ABSTRACT Phenotypic flexibility in basal metabolic rate (BMR) in response to short-term thermal acclimation was assessed in the Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis), a common resident bird species distributed throughout most of southern Africa. I hypothesised that S. senegalensis would display flexibility in BMR over short time scales and that this flexibility would be reversible. Additionally, I hypothesised BMR to be repeatable, and that changes in BMR would be correlated with changes in organ mass. I tested these hypotheses by measuring BMR in three groups of 10 birds before and after a short-term (21 day) thermal acclimation period to one of three air temperatures (10o, 22o & 35oC). After acclimation the three temperature groups were randomly divided and reverseacclimated for another 21 days to one of the two thermal environments not yet experienced. After this reverse-acclimation period BMR was measured again. The dry masses of the stomach, kidney, heart, intestines, liver and pectoral muscles of acclimated birds were used to determine possible mechanistic correlates of BMR adjustments. Additionally, by monitoring BMR every 4-6 days during cold (10oC) and heat (35oC) acclimation I was able to assess the temporal dynamics of adjustments in BMR in response to short-term thermal acclimation. BMR was both flexible and reversible in S. senegalensis as a consistent relationship between BMR and acclimation air temperature was observed after acclimation and reverse-acclimation. BMR increased with decreasing acclimation temperature. Furthermore, a significant proportion (25%) of the observed variation in BMR was repeatable in the 22oC group in spite of the change in BMR induced by thermal acclimation. The mechanistic correlate of BMR adjustment in S. senegalensis appears to be metabolic intensity and not organ size, as the only organ to show a significant increase in size was the intestine of the acclimated 10oC group, which was significantly heavier than the intestine of the 22oC group. BMR also decreases in response to the reduction of flight and/or exercise. Since this reduction was not accompanied by a correlated change in organ mass or body mass, the reduction in BMR as a response to captivity appears to be linked to metabolic intensity of the organs and skeletal muscles. In S. senegalensis adjustments in BMR occur during the first 30 days of captivity and thermal acclimation. The response in BMR to acclimation temperature is clearly evident as BMR of the heat-acclimated group was significantly lower than the coldacclimated group after 21 days. During the response period, which lasts approximately 30 days, BMR adjusts as a mechanism to offset the costs of thermoregulation and habituation to captivity while other metabolic parameters such as body mass, body temperature, and minimum wet thermal conductance adjust to captivity and the thermal environment. After 30 days BMR of the cold and heat-acclimated groups converge on 0.68W, indicating that once the associated metabolic parameters adjust and stabilize in response to the thermal environment, BMR continues to adjust to captivity.

Residual feed intake (RFI) is a recognized measure of biological efficiency in beef cattle. However, RFI determination is expensive, time consuming and not well studied in animals fed forage-based diets. The objectives of this experiment were to investigate infrared thermography (IRT) as method for determining RFI ranking in yearling beef bulls, and to evaluate the effect of diet type on RFI repeatability in consecutive feeding periods. No significant correlations (P > 0.05) were observed between eye or cheek surface temperatures measured using handheld or within-pen stationary infrared camera systems with RFI. Reranking was observed for RFI in all diet treatments, however significant repeatability estimates occurred for the forage and grain diet treatments (r=0.58 and 0.64 respectively; P < 0.01) but not the diet switch treatment (r=0.24; P > 0.05). Extreme cold temperatures experienced in Western Canada influence IRT measurements and energy partitioning, indicating the need for standardized performance testing procedures. / February 2016

