Trinity, East, and Wine Islands make up the eastern half of the Isles Dernieres barrier arc in south-central Louisiana. Formed following the abandonment of the Lafourche delta complex, subsidence and storm erosion have led to rapid deterioration of the system. Since 1887, the land area of the islands has decreased seventy-seven percent, and the gulf shoreline has retreated landward more than a kilometer. Wave ravinement on the shoreface of the islands is responsible for the most sediment loss; liberated sediment travels longshore to tidal inlets. The dominant ebb tidal currents then transport the sediment to where it is deposited in ebb tidal deltas or carried to the west, out of the system. A large lobe of sediment bypassing Cat Island Pass is entering the system from the eastern lower shoreface, which helps replace some of the sediment lost through wave ravinement to the upper shoreface.

Tidal inlets play a significant role in barrier island sustainability along the barrier islands of southern Louisiana. With increasing tidal prism, major changes are taking place within and adjacent to the inlets. The purpose of this thesis is to examine how Caminada Pass, a tidal inlet along the Caminada-Moreau headland, has evolved through time. Fundamental to this effort is evaluating which processes have contributed toward inlet evolution and what is the response of the inlet-bordering barrier island shorelines of Grand Isle and Elmer’s Island. This effort summarizes previous results and utilizes published bathymetric data, aerial photographs, vector shorelines, satellite images, and seafloor grab samples. The intent of this research is to document the variety of data that are available for future studies of Caminada Pass, an evaluation of long and short-term changes to the system, and an overall better understanding of the inlet dynamics of Caminada Pass.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Oceanography in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2014 / The Tristan lobster Jasus tristani is distributed among several isolated islands and submerged seamounts in the South East Atlantic Ocean. This species occurs only at the Tristan da Cunha group, a British Overseas Territory and the World’s most remote inhabited island, and in international waters at Vema Seamount 1680 km ENE of Tristan. All these populations are exploited commercially. The catch, processing and export of J. tristani is the most important economic activity for the inhabitants of Tristan da Cunha, providing the livelihood of many families and accounting for approximately 80% of the Island’s revenue. Sustainable harvesting of this valuable resource requires accurate long-term data on catch and effort, as well as information on the most important biological parameters such as growth, recruitment, moulting and reproductive cycles. This information is critical for robust assessments and management strategies. This thesis describes the history of the lobster fishery at the Tristan da Cunha island group, reporting on catches and trends in Catch Per Unit Effort between 1967 and 2010. A total of 247,014 lobster samples, both sexes combined, was sampled for size composition and sex ratios, as well as 1,526 lobsters for length/weight relationships, between 1997 and 2010. This confirms earlier findings that females have broader and heavier tails than males for the same carapace length (CL). Results show that males dominate catches at all islands, and their average size was larger than that of females (83.5 ± 14.46 versus 73.4 ± 8.64 mm CL, respectively). Inter-island differences in lobster population structure appear to be caused by differences of food availability as well as in density-dependent growth and survival of young lobsters. The largest lobsters were found at Gough Island (87.2 ± 15.13 mm CL), and the smallest at Inaccessible island (73.2 ± 11.39 mm). Tristan was the next largest to Gough Island (84.0 ± 12.56 mm) followed by Nightingale island (78.2 ± 11.33 mm). Lobsters caught inshore were larger than those caught offshore, although this may be related in part to differences in catches between fishing gear types. This study showed that fecundity increases in a linear manner with CL, and although larger lobsters clearly produce more eggs than smaller ones, the gain in fecundity is not as great as in some lobster species where fecundity is more closely associated with weight. The study showed no significant differences in egg size between islands, or between large and small females at one island. The egg production per gram of body weight and mean egg diameter both seem to be less than reported in an earlier study in the 1990s. While it seems likely that this is due to differences in the way in which samples were collected (with only stage 2 ova collected and measured in this study), the possibility of a decline in fecundity needs to be investigated further. A range of management measures have been developed over the history of the fishery, and important current measures include an annual total allowable catch (TAC) for each island, minimum size limits, and a closed season timed to protect egg-bearing females. The fishery has recently been awarded certification by the Marine Stewardship Council. The study has confirmed that current conversion factors are broadly correct and that different size limits established for each island are justified. Concern is raised, however, by the fall in catch per unit effort and the mean size of lobsters at the three northern islands over the past 7 years. These trends will need to be closely monitored. There are still many uncertainties over key parameters such as growth and recruitment and the intention is to increase the knowledge base and our understanding of the dynamics of the lobster stock. A research plan has been developed, so that progress can be monitored through the gradual implementation of scientifically defendable fisheries management procedures and increased research and monitoring capacity.

