Master of Science / Department of Agricultural Economics / Jeffrey M. Peterson / Understanding irrigation water demand is vital to policy decisions concerning water scarcity. This thesis evaluates irrigation water-use responses to changes in prices, while accounting for cross-sectional characteristics of irrigators’ resource settings. An irrigator’s profit-maximizing decision is modeled in two stages. In the first stage, he decides which crop to plant, and in the second stage he decides how much water to apply given the crop choice. This thesis employs an econometric modeling technique not previously used in the irrigation water demand literature, a multinomial logit selectivity model. This econometric technique allows the intensive (change in water use for each crop in the short run) and extensive (change in water use in the long run due to changes in crop-choice) margin effects to be computed in a simultaneous equation system. A multinomial logit selectivity model has applications to many resource issues in production agriculture where the two-stage decision process is common. The model is estimated from field-level data on water use and crop-choice for a 25-county region in western Kansas over the period 1991-2004. Water use was found to be highly inelastic to the price of natural gas, but becomes more elastic as the price increases. The intensive margin effect was significant for natural gas price. The extensive margin effect only comprised half the total effect under high natural gas prices and was negligible for low prices. However, the extensive margin effect under high natural gas prices declined over time due to more efficient irrigation systems and improved crop varieties. The intensive margin effect explained most of the water use response from changes in other variables, including corn price. An increase in corn price has a negligible extensive margin effect because corn is most often substituted with alfalfa, which has a similar water requirement. Inelastic demand implies that policies aiming to conserve the Ogallala Aquifer by increasing the price of water will not accomplish their purpose and will affect irrigators’ incomes. More effective policies would be voluntary or mandatory quantity restrictions. However, efficient restrictions would need to account for spatial variation in the rate of depletion and the remaining saturated thickness.

80% of energy usage in the word comes from fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and among the fossil fuels, oil is the most consumed energy source especially in transportation. However, due to concerns about energy demand and energy sustainability, global warming and dependency on foreign oil, generation of renewable fuels is crucial for transportation. Biomass to Liquid (BTL) is a promising process available to produce renewable liquid fuels. BTL fuels have great potential to meet the growing demand for liquid fuels, mitigating climate change, and providing value to rural areas. However, there are two major challenges with biofuels produced from BTL. One of the major challenge is the H2:CO ratio of biomass gasification product is insufficient for production of hydrocarbon fuels due to formation of methane and tars. The steam reforming of hydrocarbons, to improve the H2:CO ratio, is generally conducted as part of the gas conditioning. However, tars cause the catalysts to deactivate rapidly. Secondly, for fuels produced from the gasification route regardless of feedstock source, there is an economy-of-scale issue. Therefore, it is desirable to seek ways of process intensification to allow small scale plants to be more economical. Zeolites can be used to solve these challenges since they have reactant selectivity property. To achieve a catalyst capable of reforming methane without potential for deactivation by tars, the encapsulation of a core reforming catalyst with porous zeolite shell is examined in this dissertation. After detailed introduction in the first chapter, a composite H-β zeolite membrane encapsulated 1.6wt%Ni/1.2wt%Mg/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 steam reforming catalyst was prepared by a physical coating method in the second chapter of the study. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses indicated that H-β zeolite was coated successfully on the core reforming catalyst. The pore size of H-β zeolite shell was between 0.43 and 0.57 nm, as measured by the HK method. Steam reforming of CH4 and C7H8 (as a tar model) were conducted with the composite H-β zeolite coated reforming catalyst, the two components individually, and physical mixtures of the two components as a function of temperature (780–840°C). CH4 conversion was enhanced by a factor of 2–3 (depending on temperature) for the composite catalyst as compared to the core reforming catalyst individually even though the zeolite did not have any activity alone. Possible reasons for the enhanced CH4 conversion include confined reaction effects (increase residence time within pores) of the catalyst containing the zeolite coating and/or Al3+ promotion of the active sites. Alternatively, due to molecular-size selectivity, the composite H-β zeolite coated reforming catalyst demonstrated a decrease in C7H8 conversion when compared to the uncoated reforming catalyst. The results validate the use of size selective catalysts to control molecular traffic and enhance the reforming reactant selectivity. A composite catalyst consisting of an outer layer of zeolite membrane encapsulating an inner reforming catalyst core was synthesized by a double physical coating method to investigate reactant selectivity (ratio of methane/toluene conversion rate) in steam reforming of methane (CH4) and toluene (C7H8). A double encapsulation (51 wt % H-β zeolite) of a 1.6 wt % Ni−1.2 wt % Mg/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 steam reforming catalyst was compared to a singly coated composite catalyst (34.3 wt % H-β zeolite) to investigate zeolite thickness effects on the conversion of different sized hydrocarbons. The increase in the zeolite content from 34.3 to 51 wt % decreased both CH4 and C7H8 conversions (by up to 14% depending upon the temperature) as a result of the increase in diffusional limitations. Weisz−Prater criteria and Thiele moduli calculations confirmed that the reactions were performed under internal diffusion limitations. The C7H8 conversion of the 51 wt % composite (SR@β51%) catalyst was similar to the zeolite alone, indicating negligible contribution from the protected catalyst core. The reactant selectivity increased by up to 1.5 times on SR@β51% in comparison to the SR@β34.3% composite. Combined reforming at 800 °C on the SR@β51% catalyst indicated that the catalyst was stable during the 10 h time on stream. Continuing this work, a non-acidic Silicalite-1 zeolite membrane encapsulated 1.6wt%Ni-1.2wt%Mg/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 steam reforming composite catalyst, synthesized by a physical coating method, was used to investigate effect of encapsulation on size selective steam reforming, using methane (CH4) and toluene (C7H8) as representative species. Weisz-Prater Criteria and Thiele moduli calculations indicated internal diffusion limitations. Combined reforming of CH4 and C7H8 at 800°C on the composite catalyst demonstrated stability during the 10 h time on stream while uncoated SR catalyst deactivated. The non-acidic Silicalite-1 encapsulated catalyst showed decreases (~2-7%) in both CH4 and C7H8 conversions compared to acidic H-β zeolite confirming that shell acidity did contribute to conversion and suggesting that shell defects/grain boundaries were responsible for the C7H8 conversion. Finally, low temperature 0.16wt%Pt–1.34wt%Ni–1.00wt%Mg/(Ce0.6Zr0.4)O2 reforming catalyst was triple coated with H-β zeolite (60 wt% of zeolite) to be utilized synthesis of combination steam reforming catalyst (SR) and Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) catalyst (CRAFT) for a single-step conversion of methane to liquid fuels. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis result demonstrated that H-β zeolite was successfully encapsulated onto the low temperature reforming catalyst. The catalyst was tested in steam reforming of methane (CH4) and toluene (C7H8) and the results was compared with 51 wt%. While CH4 conversions are very similar on the 60wt% composite catalyst with 51wt% composite catalyst, no C7H8 conversion was seen on the 60 wt% composite catalyst. Thus, it is concluded that the 60 wt% composite catalyst can be utilized to synthesis CRAFT catalyst.

