Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-190). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009. / Full text also available online. Scroll down for electronic link.

"April 1994"--P. (4). / Shipping list no.: 94-0334-P.

Background: Lespedeza cuneata is a perennial invasive legume native to Asia that is common across grasslands in the eastern half of the United States and parts of Canada. The competitive nature and limited palatability of L. cuneata for grazers in the tallgrass prairie has made it an undesirable and invasive weed. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate an invasive species management plan for restored grasslands and prairie areas. Methods: Study plots (n=144) for experiment 1 (summer treatment) were established at Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge in Jackson County Illinois in August of 2012 and were situated to contain infestations of the target species. Two herbicides, in five concentrations were applied in August of 2012. A native seed mix was added to a portion of the summer plots later, in February of 2013. These treatments were assessed in June and August of 2013 to determine herbicide effects on stem count and percent cover of L. cuneata, along with the composition and percent cover of other species present. Spring herbicide applications (n=18) for experiment 2 were established, assessed for L. cuneata cover and density, and treated with two herbicide treatments in May of 2013. Spring treatments were identical to existing plots and were re-assessed in August 2013 to determine species composition and the abundance of L. cuneata. Seed was not added to these plots. Analysis: Mixed Model analysis by site was performed to test the effect of herbicide and seeding treatments on L. cuneata for both experiments 1 &2. The summer plots were also tested for effects on other plant groups. A repeated measures PERMANOVA along with ANOSIM and PERMADISP was performed to assess community composition response to seeding and herbicide treatments in the summer plots. Results: Abundance of L. cuneata was reduced 67 to <90% following herbicide treatment in Experiments 1 and 2. There were no differences in the effectiveness of herbicide treatments in in experiment 1, sites 1 &3, and in experiment 2. Supplemental seeding in the summer plots did not reduce the abundance of L. cuneata consistently across sites. Conclusion: Considerable short-term control of the target species was achieved in both the summer and spring plots, providing a window of opportunity for the imposition of additional methods of control. However, data from the summer plots suggest recovery of L. cuneata some sites, indicating further control would be necessary, with potentially the addition of other control methods or site alterations.

There were reconstructed phylogeny of recent and fossil species of subfamily Caninae in this study. Resulting phylogeny was used for examining possible causes of cooperative behaviour in Caninae. The study tried tu explain evolution of social behavior in canids.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:26:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 feitosa_mf_dr_botib.pdf: 1038034 bytes, checksum: 025ed2cf3a99ff7d8beb8e163e5fb81a (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente estudo foi conduzido em quatro lagoas marginais da porção superior do reservatório de Rosana, bem como no canal principal do rio Paranapanema. O objetivo do primeiro capítulo foi analisar a composição e os atributos ecológicos das assembléias fitoplanctônicas, recurso trófico primário das cadeias alimentares aquáticas. O segundo capítulo trata da comunidade zooplanctônica (Cladocera e Copepoda) e sua distribuição nos ambientes analisados. O terceiro trabalho procura avaliar se a introdução de uma espécie exótica de peixe (Cichla kelberi) pode causar alterações na estrutura da ictiofauna local, com uma possível redução da sua diversidade. Por fim, o quarto capítulo refere-se à alimentação da ictiofauna de pequeno porte, através da análise da dieta e do hábito