Biodiversity rich regions worldwide face threats from various global change agents. This research quantifies environmental influences on vegetation, and the impacts of exotic woody plant invasion and anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition in a global biodiversity hotspot. The study was conducted in the montane grasslands of the Nilgiris, Western Ghats, and outlines potential management options for this region. Specifically, I examined (1) the role of environmental factors in influencing native plant distribution and ecosystem properties, (2) the status and impact of exotic shrub (Scotch broom, henceforth broom) invasion, (3) the role of disturbances in the success of broom, (4) the role of fire in restoring invaded grasslands, and (5) the impacts of terrestrial N loading on the grassland ecosystem. I used experiments and surveys to assess these. Distributions of several key species were explained by a few complex environmental gradients. In invaded-grasslands, broom populations consisted mainly of intermediate size and age classes, with no clear indication of population decline. Invasion negatively impacted plant community structure and drastically changed composition, favoring shade-tolerant and weedy species. However, invasion did not greatly alter ecosystem function. Fire successfully eliminated mature broom stands, but resulted in a short-term increase in broom seedling recruitment. At the end of 18 months, the fire effects on uninvaded-grasslands were not apparent, but there was no conclusive evidence of the formerly invaded patches attaining the composition of uninvaded-grasslands following burning. N fertilization strongly influenced soil N dynamics, and shoot N concentrations, but effects on aboveground production were weak. Surprisingly, N enrichment had positive effects on diversity in the short-term. It is clear that these grasslands need immediate management intervention to forestall degradation from invasion. Fire could be used to eliminate mature broom stands and deplete persistent seedbanks, which will facilitate colonization by shade-intolerant grassland plants. Active restoration should be mindful of environmental preferences of framework species. Long-term studies of the impacts of N deposition in the context of disturbances will help determine realistic critical thresholds and utilize disturbances to buffer the potential adverse effects of increasing N loading.

Thesis (M.A.)--Cincinnati Christian Seminary, 1984. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 242-262).

This Diploma thesis deals with the design of device for measurement of vehicle shock absorbers. It describes shock absorbers and options for their diagnostics. In the next part describes design of device, strength analysis, modal analysis, and cost estimate. Transferring torque of device is realized by scotch yoke mechanism.

This thesis presents an impedance control strategy for a novel powered hip exoskeleton designed to provide partial assistance and leverage the dynamics of human gait. The control strategy is based on impedance control and provides the user assistance as needed which is determined by the user’s interaction with the exoskeleton. A series elastic element is used to drive the exoskeleton and measures the interaction torque between the user and the device. The device operates in two modes. Free mode is a low impedance state that attempts to provide no assistance. Assist mode increases the gains of the controller to provide assistance as needed. The device was tested on five healthy subjects, and the resulting assistive hip torque was evaluated to determine the ability of the controller to provide gait assistance. The device was evaluated at different speeds to assess the gait speed adaptation performance of the controller. Results show that hip torque assistance range was between 0.3 to 0.5 Nm/kg across the subjects, corresponding to 24% to 40% of the maximum hip torque requirements of healthy adults during walking. The peak power provided by the system is 35 W on average and a peak power of up to 45 W.

This project is the search for a room. The search included that which is sensible through tone, and that which is intelligible through line. Tone and color were used to paint the sensible, geometric constructions were used to understand the intelligible. The constructed axonometric drawings became both sensible and intelligible in the way that their very construction is an active reconstitution of the charred contours of a dream. This project began with a glass of Scotch, which is a container of a world; dreamlike, smoky, and ethereal. It ended with drawings of a room; a reconstitution of a dream. / Master of Architecture

