Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae) specimens naturally infected by three monogenean species were captured and maintained in marine aquaria to promote a continuous parasite load. Monogenean eggs recovered from aquaria provided larvae for descriptions and life history experiments. I describe the adult, larva and post-larval development of a new species of hexabothriid, Branchotenthes octohamatus, from the gills. This is the first monogenean larva described with only eight hooklets. This character may be useful to help resolve problematic relationships within the Hexabothriidae and offers insight into more general hypotheses about relationships within the Monogenea. I also redescribe the adult of Calicotyle australis (Monocotylidae) from the cloaca and describe the larva. The number and arrangement of larval ciliated epidermal cells and sensilla was revealed using silver nitrate. I redescribe Pseudoleptobothrium aptychotremae (Microbothriidae) adults from the skin of T. fasciata, representing a new host and locality record. Larval anatomy and post-larval development are also documented. The presence of six needle-like spicules in the larval haptor is confirmed, supporting an earlier theory that spicules are ancestral vestiges. My studies revealed three different egg hatching, host finding strategies and larval ‘types’. Branchotenthes octohamatus has a ‘sit-and-wait’ strategy, entirely dependent on mechanical disturbance to stimulate eggs to hatch. Larvae are unciliated, cannot swim, lack pigmented eyespots and show no photo-response but may survive for more than two days after hatching at 22ºC. In contrast, eggs of C. australis hatch spontaneously with a strong diurnal rhythm in the first few hours of daylight when exposed to a LD12:12 illumination regime. Larvae are ciliated and can swim, have pigmented eyespots, are photo-positive and can remain active and survive for up to 24 h after hatching at 22ºC. Eggs of P. aptychotremae may have a ‘bet-hedging’ strategy. Some eggs hatch spontaneously and rhythmically in an LD12:12 regime during the last few hours of daylight but their low hatching success rate suggests that other eggs may require a different cue provided by the host. Larvae are ciliated, can swim, lack pigmented eyespots, show no photo-response and remain active for only a few hours at 22ºC. Experiments using the fluorescent dye, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester (CFSE) revealed B. octohamatus on gills of T. fasciata within 30 min of exposure to the host. This provides strong evidence that larvae invade the gills directly via the host’s inhalant respiratory current and do not migrate after initial attachment elsewhere. Five rhinobatid species (Aptychotrema vincentiana, T. fasciata, Trygonorrhina sp. A, A. rostrata and Rhinobatos typus), with overlapping distributions spanning west, south and east Australian coastal waters were surveyed for monogeneans at four locations between Fremantle, Western Australia and Stradbroke Island, Queensland. Genetic homogeneity, using the mitochrondrial gene Cytochrome b (cytb) and the nuclear marker, Elongation factor-1 alpha (EF1a), was observed for all Branchotenthes and Calicotyle specimens irrespective of collection locality or rhinobatid species. Genetic homogeneity was observed for Pseudoleptobothrium specimens collected in western and southern Australia. However, local genetic heterogeneity was apparent among Pseudoleptobothrium specimens collected from two sympatric host species in New South Wales. Analyses revealed a highly divergent clade, indicating a morphologically cryptic, ancestral species. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1323070 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2008

[Truncated abstract] In my study of Australonereis ehlersi and Simplisetia aequisetis [Polychaeta: Nereididae] from the Swan River Estuary, Western Australia, I assessed the life history, geographical population structure and production of both species, then measured their roles in microbial denitrification and nitrogen cycling within the sediments of the estuary. Both species exhibit a mean life-span of approximately 1 year, a production:biomass turnover rate of about 3 and potentially are capable of reproducing throughout the year, peaking during winter to spring. A. ehlersi exhibited a marine euryhaline distribution, occurring only in the main basin and lower estuary, typically at a very low density of adults; S. aequisetis exhibited a euryhaline distribution, occurring estuary-wide during both summer and winter. High density and biomass of A. ehlersi occurred in the middle estuary (at Como), predominantly as winter- recruiting juveniles. Gravid, atokous adults spawned pelagically, with a 2 to 4 month larval development period preceding settlement. Intolerance of freshwater by the pelagic larvae possibly is the major reason excluding specimens from the upper reaches of the Estuary. Adult S. aequisetis brood eggs and embryonic larvae in tubiculous burrows; the life-cycle presumably progresses entirely in sediments of relatively stable interstitial salinity (compared to pelagic fluctuations), enabling recruitment by larvae and adults into the upper reaches of the Estuary. ... The ammonification rate was higher for A. ehlersi than S. aequisetis-inhabited cores, and lowest in uninhabited cores where polychaete excretion was absent. In the absence of C2H2, sediments of S. aequisetis inhabited cores indicated a lower net NH4+ influx than uninhabited cores, whereas A. ehlersi inhabited cores exhibited a slight net efflux of NH4+ from the sediment. The difference in