A presente dissertação aborda a modelagem física de sistemas marinho profundo em escala reduzida, uma metodologia que vem contribuindo no entendimento dos processos sedimentares atuantes neste ambiente, principalmente as correntes de turbidez, fluxo gravitacional subaquoso responsável pela formação dos turbiditos, importantes reservatórios de hidrocarbonetos da costa brasileira. A modelagem física 3D empregada neste trabalho aborda a influência da autogênese no comportamento espacial e evolutivo de depósitos análogos gerados por simulações de correntes de turbidez em duas séries de 10 experimentos com parâmetros de controle constantes (vazão, concentração volumétrica de sedimentos, tipo e granulometria das partículas sedimentares), onde em cada série foi utilizada uma concentração de sedimentos diferente: uma com maior concentração – HDTC (high-density turbidity currents) e outra com menor concentração – LDTC (low-density turbidity currents) onde se buscou observar o efeito desta propriedade na construção dos depósitos. Para caracterizar o comportamento geométrico dos depósitos, uma nova abordagem estatística é utilizada a partir de uma análise de variância. Os resultados obtidos apontam que processos autogênicos locais puderam alterar a configuração global dos depósitos. A concentração de sedimentos teve influência direta nas características morfológicas e evolutivas dos depósitos, sendo os experimentos de HDTC os que apresentam uma evolução mais complexa, onde ocorreu um processo de auto-confinamento das correntes, gerando uma morfologia mais diversa. / Autogenic / allogenic controls have been discussed widely because they represent an important parameter in the constructive and evolutionary process of a sedimentary system. To evaluate these controls in submarine fans and analyse its capacity of selforganizing and creating depositional patterns, this work performed fully controlled 3D physical simulations of turbidity currents under ideal autogenic controls (no external influence) with detailed data for the generated deposits. Two series of 10 experiments of high-density turbidity currents (HDTC) and low-density turbidity currents (LDTC) were run, keeping all other input parameters (discharge, volumetric concentration, type and grain size) constant. From statistical and qualitative approach were characterised the geometric elements and morphodynamic behaviour of the deposits (centroid, Length/Width ratio, morphodynamic evolution). The results indicate local autogenic processes change the global setting of the flow evolution and deposits of submarine fans. A morphodynamic evolution generated by HDTC showed complex stages of filling and stacking caused by two types of flow self-channelling. Type I is characterised by flow channelling due to the elevation of levees without lateral avulsion and more efficient sediment transport (longer deposits, with terminal lobes well developed), and Type II is characterised by flow channelling but allows lateral avulsions and involves less efficient sediment transport (shorter deposits with terminal lobes undeveloped). The HDTC deposits showed random behaviour for the length/width ratio and for the centroid of sedimentary bodies and distinct morphological elements (elongated central deposit, fringes and distal lobes). By contrast, the LDTC morphodynamics were simplified without any self-confining process or distinct morphological elements. Finally, the statistical approach showed that the HDTC deposits had a greater variance of geometrical elements in relation to LDTC deposits. The experiments provided evidence that high rates of sediment supply decisively influenced the geometry and morphodynamic of the deposits, as well as they self-organizing capacity.

A presente dissertação aborda a modelagem física de sistemas marinho profundo em escala reduzida, uma metodologia que vem contribuindo no entendimento dos processos sedimentares atuantes neste ambiente, principalmente as correntes de turbidez, fluxo gravitacional subaquoso responsável pela formação dos turbiditos, importantes reservatórios de hidrocarbonetos da costa brasileira. A modelagem física 3D empregada neste trabalho aborda a influência da autogênese no comportamento espacial e evolutivo de depósitos análogos gerados por simulações de correntes de turbidez em duas séries de 10 experimentos com parâmetros de controle constantes (vazão, concentração volumétrica de sedimentos, tipo e granulometria das partículas sedimentares), onde em cada série foi utilizada uma concentração de sedimentos diferente: uma com maior concentração – HDTC (high-density turbidity currents) e outra com menor concentração – LDTC (low-density turbidity currents) onde se buscou observar o efeito desta propriedade na construção dos depósitos. Para caracterizar o comportamento geométrico dos depósitos, uma nova abordagem estatística é utilizada a partir de uma análise de variância. Os resultados obtidos apontam que processos autogênicos locais puderam alterar a configuração global dos depósitos. A concentração de sedimentos teve influência direta nas características morfológicas e evolutivas dos depósitos, sendo os experimentos de HDTC os que apresentam uma evolução mais complexa, onde ocorreu um processo de auto-confinamento das correntes, gerando uma morfologia mais diversa. / Autogenic / allogenic controls have been discussed widely because they represent an important parameter in the constructive and evolutionary process of a sedimentary system. To evaluate these controls in submarine fans and analyse its capacity of selforganizing and creating depositional patterns, this work performed fully controlled 3D physical simulations of turbidity currents under ideal autogenic controls (no external influence) with detailed data for the generated deposits. Two series of 10 experiments of high-density turbidity currents (HDTC) and low-density turbidity currents (LDTC) were run, keeping all other input parameters (discharge, volumetric concentration, type and grain size) constant. From statistical and qualitative approach were characterised the geometric elements and morphodynamic behaviour of the deposits (centroid, Length/Width ratio, morphodynamic evolution). The results indicate local autogenic processes change the global setting of the flow evolution and deposits of submarine fans. A morphodynamic evolution generated by HDTC showed complex stages of filling and stacking caused by two types of flow self-channelling. Type I is characterised by flow channelling due to the elevation of levees without lateral avulsion and more efficient sediment transport (longer deposits, with terminal lobes well developed), and Type II is characterised by flow channelling but allows lateral avulsions and involves less efficient sediment transport (shorter deposits with terminal lobes undeveloped). The HDTC deposits showed random behaviour for the length/width ratio and for the centroid of sedimentary bodies and distinct morphological elements (elongated central deposit, fringes and distal lobes). By contrast, the LDTC morphodynamics were simplified without any self-confining process or distinct morphological elements. Finally, the statistical approach showed that the HDTC deposits had a greater variance of geometrical elements in relation to LDTC deposits. The experiments provided evidence that high rates of sediment supply decisively influenced the geometry and morphodynamic of the deposits, as well as they self-organizing capacity.

