The freshwater mussel family Unionoida lives a complex life with its host animals and the freshwater mussel family’s existence is threatened worldwide. One of these species, the pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), is a “responsibility species” for Scandinavia and a lot of work is ongoing to save the species. In Scandinavia there are still existing populations, but in many waters recruitment of juvenile mussels is completely lacking or insufficient. To support recruitment and also reintroduce the mussel into suitable watercourses, more knowledge about its complex life cycle and how it affects its host brown trout (Salmo trutta), is required. Attempts have been made to introduce gravid mussels or already infected trout in order to try to rejuvenate or to reintroduce mussels in some rivers. In this study, 293 trout individuals were captured from three watercourses in western Sweden with no or inadequate recruitment of juvenile pearl mussels. The brown trout were treated with mussel infection by being kept in containers with the presence of gravid mussels and compared to a control group where no mussels were present. Growth, condition factor and habitat selection were investigated and checked after treatment by scanning the trout with a mobile scanner and recaptured for control. The analyzes showed a significantly lower growth on those trout treated with mussel infection during the time they were stored in the containers. After a month in freedom in the streams, there was no differences in growth or condition factor. Habitat choice studies showed that trout with a higher degree of infection chose calmer water with a bottom layer of finer sediment. The study showed that this method could be a simple way of increasing the reproduction success of pearl mussel. The method requires relatively little work effort and small disturbance to host fish or the aquatic environment. / Familjen sötvattensmusslor har ett larvstadie som parasit och lever ett komplext liv tillsammans med sina värddjur och sötvattensmusslornas existens är hotade världen över. Flodpärlmusslan (Margaritifera margaritifera) är en hotad art vars populationer i Skandinavien, där den är en ansvarsart, har en utebliven eller otillräcklig föryngring. Mer kunskap behövs om dess livscykel och hur den påverkar sin värd, öringen (Salmo trutta), för att hitta bra metoder som kan stödja musslans rekrytering. Försök har gjorts med att plantera in gravida musslor eller redan infekterad öring för att på det viset försöka få till stånd en föryngring av musslor eller att återinföra öring i vissa vatten. I denna studie undersöktes om det fanns någon skillnad med avseende på tillväxt och konditionsfaktor mellan infekterad eller inte infekterad öring och om infektionsgraden påverkade deras val av habitat. Tvåhundranittiotre öringar elfiskades ur tre vattendrag i Västsverige med ingen eller otillräcklig föryngring av flodpärlmussla. Öringarna behandlades genom att infekteras i sumpar med närvaro av gravida musslor och jämfördes med en kontrollgrupp, utan musslor i sumparna. Tillväxt, konditionsfaktor och habitatval undersöktes och kontrollerades efter behandling genom att öringen scannades med mobil scanner och elfiskades åter 30 dagar efter att de släppts. Tillväxten på de öringar som behandlades med musselinfektion var signifikant lägre än de som inte behandlades med musselinfektion under den tid de förvarades i sumpar. Efter en månad i frihet fanns ingen skillnad i tillväxt mellan de infekterade och inte infekterade öringar. Ingen skillnad i konditionsfaktor kunde påvisas innan de placerades i buren, när de togs ur buren eller efter 30 dagar i frihet i bäckarna. Öring med högre infektionsgrad valde lugnare vatten med högre andel fint substrat. Resultatet visade att den infekterade öringen påverkades negativt med avseende på tillväxt när den utsattes för stress men också att den hade förmåga att återhämta sig snabbt. Habitatvalet gav också det indikationer på att den mer infekterade öringen drog sig till en mindre krävande miljö. Studien visade att metoden kan rekommenderas och kan vara en enkel metod att öka reproduktionsframgången för flodpärlmusslan som kräver liten arbetsinsats, är relativt kostnadseffektiv och ger en liten störning på värdfisken och vattendragets miljö.

This study examines solutions to interpretive challenges at dark tourism sites. The academic field of dark tourism explores travel to and the nature of heritage sites that have gained significance from a past of tragedy and suffering. Due to the sensitive nature of such sites there are a number of inherent interpretive challenges. Through research including interviews and site visits, interpretive methods which effectively confront these inherent challenges are identified. Gaining significance from its past as a place of exile for Hansen's disease (leprosy) patients, Kalaupapa National Historical Park remains the home of about 10 patients. Once there are no longer patients living on the peninsula the responsibility to interpret this story falls to land management agencies. Utilizing the methods identified to confront dark tourism challenges, interpretation at Kalaupapa and other dark tourism sites can be systematically approached to ensure an authentic and respectful interpretive program.