magnitude of nitrogenous fluxes imparted by the two polychaete species is hypothesised to relate to the influence of their respective habits on the composition and activity of their associated sedimentary microbial community. Juvenile S. aequisetis are hypothesised to homogenise and aerate sediment continually, enhancing microbial nitrification and retarding anaerobic denitrification. Permanent A. ehlersi burrows would facilitate vertical and radial oxic/anoxic stratification of sediment which, combined with enhanced substrate supply through burrow ventilation, resulted in increased rates of microbial denitrification and nitrification. I have proposed a preliminary framework by which guilds of benthic fauna, each with similar designated habits, may be tested for predictable bioturbative influence on nitrogen cycling, i.e. whether particular habits may be considered 'functional groups'. In conclusion, the fine-scale effects of A. ehlersi and S. aequisetis on microbial nitrogen cycling are integrated with details of broader-scale population dynamics to define the role of polychaetes in estuarine nitrogen cycling, with a view to managing eutrophication.

This study considers the ways in which congregational management contributes to maintaining the healthy church through the supporting role of supplying, monitoring and controlling the human, physical, financial, and informational resources needed to allow the pastors to lead the congregation-centred church to fulfil its mission. It was found that congregational managers help to prevent their churches declining into illhealth by helping the pastorate to retain current congregants and attract new ones through charisma. This requires them to first study, analyze and classify the major parts of the diverse congregation and surrounding community and then monitor them to foresee and forestall problems. They play multiple roles in efficient administration, asset management, targeted church adverting, human relations, risk management, project management, professional standards auditing and maintenance, community relations with all faiths, charity, mission, and, above all, customer relations. Recommendations are made for enhancing congregational management’s role in the healthy church. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a public health problem with a high morbidity and mortality rate, especially in traffic accidents. It may lead to temporary or permanent sequelae that result in family conflict. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the TBI victim and their family caregivers’ perceptions about the process of becoming ill and its influence on the family interactions. The methodological design has adopted a descriptive and interventionist research, with a qualitative approach using an open and mixed process therapy group, based on perspective of Life Cycle Theory. The sample was characterized by family caregivers (n = 10) and victims of TBI (n = 10) attended at the "Resignifying Lives" program (REVIVA) at outpatient clinic of the University Hospital of Sergipe. Two therapy groups were constructed, which discussed themes related to care, daily life and the process of interrelationship in family life and their perceptions, through group dynamics. The results were analyzed through the thematic analysis, grouping them into themes and their respective categories, as follows: 1) TBI patients’ perception about hospitalization and home return; 2) TBI victims family caregivers’ perception about hospitalization and home return; 3) the family life cycle and the challenges in the TBI; 4) therapy group as a strategy to face the challenges in the TBI. Based on the results, it was verified that the family caregiver's experience after TBI affects family stability and causes conflicts, triggers feelings that are adaptive, although with a loss in the family relationship. In addition, the group therapy aided in caring for TBI patients and allowed strategies to be developed to cope with family life. It was concluded that the knowledge built in the groups strengthened the participants' own autonomy, the feeling of belonging, the relief of the anguish, contributed to the reduction of risks, coping with daily difficulties and increasing quality of life. Finally, the group therapy made it possible to understand the manifest way of making visible the difficulties encountered and to seek in the actions the contribution to the development of family life. / O Traumatismo Cranioencefálico (TCE) é um problema de saúde pública com alta taxa de morbimortalidade, em especial nos acidentes de trânsito. Pode acarretar nas vítimas sequelas temporárias ou permanentes que culminam em conflitos familiares. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo é identificar as percepções da vítima de TCE e de seus cuidadores familiares acerca do processo de adoecer e sua influência nas interações familiares. No desenho metodológico, optou-se por uma pesquisa descritiva e intervencionista, com abordagem qualitativa utilizando-se de um grupo de terapia processual, aberto e misto, na perspectiva da Teoria do Ciclo Vital. A amostra foi composta por cuidadores familiares (n=10) e vítimas de TCE (n=10) atendidos no ambulatório do Hospital Universitário de Sergipe por meio do projeto “Ressignificando Vidas” (REVIVA). Foram construídos dois grupos de terapia, os quais discutiram temas relacionados ao cuidado, ao cotidiano e ao processo de inter-relação no convívio familiar e suas percepções, mediante dinâmicas de grupo. Os resultados foram analisados por meio da análise temática, agrupando-os em temas e suas respectivas categorias, como seguem: 