A presente dissertação aborda a modelagem física de sistemas marinho profundo em escala reduzida, uma metodologia que vem contribuindo no entendimento dos processos sedimentares atuantes neste ambiente, principalmente as correntes de turbidez, fluxo gravitacional subaquoso responsável pela formação dos turbiditos, importantes reservatórios de hidrocarbonetos da costa brasileira. A modelagem física 3D empregada neste trabalho aborda a influência da autogênese no comportamento espacial e evolutivo de depósitos análogos gerados por simulações de correntes de turbidez em duas séries de 10 experimentos com parâmetros de controle constantes (vazão, concentração volumétrica de sedimentos, tipo e granulometria das partículas sedimentares), onde em cada série foi utilizada uma concentração de sedimentos diferente: uma com maior concentração – HDTC (high-density turbidity currents) e outra com menor concentração – LDTC (low-density turbidity currents) onde se buscou observar o efeito desta propriedade na construção dos depósitos. Para caracterizar o comportamento geométrico dos depósitos, uma nova abordagem estatística é utilizada a partir de uma análise de variância. Os resultados obtidos apontam que processos autogênicos locais puderam alterar a configuração global dos depósitos. A concentração de sedimentos teve influência direta nas características morfológicas e evolutivas dos depósitos, sendo os experimentos de HDTC os que apresentam uma evolução mais complexa, onde ocorreu um processo de auto-confinamento das correntes, gerando uma morfologia mais diversa. / Autogenic / allogenic controls have been discussed widely because they represent an important parameter in the constructive and evolutionary process of a sedimentary system. To evaluate these controls in submarine fans and analyse its capacity of selforganizing and creating depositional patterns, this work performed fully controlled 3D physical simulations of turbidity currents under ideal autogenic controls (no external influence) with detailed data for the generated deposits. Two series of 10 experiments of high-density turbidity currents (HDTC) and low-density turbidity currents (LDTC) were run, keeping all other input parameters (discharge, volumetric concentration, type and grain size) constant. From statistical and qualitative approach were characterised the geometric elements and morphodynamic behaviour of the deposits (centroid, Length/Width ratio, morphodynamic evolution). The results indicate local autogenic processes change the global setting of the flow evolution and deposits of submarine fans. A morphodynamic evolution generated by HDTC showed complex stages of filling and stacking caused by two types of flow self-channelling. Type I is characterised by flow channelling due to the elevation of levees without lateral avulsion and more efficient sediment transport (longer deposits, with terminal lobes well developed), and Type II is characterised by flow channelling but allows lateral avulsions and involves less efficient sediment transport (shorter deposits with terminal lobes undeveloped). The HDTC deposits showed random behaviour for the length/width ratio and for the centroid of sedimentary bodies and distinct morphological elements (elongated central deposit, fringes and distal lobes). By contrast, the LDTC morphodynamics were simplified without any self-confining process or distinct morphological elements. Finally, the statistical approach showed that the HDTC deposits had a greater variance of geometrical elements in relation to LDTC deposits. The experiments provided evidence that high rates of sediment supply decisively influenced the geometry and morphodynamic of the deposits, as well as they self-organizing capacity.

Many of those artefacts with which we are so familiar – including, for example, works of music, photographs, novels, essays, films, television adverts, and graphic designs – share a common ontological nature. I argue in this thesis that they are all repeatable, and set out to provide an ontological account of these entities that explains the phenomenon of repeatability. In a fruitful meeting of aesthetics and metaphysics, a great deal has been written recently on the ontological nature of musical works. More encompassing enquiries have sought to understand the ontology of artworks in general. I will be responding to and engaging with this body of literature insofar as it also offers accounts of the entities I describe as repeatable. However, my approach gives metaphysical concerns and the phenomenon of repeatability primacy over aesthetic concerns.Here I argue that repeatable artefacts fall into the ontological category of kinds. I develop an account of repeatable artefacts as kinds that has two key components. Firstly, on my view kinds are physical rather than abstract. Secondly, I argue that repeatable artefacts, as kinds, have essences that are purely relational and historical. The thesis begins with a discussion of method. The methodological issue has grown in prominence in recent years, as theorists have sought some higher level arbitration on the expanding number of theories and approaches being offered in response to ontological puzzles. Drawing on the work of Amie Thomasson, I defend a methodology according to which we should develop an ontological account using careful conceptual analysis that assesses our intuitions about the application of referring terms. This commitment to conceptual analysis is then defended from misunderstandings and objections. I apply this method in giving an ontological explanation for the phenomenon of repeatability. I argue that repeatable artefacts are kinds. Kinds are strongly individuated by their essences, which are the conditions that must be satisfied for the kind to be instanced. I then develop an account of kinds as physical multiply located entities, that exist when and where they have instances. This stands in contrast to the prevailing view according to which kinds are abstract. I then set out to give an account of the essences of paradigmatic repeatable artefacts. I argue that this can be done if we are willing to reject the default view according to which essences are at least partly structural, and replace it with an account of purely relational and historical essences. The essences of many paradigmatic repeatable artefacts, I claim, involve causal historical processes of copying.

