La présente génération sera confrontée à des changements climatiques importants et nous devrons vivre avec leurs impacts sur les phénomènes naturels, dont les régimes d’écoulement en rivière ainsi que le cycle de la glace fluviale. Ces impacts vont à leur tour engendrer d’autres conséquences sur les cours d’eau, comme les modifications à la géomorphologie des rivières et les impacts sur les patrons de sédimentation et d’érosion des cours d’eau. Dans ce contexte, deux biefs de la rivière Stoke, un cours d’eau a lit de gravier, situés respectivement au rang 11 et au rang 12 de la ville de Stoke, Québec, Canada ont fait l’objet d’une étude, dont le but était de quantifier le transport de sédiments causé par le cycle de la glace fluviale, en utilisant des marqueurs passifs (PIT) qui ont été insérés dans des grains, ou sédiments, aux deux biefs. Afin de suivre le déplacement de ces marqueurs, des antennes fixes ont été mises en place dans le lit de la rivière et ont été connectées à un système d’acquisition de données à chaque site. En complément, des relevés ont été effectués avec une antenne mobile afin de permettre un suivi plus précis des déplacements des marqueurs. La complémentarité de ces deux méthodes de détection a permis d’effectuer le suivi des marqueurs malgré les conditions difficiles de suivi lors de la période hivernale et lors de la crue printanière, période souvent trop hasardeuse due au mouvement de la glace pour permettre des relevés. Les antennes fixes ont permis de relever les temps de passage des marqueurs au niveau des antennes. Une fois la crue passée, les relevés avec l’antenne fixe ont permis d’enregistrer précisément la position des marqueurs et quantifier leurs déplacements. Une caméra à prise de vue à intervalles a été mise en place à chaque site afin de suivre les conditions de surface de chaque tronçon et de permettre de faire de lien entre les déplacements et les conditions hydrauliques. Le projet a permis de déterminer que la période la plus influente du transport de sédiment, soit celle où le plus de déplacements de grains ont été observés, est lors de la crue printanière, puisque le cisaillement au lit est à son niveau le plus élevé. Cette situation est exacerbée du fait de la présence de la glace, puisque celle-ci vient augmenter les niveaux d’eau en augmentant le rayon hydraulique, ce qui amplifie une fois de plus le cisaillement au lit. De plus, la glace vient mécaniquement, une fois morcelée dans l’écoulement, déplacer des grains par contact direct avec ceux-ci.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Biology / Donald W. Kaufman / Glennis A. Kaufman / Little is known about nightly activity patterns of nocturnal small mammals under natural conditions, and how these activity patterns might be affected by photoperiod, season, and sex, age, and reproductive status of individuals. The main objectives of this research were: 1) to find an appropriate method for marking individual deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) so that their activity could be monitored remotely; 2) to design a portable activity-monitoring system to investigate temporal patterns of shelter use by deer mice under natural conditions; 3) to determine the influence of environmental conditions such as photoperiod and season on nightly activity of deer mice; and 4) to compare effects of demographic or physiological factors such as sex, age, and reproductive status on nightly activity of deer mice at artificial burrows in tallgrass prairie. In general, commencement of activity was correlated positively with timing of sunset, and time of retirement to the burrow was correlated positively with sunrise. Among adults, males first emerged from the burrow earlier and made more trips of shorter duration in a night than did females, although total duration of trips was similar. Return visits and subsequent stays typically were shorter for males than females, but total time spent in the burrow and retirement time relative to sunrise were similar for both sexes. Young deer mice emerged significantly later, made more trips of shorter duration, spent less total time outside, and retired to their burrow earlier than adults. Reproductive females emerged later, made fewer trips of generally longer duration, and spent shorter total amounts of time away from the burrow each night than non-reproductive females. Return visits of reproductive females were of longer duration than non-reproductives, but total time spent inside and time of retirement for the night did not differ relative to reproductive status. From parturition through lactation, activity of females showed a number of directional trends. Results suggest that under natural conditions, activity patterns of deer mice are highly variable but responsive to both the changing physical environment and internal conditions related to sex-specific maximization of fitness.

Salvage investigations were carried out in 1970-71 at the Katz site (DiRj 1), a prehistoric pithouse settlement located along the Fraser River near the eastern end of the lower Fraser valley three miles downriver from Hope, B.C. Various hypotheses have been advanced to account for the presence of pithouses, a house type considered characteristic of the Plateau, in the lower Fraser river region. Archaeological research conducted at the Katz site has revealed (1) that the pithouse settlement was occupied about the middle of the first millennium B.C., (2) that the artefactual remains in association with the pithouse occupancy express technological affinities which are "interior", "coastal", as well as "local" in character, and (3) the site functioned as a multi-season activity locale. Archaeological investigations at Katz also yielded evidence of a utilization of the site prior to pithouse occupancy. In this earlier deposit, artefactual remains were found interbedded in floodplain alluvia. The stratigraphy, tools, and features, of this zone suggest a seasonal utilization of the site during this period, possibly associated with summer and perhaps fall fishing activities. These data are examined and discussed in the light of ecological information, ethnographic accounts, and previous archaeological findings in the region and adjacent regions. Evidence presented in this thesis adds to the empirical research previously undertaken for the purpose of establishing time depth, derivation, and social activities in Northwest pithouse villages, and adds information regarding tool kits, and activities at a seasonally utilized site early in the first millennium B.C. / Arts, Faculty of / Anthropology, Department of / Graduate