alimentar das espécies, considerando principalmente a importância da comunidade planctônica para essa fauna. O número total de táxons de fitoplâncton identificados foi de 283. Zygnemaphyta foi o grupo com maior número de espécies, seguido por Chlorophyta e Bacillariophyta. Maior riqueza, abundância e biomassa de fitoplâncton foram observadas nas lagoas, especialmente durante o período chuvoso. O número total de táxons de zooplâncton identificados foi de 72. As lagoas laterais e o período chuvoso apresentaram maior abundância de organismos. Calanoida foi o grupo dominante nas assembléias zooplanctônicas. Os resultados mostraram que no sistema de lagoas laterais as comunidades são controladas por mecanismos ascendentes (“bottom-up”). Um total de 4693 peixes, pertencentes a 43 espécies foram amostrados. A Ordem Characiformes foi a mais abundante, seguida por Perciformes e Siluriformes. Não houve diferenças estatísticas na riqueza, na abundância, na biomassa, na média do comprimento, na composição das assembléias e na diversidade de peixes, comparando-se o período... / The study was carried out in four lateral lagoons of the tail region of Rosana reservoir, as well as in the river/reservoir main channel. The aim of the first chapter of the thesis was to analyze the composition and ecological attributes of the phytoplankton assemblages, primordial trophic resource of the aquatic food chains. The second chapter is focused on the zooplankton community (Cladocera and Copepoda) and their distribution in the study environments. The third chapter tries to assess whether the introduction of a non native fish species (Cichla kelberi) may promote alterations in the local ichthyofauna, with a possible reduction in its diversity. Finally, the last chapter discusses the ichthyofauna feeding, through the analysis of diet and feeding behavior of fish, considering mainly the importance of plankton organisms as a resource. The total number of phytoplankton taxa identified was of 283. Zygnemaphyta was the most specious group, followed by Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta. Higher richness, abundance and biomass were observed in the lagoons, especially during the rainy period. The total number of zooplankton taxa was 72. Higher zooplankton abundance was observed in the lateral lagoons and in the rainy period. Calanoids were the dominant group in the zooplankton assemblages. The results indicated that in the lateral lagoons system, the communities are controlled by bottom-up mechanisms. A total of 4,693 fish, belonging to 43 species was sampled between 2004 and 2009. The order Characiformes was the most abundant, followed by Perciformes and Siluriformes. There were no differences in composition, richness, abundance, biomass, mean length and diversity, when compared the periods previous and after the introduction of Cichla. The results showed that the feeding of the river fish assemblages was different from the lagoons... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / O lapachol, uma naftoquinona natural, e seus derivados sintÃticos tÃm demonstrado, nos Ãltimos anos, importantes aÃÃes citotÃxicas contra varias linhagens de cÃlulas tumorais, assim como significante atividade antitumoral contra alguns tumores. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o mecanismos de aÃÃo citotoxica em cÃlulas HL-60 de duas naftoquinonas sintÃticas anÃlogas do lapachol (compostos 1 e 2). Inicialmente foi investigado a atividade antiproliferativa dessas naftoquinonas apÃs um perÃodo de incubaÃÃo de 72h em cÃlulas leucÃmicas (HL-60) e cÃlulas mononucleadas do sangue perifÃrico (CMSP) onde foi observado que essas naftoquinonas mostraram-se ativas para estas linhagens com CI50 de 12 ÂM, 2,3 ÂM e 4,3 ÂM para o lapachol, composto 1 e composto 2, respectivamente em cÃlulas HL-60 e 13,7 ÂM e 34,0 ÂM para o composto 1 e 2 em cÃlulas CMSP, respectivamente. A atividade antiproliferativa em cÃlulas HL-60 apÃs 24 horas de incubaÃÃo foi avaliada com e sem co-tratamento com o antioxidante n-acetilcisteÃna (NAC). Assim, a CI50 sem NAC apÃs 24 horas