Effort and success of Virginia's bear houndsmen were determined through field and mail surveys, and hunter diaries. The number of houndsmen per chase ranged from 5 to 12, hounds ranged from 6 to 11, and each chase lasted 2 to 6 hours. Second chases of the day lasted 2 to 3 hours and 3 to 10 hounds were used. Fifty-three to 74% of all first attempts resulted in a chase and 24% to 44% of these bears treed. A 2nd chase occurred in 11% to 96% of attempts and 9% to 50% of bears treed. Five to 17% of the 1st bears and 13% to 21% of 2nd bears were harvested. Field surveys found virtually no differences in hunting effort or success between seasons, study areas, and years. The hunter diary appears to be the most reliable means of sampling hunter effort and success. The applicability of Schroeder's physical condition estimate (PCR) was tested on data from Maine's black bear population. Bears exposed to poor hard mast had lower PCR's than bears exposed to good hard mast (P = 0.009). PCR and body weights of adult female black bears in Virginia exposed to hunting did not differ from those not hunted (P = 0.09). Annual adult female, adult male, and cub survival and reproductive rates in the hunted population were numerically similar to those in the non hunted populations. Five radio collared females were experimentally chased by hounds. The chases,on average, lasted 0.9 hours and 43% of bears treed. The average total home range for 3 of the bears was 17.8 km². The area used by 2 of the 3 bears pursued by hounds did not differ from their total home range (P 3 0.05) based on the MRPP test. The area covered by 3 of the 5 pursued bears was 5.6%, 11.8%, and 79.7% of their home range. / Master of Science

Brass components are widely used in drinking water distribution systems as valves, faucets and other fixtures. They can be corroded by "dezincification," which is the selective leaching of zinc from the alloy. Dezincification in potable water systems has important practical consequences that include clogged water lines, premature system failure and leaks, and release of contaminants such as lead. Brass failures attributed to dezincification are known to occur at least occasionally all over the world, and have emerged as a significant problem in the U.S. recently due to the use of inexpensive high zinc brass fittings in cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plumbing systems. As PEX systems gain popularity and leaded brass is recognized as an important source of lead in potable water systems, it is important to examine dezincification corrosion in more detail. An in-depth literature review revealed that conventional wisdom about dezincification was no longer adequate in explaining failures observed in modern water systems. Little research has been conducted since the landmark work of Turner et al. nearly half a century ago. The potential role of chloramines, phosphate inhibitors, and modern understanding of water chemistry need evaluation. The role of physical factors including stirring, heating and galvanic connections are also potentially influential. A mechanistic study of zinc solubility and corrosion of copper: zinc couples provided insight to factors that might mitigate and exacerbate zinc leaching from brass. Zinc solubility and corrosion was reduced by higher pH and bicarbonate, but was enhanced by higher chloride. Hardness ions including Mg⁺² and Ca⁺² had little effect. Alloys with higher zinc content had a greater propensity for dezincification corrosion. Stirring and galvanic connections caused brass to leach more metals and have higher weight loss. Heating may contribute to corrosion scale accumulation. A comprehensive examination of dezincification as a function of water chemistry used numerous techniques that include measurement of galvanic currents, metal leaching, and weight loss. In general, as would be predicted based on results of the study of solubility and corrosion of pure zinc, chloride emerged as an aggressive ion whereas bicarbonate was beneficial to brass corrosion. Hardness had little impact, and phosphates, silicates and Zn+2 inhibitors had a significant short-term benefit but little long-term benefit. The relationship between dezincification corrosion, lead leaching from brass, and water chemistry was investigated in Chapter 5. Surprisingly, lead and zinc leaching from a range of brasses were found to be negatively correlated. Hence, use of brasses that minimize dezincification problems might increase lead leaching. This thesis represents a comprehensive analysis of factors that are influential for dezincification and lead leaching from brass in premise water distribution systems through literature reviews, mechanistic investigations, bench-scale experiments, and case studies. Results can be used by water utilities, plumbing engineers, manufacturers and home owners to better prevent, recognize, and mitigate brass and dezincification corrosion problems. / Master of Science