Darbo objektas - paprastoji pušis (Pinus sylvestris L.) – Lietuvoje labiausiai paplitusi, jautri užterštam orui medžių rūšis. Paprastosios pušies tyrimai buvo atliekami Lietuvos įmonių AB “Achema” apylinkėse 25 km ruože nuo gamyklos, AB „Akmenės cementas“ 10 km ruože ir AB „Mažeikių nafta“ – 5.4 km ruože nuo gamyklos. Darbo tikslas – Įvertinti paprastosios pušies (Pinus sylvestris L.) spyglių pigmentinės ir antioksidantinės sistemų priklausomybę nuo medynų atstumo iki taršos šaltinio. Darbo metodas. Tyrimai atlikti 14-oje pušyn����������, nutolusių skirtingu atstumu nuo gamyklų: JonA apylinkėse 5 medynai 25 km ruože, šalia AkmC – 4 medynai 10,0 km ruože, šalia MažN – 5 medynai 5,4 km ruože. Šakos, specialiais kirtikliais pjautos 6-8 metrų virš žemės aukštyje. Spygliai buvo atšaldomi ledu ir transportuojami i laboratoriją. Atskirai tiriami pirmamečiai ir antramečiai spygliai. Pigmentų ir askorbo rūgšties koncentracijų nustatymui naudota žalioji spyglių masė. Pigmentams tirti ėminiai buvo ekstrahuojami nedideliu 100 % acetono kiekiu. Spektrofotometru (Genesys 5) išmatuota pigmentų ekstrakto absorbcija 662 nm (chlorofilas a), 644 nm (chlorofilas b), 440,5 nm (karotinoidai) bangos ilgyje. Askorbo rūgštis spygliuose buvo ekstrahuojama su 0.001 N 2,6 dichlorfenolindofenoliu ir titruojama. Darbo rezultatai. Tyrimai AB “Akmenės cementas” transektoje parodė, kad, fotosintezės pigmentų kiekiai reikšmingai mažesni prie gamyklos 0,5 km atstumu augančiose pušyse nei tolimiausiame (10 km... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Object of the research – Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) – common tree in Lithuania, sensitive to air pollution. Research of Scots pine were conducted in the industrial areas of Lithuania companies JSC – (25 km transect) near the factory JSC (10 km sector) and an oil refinery (in 2 – 5,4 km distance). Goal of the research – to evaluate quality of photosynthetic pigments and ascorbic acid in the needles of Scots pine growing around main sources of industrial pollution. Methodology of the research. Research was performed in 17 pine forests, at different distance from the factories. In the surroundings of the nitrogen fertilizer factory 8 forests were examined in 25 km distance, near the cement factory – 4 forests in 10 km distance and near the oil refinery – 5 forests in 5.4 km distance. In each site, samples of current-year and 1-year-old needles were taken from 4 pines at the height of 6-8 m aboveground. The needles were cooled and transported to laboratory. Concentrations of the pigments and ascorbic acid were determined in the fresh needle material. The needles were grinded and in 20ml of 100% acetone. The absorbance at 662 nm (chlorophyll a), 644 nm (chlorophyll b) and 440.5 nm (carotenoids) was measured by spectrophotometer (Genesys 5, US). The ascorbic acid from the needles was extracted with 0.001 N 2.6-dichlorophenolindophenol and estimated titrimetrically. Results of the research. Research results showed that number of photosynthesis pigments is meaningly... [to full text]

Following the Evangelical Awakening, many of the Nonconformist traditions experienced an evolution in their ecclesiastical structure, resulting in the formation of new associations that frequently acted to establish pragmatic agencies like missionary societies, educational boards and social charities. The transition required new expressions of authority. Understanding the nature of this authority is the chief objective of this study. Chapter One introduces the various themes and goals of the study. Chapter Two explores the Hampshire Congregational Union. In addition to the Union’s structure, David Bogue and the Gosport Academy were central to this group’s identity. Chapter Three focuses on the Lancashire Congregational Union in the North West of England, home to William Roby, the central figure within Lancashire Congregationalism. Chapter Four covers the Lancashire and Yorkshire Baptist Association and the later Lancashire and Cheshire Baptist Association, where John Fawcett was the primary influence. The New Connexion of General Baptists, Chapter Five, was under the authoritative direction of Dan Taylor, a former Methodist and a zealous evangelist. Chapter Six analyses the Scotch Baptists. Peculiar among Baptists, it was created under the leadership of Archibald McLean. The British Churches of Christ, Chapter Seven, closely resembled the Scotch Baptists but were different in some fundamental ways. Finally, in Chapter Eight, patterns of associational authority among these associations will be compared and assessed. Authority among Nonconformist associations, particularly those denominations practising congregational polity, was exercised on the grounds of doctrinal purity and evangelistic expansion. As the nineteenth century continued, the organisational structures grew more complex. In turn, increased control was voluntarily granted to the organisations’ governing bodies so they might more efficiently minister. Following the Awakening, these voluntary bodies found new life as a pragmatic expression of Evangelical zeal.