Thesis (MTech (Oceanography))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / A collaborative study between Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) and the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) was initiated in March 2001 to investigate the physical oceanography of Sodwana Bay, South Africa, and the affects on coral communities resident to the area. A bottom-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and three Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTR) were deployed to complement the long-term monitoring UTR deployed on Nine-Mile Reef (NMR) in 1994. The study was terminated after 30 months, whereby all instruments were removed except for the long-term monitoring UTR.

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science Department of Genetics and Microbiology Ph.D. study program: Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics and Virology Genetic basis of multidrug resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii Lenka Křížová Supervisor: Doc. RNDr. Alexandr Nemec, Ph.D. Supervisor-consultant: RNDr. Lubomír Janda, Ph.D. Prague 2014 SUMMARY Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a significant bacterial pathogen pre-eminently associated with hospital-acquired infections. Strains of this species may currently exhibit resistance to nearly all or even all clinically relevant drugs. The vast majority of epidemic and multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains belong to a few globally spread lineages, in particular to the so-called European (EU) clones I, II, and III. Complex resistance patterns displayed by these strains result from their marked capacity to develop, acquire, and combine secondary resistance mechanisms against originally effective agents. The aim of this thesis was to broaden our knowledge on the genetic basis and epidemiology of multidrug resistance in A. baumannii. The obtained results have been published in the form of six studies which are part of this thesis. In the first study, we analysed the epidemiology of carbapenem resistance among hospital strains of Acinetobacter in the...

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Este trabalho tem por finalidade verificar se há utilização de artigos no Crioulo Cabo-verdiano, variedade de Santiago (CCVS), e como são utilizados esses artigos: se há uma sistematização para seu uso, como propõe Bickerton (1981) para todos os crioulos, ou se artigos definidos, indefinidos e Ø (indicando a ausência de artigos ou outros determinantes) são utilizados indistintamente, como sugere Lucchesi (1994a). Nesta pesquisa, foi constatada a ocorrência de artigos em CCVS, podendo-se afirmar que a opção dos falantes pelos artigos, definidos ou indefinidos, ou por Ø, em SN\'s (sintagmas nominais) cujos núcleos sejam substantivos comuns, constitui um fato de variação, na qual Ø é a variável, já que a tendência predominante é a opção por ele em SN\'s (+F) (+O), cuja referência seja conhecida pelo falante e pelo ouvinte, (+F) (-O), cuja referência seja conhecida pelo falante, mas desconhecida pelo ouvinte, (-F) (-O), cuja referência seja desconhecida pelo falante e pelo ouvinte, nas posições de sujeito, objeto e predicativo do sujeito; já os artigos definidos, indefinidos e Ø são variantes combinatórias, já que não houve ocorrências de artigos indefinidos em SN\'s (+F) (+O) na posição de sujeito, assim como não surgiram artigos definidos e indefinidos, na posição de predicativo do sujeito, em SN\'s (+F) (-O) e (-F) (-O). / This work has for purpose to verify if has article use in the Capeverdean Creole, Santiago\'s variety (CCVS), and as these articles are used: if it has a systematization for its use, as Bickerton (1981) considers for all the creoles, or if definite and indefinite articles and Ø (indicating the article absence or other determinative ones) are used indistinctly, at it suggests Lucchesi (1994a). In this research, the article occurrence was evidenced in CCVS, being able itself to affirm that the option of the speaker for articles, definites or indefinites, or Ø, in NP\'s (nominal phrases) whose nucleus are substantive common, constitutes a variation fact, in which Ø is the variable, since the predominant trend is the option for it in NP\'s (+S) (+A), whose reference is known for speaker and for addressee, (+S) (-A), whose reference is known for speaker, but unknown for addressee, (-S) (-A), whose reference is unknown for speaker and for addressee, in the subject, object and predicate; already the definite and indefinite articles e Ø they are variant combinatories, since it did not have indefinite article occurrences in NP\'s (+S) (+A) in the subject posiction, as well as they had not appeared definite and indefinite articles, in the position of predicate, in NP\'s (+S) (-A) e (-S) (-A).