de exposiÃÃo ao lapachol, composto 1 e composto 2 foi de 42,9 &#956;M, 2,7 ÂM e 4,3 ÂM , respectivamente. JÃ CI50 com NAC (5 ÂM) apÃs 24 horas de exposiÃÃo ao lapachol, composto 1 e composto 2 foi de 180,0 &#956;M, 46,0 ÂM e 18,0 ÂM , respectivamente. Estudos feitos em cÃlulas HL-60 indicaram que o lapachol e seus dois anÃlogos induzem morte celular por apoptose e necrose, como mostrado pelas mudanÃas morfolÃgicas avaliadas atravÃs do uso de coloraÃÃo May-GrÃnwald-Giemsa. Nos ensaios realisados por citometria de fluxo foi revelado que estes compostos promovem a geraÃÃo de espÃcies reativas de oxigÃnio (EROs) 18,86%, 13,31% e 39,11% respectivamente para o lapachol (82 ÂM) e compostos 1 e 2 (3,5 ÂM) e 40,94% e 60,49% para os compostos 1 e 2 (7,0 ÂM), respectivamente. O lapachol (82 ÂM) e os compostos 1 e 2 (3,5 ÂM) diminuÃram o nÃmero de cÃlulas com membrana Ãntegra 26,51%, 34,78% e 29,58% respectivamente e os compostos 1 e 2 (7,0 ÂM) diminuÃram 75,3% e 71,1%, respectivamente. A fragmentaÃÃo do DNA promovida por esses compostos foi observada a partir de 3 horas de exposiÃÃo sendo mais intensa apÃs 24 horas de exposiÃÃo aos compostos testados. O lapachol e os compostos 1 e 2 tambÃm promoveram a ativaÃÃo de caspases relacionadas com a via intrÃnseca de morte celular. AlÃm disso, mostraram induzir a quebra de fitas de DNA. Todos os efeitos citotÃxicos foram abolidos quando os compostos 1 e 2 foram co-incubados com o NAC, mostrando, dessa forma, a participaÃÃo de EROs na citotÃxicidade destas naftoquinonas. / The lapachol, one naphthoquinone natural, and its derivatives synthetic have demonstrated, in recent years, important actions cytotoxic against several lineages of tumor cells, well as signifier antitumoral activity against some tumors. Thus, the objective this work was to evaluate the mechanisms of action cytotoxic in cells HL-60 of two naphthoquinones synthetic analogous of lapachol (compounds 1 and 2). Initially was investigated at antiproliferative activity these naphthoquinones after a incubation period of 72 hours in leukemic cells (HL-60) and peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMC) where was observed that these naphthoquinones were active for these lines with IC50 of 12 ÂM , 2.3 ÂM and 4.3 ÂM for the lapachol, compound 1 and compound 2, respectively in cells HL-60 and 13.7 ÂM and 34.0 ÂM for compound 1 and 2 in cells PBMC, respectively. The antiproliferative activity in cells HL-60 after 24 hours incubation was evaluated with and without co-treatment with the antioxidant n-acetylcysteine (NAC). Thus, IC50 without NAC after 24 hours of exposure to lapachol, compound 1 and compound 2 was 42.9 ÂM, 2.7 ÂM and 4.3 ÂM, respectively. Have IC50 with NAC (5 ÂM) after 24 hours of exposure to lapachol, compound 1 and compound 2 was 180.0 ÂM, 46.0 ÂM and 18.0 ÂM, respectively. Studies done in HL-60 cells indicated that the lapachol and its two analogues induce cell death by apoptosis and necrosis, as shown by morphological changes evaluated through the use of staining May-GrÃnwald-Giemsa. In trials realisados by flow cytometry was revealed that these compounds promote the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) 18.86%, 13.31% and 39.11% respectively for the lapachol (82 ÂM) and compounds 1 and 2 (3,5 ÂM) and 40.94% and 60.49% for the compounds 1 and 2 (7.0 ÂM), respectively. The lapachol (82 ÂM) and the compounds 1 and 2 (3.5 ÂM) decreased the number of cells with intact membrane 26.51%, 34.78% and 29.58% respectively and the compounds 1 and 2 (7, 0 ÂM) decreased 75.3% and 71.1%, respectively. The DNA fragmentation promoted by such compounds was observed starting from 3 hours of exposure being more intense after 24 hours of exposure to tested compounds. The lapachol and the compounds 1 and 2 also promoted the activation of caspases related to intrinsic pathway of cell death. Furthermore, showed induce the synthesis of DNA strands. All cytotoxic effects were abolished when the compounds 1 and 2 were co-incubated with the NAC, showing thus the participation ROS in cytotoxicity these naphthoquinones.