The effect of climate on the fluvial system has long been investigated due the significant impact it can have on a river’s hydrological regime and fluvial processes. In recent years this interest has increased as global changes in climate are expected to bring more frequent high magnitude flood events globally and to North West Europe in particular. Despite the knowledge that the frequency and magnitude of floods is to increase, less is known about the geomorphological implications of this for river channels and where channel instability is likely to occur at both the river network and national scale. This is certainly the case in Scotland where increased flooding is expected and large floods have been abundant over the last two decades. To manage Scottish river catchments effectively in the future, in terms of hazard mitigation and nature conservation, river managers need to be able to predict not only how climate will impact flood magnitude and frequency in Scotland but the effect these changes will have on the internal dynamics of river channels in terms of erosion, sediment transport and deposition, and morphological dynamics. Such knowledge will ensure adequate measures are implemented to reduce fluvial risks to humans and to maintain and preserve valuable river habitats and linked species. In this thesis, several novel methods incorporating field, laboratory and GIS-based analysis, have been investigated as a means of predicting how climate change will affect channel stability in Scottish rivers and the implications of this for river management and river ecology. This includes (i) analysing the potential change in the frequency of geomorphologically-active flood flows with climate change; (ii) the use of stream power thresholds to predict changes in channel stability on a national scale with climate change; and (iii) using a Digital River Network developed using geospatial data to predict changes in the rate of bedload transfer and channel stability with climate change. Studies were undertaken on 13 different rivers across Scotland from north to south and east to west. vii As a case study of ecological implications, the thesis also examines how changes in habitat and stability of freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) may be altered by increased flooding. Predictions of the frequency of geomorphic activity, channel stability, rate of bedload transfer, and the stability of freshwater pearl mussel habitat with climate change are discussed along with the methods used to obtain these outcomes. The results all suggest an increase in the frequency and rate at which bedload is transferred through the river system and an increased frequency of flood flows resulting in greater channel instability. Morphological responses vary spatially with some river reaches experiencing greater increased erosion and transport potential than others. Climate change effects on the freshwater pearl mussel are: increased occasions of disturbance and transport downstream and the importance of specific populations in more stable environments for ensuring population recovery post flooding is highlighted. It is hoped that the methodologies developed for predicting changes in channel stability with climate change will provide useful screening tools to regulatory agencies which can be developed further to assist management decisions in the future which aim to reduce fluvial hazards and maintain good quality river environments for the species that inhabit it. The approaches used in this study allow for the identification of areas at high risk of morphological and ecological change, and the pro-active planning and management of sediment-related river management issues and nature conservation.

The freshwater pearl musel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is critically endangered species. Its survival depends on the abundance of host fish (Salmo trutta m. fario), on which early mussel stages parasitize. More important is to preserve suitable environment of unpolluted cold rivers with corresponding extensive management of surrounded landscape. To preserve population of pearl mussel in Czech Republic it is essential to describe environmental conditions necessary for its survival. In this study, we observed the influence of water temperature on the abundance of populations of pearl mussel and the individual quantity change after introduction of a new nutriet source. This source is represented by the nutrient stream, flowing through the adjacent grassland with the wide outfall into the river. For the monitoring, the pearl mussels were distinguished into two groups: juvenile and adults forms. The results were evaluated for the both groups separately. We found significant difference between each year, for both, juvenile and adult stage. The year 2009 was an exception, because the difference in the number of adults was not observed. We noticed substantial increase of the number of observed juvenile individuals during summer. The quantity was in direct proportion with the water temperature, but the influence of tempeature was not statistically proved.

