O objetivo do trabalho é investigar como as condições biomecânicas de portadores de Osteoartrite (OA) de joelho afetam a capacidade de realizar atividades de vida diária. Participaram desse estudo 39 indivíduos, sendo 18 indivíduos com OA de joelho bilateral grau 3, na escala Kellgren Lawrence, e 21 indivíduos saudáveis. Foram utilizadas duas plataformas de força (AMTI) para registrar a Força de Reação do Solo, cinco câmeras (Sistema Vicon) para registrar as variações angulares das articulações do quadril, joelho e tornozelo, nos planos sagital e frontal, e cinco sensores de eletromiografia wireless (Sistema Noraxon) para registrar as atividades dos músculos reto femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA) e gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) no segmento dominante (segmento D) dos sujeitos do grupo controle e no segmento com maior gravidade de lesão nos indivíduos com OA (segmento OA). Também foram calculados por meio de dinâmica inversa os momentos articulares nos planos sagital e frontal. Três atividades de vida diária foram investigadas, a marcha, o levantar e sentar em uma cadeira e o descer de um degrau de 20cm. Nos resultados, foi observada uma menor variação angular de forma geral nas articulações do quadril e joelho. Não foi observada diferença nas cargas mecânicas aplicadas ao aparelho locomotor. Nas três atividades cotidianas, os indivíduos com OA apresentaram adução no quadril e abdução no joelho, que denota um alinhamento em valgo durante a execução das tarefas. Poucas diferenças foram observadas nos momentos articulares flexores e extensores, nas três atividades de vida diária investigadas. No levantar e sentar menores momentos extensores foram observados no joelho durante as duas fases do movimento. Nos momentos adutores, poucas diferenças foram observadas na marcha. No levantar e sentar, o segmento OA não apresentou momentos adutores de joelho maiores que nos outros segmentos. No descer degrau, o segmento CL apresentou maior momento adutor que o segmento OA e D. De forma geral, as diferenças na ativação muscular indicam maior intensidade de ativação no grupo controle. O músculo VL nas três atividades apresentou intensidade de ativação menor nos indivíduos com OA. Observou-se maior co-ativação na marcha e no descer degrau, mas não no levantar e sentar. Na marcha a maior co-ativação ocorreu nas três articulações. No descer degrau, ocorreu no quadril e no joelho. Nas três atividades, maior co-contração foi observada e principalmente no joelho. Conclui-se que as alterações na técnica de movimento mostram-se tarefa dependente. As alterações na execução do movimento no plano sagital não foram suficientes para afetar o controle das cargas mecânicas, na marcha e no descer degrau. Apenas na tarefa de levantar e sentar surgiu algum indicio de que a eficiência seria pior. O alinhamento no joelho e os momentos adutores não sugerem maior magnitude de força no compartimento medial do joelho. Aparentemente, as características temporais sejam mais sensíveis à presença da OA no joelho do que a intensidade de ativação / The aim of this study is to investigate the biomechanical characteristics of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and hoe it affects the ability to perform daily living activities. Thirty nine subjects participated in this study, 18 subjects with bilateral knee OA grade 3 Kellgren Lawrence scale) and 21 healthy individuals. Two force platforms (AMTI) were used to register the Grourd Reaction Force (GRF). Five cameras (System Vicon) were used to register the angular variations of the hip, knee and ankle in the sagittal and frontal planes. Five electromyographic electrodes (Noraxon System) were used to record the activities of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) in the dominant segment (D segment) on control group and the segment with greater severity of injury in individuals with OA (OA segment). Inverse dynamics was used to calculate joint moments sagittal and frontal planes. Three daily living activities were investigated, the gait, the Sit-to stand and Stand-to-sit and Stepping down from a 20cm height step. In results, there was a smaller angular variation in hip and knee joints. No difference was observed in the mechanical loads applied to the locomotor system. In the three daily activities, people with knee OA showed hip adduction and knee abduction, in the three daily activities, which suggests an alignment valgus in the knee. Few differences were observed in joint moments in the three daily living activities. In sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit lower peak extensor moments were observed in the knee. Few differences were observed in adductor moments in gait. In sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit, no difference was observed in knee adductor moments. In stepping down, the CL segment showed greater adductor moment than OA segment and D. In general, differences in muscle activation indicate greater activation intensity in the control group. The VL muscle showed lower activation intensity in individuals with OA in all three activities. A higher co-activation was observed in gait and in stepping down, but not in sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit. In gait the higher co-activation occurred subjects with knee OA in the three joints. In stepping down, higher co-activation occurred in the hip and knee. In the three activities, greater co-contraction was observed and especially in the knee. It can be concluded that changes in movement technique appears to be task dependent. Changes in movement technique in the sagittal plane were not enough to affect the control of the mechanical loads on gait and stepping down movements. Only in sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit some indication of worse efficiency to perform the task was observed. Knee alignment and knee adductor moments do not suggest greater magnitude of force in the medial compartment of the knee. Apparently, the temporal characteristics of muscle activity are more sensitive to the presence of knee OA than the intensity of activation