Como os processos que definem distribuições de espécies operam em diferentes escalas espaciais, abordagens multi-escalares são necessárias para que a variabilidade do sistema seja considerada no desenvolvimento de desenhos amostrais. Estudos sobre padrões espaciais de distribuição são necessários para servir de base para monitoramento e avaliações de impactos. Este trabalho avaliou a variação espacial de comunidades de infralitoral, em costões rochosos de três ilhas na Estação Ecológica dos Tupinambás. Os padrões espaciais foram investigados em quatro escalas, que variam de poucos metros a dezenas de quilômetros. Foram amostradas as profundidades de 1 a 5 e de 5 a 10 metros, no verão e inverno de 2013 e verão de 2014. O recobrimento percentual das unidades biológicas foi extraído a partir de foto-quadrados de 50x50 cm, aleatorizados, seguindo um desenho amostral aninhado. Os dominantes foram analisados individualmente com análise de variância univariada. Algas Calcárias Articuladas (ACA) foram o grupo dominante em todas as ilhas, períodos e profundidades, além de influenciar padrões multivariados, evidenciados pelo PCA. O recobrimento médio de ACA variou de 36% a 89.56%, considerando toda a amostragem. Outros dominantes variaram de acordo com o período e profundidade de coleta, dentre eles, Sargassum sp., Codium intertextum e Asparagopsis taxiformis. Todas as análises multivariadas (PERMANOVA, Pairwise Comparisons e nMDS) revelaram alta variação entre ilhas. Todas as outras escalas apresentaram variabilidade significativa, exceto a de poucos metros. Estimativas de variação revelaram que a variação residual e a entre ilhas foram sempre maiores do que as das outras escalas, confirmando a heterogeneidade intrínseca em pequena escala e a complexidade de comunidades insulares. O monitoramento nesta UC deverá incorporar todas as escalas investigadas. / As processes that define species distributions operate at different spatial scales, multi-scale approaches are needed to account for the system\'s natural variability, when developing sampling designs. Research about spatial patterns is essential to generate data to drive monitoring initiatives and impact assessments. The present study evaluated the spatial variability of subtidal rocky shore communities in three islands within the Ecological Station of Tupinambás. Spatial patterns were investigated across four scales, ranging from few meters to tens of kilometers, from 1 to 5 and from 5 to 10 m depth, in the summer and winter of 2013 and summer of 2014. Percent cover of the biological units was evaluated from photo-quadrats of 50x50 cm, randomly scattered, following a nested design. Dominant species and morphological groups were analyzed individually by univariate analyses of variance. Articulated Calcareous Algae (ACA) were the dominant group in all islands, depths and periods, and the main driver of multivariate patterns, as evidenced by the PCA. Mean cover of ACA varied from 36% to 89.56%, considering all occasions. Other dominant species were the algae Sargassum sp., Codium intertextum and Asparagopsis taxiformis, which varied according to sampling period and depth. All multivariate procedures (PERMANOVA, Pairwise Comparisons and nMDS plots) showed the highest variability among islands. All the other scales, except of few meters, presented significant variability. Estimates of variation showed that residual and intra-island variability were always higher than in other scales, confirming the intrinsic small-scale patchiness of marine assemblages and the complexity of insular communities. Monitoring efforts in this MPA should incorporate all the examined scales.

Para se chegar a modelos mais precisos de unidades de conservação devemos pensar a importância do desenvolvimento do conhecimento sobre a dinâmica insular. O principal objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a relação entre as fisionomias vegetais encontradas em oito ilhas do litoral norte paulista e alguns de seus aspectos estruturais, com área, forma e distância da costa (isolamento), utilizando como indicadores espécies vegetais de diferentes estágios de sucessão ecológica, em matas de encosta. Foram selecionadas oito ilhas com diferentes áreas, formas e distâncias da costa: ilhas do Prumirim, Porcos Pequena, Comprida, das Couves (Ubatuba), ilhas do Mar Virado, Tamanduá e Maranduba (Caraguatatuba) e ilha da Vitória (Ilhabela). O trabalho foi desenvolvido com em três etapas: primeiro a apreensão sobre a área de estudo, por meio da produção de bases e produtos cartográficos em escala 1:10.000, incluindo um mapeamento das fisionomias vegetais com base em ortofotos e imagens de satélite; segundo, a produção de dados primários, por meio de estudo sobre as métricas de paisagem para todas a ilhas do litoral norte, avaliando e área, forma e isolamento. o levantamento bibliográfico das espécies arbóreas que ocorrem nas ilhas, e um trabalho de campo focal na ilha do Prumirim; e terceiro, o mapeamento de unidades de paisagens das ilhas e elaboração de proposta para o planejamento de seu uso testando três variáveis, conservação, assentamento e turismo. Dentre os resultados destacamos: os mapas de vegetação, com os quais foi possível mensurar e comparar os tipos de fisionomias que cobrem as ilhas; a análise da forma, do tamanho e isolamento da ilhas do litoral norte, que resultou em dados mais precisos sobre esses ambientes insulares e trouxe parâmetros de comparação para as ilhas selecionadas, no contexto da região costeira; o levantamento de espécies, revelando que das treze mais frequentes nas ilhas slecionadas, sete são pioneiras, características de formações secundárias, evidenciando o aspecto geral de mata alterada em estágio de regeneração e ressaltando da importância dessas espécies generalistastas; a alta correlação entre o número de espécies em cada ilha com a área e forma, um dos preceitos da teoria biogeográfica de ilhas; e por último, a partir da delimitação das unidades de paisagens, a proposta de uso para as ilhas na qual, em síntese, identificamos um forte potencial para a conservação e o turismo ordenado, equação da qual acreditamos, depender o futuro das ilhas. Esperamos que este trabalho traga além de um aprofundamento sobre o conhecimento desses ambientes insulares, uma inquietação sobre as formas de se pensar a conservação não só de ilhas, mas de tantos outros ambientes isolados, como os fragmentos continentais da mata Atlântica. / To achieve more precise models of conservation units, it´s needed to consider the importance of development of knowledge of the insular dynamics. The main goal of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the types of vegetation found in eight island of northern coast of Sao Paulo state, it´s relationship as well structural features like area, shape, and distance from the shore, using as parameter vegetal species of different stages in ecological sucession in coastal rainforests. Eight islands were selected: Prumirim, Porcos Pequena, Comprida and Das Couves in Ubatuba municipality; Mar Virado, Tamanduá and Maramduba, in Caraguatatuba municipality, and Ilha da Vitória, in Ilhabela complex. The study was developed in three stages: a general overview of the study area, with generation of maps in 1:10,000 scale, including the mapping of vegetation; second, collection of primary data by metric study of landscapes of all islands in the northern coast, evaluating area, shape and isolation. Land field studies in Prumirim island, where most of the data was collected, complemented by iterature evaluation of arboreal species which was also performed to compare species distribution. Third, the mapping of landscapes units and elaboration of a proposal of planning of usage of the studied areas, using three variables: conservation, settling and tourism. Our results include: vegetation maps, where the vegetal covering was measured and compared, and analysis of landscape metrics, which sheds light into insulated areas parameters. The literature analysis of species showed clearly the relevance of pioneer species, which are very frequent in the studied areas. We have identified also a high correlation between the number of species in a given island with its area and shape, in concordance with the island biogeography theory. Finally, from the landscape units studied, we could elaborated a proposal of usage of these islands, identifying a strong potential for ecological tourism, and most importantly, to conservation of these unique areas. We hope that this work can bring new insights into conservation policies in isolated areas.