This thesis presents a new mechanical design for an exoskeleton actuator to power the sagittal plane motion in the human hip. The device uses a DC motor to drive a Scotch yoke mechanism and series elasticity to take advantage of the cyclic nature of human gait and to reduce the maximum power and control requirements of the exoskeleton. The Scotch yoke actuator creates a position-dependent transmission that varies between 4:1 and infinity, with the peak transmission ratio aligned to the peak torque periods of the human gait cycle. Simulation results show that both the peak and average motor torque can be reduced using this mechanism, potentially allowing a less powerful motor to be used. Furthermore, the motor never needs to reverse direction even when the hip joint does. Preliminary testing shows the exoskeleton can provide an assistive torque and is capable of accurate position tracking at speeds covering the range of human walking. This thesis provides a detailed analysis of how the dynamic nature of human walking can be leveraged, how the hip actuator was designed, and shows how the exoskeleton performed during preliminary human trials.

<p><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>ABSTRACT</a></p> <p>Phenols are ubiquitous in our surroundings including biological molecules such as L-Dopa metabolites, food components, such as whiskey and liquid smoke, etc. This dissertation describes a new method for detecting phenols, by reaction with Gibbs reagent to form indophenols, followed by mass spectrometric detection. Unlike the standard Gibbs reaction which uses a colorimetric approach, the use of mass spectrometry allows for simultaneous detection of differently substituted phenols. The procedure is demonstrated to work for a large variety of phenols without <i>para</i>‐substitution. With <i>para</i>‐substituted phenols, Gibbs products are still often observed, but the specific product depends on the substituent. For <i>para</i> groups with high electronegativity, such as methoxy or halogens, the reaction proceeds by displacement of the substituent. For groups with lower electronegativity, such as amino or alkyl groups, Gibbs products are observed that retain the substituent, indicating that the reaction occurs at the <i>ortho</i> or <i>meta</i> position. In mixtures of phenols, the relative intensities of the Gibbs products are proportional to the relative concentrations, and concentrations as low as 1 μmol/L can be detected. The method is applied to the qualitative analysis of commercial liquid smoke, and it is found that hickory and mesquite flavors have significantly different phenolic composition.</p> <p>In the course of this study, we used this technique to quantify major phenol derivatives in commercial products such as liquid smoke (catechol, guaiacol and syringol) and whiskey (<i>o</i>-cresol, guaiacol and syringol) as the phenol derivatives are a significant part of the aroma of foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages. For instance, phenolic compounds are partly responsible for the taste, aroma and the smokiness in Liquid Smokes and Scotch whiskies. </p> <p>In the analysis of Liquid Smokes, we have carried out an analysis of phenols in commercial liquid smoke by using the reaction with Gibbs reagent followed by analysis using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). This analysis technique allows us to avoid any separation and/or solvent extraction steps before MS analysis. With this analysis, we are able to determine and compare the phenolic compositions of hickory, mesquite, pecan and apple wood flavors of liquid smoke. </p> <p>In the analysis of phenols in whiskey, we describe the detection of the Gibbs products from the phenols in four different commercial Scotch whiskies by using simple ESI-MS. In addition, by addition of an internal standard, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1-napthol (THN), concentrations of the major phenols in the whiskies are readily obtained. With this analysis we are able to determine and compare the composition of phenols in them and their contribution in the taste, smokey, and aroma to the whiskies.</p> <p>Another important class of phenols are found in biological samples, such as L-Dopa and its metabolites, which are neurotransmitters and play important roles in living systems. In this work, we describe the detection of Gibbs products formed from these neurotransmitters after reaction with Gibbs reagent and analysis by using simple ESI‐MS. This technique would be an alternative method for the detection and simultaneous quantification of these neurotransmitters. </p> <p>Finally, in the course of this work, we found that the positive Gibbs tests are obtained for a wide range of <i>para</i>-substituted phenols, and that, in most cases, substitution occurs by displacement of the <i>para</i>-substituent. In addition, there is generally an additional unique second-phenol-addition product, which conveniently can be used from an analytical perspective to distinguish <i>para</i>-substituted phenols from the unsubstituted versions. In addition to using the methodology for phenol analysis, we are examining the mechanism of indophenol formation, particularly with the <i>para</i>-substituted phenols. </p> <p>The importance of peptides to the scientific world is enormous and, therefore, their structures, properties, and reactivity are exceptionally well-characterized by mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization. In the dipeptide work, we have used mass spectrometry to examine the dissociation of dipeptides of phenylalanine (Phe), containing sulfonated tag as a charge carrier (Phe*), proline (Pro) to investigate their gas phase dissociation. The presence of sulfonated tag (SO₃^-) on the Phe amino acid serves as the charge carrier such that the dipeptide backbone has a canonical structure and is not protonated. Phe-Pro dipeptide and their derivatives were synthesized and analyzed by LCQ-Deca mass spectroscopy to get the fragmentation mechanism. To confirm that fragmentation path, we also synthesized dikitopeparazines and oxazolines from all combinations of the dipeptides. All these analyses were confirmed by isotopic labeling experiments and determination and optimization of structures were carried out using theoretical calculation. We have found that the fragmentation of Phe*Pro and ProPhe* dipeptides form sequence specific b₂ ions. In addition, not only is the ‘mobile proton’ involved in the dissociation process, but also is the ‘backbone hydrogen’ is involved in forming b₂ ions. </p> <p> </p>