1) percepção dos pacientes com TCE acerca da hospitalização e do retorno para casa; 2) percepção de familiares de vítimas com TCE acerca da hospitalização e do retorno para casa; 3) o ciclo vital familiar e os desafios no TCE; 4) grupo de terapia como estratégia de enfrentamento dos desafios no TCE. A partir dos resultados, constatou-se que a vivência do cuidador familiar pós TCE afeta a estabilidade familiar e provoca conflitos, desencadeia sentimentos que se mostram adaptativos, embora com prejuízo na relação familiar. Além disso, o grupo de intervenção auxiliou nas inquietações nos cuidados dos pacientes de TCE e permitiu criar estratégias para enfrentar o convívio familiar. Conclui-se que, os saberes construídos nos grupos fortaleceram a própria autonomia dos participantes, o sentimento de pertencimento, o alívio das angústias, contribuiu para a diminuição de riscos, enfrentamento das dificuldades diárias e para o aumento na qualidade de vida. Por fim, o grupo de terapia permitiu compreender a maneira manifesta de tornar visíveis as dificuldades encontradas e busca nas ações a contribuição para o desenvolvimento do convívio familiar.

Numerous ecological studies have used lipids to determine trophic pathways in aquatic systems, as fatty acid profiles provide time-integrated information on an organism’s assimilated diet. Many of these studies have, however, been based on sample collections with a limited temporal scale. The trophic ecology of pelagic systems has been studied intensively using fatty acid analyses, but very little work has been directed toward benthic communities, with the intertidal being especially neglected. The investigation of trophic pathways within rocky shore communities will help us to better understand system responses to environmental changes. The determination of long term temporal variation of the food web within a community could reveal the type, magnitude, duration and frequency of highly seasonal productivity. Changes in fatty acid profiles through time in primary consumers of intertidal rocky shores are poorly understood, but represent an important step towards a more comprehensive understanding of rocky shore food webs, compared with those derived from snapshot or short-term studies. The aim of this thesis was to clarify the temporal variability in the diets of rocky shore intertidal suspension-feeders (the brown mussels Perna perna and the Cape reef worm, Gunnarea gaimardi) and grazers (the Cape sea urchin Parencinus angulosus and the Goat-eye limpet, Cymbulus oculus) on the south east coast of South Africa using fatty acid profiles, and to investigate the effects of life style (e.g. feeding mode) and life cycle on temporal variations in tissue fatty acid profiles. I had three hypotheses: firstly, that suspension-feeders experience high levels of variability in their diets through time because water quality has the potential to change quickly and drastically, whereas grazers experience less variability in their diets over time since their food sources are more constant. Secondly, the reproductive cycles of the suspension-feeder P. perna and the grazer P. angulosus affect the fatty acid composition of their gonads, with temporal variations in lipid composition reflecting changes in reproduction investment. Thirdly, the total amount of energetic reserves available for reproduction are different for each gender (females allocate more energy to egg production than males allocate to gamete production). To address these aims, fatty acid profiles of suspension-feeders and grazers were investigated over a period of twelve months (from July 2010 to June 2011) at a single site on the south east coast of South Africa. The results showed high variability in the fatty acid composition of both the suspension-feeders strongly related with changes in their food source (suspended particulate material). Furthermore, similar temporal changes in fatty acid profiles of the two suspension-feeders were observed over time, reflecting their common diet and life style. There were some inter-specific differences in the suspension-feeders, likely originating from differences in their particle capturing mechanisms. Grazers showed less variability through time compared with the suspension-feeders, with the limpets being more consistent than the sea urchins. The temporal variability in the sea urchin diets may have resulted from the highly diverse and heterogeneous food sources available to them, whereas limpets may be more selective and have a limited range of diet items. Differences between the two grazer species may have arose from differences in their feeding strategies and intertidal zonation. The fatty acid compositions of gonad tissues in both P. perna and P. angulosus showed temporal variability strongly related to reproductive cycle. Differences in the fatty acid values between females and males were apparent, with females richer in total and polyunsaturated fatty acids than males. Spawning and gametogenesis influenced the variability of fatty acids through time in both species, suggesting the importance of considering the reproductive cycle when studying lipids in rocky shore species. Little evidence of lipid transfer between muscles and gonads was seen, suggesting the importance of direct lipid storage into the reproductive tissues. The influence of diet and life history of intertidal consumers on the temporal variability of their fatty acid compositions is important to understand, as it provides us with a better understanding of the functioning of rocky shore systems. There is an enormous potential for future research in this field of study.