Cette étude s’intéresse aux trois piliers de l’écrit narratif à la période romantique, dans les œuvres de la Cubaine Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (1814-1873), portant sur les colonies hispano-américaines et caribéennes (Memorias, Sab, Guatimozín, El Cacique de Turmequé, El aura blanca). L’imagerie et les procédés habituellement mobilisés dans un romantisme hispano-américain, fortement inspiré des canons européens, et pourtant mu par un désir d’indépendance politique et culturelle, font de cette littérature une littérature du paradoxe. Non dépourvues de cette caractéristique, les narrations de l’auteur apparaissent toutefois comme de surprenants récits. A l’aune de l’évolution des formes romanesques qui ont succédé au Romantisme, jusqu’aux écrits de la modernité, et aux poétiques postmodernes et postcoloniales, on constate la modernité que ces textes présentaient déjà. La (dé)construction des personnages, en particulier le Métis, celle des lieux, et le jeu polyphonique de dires démultipliés remettent en question nombre des représentations traditionnelles, dans la réécriture de l’Histoire des Amériques. Un désir de dire autrement les divers « réels » émerge, ainsi que le souhait d’intégrer la complexité culturelle de cette zone. Sans avoir clairement défini de véritable poétique, l’auteur explore l’espace, la temporalité et le jeu des voix, pour fonder les bases d’une écriture ontologique et mémorielle qui interroge les identités. Celle-ci se créolise, par la mise en contact d’éléments hétéroclites qu’elle recompose, la multiplicité des sources littéraires ou orales, l’apparition de nouveaux territoires langagiers ou encore des personnages qui échappent aux typifications. / This study focuses on the three pillars of narrative art in the romantic era in the works of Cuban writer Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (1814-1873) dealing with Hispanic-American and Caribbean colonies (Memorias, Sab, Guatimozín, El Cacique de Turmequé, El aura blanca). The images and narrative devices traditionally mobilized in Hispanic-American Romanticism – a literature strongly inspired by European artistic ideals, and yet driven by a desire for political and cultural independence – make it a literature pervaded by paradoxes. Although they tend to share this common feature, the authors’ narratives stand out and surprise. In the light of the evolution of the novelistic forms that followed Romanticism, including modernist writings, and postmodern and postcolonial poetics, these texts appear as already “modern”. The (de)construction of the characters – particularly the “Metis” – and places, together with the polyphonic effect of a myriad of different discourses, challenge many traditional representations concerning the re-writing of the History of the Americas. What emerges is a desire to find a new way to express the various forms of the “real” and to capture the cultural complexity of this geographical area. Without clearly defining any particular literary method or ars poetica, the author explores space, temporality and the interplay of voices, thus laying the bases for an ontological, memory-oriented mode of writing that questions identities. This mode of writing goes through a process of Creolization, as it gathers and recomposes disparate elements, multiplies its literary or oral sources, and makes new linguistic territories, or characters who elude types, materialize.