As the most destructive forest disturbance in British Columbia, wildfire becomes more worrisome for increasing uncertainty due to climate change. The current study investigates the potential to predict wildfire occurrence using climate indexes and quantify its marginal prices for property values at the municipal level, so as to provide a quantitative indicator for decision making in regard to influences of wildfire occurrence in the near future. First, significant correlations between monthly temperature and precipitation and large fire occurrence with distinctions in terms of distances to municipalities are proved by statistical analysis. Monthly wildfire occurrence are then statistically estimated with the four-month lags of the El Niño index and predicted using count models with regional differences. At last, the hedonic pricing model shows distance based positive impact of fire frequency and negative impact of fire size in neighbouring areas on property values. / Graduate / 0366 / 0478 / 0463 / zach_xu@hotmail.com

As the most destructive forest disturbance in British Columbia, wildfire becomes more worrisome for increasing uncertainty due to climate change. The current study investigates the potential to predict wildfire occurrence using climate indexes and quantify its marginal prices for property values at the municipal level, so as to provide a quantitative indicator for decision making in regard to influences of wildfire occurrence in the near future. First, significant correlations between monthly temperature and precipitation and large fire occurrence with distinctions in terms of distances to municipalities are proved by statistical analysis. Monthly wildfire occurrence are then statistically estimated with the four-month lags of the El Niño index and predicted using count models with regional differences. At last, the hedonic pricing model shows distance based positive impact of fire frequency and negative impact of fire size in neighbouring areas on property values. / Graduate / 0366 / 0478 / 0463 / zach_xu@hotmail.com

The present investigation examined the role of cognitive interference in sport. In Study 1 an instrument to assess intrusive thoughts athletes experience during performance was developed (Thought Occurrence Questionnaire for Sport; TOQS). In the first part of the study, which involved modification of an instrument constructed in educational settings, three types of thoughts were identified. These were 'performance worries', 'situation irrelevant thoughts' and 'thoughts of escape'. In the second part of the study, which involved validation of the modified instrument, support for the psychometric properties of the TOQS was provided through tests of convergent, concurrent and discriminant validity. Study 2 examined situational antecedents of cognitive interference. Discrepancies between expected and actual performance was identified as the best predictor of cognitive interference athletes experience, whereas cognitive anxiety was found moderately related to cognitive interference. Finally, it was found that athletes experiencing their anxiety states as facilitative reported less cognitive interference than athletes experiencing their anxiety states as debilitative. Study 3 investigated possible effects cognitive interference has on aspects of sport performance based on athletes' perceptions. Participants reported cognitive interference to be detrimental to their concentration. Furthermore, it was revealed that different types of thoughts influence effort input in different ways. The relationship between 'performance worries' and subsequent effort depended on goal attainment expectancies. Athletes holding higher expectancies reported that their worries resulted in increased effort, whereas athletes holding lower expectancies reported their worries to result in decreased effort. 'Situation irrelevant thoughts' were reported not to have any effects on subsequent effort, while 'thoughts of escape' were associated with decreases in effort. Finally, Study 4 examined relationships between achievement goal orientations and cognitive interference. A negative relationship between task orientation and thoughts of escape was the only strong and consistent association that emerged. Goal profiles analysis revealed that, in contrast to athletes holding self-referenced goals, for those holding comparative goals outcome is an important determinant of withdrawal thoughts. The results of the present investigation are discussed in relation to findings in educational and sport settings, and a conceptual model regarding the role of cognitive interference in sport is proposed. Overall, cognitive interference is identified as a topic which requires further examination in the sport psychology domain.

国立情報学研究所で電子化したコンテンツを使用している。

In biennial following (spring 2005, autumn 2005, spring 2006, autumn 2006) we're rasitology examine 288 samples dropping from heifers and 288 samples dropping from bulls. Exhibits we're examined floatation in Sheather´s sugar solution. In examinate dropping we're proved present cysts Giardia intestinalis and oocysts Cryptosporidium andersoni and family Eimeria. In heifers was most frequent parasites coccidia Eimeria sp. (28,5 %). Flagellata Giardia intestinalis occur in 17 % of all designs. At least we're open up Cryptospordium andersoni (9,4 %). In bulls we're noted highest occurrence coccidia Eimeria sp. (19,1 %). Almost same occurrence we're found out near Giardia intestinalis (18,8 %). Very low prevalence we're have observed near Cryptosporidium andersoni (1,4 %).