Pearl millet is a staple food in Namibia. It is milled into flour by traditional and industrial dry milling processes. This research was conducted to help determine how to improve the nutritional value and acceptability of pearl millet. The traditional milling process involves a lactic acid fermentation step which lowers the pH of kernels. The effects of the traditional Namibian and industrial “dry milling” processes on the physical and nutritional composition of pearl millet grain were compared. Additionally, the effect of steeping three different Namibian pearl millet varieties (Kangara, Kantana and Okashana 2) in lactic acid and water on the colour and the phenolic content of the flour were determined. Regarding comparing the milling processes, variety Kangara was conditioned and decorticated traditionally with a pestle and mortar and industrially with an abrasive decorticator. The traditional decorticated grain was steeped and sun dried for 24 h before hammer milling, whereas the industrially decorticated grain was roller milled. Tristimulus colorimetry and proximate analyses were conducted on the samples. Concerning acid steeping, kernels were steeped in a pH 3.5 solution and in water as a control. Colour, total polyphenol and c-glycosyl flavone contents were determined. The determination of cglycosylflavone content was particularly important because these compounds are considered goitrogenic. The traditionally milled flour was lighter in colour than industrial milled flour. However, it was significantly lower in protein, ash and c-glycosyl flavone contents in comparison to industrial milled flour. This was due to the removal of more pericarp and germ in the traditional process. The industrial dry milling process therefore produces flour with a higher nutrient content in terms of protein, fat and minerals. However, the traditional Namibian milling process makes the colour of the pearl millet flour lighter, which is probably the reason that it is more acceptable to consumers. Kernels steeped in a lactic acid solution were lighter in colour than those steeped in water. Irrespective of the steeping media, the total polyphenol content was significantly lower in steeped kernels compared to those unsteeped. A similar trend was observed for the cglycosyl flavone content. This indicates that some of these compounds may have leached out during steeping. For all varieties, kernels steeped in lactic acid had a significantly higher total polyphenol content than those in water, probably due to the dissociation of metal-polyphenol complexes in the acidic medium whereby these polyphenols became free and available for measurement. Thus, steeping in a lactic acid solution can lead to better colour improvement of kernels compared to steeping in water. Thus, lactic acid steeping can improve the sensory quality of pearl millet products. An industrial process can thus be designed to include tempering the grain with food grade lactic acid to produce sour taste and leach out the colour pigments, particularly the cglycosyl flavones hence lightening the colour of the industrial milled flour. This produces a product with high nutritional content, lighter in colour and has the sour taste that consumers find appealing. Copyright 2007, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Barrion, SC 2007, Pearl millet milling : comparison between traditional Namibian fermentation - semi-wet milling and dry milling, MSc(Agric) dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-01282009-132241 / > E1209/gm / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Food Science / unrestricted

A field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of a trellis system, Genova double curtain (GDC), Scott Henry (SH), mid-wire that was vertical shoot positioned (VSP), and high wire cordon (HW), on fruit ripening and indirectly its influence on cold hardiness for cold-hardy, red wine grape cultivars, Marquette and Petite Pearl. In 2017, ‘Petite Pearl’ reached higher yields than ‘Marquette’, while VSP and SH trellis systems resulted in higher yields. However, in 2018, ‘Marquette’ had a greater yield than ‘Petite Pearl’. In 2019, 77.34% of ‘Marquette’ and 52.34% of ‘Petite Pearl’ had severe winter injury regardless of the trellis system. Unpredictable climate patterns in terms of growing degree-days, minimum winter air temperature, and rainfall manipulated both cultivars’ phenology during early establishment. Results suggest that under North Dakota climatic conditions, proper cultivar selection is more important than trellis system selection for sustainable grape production.

Pearl millet is a staple food source for millions of African families living in semi-arid regions of the continent. Yet, despite its importance and ability to provide consistent yields, very little research and resources have been directed towards understanding mechanisms governing this crop’s resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. The research outlined in this thesis therefore aimed to elucidate defence response mechanisms in pearl millet, a non-model cereal crop. This was accomplished through the construction and characterisation of a pearl millet defence response cDNA library, which was subsequently utilised in large scale gene expression studies to profile pearl millet’s response to the defence signalling compounds nitric oxide (NO), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA), and to the biotrophic rust fungus Puccinia substriata var. indica. A pearl millet cDNA library was constructed by treating pearl millet plants with the defence elicitors chitin and flagellin, and by wounding the plants. Suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH) was employed to enrich the library for defence response transcripts. In order to characterise the cDNA libraries, a quantitative cDNA microarray-based screening method was developed that enabled identification of false positive transcripts, as well as clones that represented rare or abundant transcripts. Based on this screening method, a number of clones were selected for sequence analysis, and their identity ascertained through homology searches with previously sequenced genes. This revealed a number of genes known to play important roles during pathogen attack. The pearl millet SSH defence response library, consisting of 1920 cDNAs either up- or down regulated in defence response, was spotted onto a glass slide microarray and used in transcript profiling studies to examine pearl millet’s response to the defence signalling molecules NO, MeJA and SA. Whilst only 45 cDNAs responded significantly to NO treatment, 279 and 224 cDNAs responded to MeJA and SA sprays, respectively. Closer examination of MeJA and SA responsive genes revealed that many of the induced transcripts were common to both signalling pathways, demonstrating that a substantial network of regulatory interactions exists between the salicylate and jasmonate pathways, which were previously believed to act in an antagonistic manner. Pathology studies indicated that pretreatment of pearl millet with SA conferred resistance to a virulent isolate of P. substriata var. indica, whereas MeJA application did not significantly reduce subsequent infection levels. Transcript profiling of a susceptible pearl millet line in response to virulent rust infection revealed that genes common to both the jasmonate and salicylate pathways were induced, suggesting that the plant adopts elements from a number of defence signalling pathways in an attempt to ward off infection by the virulent rust fungus. However, in view of results obtained from pearl millet defence signalling molecule pretreatments, it is probably genes that are significantly induced in response to SA, but to a lesser extent by MeJA that actually confer resistance to an avirulent rust isolate. Treatment of pearl millet plants with an avirulent P. substriata strain and subsequent microarray analysis would answer this hypothesis by revealing whether an incompatible reaction elicits more elements of the salicylate defence response pathway. / Thesis (PhD (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Plant Science / unrestricted