Title: Muscle metabolism and its effect on physical condition in patients with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis Objective: Assess the status of muscle metabolism in patients starting hemodialysis and patients receiving hemodialysis long time, to determine some changes in muscle metabolism in both groups in the time period and ultimately assess its impact on physical condition and quality of life of hemodialysis patients. Method: Fill anamnestic questionnaire and examination of body composition using bioimpedence device (BCM) in the group of patients with chronic renal failure who are beginning to be treated with hemodialysis and a group of patients treated with hemodialysis for several years. Compare the results of both groups. To obtain additional information from medical records. Results: It was found that hemodialysis therapy affects the status of muscle metabolism in terms of reducing muscle mass (LTM). The dependence of LTM, however, the duration of hemodialysis treatment assays. The study showed that if patients are nutritionally stable and regularly engaged in some physical activity, loss of muscle mass is lower than in individuals who have a passive way of life. Keywords: chronic renal failure, hemodilysis, muscle metabolism, physical condition

Production, egg quality, behaviour, and physical condition were compared from Wk 20 to Wk 50 among three beak- trimmed commercial laying strains, Lohmann White (LW), H & N White (HN), Lohmann Brown (LB), and a non-commercial Cross between Rhode Island Red (male) and Barred Plymouth Rock (female) in conventional cages and in floor pens. All chicks were reared in their respective environments, and 450 and 432 pullets were housed at 18 and 7 weeks of age in cages and floor pens respectively. Hens in cages were provided with 688 cm2/bird and those in pens with over 6,000 cm2/bird, both of which are more than provided by commercial standards. Body weights and eggshell weights were higher for birds in floor pens than those in cages, and although they increased with age, body weight of hens in cages decreased at Wk 50. White-egg layers (LW, HN) used perches and nest boxes more than Brown-egg layers (LB, Cross). During the laying period, mortality was higher for all strains in cages and during the rearing period mortality was higher in floor pens for LB hens but not other strains. No aggressive behaviours were found, but the frequency of gentle feather pecking and pecking at the enclosure was higher in cages than in floor pens. Feather condition deteriorated over time in cages mainly because of contact with the cage wires whereas in floor pens, feather condition of birds at Wk 20 was not different from that at Wk 50. The frequency of keel bone deformities was higher for White-egg layers than for Brown-egg layers in cages and was higher for Cross hens than other strains in floor pens. Claws were longer in cages than in the floor pens. Foot condition was worse in floor pens than in cages. The welfare indicators used in this study showed that cages restricted the hens' behaviour compared to floor pens and resulted in higher laying period mortality, reduced body weight and deteriorated feather condition than floor pens. Both systems had advantages and disadvantages in regard to the hens’ health and welfare. The use of environmental complexities was strain specific in floor pens. The environment by genotype interactions suggests that the strain should be considered when considering alternative housing systems.

Production, egg quality, behaviour, and physical condition were compared from Wk 20 to Wk 50 among three beak- trimmed commercial laying strains, Lohmann White (LW), H & N White (HN), Lohmann Brown (LB), and a non-commercial Cross between Rhode Island Red (male) and Barred Plymouth Rock (female) in conventional cages and in floor pens. All chicks were reared in their respective environments, and 450 and 432 pullets were housed at 18 and 7 weeks of age in cages and floor pens respectively. Hens in cages were provided with 688 cm2/bird and those in pens with over 6,000 cm2/bird, both of which are more than provided by commercial standards. Body weights and eggshell weights were higher for birds in floor pens than those in cages, and although they increased with age, body weight of hens in cages decreased at Wk 50. White-egg layers (LW, HN) used perches and nest boxes more than Brown-egg layers (LB, Cross). During the laying period, mortality was higher for all strains in cages and during the rearing period mortality was higher in floor pens for LB hens but not other strains. No aggressive behaviours were found, but the frequency of gentle feather pecking and pecking at the enclosure was higher in cages than in floor pens. Feather condition deteriorated over time in cages mainly because of contact with the cage wires whereas in floor pens, feather condition of birds at Wk 20 was not different from that at Wk 50. The frequency of keel bone deformities was higher for White-egg layers than for Brown-egg layers in cages and was higher for Cross hens than other strains in floor pens. Claws were longer in cages than in the floor pens. Foot condition was worse in floor pens than in cages. The welfare indicators used in this study showed that cages restricted the hens' behaviour compared to floor pens and resulted in higher laying period mortality, reduced body weight and deteriorated feather condition than floor pens. Both systems had advantages and disadvantages in regard to the hens’ health and welfare. The use of environmental complexities was strain specific in floor pens. The environment by genotype interactions suggests that the strain should be considered when considering alternative housing systems.