The intellectual impulsiveness of man to understand the unknown and the continual need of the society to improve healthcare have encouraged extensive investigation on numerous and diverse cause-and-effect relationships. The nature of this endeavor, however, renders the inability of investigator at all levels to escape beyond the narrow conceptual boundary described by an early French philosopher as the vicious cycle. To enjoy the theoretically plausible benefits of refined labor division, data-driven healthcare management, and real-time evidence-based practices, it must first be acknowledged that co-occurrence is better than cause-and-effect in explaining how an observation takes place at a particular time. This paper details a co-occurrence framework, and discusses its implications for the global healthcare system.

abstract: Population growth and fresh water depletion challenge drinking water utilities. Surface water quality is impacted significantly by climate variability, human activities, and extreme events like natural disasters. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an important water quality index and the precursor of disinfection by-products (DBPs) that varies with both hydrologic and anthropogenic factors. Granular activated carbon (GAC) is a best available technology for utilities to meet Stage 2 D/DBP rule compliance and to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) (e.g., pharmaceutical, personal care products (PCPs), etc.). Utilities can operate GAC with more efficient and flexible strategies with the understanding of organic occurrence in source water and a model capable predicting DOC occurrence. In this dissertation, it was found that DOC loading significantly correlated with spring runoff and was intensified by dry-duration antecedent to first flush. Dynamic modeling based on reservoir management (e.g., pump-back operation) was established to simulate the DOC transport in the reservoir system. Additionally, summer water recreational activities were found to raise the level of PCPs, especially skin-applied products, in raw waters. GAC was examined in this dissertation for both carbonaceous and emerging nitrogenous DBP (N-DBP) precursors (i.e., dissolved organic nitrogen (DON)) removal. Based on the experimental findings, GAC preferentially removes UV254-absorbing material, and DOC is preferentially removed over DON which may be composed primarily of hydrophilic organic and results in the low affinity for adsorption by GAC. The presence of organic nitrogen can elevate the toxicity of DBPs by forming N-DBPs, and this could be a major drawback for facilities considering installation of a GAC adsorber owing to the poor removal efficiency of DON by GAC. A modeling approach was established for predicting DOC and DON breakthrough during GAC operation. However, installation of GAC adsorber is a burden for utilities with respect to operational and maintenance cost. It is common for utilities to regenerate saturated GAC in order to save the cost of purchasing fresh GAC. The traditional thermal regeneration technology for saturated GAC is an energy intensive process requiring high temperature of incineration. Additionally, small water treatment sites usually ship saturated GAC to specialized facilities for regeneration increasing the already significant carbon footprint of thermal regeneration. An innovative GAC regeneration technique was investigated in this dissertation for the feasibility as on-site water treatment process. Virgin GAC was first saturated by organic contaminant then regenerated in-situ by iron oxide nanocatalysts mixed with hydrogen peroxide. At least 70 % of adsorption capacity of GAC can be regenerated repeatedly for experiments using modeling compound (phenol) or natural organic matter (Suwannee River humic acid). The regeneration efficiency increases with increasing adsorbate concentration. Used-iron nanocatalysts can be recovered repeatedly without significant loss of catalytic ability. This in-situ regeneration technique provides cost and energy efficient solution for water utilities considering GAC installation. Overall, patterns were found for DOC and CEC variations in drinking water sources. Increasing concentrations of bulk (DOC and DON) and/or trace organics challenge GAC operation in utilities that have limited numbers of bed-volume treated before regeneration is required. In-situ regeneration using iron nanocatalysts and hydrogen peroxide provides utilities an alternative energy-efficient operation mode when considering installation of GAC adsorber. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2012

O consumo de qualquer parte do organismo de um fungo denomina-se fungivoria e são raros os estudos que abordam a temática da interação trófica entre suas estruturas reprodutivas (basidiomas) e os insetos. Mesmo que seja um hábito alimentar freqüente entre os coleópteros, com muitas famílias obrigatoriamente fungívoras, pouco se conhece sobre a estruturação dessa assembléia. Entretanto, sabese que existem preferências por determinadas espécies de fungos, tanto para a postura dos ovos quanto para o próprio consumo. Algumas questões que este estudo aborda referem-se à riqueza e à especificidade dos besouros fungívoros. Adicionalmente investigarei a influência da taxonomia dos fungos, bem como da consistência e do sistema hifal dos basidiomas para o processo de seleção que as espécies de besouros realizam. Também foi verificado se a posição taxonômica dos besouros está relacionada com o grupo de fungos que estes utilizam ou com a consistência dos seus basidiomas. Foram realizadas oito coletas em um ambiente de Floresta Ombrófila Mista no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, obtendo-se 376 indivíduos das Ordens Polyporales e Hymenochaetales. Estes espécimes foram mantidos individualizados em laboratório por três meses para a constante retirada dos besouros adultos e então dissecados. Todos os fungos que apresentaram besouros fungívoros associados (N = 207) foram identificados e totalizaram 40 espécies. Os coleópteros totalizaram 447 ocorrências e foram classificados em 90 morfoespécies e 20 famílias, sendo Ciidae e Staphylinidae as mais representadas. Os basidiomas foram classificados quanto às suas classes de consistência seguindo um gradiente de durabilidade e rigidez. A riqueza de besouros variou conforme a espécie do hospedeiro e não foram encontrados fatores que influenciam a variação de riqueza de besouros em fungos. A especificidade dos besouros não apresentou relação com a longevidade dos basidiomas. Também se verificou que a posição taxonômica dos fungos, bem como a consistência dos basidiomas, interferem na escolha do hospedeiro pelos besouros. Além disso, se observou que besouros mais relacionados filogeneticamente não utilizam uma assembléia de fungos mais semelhante nem basidiomas com consistências semelhantes. Isso demonstra que a habilidade em consumir as mesmas espécies não está tão relacionada com a filogenia dos besouros como ocorre com os herbívoros. / Fungivory is the consumption of any part of the fungi organism and just a few studies were done about the trophic interactions of its reproductive structures, so called basidiomes, and insects. Even though this is a disseminated habit among Coleoptera, which has many obligated fungivores families, little is known about its community organization. However, there have been works about feeding preferences and oviposing sites of some fungi species. Some of the questions of this study refer to richness and specificity of fungivores beetles on their host. It was also investigated the influence of fungi taxonomy, basidiomes consistency and hyphal system for the selection process of the beetle species, as well as the importance of the taxonomic position of the beetles regarding the host group they use and the basidiome´s consistency. The basidiomes of Polyporales and Hymenochaetales Orders were collected in an Araucaria angustifolia forest of Rio Grande do Sul State. It was obtained 376 fungal individuals, which were kept in the laboratory, individually separated in containers for three months, while the newly emerged beetles were captured, and the fungi were dissected afterwards. All individuals of fungi that had associations (207) were identified (40 species). It was found 447 occurcences of Coleoptera, which were classified in 90 morphospecies belonging to 20 families, with Ciidae and Staphylinidae being the most abundant. The basidiomes where classified by its consistency, following a longevity and hardness gradient. Beetle richness varied among fungal species and no factors that might influence the richness variation in fungi was found. Its specificity did not seem to be related to the longevity of the basidiomes. It was also verified that the fungus taxonomy as well as the consistency of its basidiomes demonstrated some importance for the process of host selection. Regarding the Coleoptera taxonomy, it was not verified that the more phylogenetic related ones use a more similar group of hosts or basidiomes that have similar consistency. This demonstrates that the ability to feed on the same species is not so related to the phylogeny of fungivore beetles as it occurs with herbivores.

Wildlife in urban settings are a management challenge because wildlife populations and their habitats are often fragmented and degraded, but natural resource managers need information concerning their spatial distribution, spatial turnover, and spatial co-occurrence while accounting for imperfect detection. Based in the Chicago Metropolitan Area during 2009-2012, my study modeled 23 species across 5 wildlife taxa concerning patterns of site occupancy, spatial turnover (i.e., colonization and extinction), and/or spatial co-occurrence at 1-2 spatial scales. In detail, I investigated: (1) detection probabilities, site occupancy, and spatial turnover as affected by habitat and anthropogenic influences at 2 spatial scales for 6 species of songbirds: field sparrows (Spizella pusilla), great crested flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus), willow flycatchers (Empidonax traillii), bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), marsh wrens (Cistothorus palustris), and rose-breasted grosbeaks (Pheucticus ludovicianus); (2) detection probabilities, site occupancy, and spatial turnover as affected by habitat and anthropogenic influences at 2 spatial scales for 3 species of reptiles and 4 species of amphibians: common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), blue-spotted salamanders (Ambystoma laterale), tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum), green frogs (Rana clamitans), and northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens); (3) habitat use and landscape site occupancy and spatial turnover as affected by habitat and anthropogenic influences for 4 species of mesocarnivores: coyotes (Canis latrans), raccoons (Procyon lotor), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana); and (4) detection probabilities and spatial distributions as affected by local habitat, an interacting species (dominant or subordinate), or both for 6 species of small mammals: short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), masked shrews (Sorex cinereus), and eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). I elucidate how managers can improve or design their survey techniques that will aid their inference of the distribution of wildlife in the Midwest. This work also provides suburban natural resource managers in the Chicago Metropolitan Area with information concerning land management and land acquisition guidelines to best conserve, attract, or deter the aforementioned wildlife on their properties.