This work explains the prevailing trends of internal migration in the Czech Republic, which have a major impact on the population and the overall development of individual regions. In the analysis of some key phenomena of internal migration, there have been formulated and tested four hypotheses, which were supplemented by more detailed analysis of population data. The results of hypothesis testing indicate that in the Czech Republic: (1) dominated internal migration from rural to urban than in the opposite direction, which means that they are manifested desurbanization processes; (2) total internal migration before 1989 was different than after this year; (3) are not all regions equally attractive to migrants; (4) internal migration does not meet certain defined conditions of the selectivity of migration.

The effects of two positive reinforcement procedures were evaluated to increase contact with, proximity to, and acceptance of new foods in a young child with autism. During baseline, two groups of six food items were presented. One group was intervened on. The first condition involved a changing criterion contingency and social attention as a consequence. The second involved a shaping contingency and access to videos as a consequence. The types of contact emitted, the amount of time spent contacting the food, and two affect topographies were measured. The second procedure resulted in increased duration and variety of contact, and increases of both affect topographies. Results are discussed in the context of food selectivity in autism, programming goals, and balancing intervention efficacy and restrictiveness.

Chiral gold complexes have been applied in homogeneous catalytic reactions since 1986, in some cases with high enantioselectivity. Acyclic diaminocarbene (ADC) ligands are acyclic analogues of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) that have larger N-CCarbene-N angles and stronger donating ability. ADCs have been developed as alternatives to phosphine and NHC ligands in homogeneous gold catalysis. In 2012, a new series of chiral gold(I) ADCs were first developed by Slaughter's group and were shown to give remarkable enantioselectivities in some reactions. Because of the hindered rotation of the N-CCarbene bonds of ADC, chiral ADC substituents can easily get close to the metal center in some conformations, although two rotameric structures are formed if the chiral amine is nonsymmetric. The selective of specific ADC conformations was the initial focus of this study. Formational selectivity of one diastereomer of an ADC ligand during synthesis was examines by measuring the relative rates of diastereomer formation in a 1H NMR kinetic study. The potential for converting multiple conformational isomers of ADCs into a single conformation, or at least a simpler mixture, was examined. This study used the analogy that anti- isomer has electronic and structural similarity with urea/thiourea, raising the possibility that 1,8-naphthyridine can be used to favor certain conformations through a self-assembled hydrogen-bonding complex. Gold(I) is a soft carbophilic Lewis acid able to active C-C π bonds to nucleophilic attack, and ADC-gold complexes are potentially useful in this regard. Therefore, biaryl gold(I) ADC complexes were examine with silver salt additives in catalytic 1,6-enyne cyclization reaction. A detailed study found that the counteranion affects the regioselectivities of these reactions more than substituents on the ancillary ADC ligands.