Thirty - seven species of cetacean are recorded from southern African waters. Four thousand, five hundred and thirty - seven records of approximately 60 000 cetaceans were analysed to defme distribution patterns of these species, including dedicated sightings (both scientific and commercial), incidental sightings, commercial catches and specimens. Records of dedicated scientific sightings and incidental sightings were analysed by water depth, sea surface temperature and salinity and season, while commercial sightings and catches were analysed by month and water depth. Of the thirty - seven species recorded within the region, four mysticetes and one odontocele could be described as migratory, having a marked seasonal occurrence within the region, three species were defmed as possible migrators as they were not recorded in the dedicated data and showed seasonality in the incidental sighting and specimen databases, 20 species (19 odontocetes and one mysticete) could be described as resident (in that they were found throughout the year) and five species were termed "semi - resident" (certain components or forms of which showed strong seasonal occurrence, while other individuals had a year- round occurrence). Records of a further four species were too few to defme distribution patterns or seasonality. Analysis of the distribution of the large species showed three species (Eubalaena australis, Megaptera novaeangliae and Caperea marginata) to occur in nearshore waters and four species (Balaenoptera musculus, B. physalus, B. borealis and P.macrocepha/us) to occur in deep waters only. B. acutorostrata was recorded in both nearshore and offshore waters, while the two forms of B. edeni were found in nearshore and offshore waters respectively. The distribution analyses of the smaller odontocele species showed a number of component patterns including cosmopolitan, pelagic cosmopolitan, tropical, sub tropical and warm temperate components of the Agulhas Current, warm temperate component of the south coast, a component of the Agulhas Bank, a south and east coast inshore component and west coast inshore and offshore components. The high diversity of species within the region results from the complex variety of zoogeographic components found within the relatively small study area. These arise from the complex oceanographic conditions, brought about by the upwelling of cold Central Atlantic water inshore on the west coast, the movement of subtropical water into the east coast region by the Agulhas Current and the mixing of Benguela and Agulhas Current waters to the south of the sub - continent. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 1989. / gm2014 / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

D.Sc. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Ganoderma root rot disease has been reported world wide causing the death of affected hosts. The taxonomy of the genus Ganoderma is considered to be in disarray due to the use of basidiocarp morphological characters to differentiate the species which resulted in many synonyms, species complexes and possible misidentifications of species within the genus. The use of sexual compatibility tests and molecular techniques became powerful diagnostic tools to elucidate the taxonomy of Ganoderma species. Application of these techniques has resolved some of the taxonomic problems but the use of certain species names in the genus is still causing contention among taxonomists. The literature surrounding the taxonomy and techniques used in the taxonomy of the root rot fungus Ganoderma are considered in this thesis. It is clear that the taxonomy of Ganoderma is very difficult and it is still largely obscured by species complexes and incorrect species identifications. It is also evident that a single species concept will not aid in the identification of Ganoderma species. Rather, a combination of concepts based on morphology, mating tests and DNA sequence data should be used in elucidating the taxonomy of Ganoderma. Morphological characteristics as well as nucleotide sequence analysis of three gene regions; the internally transcribed spacer (ITS), the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) and the intergenic spacer (IGS-1), were used to identify the causal agent of Ganoderma root rot of J. mimosifolia in the suburb of Brooklyn, Pretoria, South Africa. Morphological observations and DNA-based phylogenies revealed that all isolates collected from infected trees belong to a single species that reside in the G. lucidum sensu lato complex. Acacia mangium is a leguminous tree that is grown as an exotic plantation species in Indonesia. These economically important trees are threatened by Ganoderma root rot disease. This disease is considered to be the most important cause of losses in A. mangium plantations. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequence data showed that G. philippii is the primary agent of Ganoderma root rot in A. mangium in Sumatra, Indonesia. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / Unrestricted