As orquídeas terrestres estão distribuídas amplamente em ambientes tropicais e temperados do mundo. O habitat terrestre, para orquídeas, engloba distintas formações vegetais, como florestas, savanas, campos e banhados. Neste estudo consideramos, para a estimativa da amplitude e da ocorrência destas plantas, nove tipos de florestas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul no sul do Brasil, localizadas totalmente em latitudes subtropicais. Revisamos amostras de espécimes depositadas em sete herbários regionais e atualizamos a identificação das espécies para as circunscrições genéricas atuais. Com base nas localizações das amostras estimamos dois parâmetros de amplitude, nomeados extensão de ocorrência e área de ocupação, objetivando determinar o estado de conservação das espécies de acordo com as categorias da IUCN. Como resultado, encontramos 22 gêneros e 50 espécies, a maioria dos gêneros (15) possui apenas uma espécie no estado. Os gêneros mais diversificados foram Cyclopogon, Aspidogyne e Malaxis, com 14, oito e quatro espécies, respectivamente. Outros quatro gêneros apresentaram três (Pelexia) ou duas (Habenaria, Prescottia, e Sarcoglottis) espécies nos ambientes florestais. As estimativas de amplitude, especialmente a área de ocupação, resultaram em um elevado número de espécies ameaçadas. Espécies criticamente ameaçadas, considerando a extensão de ocorrência, estão distribuídas em sete gêneros e 18 espécies. O tipo de floresta mais diversificado foi a floresta estacional da Serra Geral, seguido pela floresta Atlântica e pela floresta estacional do Escudo Cristalino. Um total de 19 espécies ocorreu somente em uma formação e apenas quatro espécies ocorreram em seis ou sete tipos de florestas. O número de registros neste estudo mostrou que as orquídeas terrestres em ambientes florestais são um grupo subamostrado, que possuem poucas coletas e são pouco avaliadas em estudos ecológicos com populações e comunidades de sub-bosque. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar com maior precisão a extensão de ocorrência, o tamanho das populações, e o estado real de conservação das espécies nativas. / Terrestrial orchids occur widespread in tropical and temperate environments around the world. The terrestrial habitat for orchid species comprises several distinct plant formations, like forests, woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. In this study we focused the estimation of range sizes and the occurrence of these plants in nine forest types in the South Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, located entirely in subtropical latitudes. We revised sampled specimens deposited in seven regional herbaria and updated species identifications to current generic circumscriptions. Based on sampling locations we estimated two range size parameters, namely extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, aiming to determine the conservation status according to IUCN categories. As a result we found 22 genera and 50 species, most genera (15) having of them a single species in the state. The most diversified genera were Cyclopogon, Aspidogyne and Malaxis, with 14, eight and four species, respectively. Four additional genera presented three (Pelexia) or two (Habenaria, Prescottia, and Sarcoglottis) species in forest environments. Range size estimations, especially through area of occupancy, resulted in an outstanding number of threatened species. Critically endangered species according to extent of occurrence were distributed in seven genera and 18 species. The most diversified forest types were the central Serra Geral seasonal forests, followed by the Atlantic rainforest and the southeast Crystalline Shield seasonal forests. A total of 19 species occurred in a single forest formation and only four species occurred widespread in six or seven forest types. The number of recordings in this study showed to be exponentially related to species range according to forest types. Our study showed that terrestrial orchids in forest environments are an overlooked plant group, which has been poorly sampled and poorly evaluated in ecological studies concerning understory populations and communities. Further studies are necessary to determine more precisely the extent of occurrence, the size of populations, and the real conservation status of native species.