A general lack of biological information is hampering the effective management of Angola’s fisheries. While this lack of information is largely a result of the country’s extended civil war that ended in 2002, the subsequent rapid expansion of fisheries is most likely impacting fish abundance and influencing the biology of this regions fishes. Besides the influence of fisheries, the southern Angolan coastal region is considered to be a climate change “hotspot” due to rapidly (>0.8°C/decade) increasing water temperatures. These changes are thought to drive further changes to the biology of fishes. It is therefore critical to provide baseline biological information and to identify the impacts of exploitation and warming on the biology of southern Angolan fishes. Pomatomus saltatrix is a warm-temperate marine fish species that forms an important component of fisheries throughout its broad distribution. P. saltatrix is a migratory predator that displays variable growth and maturity schedules. Typically it is heavily targeted in a range of coastal fisheries of Angola and is therefore an ideal candidate to study the biological impacts of exploitation and climate change. The aim of this study was to provide the first description of P. saltatrix biology in Angola and examine recent changes of the species biological parameters in an attempt to uncouple fishery driven from climate driven changes. Samples of P. saltatrix were collected monthly using standardised biological methods from June 2005 to December 2006 (period 1) and from June 2012 to February 2013 (period 2). The average (508mm – 1st period, 462mm – 2nd period) and maximum (760mm – 1st period, 746mm – 2nd period) size of P. saltatrix was smaller during the second period to suggest selective overharvesting of large individuals by developing fisheries. Angolan P. saltatrix grew very rapidly in their first year and thereafter, relatively slowly when compared to other populations globally. However, fish grew faster (ω = 103 – 1st period, ω = 124 – 2nd period), matured at a larger size (303mm - 1st period, 336mm - 2nd period) and younger age (0.83 years - 1st period, 0.67 years – 2nd period) during the second period. Peaks in reproductive activity remained similar (November) during both periods but a temperature anomaly appears to have influenced spawning during period 2. Sardinella aurita was the dominant prey during both periods but a greater dependence upon mugilids was observed during the second period. Although the changes in life history were not statistically significant, the faster growth observed during period two could be attributed to both increasing temperature and/or exploitation. Fishes generally grow faster, mature smaller and attain a smaller maximum size in warmer temperatures. Fisheries targeting small and large specimens of a species (as observed in this study) largely have the same impacts as ocean warming. With rapidly increasing water temperatures and exploitation rates, faster growth and earlier maturation of P. saltatrix populations will mitigate the impacts of exploitation in the short-term. However, the sustainability of Angola’s P. saltatrix stock is questionable as phenotypic adaptation will have a limited thermal scope and overexploitation will, like in all fisheries, negatively influence recruitment. Ultimately, strict monitoring, regulation and control will be necessary to ensure the sustainability of the P. saltatrix resource in Angola as it continues to face increasing anthropogenic and environmental pressures. Management guidelines and future research suggestions are therefore outlined with reference to the results of analyses conducted during this study.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The black blow fly, Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is a widely abundant fly autochthonous to North America. Like many other Calliphorids, P. regina plays a key role in several disciplines particularly in estimating post-mortem intervals (PMI). The aim of this work was to better understand the population genetic structure of this important ecological species using microsatellites from populations collected in the U.S. during 2008 and 2013. Additionally, it sought to determine the effect of limited genetic diversity on a quantitative trait throughout immature development; larval length, a measurement used to estimate specimen age. Observed heterozygosity was lower than expected at five of the six loci and ranged from 0.529-0.880 compared to expected heterozygosity that ranged from 0.512-0.980, this is indicative of either inbreeding or the presence of null alleles. Kinship coefficients indicate that individuals within each sample are not strongly related to one another; values for the wild-caught populations ranged from 0.033-0.171 and a high proportion of the genetic variation (30%) can be found among samples within regions. The population structure of this species does not correlate well to geography; populations are different to one another resulting from a lack of gene flow irrespective of geographic distance, thus inferring temporal distance plays a greater role on the genetic variation of P. regina. Among colonized samples, flies lost much of their genetic diversity, ≥67% of alleles per locus were lost, and population samples became increasingly more related; kinship coefficient values increased from 0.036 for the wild-caught individuals to 0.261 among the F10 specimens. Colonized larvae also became shorter in length following repeated inbreeding events, with the longest recorded specimen in F1 18.75 mm in length while the longest larva measured in F11 was 1.5 mm shorter at 17.25 mm. This could have major implications in forensic entomology, as the largest specimen is often assumed to be the oldest on the corpse and is subsequently used to estimate a postmortem interval. The reduction in length ultimately resulted in a greater proportion of individuals of a similar length; the range of data became reduced. Consequently, the major reduction in genetic diversity indicates that the loss in the spread of length distributions of the larvae may have a genetic influence or control. Therefore, this data highlights the importance when undertaking either genetic or development studies, particularly of blow flies such as Phormia regina, that collections of specimens and populations take place not only from more than one geographic location, but more importantly from more than one temporal event.