Individual stability is important for the development of personality, and above all two patterns of consistency - structural and differential. The main goal of this diploma thesis was to monitor changes in the repeatability of behavior over time (i.e., differential consistency) during ontogenesis and to compare the consistency of selected elements of behavior in behavioral tests and a selected cognitive test. Testing of a model species of squamate reptile, the common leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius), in standard behavioral tests and in a selected cognitive test across ontogenesis over three life stages (juvenile, subadult and adult phase) showed, after statistical examination, high estimates of repeatability and significant influence of ontogenetic phase. Behavioral consistency between juveniles and adults could increase or decrease for certain behaviors or remain consistent in only one phase of life. In the subadult period, the behavior was generally inconsistent, except for vocalization in the reactivity test, where it was demonstrated by high estimates of repeatability. The aim of testing in the selected cognitive test was to determine the non-cognitive component of variability, which could be explained by different personalities. Yet, cognitive styles associated with personality have not...

Urbanization is one of the major causes of the global biodiversity crisis with reptiles being particularly vulnerable, due to factors such as habitat loss and road mortality. Behaviour plays a crucial role in determining the success of urban animals, but behavioural responses to urbanization are rarely studied in reptiles. I studied the differences in aggression, boldness, and exploration in painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) living in urban and undisturbed areas. I hypothesized that aggression, boldness, and exploration would increase in urban painted turtles. I studied painted turtles from 24 sites across an urban to undisturbed gradient in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada over the summers of 2021 and 2022. I captured turtles with hoop nets and tested their behaviour in the field, and the repeatability of their behaviour in the laboratory. I found that urbanization had a statistically significant, positive effect on painted turtle aggression and boldness, and no effect on exploration. Overall, I determined that urbanization is affecting painted turtle behaviour, but further research is required to better understand the factors behind this.

This research examined correlations among the responses of five portable aggregate and soil testing devices, including the nuclear density gauge (NDG), dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP), heavy Clegg impact soil tester (CIST), soil stiffness gauge (SSG), and portable falling-weight deflectometer (PFWD). Readings were analyzed from 41 project sites on treated and untreated base, subbase, and subgrade layers representing 15 different material types in Iowa, Louisiana, Utah, and Wyoming. Analyses of the data revealed statistically significant correlations for all six of the possible two-way comparisons involving the DCP, CIST, SSG, and PFWD, and a nomograph was developed for correlating responses among these different devices. No statistically significant correlations between data from the NDG and that of any other instrument were identified, however. The correlations developed in this research will be useful to pavement engineers needing to compare different types of strength and/or stiffness measurements for quality control/quality assurance purposes. Additionally, repeatability with respect to operator effects was additionally investigated for the CIST and SSG at 27 sites on treated and untreated base layers in Utah. Analyses of these data indicated that the CIST data exhibited a significant operator effect at 7.4 percent of the test sites, whereas no operator effects were detected at any test site for the SSG data. Thus, the SSG data appear to be less susceptible to operator effects than the CIST data.

Aim: To evaluate repeatability and reproducibility of macular thickness measurements in visually normal eyes using the Topcon 3D OCT-1000. Methods: Phase 1 investigated scan repeatability, the effect of age and pupil dilation. Two groups (6 younger and 6 older participants) had one eye scanned 5 times pre and post- dilation by 1 operator. Phase 2 investigated between-operator, within and between-visit reproducibility. 10 participants had 1 un-dilated eye scanned 3 times on 2 separate visits by 2 operators. Results: Phase 1: No significant difference existed between repeat scans (p=0.75) and no significant difference was found pre- and post-dilation (p=0.54). In the younger group variation was low (95% limits ± 3.62 m) and comparable across all retinal regions. The older group demonstrated greater variation (95% limits ± 7.6 m). Phase 2: For a given retinal location, 95% confidence limits for within-operator, within-visit reproducibility was 5.16 m. This value increased to 5.56 m for the same operator over two visits and to 6.18 m for two operators over two visits. Conclusion: A high level repeatability, close to 6 m, of macular thickness measurement is possible using the 3D OCT- 1000. Measured differences in macular thickness between successive visits that exceed 6 m in pre-presbyopic individuals are therefore likely to reflect actual structural change. OCT measures are more variable in older individuals and it is advisable to take a series of scans so that outliers can be more easily identified.