The object of research - physical condition and indicators of physical development of students. Purrpose of the research - to assess the physical condition and identify the components of physical devevopment of students in several higher schools of Lithuania such Kaunas university of technology, Klaipėda university, Lithuanian veterinary academy, Lithuanian university of agriculture; The main tasks of the research: 1. to identify and to compare indicators of physical development of thease higher scools; 2. to identify and to compare components of physical condition of thease higher scools; 3. to assess physical condition of these higher schools‘ students. Having assessed the components of students‘ physical condition it may be assumed that the students are not sufficiently physical active. The results of the research show that 58,2 % of female and 57 % male students are not involved in sports activities. The best physical condition among female students was found in Kaunas university of technology and among male students in Lithuanian university of agriculture.

The object of this thesis is to ascertain the influence of the basic combatant sports on the fitness of the pupils in the first degree of elementary school. For this purpose training programme karatedo was created on the basis of my experience and experience of many specialists (trainers and scholars). Their valuable advices and observartions have been an inspiration for my work. Gathered information were then properly analysed in the thesis. On this ground an educational programme have been established. It could serve as a useful instrument not only for the teachers and trainers but also for others interested in this area.Before establishing the actual programmme, It had been necessary to examine the pupils' condition in order to be able to define the inicial and final level of pupils's fitness. For this reason the compilation of tests of motoric performance and fitness called EUROFIT was applied. Obtained information were recorded and on the basis of the results the final resume on the influence of the basic combatant sports on the fitness of the pupils in the first degree of elementary school was elaborated.

The diploma thesis describes how to ascertain the influence of basic martial arts on pupils at primary school. Selected martial arts exercises are planned in a four month period, and the pupil´s physical condition is closely watched to see how it is affected. To ascertain the improvement in the pupil's physical condition, the test called EUROFIT was used. And they correspond the question how these martial arts activities affect the physical condition of a pupil.

The aim of presented diploma work was to determine effect of wrestling on the physical condition of pupils of the 1th level of elementary school. I settled tutorial of wrestling for this purpose on the basis of my personal experinece and experience of specialists applied to this subject (instructors and schoolmasters). Knowledge acquired during the preparation stage I developed subsequently in my diploma work. This tutorial could be applied not only by teachers of physical education but also by club trainers. Prior to the settling of tutorial it was necessary to test pupils and find out level of their initial motion ability. For this purpose I applied set of tests of motor efficiency and physical condition EUROFIT intended for the young. Gathered data have been annotated and treated. On the basis of obtained results I compiled resume about the effect of wrestling on the physical condition of pupils of the 1th level of elementary school.

Production, egg quality, behaviour, and physical condition were compared from Wk 20 to Wk 50 among three beak- trimmed commercial laying strains, Lohmann White (LW), H & N White (HN), Lohmann Brown (LB), and a non-commercial Cross between Rhode Island Red (male) and Barred Plymouth Rock (female) in conventional cages and in floor pens. All chicks were reared in their respective environments, and 450 and 432 pullets were housed at 18 and 7 weeks of age in cages and floor pens respectively. Hens in cages were provided with 688 cm2/bird and those in pens with over 6,000 cm2/bird, both of which are more than provided by commercial standards. Body weights and eggshell weights were higher for birds in floor pens than those in cages, and although they increased with age, body weight of hens in cages decreased at Wk 50. White-egg layers (LW, HN) used perches and nest boxes more than Brown-egg layers (LB, Cross). During the laying period, mortality was higher for all strains in cages and during the rearing period mortality was higher in floor pens for LB hens but not other strains. No aggressive behaviours were found, but the frequency of gentle feather pecking and pecking at the enclosure was higher in cages than in floor pens. Feather condition deteriorated over time in cages mainly because of contact with the cage wires whereas in floor pens, feather condition of birds at Wk 20 was not different from that at Wk 50. The frequency of keel bone deformities was higher for White-egg layers than for Brown-egg layers in cages and was higher for Cross hens than other strains in floor pens. Claws were longer in cages than in the floor pens. Foot condition was worse in floor pens than in cages. The welfare indicators used in this study showed that cages restricted the hens' behaviour compared to floor pens and resulted in higher laying period mortality, reduced body weight and deteriorated feather condition than floor pens. Both systems had advantages and disadvantages in regard to the hens’ health and welfare. The use of environmental complexities was strain specific in floor pens. The environment by genotype interactions suggests that the strain should be considered when considering alternative housing systems. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate