In this thesis we present a slight generalisation of the Pearl complex or relative quantum homology to some non monotone Lagrangian submanifolds. First we develop the theory for the so called almost monotone Lagrangian submanifolds, We apply it to uniruling problems as well as estimates for the relative Gromov width. In the second part we develop the theory for toric fiber in toric Fano manifolds, recovering previous computaional results of Floer homology .

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] production under subsistence farmer management on the sandy soils of southwestern Niger is faced with many challenges, including declining soil fertility, highly variable and scarce rainfall and poor resource base of the peasant farmers in the region. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of management to increase yield and water use efficiency of pearl millet grown on two farmers’ fields in Niger during two growing seasons, 2003 and 2004. The management practices tested were: 1) Five manure treatments (no manure, transported manure, current corralling, a year after corralling, and two years after corralling); 2) The microdose technology (20 kg di-ammonium phosphate ha-1, and 20 kg di-ammonium phosphate ha-1 + 10 kg urea ha-1); and lastly, 3) Three different pearl millet cultivars (Heini Kirei, Zatib, and ICMV IS 89305). In both growing seasons, manure had the greatest effect on the yield and water use of pearl millet at both sites. In 2003 grain yields were 389 kg ha-1 in the NM treatment and 1495 kg ha-1 in the C0 treatment at Banizoumbou whereas at Bagoua, the NM treatment had 423 kg ha-1 vs. 995 kg ha-1 in the C0 treatment. In 2004, the NM treatment at Banizoumbou had 123 kg ha-1 grain yield and the C0 treatment had 957 kg ha-1 whereas at Bagoua the NM treatment had 506 kg ha-1 vs. 1152 kg ha-1 in the C0 treatment. Residual effects of manure led to grain yields in the C1 and C2 treatments which were more than twice as high as in the NM treatment. The improved cultivars were generally superior for grain yields, whereas the local landrace was superior for straw yields at both sites. Root zone drainage was decreased by between 50 to 100 mm, and water use increased by the same amount in the current corrals at the two sites during the two growing seasons. Increased water use under corralling and presence of residual profile moisture at the end of each of the two seasons suggested that water did not limit pearl millet production at the two sites.

Thesis (M.P.A.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 1996. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2961. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 93).