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-25T19:30:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Raquel M Modena Wutzki.pdf: 1108265 bytes, checksum: 95460fc6833be7f87bfb57b0ddae51e7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Considering the actual tendency of increasing plant densities in corn crops and the lack of information about this issue on varieties used by smallholder farmers, in this research was assessed variations in plant density of corn and seed quality. The experiment was located in Imbaú, PR, trasition climate zone Cfa/Cfb, on crop season 2011/2012, using the landrace varieties Nutricional, Caiano, MPA and Composto and the commercial varieties BRS Sol da manhã® and BRS Missões®, on plant densities of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 thousand plants ha-1. Stem diameter of plants, ear height of corn, number of seed lines per ear, number of seeds in lines of the ear, number of seeds per ear, mass of a thousand grains and yield were determined in the assessments, besides seed germination, vigor and seed quality. There was interaction between varieties and cultivars for mass of a thousand seeds, seed germination and vigor and seed sanity. For most of varieties, plant densities of 30 and 40 thousand plants favored increasing of stem diameter, yield components and seed germination and decreased incidence of Penicillium spp e Fusarium spp. With the increasing of plant densities starting at 50 thousand plants ha-1, for all varieties, there were decreasing on stem diameter and increasing of lodging plants rate, with consequent increasing of incidence of diseases and decreasing of seed germination. On Caiano and Composto varieties, decreasing of seed germination may be related to the incidence of Fusarium spp. It is possible to conclude that increasing corn’s plant density causes decreasing of yield components, yield and seed quality for most of varieties and cultivars assessed, especially to plant densities of more than 30 thousand plants ha-1. For physiological parameter, the ideal is the utilization of 30 thousand plants ha-1 for variety Composto and cultivar BRS Misssões®, 40 thousand plants ha-1 for varieties Caiano and Nutricional and 50 thousand plants ha-1 for variety MPA and cultivar BRS Sol da Manhã®. Plant densities of 30 thousand to 50 thousand plants ha-1 present less incidence of Penicillium spp e Fusarium spp in all varieties and cultivars. / Considerando a tendência atual do aumento da densidade de plantas para o cultivo do milho e a restrição de informação sobre essa variável em variedades utilizadas pelo agricultor familiar, nessa pesquisa foram avaliadas variações da densidade das plantas de milho e a qualidade das sementes. O experimento foi conduzido em Imbaú, PR, zona de transição climática Cfa/Cfb, na safra 2011/12, utilizando as variedades crioulas de milho: Nutricional, Caiano, MPA e Composto e as variedades comerciais: BRS Sol da Manhã® e BRS Missões®, nas densidades de 30, 40, 50, 60 e 70 mil plantas ha-1. Para as avaliações foram determinados o diâmetro do colmo das plantas, a altura de inserção da espiga, os números de fileira por espiga, de sementes por fileira e de sementes por espiga, a massa de mil sementes e o rendimento, além da germinação, do vigor e da sanidade das sementes. Houve interação entre as variedades de milho para a massa de mil sementes, a germinação, o vigor e a sanidade das sementes. Para a maioria das variedades, as populações de 30 e 40 mil plantas favoreceram o aumento do diâmetro do colmo, dos componentes de rendimento e da germinação das sementes e reduziram as incidências de Penicillium spp e Fusarium spp. Para todas as variedades, com o aumento da densidade a partir de 50 mil plantas ha-1, houve a redução do diâmetro do colmo e o aumento da taxa de acamamento de plantas, com consequente aumento da incidência de doenças e redução da germinação das sementes. Nas variedades Caiano e Composto, a redução da germinação das sementes pode estar relacionada à incidência de Fusarium spp. É possível concluir que o aumento da densidade das plantas de milho causa redução dos componentes de rendimento, do rendimento e da qualidade das sementes, para a maioria das variedades avaliadas, especialmente para densidades superiores a 30 mil plantas ha-1. Em termos fisiológicos o ideal é a utilização de 30 mil plantas ha-1 para a variedade crioula Composto e a variedade comercial BRS Missões®, de 40 mil plantas ha-1 para as variedades crioulas Caiano e Nutricional e de 50 mil plantas ha-1 para a variedade crioula MPA e para a variedade comercial BRS Sol da Manhã®. Populações de 30 mil até 50 mil plantas ha-1 apresentam as menores incidências de Penicillium spp e Fusarium spp para todas as variedades.