This study examines one of James Jones's novels, From Here to Eternity,as more than a fictionalization of historic events. Juxtaposing the correspondence between the author and his brother, begun when James Jones enlisted in 1939, and the novel allows an understanding of the extent that the novel was a distillation of Jones' personality and experience. Jones felt fiction must be pieced from real experiences, but also contain original emotions disguised in the pages of a novel. Analyzing Jones's personal letters, interviews, and experiences offers, with some degree of certainty, the understanding that From Here to Eternity is more than merely a famous novel. It is an entertaining exposition of not only what military service does to men, but also what it emotionally did to James Jones. Thus this study reveals how much an author incorporates the essence of his historical experience-his "soul"-into his work.

That the many elements affecting this book may be studied, it is the purpose of this thesis:1. To give the essentials points in the history of the Book of Abraham;2. To present certain problems dealing with the translation;3. To review certain criticisms and apologetics of the book;4. To ascertain its major teachings – historical, theological and philosophical.

Millets are C4 annual grasses that are mainly used for food and feed. This thesis describes two studies that evaluated drought tolerance of pearl millet cultivars (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br) grown for grain. A third study is also included in the thesis that evaluated foxtail millet (Setaria italica [L] Beauv) and pearl millet grown as cover crops and forage during a pasture renovation. The main focus of the thesis involved evaluation of Senegalese pearl millet cultivars for drought tolerance. Drought is one of the most important threats to pearl millet production in Senegal as it limits yield in most parts of the country. Although water stress on pearl millet is common during the growing season, a little is known about how terminal drought affects yield in Senegalese pearl millet cultivars. To address this issue, two field experiments were conducted in 2014 and 2015. The first field study evaluated 20 pearl millet cultivars under water stress and categorized based on their yield response. Whereas the second year field trial used four cultivars from the first field trial in a more detailed study to give recommendations for farmers in Senegal. The experiments were complete randomized block designs. Pearl millet cultivars were grown under irrigation until flowering then the stress treatment was applied by stopping the irrigation in half of the plots. Eleven cultivars showed a statistical indifference to water stress and considered the most drought tolerant. Four cultivars were selected from the 11 for the second year experiment. Of these, cultivar 4 (ICMV IS 89305) and 10 (SOSAT c 88) exhibited higher tolerance to terminal water stress based on evaluation of yield components and drought stress indices. These cultivars could be a good target for further breeding and selection in Senegal. Although the cultivars were more drought tolerant, both had relatively low total biomass. When used in a larger scale, these cultivars could potentially benefit farmers in Senegal and enhance food security. The second part of this thesis addressed use of a forage type millets – specifically foxtail and pearl millet. In the US, these millets are primarily serve as a summer cover crops that can be used for forage. The objective of this experiment was to compare yield and forage quality of foxtail and pearl millet cover crops and their effect on subsequent pasture establishment. A field experiment was conducted in Virginia in 2014 to address this objective. Pearl millet and foxtail millet were randomly planted in 12 plots each and harvested in late summer. Plots were then converted to tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub) pasture. Foxtail millet had a significantly higher soil cover than pearl millet but the two species did not differ in terms of total biomass, forage quality, or their effect on tall fescue pasture establishment. / Master of Science