The aim of the project was to synthesize α1,2-linked and α1,6-linked dimannosides linked through either an oxygen-atom or a sulphur-atom, and subsequently test the binding properties of the dimannosides to lectins with known specificity towards mannose-containing glycans. Thedimannosides were prepared by a glycosylation reaction using selectively protected monosaccharides containing a thiol or alcohol nucleophilic glycosyl acceptor and a series of different glycosyl donors. The synthetic routes to the different building blocks were designed to efficiently make use of common intermediate compounds to streamline the synthesis. The glycosyl acceptors used forthe synthesis of α1,2-linked as well as α1,6-linked dimannosides were synthesized in few steps and diversified only in the last steps of the synthesis. The glycosyl donors used in the study were synthesized from commercially available starting material in a straightforward and convenientsynthesis in 7 to 8 steps.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) has long been regarded as the major greenhouse gas, which leads to numerous negative effects on global environment. The capture and separation of CO2 by selective adsorption using porous materials proves to be an effective way to reduce the emission of CO2 to atmosphere. Porous organic polymers (POPs) are promising candidates for this application due to their readily tunable textual properties and surface functionalities. The objective of this thesis work is to develop new POPs with high CO2 adsorption capacities and CO2/N2 selectivities for post-combustion effluent (e.g. flue gas) treatment. We will also exploit the correlation between the CO2 capture performance of POPs and their textual properties/functionalities. Chapters Two focuses on the study of a group of porous phenolic-aldehyde polymers (PPAPs) synthesized by a catalyst-free method, the CO2 capture capacities of these PPAPs exceed 2.0 mmol/g at 298 K and 1 bar, while keeping CO2/N2 selectivity of more than 30 at the same time. Chapter Three reports the gas adsorption results of different hyper-cross-linked polymers (HCPs), which indicate that heterocyclo aromatic monomers can greatly enhance polymers’ CO2/N2 selectivities, and the N-H bond is proved to the active CO2 adsorption center in the N-contained (e.g. pyrrole) HCPs, which possess the highest selectivities of more than 40 at 273 K when compared with other HCPs. Chapter Four emphasizes on the chemical modification of a new designed polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM) with high CO2/N2 selectivity (50 at 273 K), whose experimental repeatability and chemical stability prove excellent. In Chapter Five, we demonstrate an improvement of both CO2 capture capacity and CO2/N2 selectivity by doping alkali metal ions into azo-polymers, which leads a promising method to the design of new porous organic polymers.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第18336号 / 農博第2061号 / 新制||農||1023(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H26||N4843(農学部図書室) / 31194 / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 梅澤 俊明, 教授 矢﨑 一史, 教授 三上 文三 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

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Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs), occur where members of one sex of a species have two or more strategies of obtaining fertilization. The tactics differ in behavioural approaches to reproduction, but also commonly differ in physiological and morphological traits. The round goby, Neogobius melanostomus, is a globally invasive species with male ARTs. How behaviour may influence invasiveness in round goby has been of recent interest, but researchers have not considered the role or impact that male ARTs may have. I compared guarder and sneaker male round goby, assessing differences in their boldness, activity, exploration, sociality, aggression, startle responses, and dispersal tendencies. Sneaker males were more bold, active, and explorative while guarder males were more aggressive. In addition, I studied whether more guarders or sneakers are caught in a population survey study and how variation in a common round goby trapping method, minnow traps, may create catch biases. Two commonly employed minnow trap models include a black vinyl plastic coated metal trap (black traps) and a galvanized metal steel trap (silver traps). I investigated whether these black and silver traps and baited (corn) and unbaited traps differ in terms of the numbers, ART ratios, and sizes of round goby captured. I found silver traps captured 1.7 times more round goby than black traps, while baited traps captured 3.4 times more round goby than unbaited traps. Baited traps captured larger round goby and tended to capture more guarders than unbaited traps. I also found black traps captured larger males, but there was no difference in the size of females captured. Taken together my results indicate that care needs to be applied when making estimates of round goby populations in terms of the types of individuals present and the trapping method used. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)