This diploma thesis analyses the development of tax collection from personal income tax in the Czech Republic from 2000 to 2012. The first chapter describes the tax reforms that took place in the period in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, it describes the relationship of collection and GDP. In the second chapter I analyse the PIT collection as whole. By regression and correlation analysis I shall identify the relationship and the degree of dependence between collection and different variables such as GDP, the number of taxpayers, unemployment and sub-collections. In the third chapter, the PIT collection is divided into three sub-collections -- levied on tax returns, from employment and withholding. Each of the sub-collection is analysed separately. I describe factors that in a given year or in group of years the most influenced their size. By regression and correlation analysis I shall identify the relationship and the degree of dependence between the sub-collections and GDP. Likewise, I shall identify the relationship and the degree of dependence between the sub-collections each other. In the last chapter the PIT collection is divided by individual financial authorities, ie by region. The development of tax collection in each region is analysed and by regression and correlation analysis is detected the relationship and the degree of dependence between the regional collections and GDP.

Este trabalho propõe uma metodologia inovadora de seqüenciamento de lavra em minério de ferro a qual, além de considerar os parâmetros operacionais e econômicos das técnicas tradicionais, permite uma abordagem ambiental proativa para sequenciar a lavra de forma a antecipar a exaustão de parte da cava para disposição do estéril dentro da cava final. A metodologia proposta de seqüenciamento ordenado de lavra permite reduzir a área degradada a ser reabilitada na mina, com significativos benefícios associados à reducão do impacto ambiental, sem comprometer as metas de produtividade e competitividade econômica da lavra. A metodologia de seqüenciamento ordenado de lavra foi aplicada em um estudo de caso de projeto de lavra de minério de ferro, e os resultados alcançados comprovaram os benefícios esperados com a aplicação da metodologia proposta. / This paper presents a innovative approach for an environmentally pro-active mine scheduling process. The proposed methodology has been developed for identifying a mine sequence that meets all operational and economical constraints in iron-ore mining, and takes into account a pro-active approach for scheduling the mine according to environmental criteria. The proposed methodology allows a significant reduction of the environmental impact related to the mining operation without compromising productivity and the economical feasibility of the mine. The methodology has been applied to a case study of iron ore mining in Brazil, where the expected benefits have been proven.

Diploma thesis deals with securing of foundation pit of family house in given geological conditions situated in Brno-Kohoutovice. The aim of the thesis is to list possible solutions of securing foundation pits in general and solve this geotechnical problem with an appropriate solution. Static calculations were performed by geotechnical software GEO5.

Diploma thesis deals with securing of foundation pit of family house in given geological conditions situated in Brno-Kohoutovice. The aim of the thesis is to list possible solutions of securing foundation pits in general and solve this geotechnical problem with an appropriate solution. Static calculations were performed by geotechnical software GEO5.

In recent years two new diseases, brown spot and black pit, have been observed on potatoes in South Africa. Brown spot symptoms appear on the foliage as small brown lesions, whereas black pit symptoms appear on the tubers as small dark sunken lesions. In this study the causal organism of brown spot and black pit of potatoes in South Africa was determined. During initial isolation, one fungus and two bacteria were isolated, which were included in the trial. Only the treatments where the fungal isolate was used in inoculation resulted in the development of brown spot lesions. The causal organism of brown spot and black pit were identified as Alternaria alternata which is consistent with other research. To better understand the spread of Alternaria alternata between the plants and/or tubers a pot trial was conducted. It was observed that when planting an inoculated seed tuber brown spot may develop on foliage. But the daughter tubers harvested from plants infected with A. alternata will not necessarily develop black pit. Daughter tubers are most likely infected by A. alternata during harvesting and black pit lesions develop in high humidity in storage. Cultivar resistance is one of the most important measures in controlling plant diseases. Cultivar susceptibility of thirteen South African potato cultivars (Avalanche, Buffelspoort, BP1, Fabula, Fianna, Frodo, Hertha, Labadia, Lanorma, Mondial, Pentland Dell, Up-To-Date and Van Der Plank) was evaluated. Pot trials showed that all the evaluated cultivars are susceptible to infection by Alternaria alternata. Various crops (tomatoes, cabbage, mustard, wheat, oats, tobacco and maize) were assessed to determine the host range of Alternaria alternata (potato pathotype) in rotation crops in South Africa potato growing regions. Of the crops evaluated, the pathogen was able to infect only tomato crops. Only wheat, maize and oats can safely be used in the crop rotation in South Africa, as various potato pathogens attack cabbage, mustard and tobacco plants. This study will lead to a better understanding of brown spot and black pit diseases of potatoes in South Africa and globally. The study emphasise the need for further research which will help to reduce brown spot and black pit diseases of potato. / Dissertation (MSc Agric)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