This master's thesis deals with the analysis of the requirements placed on the technical support information system which should be used in the software developing company. The basic functions of this system are the collecting of information about all kinds of work which the company employees concentrate on and the possibility of statistics generating. Moreover, it is also possible to implement further extensions to the system which will not only enable other functions, that are not related to the primary goal of the system, to be integrated; but also to define new user roles, for which various limited parts of the system will be accessible.

The evolution and maintenance of multiple phenotypes within populations is an interesting evolutionary and ecological question, and is becoming increasingly important for the restoration and conservation of partially migratory species. In particular, why individuals adopt a particular phenotype has been the focus of numerous research efforts. In the partially migratory species Oncorhynchys mykiss (commonly known as steelhead and rainbow trout), I found that sex plays a strong role in whether an individual adopts an anadromous or resident life history. I observed a higher frequency of females adopting the anadromous tactic throughout the species range, and I attributed this to the relationship between body size and reproductive success in females that is not present in males. I did not observe differences in female bias along gradients of latitude or migration distance, and I hypothesize that while the frequency of tactics among populations may change along these gradients, either the change is equal between males and females, or an interaction of latitude and migration distance may control changes. I did not observe a corresponding male bias in the one resident population I sampled, and suggest that this is the result of a high frequency of residents in that population. I propose that sex ratios could be a valuable metric for measuring frequency of life-history tactics in populations and could facilitate the investigation into the controls of life-history tactics across broad scales. / Graduation date: 2013

Aquatic ecosystems continue to be increasingly affected by climate warming. For salmonids in the Pacific Northwest of North America, increasing temperatures pose tighter thermal constraints on their habitat use as well as aspects of their individual performance, such as disease resistance. This thesis examines the effect of temperature on the phenology of the Ceratomyxa shasta life cycle, the effect of thermal refugia on disease risk in juvenile salmonids in the Klamath River, CA, and the spatial and temporal distribution of C. shasta in the Willamette River, OR. We developed a biological model that predicts an acceleration of the C. shasta life cycle development due to climate shifts in the Klamath River, resulting in more generations per year and earlier seasonal parasite occurrence. We showed that in early summer the Beaver Creek-Klamath River confluence provides juvenile Chinook and coho salmon an area of lower parasite doses and cooler temperatures than the main stem, thus lessening disease risk. By accelerating the development of C. shasta in its hosts, increasing temperatures will result in earlier parasite transmission to juvenile salmonids and a longer season of infectivity. These fish may find disease refuge at cold tributary inflows to the main stem of the Klamath River in early summer, further adding to the benefit of these important thermal habitats. To determine if similar disease patterns occur in other rivers with the parasite, we described spatial and temporal occurrence of C. shasta in the Willamette River. By collecting weekly water sampling at four sites over 28 months we characterize seasonal and annual differences of parasite abundance, which varies with weekly temperature. We also collected samples along the length of the main stem and its tributaries and identified spatial differences in C. shasta spore densities. Identification of spatial and temporal variation of C. shasta in the Willamette River provides a foundation for understanding future patterns of disease occurrence in this river where conservation of anadromous fisheries is also of concern. This thesis identifies likely responses of C. shasta to climate warming in the Klamath River, with useful application to other rivers in the Pacific Northwest. / Graduation date: 2013