This thesis examines restoration of Garry oak ecosystems in Southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Before the arrival of European settlers, Coast Salish peoples practiced intensive stewardship and cultivation practices that heavily shaped Garry oak ecosystems. These long-standing stewardship practices are responsible for the abundance of culturally important plants found in Garry oak ecosystems today. In addition to their cultural value to Coast Salish peoples, Garry oak ecosystems also support unique biodiversity, including numerous at-risk species. These ecosystems and the values they embody came under threat with the arrival of European settlers, who introduced non-native plants and excluded Coast Salish peoples and their stewardship practices from these ecosystems. Today, Garry oak ecosystems have been reduced to a fraction of their pre-colonial distribution and remaining patches are typically heavily invaded by both native and non-native plants. Their cultural and biological values coupled with ongoing degradation has motivated both Indigenous and non-Indigenous land managers to implement restoration programs in Garry oak ecosystems. To inform future restoration efforts, this thesis examines ecological impacts of a long-term restoration program and a wildfire in a lək̓ʷəŋən Garry oak ecosystem at Mill Hill Regional Park near Langford, British Columbia. In Project 1, vegetation responses to a 13-year invasive species removal program were quantified to determine if native plant populations were successfully bolstered by the removal efforts. In Project 2, impacts of an unintended wildfire on the relative cover of native and non-native plants were examined. This attempted to explore potential ecosystem shifts that may occur as wildfires increase in frequency and severity as predicted by climate models. In Project 1, the greatest change observed after invasive species removal was an increase in other introduced species, while increases in native species were not statistically significant. In Project 2, introduced Anthoxanthum odoratum was facilitated by fire while native Camassia spp. were reduced by it. Taken together, these results demonstrate the complexity of restoring Indigenously managed ecosystems where multiple introduced species have existed for long periods. Invasive species, specifically Anthoxanthum odoratum, showed greater responses to removal efforts and wildfire than native species. Intensive, long-term restoration programs that utilize multiple tools, including low-intensity fire, invasive removal, herbicide, and seeding of native species appear necessary to bolster native species without unintentional facilitation of introduced species. Coast Salish peoples and stewardship practices were integral in maintaining these ecosystems before the arrival of European settlers and should play a key role in their restoration today, though traditional practices will likely need adapted to account for environmental changes caused by colonization. Furthermore, to avoid continuing the cultural damage that began with colonization, it is vital that Coast Salish First Nations lead or be directly involved in restoration of these ecosystems, which continue to hold irreplaceable cultural value. / Graduate / 2023-01-14