Growth hormone (GH) is a vital pituitary hormone controlling somatic cell growth and development. GH has a multitude of effects on the body: deficiency can lead to dwarfism while excess can cause conditions such as gigantism. Human patients with mutations in the transcription factor Pit-1 show decreased GH and prolactin levels. However, Pit-1 is known to control multiple pituitary hormones, so what other factors lead to the specificity of transcriptional regulation of the GH gene via its promoter? In order to study this, our lab has been analyzing rat pituitary cell lines to understand the role of ZNF292 (formerly called Zn-16), a selective GH transcription regulator with 16 zinc fingers that bind to the GH promoter DNA. This work has used rat MtT/S cells that are unique in that they exclusively express GH. MtT/S cells were procured from Riken Cell Bank in Japan, cultured, and examined for GH hormone and RNA expression. Results confirmed that the MtT/S cells are terminally differentiated as somatotrophs. To understand the role of ZNF292 in transcription of the GH gene, recent rat genomic data was analyzed to determine the positions of 7 exons upstream from the large exon 8 that contains the important zinc finger-encoding portions of the protein. First, MtT/S RNA was reverse transcribed into DNA, then PCR amplification was performed using primer pairs encompassing various sections of the exon 1 – 7 region. Specific PCR products were found with distinct products ranging in size from 130 to 960, all of which agreed with the predicted sizes of these exons. It had previously been theorized that ZNF292 contained a single large exon; however, these results show that splicing of the primary transcript does occur in this upstream region. Characterizing this exonic region was performed because it has been shown that ZNF292 produces circular RNA (circRNA) of unknown function in human endothelial cells and in certain types of cancer. CircRNAs are thought to be created by the “back-splicing” of exons, so that rather than a linear transcript, the ends are circularized for a portion of the transcript. Having determined the sequence and organization of these upstream exons, we are now testing primer sets that will demonstrate productive amplification only from circRNAs. Further, we are removing linear RNAs using RNAse R treatment to selectively enhance circRNA presence in the reactions. Finally, data from RNA-Seq analysis of the MtT/S cells will be scrutinized to determine if additional exon/intron boundaries or alternative splice sites exist in this upstream 7 exon region. The study of circular RNAs could be very important in understanding its role in acting as a microRNA sponge or RNA-binding protein sponge during their regulation of downstream gene transcription. Also, analysis of this mechanism shows potential as a clinical tool in cancer treatment because ZNF292 functions as a tumor suppressor in colorectal and chronic lymphatic leukemia.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Objective: The objective was to assess a multiple emission peak light-emitting-diode (LED) light-curing unit (LCU) by measuring the polymerization efficiency through the degree of conversion (DC) and Knoop microhardness (KHN) of a resin-based pit and fissure sealant at various light curing times and two distances compared to a single emission peak LED LCU. Method: Sixty disks of resin-based pit and fissure sealant (Delton, DENTSPLY, York, PA) samples (6x1mm) were fabricated (n=5/LCU/group). Prepared samples were polymerized using 10, 20 and 40 second curing time at 2 or 4 mm curing distances. The irradiance and radiant exposure received on the top/bottom surfaces of the samples were measured using the Managing Accurate Resin Curing-Resin Calibrator (MARC-RC) system. The samples were stored at 37°C for one hour. Then, the DC (n=3/surface) and KHN (n=5/surface) measurements were collected on the top and bottom surfaces using Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and a microhardness tester (Instron) utilizing 25-gm at 10 seconds dwell time, respectively. Multiple-way ANOVA was performed followed by Tukey test (α=0.05). Result: The irradiance from the multiple emission peak LED LCU was significantly higher than the single emission peak LED LCU (1312.6 and 768.3 mW/cm2) respectively. Moreover, the multiple emission peak LED LCU displayed significantly higher DC (82.5%) and microhardness (26.2 KHN) compared to the single emission peak LED LCU (75.5% DC and 21.2 KHN) when curing samples at 2 and 4 mm curing distances assessed using 10, 20 and 40-second curing times. The 10 second cure at 4 mm showed significantly lower DC and KHN values compared to the other groups. Conclusion: The multiple emission peak LED LCU demonstrated significantly higher irradiance, DC and KHN compared to the single emission peak LED LCU on a resin-based pit and fissure sealant at 2 and 4 mm curing distances and 10, 20 and 40 second curing times. Therefore, the multiple emission peak LED LCU performed higher than the single emission peak LED LCU.