias já bem definidas de estimativa de crescimento, como a análise de coorte em náuplios e produção de ovos de adultos de A. longiremis coletadas no Saanich Inlet (BC, Canadá), sendo que os resultados obtidos foram comparados àqueles do congênere A. tonsa. Os resultados apresentados nesta tese contribuem tanto com dados de produção secundária para o estuário da Lagoa dos Patos, bem como indicam a aplicação do método da quitobiase também em águas estuarinas. / The aim of this thesis was to estimate the secondary production in aquatic environments with focus on the Patos Lagoon estuary (Rio Grande, RS, Brazil). Crustaceans are dominants in the zooplankton of the study area, being employed in the analyses performed. Secondary production was estimated using mathematical models and the enzymatic method. Zooplankton sampling was seasonally performed in 5 sites at the Patos Lagoon estuary for the application of the mathematical methods. Results obtained were used to estimate the secondary production through the models described by Huntley & Lopes (1992) and Hirst & Bunker (2003). During zooplankton collection, water samples were also obtained for determination of the rate of chitobiase activity decay, parameter used in the secondary production estimation employing the enzymatic method. This method is based on the activity of the chitobiase released during the crustacean molting process. For the application of the enzymatic method, laboratory experiments were performed to characterize the chitobiase do the copepod Acartia tonsa, major representative of Copepoda in the zooplankton of the Patos Lagoon estuary. Data of carbon production generated using the mathematical models and the enzymatic method were compared. Finally, experiments were performed employing known methodologies based on cohort analysis and egg production in the copepod A. longiremis collected at the Saanich Inlet (BC, Canada). Results obtained were compared to those for the congener A. tonsa. Results presented in this thesis contribute with secondary production data for the Patos Lagoon estuary and indicate the application of the chitobiase method for estimation of secondary production also in estuarine waters.

De acordo com León-Ledesma and Thirlwall (2002), o presente trabalho se propõe a testar a endogeneidade da taxa natural de crescimento para um conjunto amplo de países, no sentido do crescimento de longo prazo ser determinado pela demanda. Econometricamente, a principal hipótese a ser testada é a presença de não linearidade na Lei de Okun, que implica na existência de duas taxas naturais, cada uma correspondendo a um regime de crescimento. Utilizando dados anuais para o período de 1980 a 2007 e dados trimestrais para o intervalo entre 1980 e 2011, os resultados corroboram a hipótese de endogeneidade quando aplicada a metodologia proposta por LLT. Esta evidência se repete ao definir exogenamente os regimes de crescimento pelos métodos de Markov-Switching e threshold autoregressive regression (TAR) para os dados anuais, no entanto, para os dados trimestrais há indicações de endogeneidade e exogeneidade da taxa natural de crescimento. / Following León-Ledesma and Thirlwall (2002), this master\'s thesis aims to examine the sensitivity of the natural growth rate to the actual growth rate for a broad set of countries, based on demand-led growth theory. The main hypothesis being tested is the presence of non-linearities in Okun\'s Law, which means the existence of two natural growth rates, each corresponding to a growth regime. Using annual data over the period 1980-2007 and quarterly data over the period 1980-2011, the results support the idea that natural growth rate is dependent of the actual growth rate when applying LLT\'s methodology. This evidence repeats when establishing exogenously the regimes of growth by using Markov-Switching and threshold autoregressive regression (TAR) for the annual data, however for quarterly data this is less straightforward, having indication of endogenous and exogenous natural growth rate.

A idade e crescimento da lula Doryteuthis plei da região do litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo é descrita com base em 424 exemplares entre 1,58 a 267 mm de comprimento de manto (ML). Os estatólitos foram utilizados como ferramenta de análise de idade, bem como foi realizado um estudo ontogenético de sua morfometria e morfologia. Com o objetivo de analisar e aprimorar a curva e a taxa de crescimento de D. plei, o presente estudo deu ênfase aos indivíduos em estágios iniciais do ciclo de vida. O formato dos estatólitos foi descrito e demonstrou semelhança à de outros loliginídeos, porém com características particulares, suficientes para a identificação da espécie. Houve relação entre ML e o comprimento dos estatólitos (SL), obtido pelo modelo de ajuste logarítmico. A idade dos exemplares amostrados foi estimada e com isto foi possível obter a curva de crescimento (relação idade e ML) da população em estudo, a qual foi ajustada pelo modelo logístico. O mesmo modelo de ajuste houve para os machos, porém para as fêmeas e para os juvenis, o melhor modelo foi o Gompertz. A longevidade da espécie no local de estudo foi estimada em aproximadamente oito meses. A taxa de crescimento e suas variações conforme as estações do ano foram estimadas. Foram evidenciados valores sendo em mm/dia quando em estádio imaturos em relação aos adultos e decrécimo acelerado após atingir 60 mm ML. Foram observadas diferenças da taxa de crescimento entre os sexos quando os exemplares atingem 150 mm de ML. Espécimes nascidos no inverno apresentaram maiores taxas de crescimento em relação aos nascidos em outras estações do ano. Através do retro-cálculo da idade, foi observado que durante todo o ano ocorrem nascimentos de D. plei, em maior frequência no primeiro semestre. É possível estimar a idade de D. plei tendo apenas as medidas de SL ou comprimento dos domos, sendo que para cada relação, o ajuste obtido foi o logarítmico. Os parâmetros de crescimento apresentados no presente estudo oferecem recursos para estudos de avaliação do estoque pesqueiro e biologia populacional. / Age and growth of the squid Doryteuthis plei from the northern shelf off São Paulo are described based on 424 specimens from 1.58 to 267 mm mantle length (ML). Statoliths were used as microstructures for aging, and an ontogenetic study of their morphological and morphometric was performed. The present study aimed to analyze and improve the growth curve and growth rate estimate of individuals of D. plei, emphasizing those in early stages of life cycle. The shape of statoliths was described and demonstrated similarity other loliginids, with particular characteristics sufficient to identify the species. There was a relationship between ML and statoliths length (SL) by the logarithmic model. The age of sampled specimens was estimated and it was possible to obtain the growth curve (relationship between age and ML) of the population in study, was better fitted by the logistic model. The same adjustment was found for males, but for females and juveniles, the Gompertz model was best suitable. The longevity of the species from place of study was estimated at approximately eight months. The growth rate and its variations were estimated according to the seasons, which evidenced higher values in mm/day in immature stage when compared to adults. In addition, individuals after reaching 60 mm ML accelerated a decrease in growth rate. Differences in growth rate between sexes were found after specimens reach 150 mm ML. Specimens born in winter had higher growth rates when compared to those born in other seasons. Through retro-calculation of age, it was observed that births of D. plei occur throughout the year, but most frequently in the first half. The study enables the age estimate of D. plei having only measures of SL or length of the statolith\'s domes. Growth parameters obtained provide information useful for stock assessment and population biology.

Part I: Coral reefs are essential to coastal economies, protecting coastlines from storms, and harboring high biodiversity. However, reefs are declining due to local anthropogenic stressors and ocean warming. Sedimentation, a local stressor, aggravates the impacts of warming on corals and hinders their survival and growth. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether sedimentation and temperature have a synergistic effect on vulnerable coral species, especially during earlier stages of development. To quantify these effects, survival and growth of newly settled Acropora cervicornis corals were measured at two temperatures (29 and 31°C, representing current and predicted for 2050 Summer temperatures) and three sediment concentrations (30, 60 and 120 mg.cm-2, representing a range from natural sedimentation to dredging conditions). The intent of this study was to mix multiple genotypes to test temperature and sedimentation among genotypic unique individuals. However, only 20% of colonies spawned, and spawning was asynchronous by genotype. Therefore, individuals were produced from self-fertilization. The overall high mortality seen in this study suggests that self-fertilization in A. cervicornis does not produce viable juveniles. Although temperature did not have a significant effect on the survival of self-fertilized juveniles, sediment concentration did. The lowest sediment concentration led to the highest juvenile survival in both ambient and heated conditions. The growth of A. cervicornis selfed individuals was not significantly affected by temperature or sedimentation. These results suggest that reducing sedimentation in dredging and coastal construction areas around coral reefs facilitates the survival of Acropora cervicornis juveniles and may help to ensure their persistence in the future. Because self-fertilized larvae were used, these results need to be interpreted with caution, and this research needs to be repeated with outcrossed A. cervicornis. What is clear is that genotypic diversity is needed for A. cervicornis population growth and resilience. Part II: Chimeras occur when two or more genetically unique individuals of the same species fuse together. The presence of chimerism can aid in the survival and evolution of organisms. This study investigated whether the prevalence of chimerism differs between coral species of different reproduction modes and growth rates. To fulfill this goal, the surface area of egg and/or larvae of three coral species, Montastraea cavernosa, Acropora cervicornis, and Porites astreoides, were measured and compared with the respective surface areas of the newly settled juveniles. This comparison suggested that M. cavernosa displayed a greater tendency to form chimeras than A. cervicornis and P. astreoides. Observations during embryogenesis confirmed this prediction. Montastraea cavernosa is a slow grower and has the smallest eggs of all three study species. Chimerism during embryogenesis may increase this species’ tendency to start the sessile stage at a slightly bigger size and thus increases its competitive abilities for reef space. In contrast, A. cervicornis is a broadcast spawner, fast grower and has a relatively larger egg size, possibly explaining the reduced chimeric tendency during embryogenesis. It is possible that P. astreoides formed chimeras during embryogenesis within the polyp, but they did not form them in the swimming planulae stage. The lack of chimerism during P. astreoides planulae development may be attributed to its brooding reproductive mode, directly releasing large competent larvae that have large initial sizes at settlement. Therefore, the ability to form chimeras in an early developmental stage might provide an ecological advantage to M. cavernosa that contributes to its abundance in Broward County: the greater size at settlement caused by chimerism during embryogenesis may provide this species a competitive advantage for reef space.

Northern pike or pike Esox lucius is total piscivorous fish species found in the brackish and freshwater ecosystems of the Northern hemisphere. It is a top predator and keystone species that causes cascading effects in these ecosystems. Otoliths have been used to estimate age and growth rates in most fishes. Cleithra have generally have been used in Pike due to opaque nature of the otoliths. The aim of this study was to develop a method for age and growth estimation of pike using sagittal otoliths and carry out age and growth rates estimation of four sub populations; Dunöbäcken, Kårehamn, Oknebäcken and Väderön that represent freshwater and brackish water spawning sites. Determination of growth rates differences between sub populations was done for the first 2 years of their life. The methods included burning of the otoliths, fixing the otoliths in the epoxy resin, polishing of otoliths and staining with Alizarin red, Silver nitrate solution, Tetracycline and alkaline Lugol's solution with observation under light, dissecting and epifluorescence microscopes. Four methods tested based on staining with Alizarin red, Silver nitrate, alkaline Lugol's solution and burning otoliths. Provided useful results and not the method with Tetracycline. Alkaline Lugol's solution staining method was chosen and further developed. There was a significant difference in the relative growth rates between the sub population from brackish water spawning site of Väderön and the sub population from freshwater spawning site of Kårehamn in the first year (One-way ANOVA:F value 3.18, p value 0.0356) and after Tukey post hoc test (p value 0.0362). No difference among sub populations from the freshwater spawning sites. There was no difference in growth rates between any other sub populations in the second year. The importance of the study is successful application of Lugol's solution staining method for age and relative growth estimation studies with otoliths in pike. / EcoChange

Aiming to study the growth of Nellore cattle raised in Southern Brazil, nine models were evaluated: Von Bertalanffy, Richards, Gompertz, Bianchini Sobrinho, Logarithmic Square, Brody 23, 24 and 45. The main objective was to evaluate which one promote better data adjustment for weight and age of these animals. Thus, were analyzed 156,561 observations of 27,019 animals borned between 1976 and 2008, weighed between 1976 and 2010, created in 67 municipalities throughout the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Santa Catarina. The criteria used to select for the best model were the number of iteration used to reach convergence (NI); the mean square error (QMe); the error or mean absolute deviation (DMA) and the coefficient of determination (R2). Brody 45 model were chose who promoted the best fits, for males and females. / Objetivando estudar o crescimento de bovinos Nelore criados na Região Sul do Brasil, avaliaram-se nove modelos: Von Bertalanffy, Richards, Gompertz, Logístico, Bianchini Sobrinho, Quadrado Logarítmico, Brody 23, 24 e 45. O objetivo principal foi avaliar qual deles promoveria melhor ajuste dos dados de peso e idade destes animais. Para isso, foram analisadas 156.561 observações de 27.019 animais, nascidos entre 1976 e 2008, pesados entre 1976 e 2010, criados em 67 municípios espalhados pelos Estados do Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná e Santa Catarina. Os critérios utilizados como escolha para o modelo de melhor ajuste foram: o número de iterações utilizados para atingir a convergência (NI), o quadrado médio do erro (QMe), o erro ou desvio médio absoluto (DMA) e o coeficiente de determinação (R2).O modelo Brody 45 foi escolhido como aquele que promoveu o melhor ajuste, tanto para os machos quanto para as fêmeas.

This study focuses on certain urban forestry aspects of the City of Tshwane (previously Pretoria) and in particular that of growth rate and carbon sequestration estimates of street trees with the aim of quantification of the value of these trees. The relationships between tree height and crown dimensions to stem diameter and tree age, as well as the relationship between stem diameter to tree age enable the development of growth rate equations that predict tree dimensions and carbon storage. This permits the calculation of monetary values of urban trees and thus the modelling of costs and benefits of urban forests. The main objectives were (1) to develop tree height, crown diameter, crown height, and crown base height to stem diameter relationships for the indigenous street tree species Combretum erythrophyllum, Rhus lancea andRhus pendulina, (2) to develop tree height, crown diameter, crown height, crown base height and stem diameter to tree age relationships for the above street tree species, (3) to determine the 30 year carbon sequestration estimate and monetary value of 115 000 street trees to be planted mainly in poorer previously disadvantaged communities during the period 2002 to 2008 and (4) to determine the monetary value of the 33 630 Jacaranda mimosifolia street trees in the City based on the quantity of carbon stored in the trees. Combretum erythrophyllum had the most rapid growth rate in many instances, thereafter came Rhus pendulina and then Rhus lancea, which consistently had the slowest growth rate for the investigated parameters. It is estimated that the 115 000 street trees to be planted will sequestrate more than 200 000 tonne CO2 equivalent and have an estimated monetary value of more than US$2 million if a market related CO2 price of US$10.00 per tonne is assumed. The Jacaranda street trees have an estimated carbon stock of 41 978 tonne CO2 equivalent and this would value the Jacaranda urban forest at US$419 786. Copyright / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Plant Science / unrestricted