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

Materials deposited in low-temperature environments are characterized by their small particle size. The activity of microorganisms in aqueous sedimentary environments may have effective impacts on the geochemical parameters, which consequently change the original mineralogical records. The characterization of the fine environmental materials, especially those related to the microbial mediation is usually overlooked, but is essential for studies in the field of environmental microbiology or records of environmental change. The Kamchatka volcanic hot springs have been extensively studied for their microbiology because of their unique geological setting and applications to our understanding of life in the extreme environment. In those hot springs, minerals commonly appear with various morphologies. The hot springs have been existed for 40,000 years. Authigenic minerals, such as clay minerals, silica, sulfur, sulfide, and sulfate were characterized. Two types of silica and silicified biota were observed. Elemental sulfur crystals were observed although they are thermodynamically unstable. Pyrite and gypsum showed high diversities in morphologies and crystal sizes. Single forms of pyrite crystals included: cube, pyritohedron, octahedron, and sphericities. Prismatic, prismatic pseudo-hexagonal, fibrous, tubular, lenticular and twinned gypsum crystals were observed. The co-existence of diverse crystal habits of gypsum implies a long-term interaction between hot spring geochemistry and the metabolisms of the microbial community. The morphology of gypsum in hot springs was compared with that of gypsum with hydrothermal genesis in Lower Cambrian black shale. The crystallization of gypsum in the black shale of the Lower Cambrian, which shows similar but less varied morphology, was influenced by post-depositional hydrothermal fluids. I suggest that the high diversities of the morphology and crystal size of gypsum in those hot springs represent the continuous mediation of microorganism, which could be used as mineral ecophysiological records of life not only on Earth, but on Mars. Comparatively, the Pearl River Delta sedimentary environments are characterized by low-temperature and different mineralogical assemblages. Based on lithological records and dating data, C/N and organic carbon isotope are used to identify alterations between terrestrial and marine depositional environments in borehole transect that build up seven stages of sedimentary records. Secondly, element intensities taken by X-ray fluorescence core scanner and %Fe(III) variation implied different sedimentary environment records (terrestrial and marine) in HKUV15. Detrital minerals and authigenic minerals (gypsum, opal, and pyrite) were observed and characterized by scanning electron microscope. Diatom and coccolithophorid genera were identified. Most of mineralogical and biological records showed depositional environments consistent with geochemical records. In the Pearl River Delta sedimentary samples, the microbial mediated mineralization only contributed a small fraction to the mineral assemblages, while in the hot springs, the microbial mediation had more influences on the nucleation of authigenic minerals, which was reflected by the high diversity of crystal size and morphology of sulfates, sulfides, and siliceous minerals. / published_or_final_version / Earth Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Limited information exists regarding the effects of light pearling on the properties of physical grain characteristics, composition, and technological and sensory properties of selected varieties of Western Canadian barley especially hulless barley genotypes with modified starch characteristics. Nine barley genotypes with different hull (hulled and hulless) and starch characteristics (normal, waxy, and high amylose (HA)) were pearled to three differing levels. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the pericarp, testa, aleurone, and subaleurone layers were completely removed in heavily pearled barley whereas only a few outer layers were removed in minimally pearled barley. Waxy starch genotype Fibar and HA starch genotypes, SH99250 & SB94893 contained high levels of soluble β-glucan (9-11%). Waxy starch genotypes exhibited higher β-glucan solubility when cooked compared to normal and HA starch genotypes. However, HA starch genotypes had lower in vitro starch digestibility which may provide a lower glycemic response in humans.

Limited information exists regarding the effects of light pearling on the properties of physical grain characteristics, composition, and technological and sensory properties of selected varieties of Western Canadian barley especially hulless barley genotypes with modified starch characteristics. Nine barley genotypes with different hull (hulled and hulless) and starch characteristics (normal, waxy, and high amylose (HA)) were pearled to three differing levels. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the pericarp, testa, aleurone, and subaleurone layers were completely removed in heavily pearled barley whereas only a few outer layers were removed in minimally pearled barley. Waxy starch genotype Fibar and HA starch genotypes, SH99250 & SB94893 contained high levels of soluble β-glucan (9-11%). Waxy starch genotypes exhibited higher β-glucan solubility when cooked compared to normal and HA starch genotypes. However, HA starch genotypes had lower in vitro starch digestibility which may provide a lower glycemic response in humans.

Thesis (M.A.)--Central Connecticut State University, 1998. / Thesis advisor: Dr. [Heather Munro] Prescott. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History." Includes bibliographical references (leaves [97]-101).

Inaug.-diss.--Erlangen. / Lebenslauf. "Schrifttum": p. 108-116.

Missing page 58. Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / From the time of its first publication in 1864 interest in Pearl has steadily increased. In the late nineteenth century the poem, primarily because of its difficult dialect, was a scholar's curiosity. Today, thanks to carefully prepared editions, translations and critical studies by English, American, German, French, Italian, Frisian and Japanese scholars, Pearl has rightfully achieved international renown. A clearly discernible shift in critical attitudes accompanied this increase in interest. Early sentimental views of the poem and its author were gradually supplanted by more accurate historical and textual criticism with the result that recent critical opinion is of one mind in its emphasis upon multiple levels of meaning within the poem. This study also employs a combined historical-textual approach as it interprets Pearl by means of the medieval fourfold method. Beginning with a brief sketch of allegory in pre-Christian times, the origin and development of the fourfold system is chronologically defined and this definition, supplemented by textual criticism, supplies the basis for an understanding of the poem as a product of its time. After a review of previous Pearl scholarship the interpretation also demonstrates how the fourfold method provides a frame of reference in which previous divergent interpretations of the poem can be reconciled. [TRUNCATED]