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-07-19T17:30:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PedroLeiteNeto.pdf: 15729023 bytes, checksum: 58efe211075c14c50cf9c297aa235d4f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-19T17:30:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PedroLeiteNeto.pdf: 15729023 bytes, checksum: 58efe211075c14c50cf9c297aa235d4f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / The development of microgrids was driven by the need to supply consumers with more stable and reliable electricity. The intermittent nature of renewable sources differs from the requirements of consumers - especially in isolated areas - who expect an uninterrupted and quality energy supply. Isolated microstrips may have available one or more renewable sources to be explored, configuring hybrid systems. Although such renewable sources are inexhaustible, energy conversion systems are capacity limited and need to be explored efficiently. Hybrid systems typically include solar photovoltaic and wind, already well studied. In this thesis are introduced the oceanic energies in their gradient and tidal currents forms. This thesis contributes to the efficient exploration of the oceanic sources, both as a single source as well as in a hybrid configuration. In relation to the isolated operation, the storage system is of fundamental importance. Considering the high costs of a battery bank over the total cost of the system, operating strategies that preserve its useful life while maintaining uninterrupted power supply are mandatory. Considering these aspects, in this work is proposed a dual energy storage system composed of two subsystems with diversified functions and submitted to different chage/discharge conditions. The purpose of this new strategy is a more efficient use of the storage system, since this operating regime becomes closer to the recommended by the battery manufacturers. The benefits of this strategy are reflected in the overall cost reduction of the microgrid. In order to achieve optimum operating strategies, a more accurate mathematical model of the batteries is used to reproduce the behavior of the batteries in a more realistic way. In addition, it is investigated the performance of operating strategies that allow maximum benefits to be obtained through the diversification of the microgrid energy matrix, by including hydrokinetic tidal sources. The motivation for including this source lies in its high potential, especially on the northern coast of Brazil. These benefits should be evaluated mainly through the more efficient use of the storage system as well as the reduction of the participation of fossil fuel units in the operation of isolated microgrids. / O desenvolvimento das microrredes foi impulsionado pela necessidade de suprir os consumidores com eletricidade de forma mais estável e confiável. A natureza intermitente das fontes renováveis se contrapõe às exigências dos consumidores - especialmente em áreas isoladas - que esperam por um fornecimento de energia sem interrupções e com qualidade. As microrredes isoladas podem ter disponíveis uma ou mais fontes renováveis para serem exploradas, configurando sistemas híbridos. Embora tais fontes renováveis sejam inesgotáveis, os sistemas de conversão de energia são limitados em capacidade e devem ser explorados com eficiência. Sistemas híbridos normalmente incluem energia solar fotovoltaica e eólica, já bastante estudadas. Nesta tese são introduzidas as energias oceânicas nas suas formas de gradiente e de correntes de marés. Esta tese contribui para a exploração eficiente de fontes oceânicas, tanto na operação como fonte única assim como em configuração híbrida. No que tange a operação isolada, o sistema de armazenamento tem importância fundamental. Considerando os elevados custos de um banco de baterias sobre o custo total do sistema, estratégias de operação que preservem sua vida útil, ao mesmo tempo que mantenham o fornecimento ininterrupto de energia, são mandatórias. Diante destes aspectos, neste trabalho é proposto um sistema dual de armazenamento de energia composto de dois subsistemas com funções diversificadas e submetidos a condições de carga/descarga diferentes. O objetivo desta nova estratégia consiste no uso mais eficiente do sistema de armazenamento, uma vez que esse regime de operação se torna mais próximo daquele recomendado pelos fabricantes de baterias. Os benefícios desta estratégia são refletidos na redução dos custos globais da microrrede. Para conseguir as estratégias de operação ótima, neste trabalho é utilizado um modelo matemático mais acurado das baterias a fim de reproduzir de forma mais realista o comportamento das baterias. Além disso, é investigado o desempenho de estratégias de operação que permitam obter o máximo de benefícios decorrentes da diversificação da matriz energética da microrrede, através da inclusão de fontes hidrocinéticas maremotrizes. A motivação para a inclusão desta fonte está no seu elevado potencial, em especial no litoral norte do Brasil. Estes benefícios devem ser avaliados especialmente quanto ao uso mais eficiente do sistema de armazenamento, assim como a redução da necessidade de participação de unidades baseadas em combustível fóssil na operação de microrredes isoladas.

La qualité d’un réseau électrique se mesure notamment par sa résilience, à savoir sa capacité à continuer de fournir, de façon stable, une électricité de qualité malgré les incidents. Cette continuité d’alimentation est notamment assurée par le réglage de la fréquence, ce dernier faisant office de moyen de coopération entre les différentes sources du réseau. Les travaux de cette thèse étudient en profondeur les différentes façons d’assurer ce réglage de la fréquence sur des microréseaux alternatifs îlotés au regard des problématiques nouvelles : intégration croissante de sources d’énergie renouvelables intermittentes et baisse (voire disparition) de l’inertie inhérente aux groupes synchrones tournants. L’objectif principal est de proposer un ensemble de modèles analytiques permettant d’appréhender le comportement dynamique de la fréquence et des puissances actives transitant sur un microréseau, quelle que soit la topologie de ce dernier, afin de constituer une aide au dimensionnement. À cet objectif global s’ajoute un certain nombre de sous-objectifs qui structurent et guident l’ensemble des travaux :- Un objectif pédagogique : les couplages entre l’équilibre des puissances actives et la fréquence sur un réseau alternatif sont clairement explicités, que ces couplages relèvent de la structure et des paramètres physiques du microréseau ou qu’ils soient liés aux lois et paramètres de commande. La lecture des modèles doit ainsi permettre de comprendre analytiquement les différents liens de cause à effet entre les paramètres du système, la fréquence et les puissances,et les spécificités propres à chaque topologie de microréseau.- Un objectif de simplicité et de modularité : les modèles proposés doivent pouvoir être adaptés selon les cas particuliers de topologies, afin que tout lecteur puisse les réutiliser facilement en dehors du cadre de cette étude. Pour ce faire, ces travaux utilisent des modèles mathématiques sous forme de schémas blocs, intégrables sous Matlab.- Enfin, un objectif de modélisation « grand signal » : pour trancher avec l’approche petit signal de beaucoup de modélisations de microréseaux classiques, et pour permettre d’appréhender le comportement du microréseau sur une large plage de déséquilibre de puissance / The quality of an electricity grid is measured by its resilience, namely its ability to continue to provide electricity despite the incidents. This continuity of supply is ensured by the frequency control, acting as a means of cooperation between the different sources of the grid. This thesis examines in depth the different ways to ensure this frequency control on stand-alone microgrids with regard to new issues: increasing integration of intermittent energy sources and decreasing (or disappearing) of the synchronous rotating groups with their inertia. The main objective is to propose a set of analytical models explaining the dynamic behavior of the frequency and the active powers transiting on a microgrid, whatever the topology, in order to constitute an aid to the sizing. To this overall objective is added a number of sub-objectives that structure and guide this work:- An educational objective: the nature of the link between the balance of active powers and the frequency on an AC microgrid is clearly explained, whether this link is based on physical parameters or is related to control laws. The goal is to understand the different links of cause and effect between the paramers of the system, the frequency and the active power and thespecificities to each topology of microgrid. - An objective of simplicity and modularity: the models proposed must be adaptable to particular cases, so that any reader can reuse easily outside the scope of this study. To do this, mathematical models in the form of block diagrams which can be integrated in Matlab are used. - Finally, a "big signal" simulation objective: to decide with the small signal approach of many traditional microgrid models, and to make it possible to understand the behavior of the microgrid over a wide range of power imbalance.

LHCB est une expérience dédiée à l'étude de la violation CP dans le domaine des mésons B et de leur désintégration rares. Lors du démarrage du LHC, une des premières actions sera de vérifier que l'appareillage a les performances attendues. Cette thèse se place dan sle contexte des premières mesures de l'expérience LHCb pour deux sujets traités : la reconstruction des photons par le calorimètre électromagnétique dans différentes configurations expérimentales et la calibration du calorimètre électromagnétique. Dans ce but une identification des photons `partir de l'ensemble des informations du SPD, PS, ECAL et HCAL est dévellopée basée sur un méthode discriminante de Fisher. Ces photons reconstruits sont utilisés dans la reconstruction des Pi0 dont les spectres mesureront dès le début des prises de données le niveau de calibration du calorimètre. Pour calibrer chaque cellule du calorimètre électromagnétique la contrainte sur la masse des Pi0 reconstruits est utilisée. Une calibration à 1% est possible pour une dé-calibration allant jusqu'à 30% en une dizaine d'heures de prise de données à la luminosité nominale. Deux canaux de physique, ou la calibration du calorimètre et la reconstruction des mésons neutres se désintégrant en paire de photons sont les points clefs sont étudiés. Le canal Bd->J/PsiPi0 mesure de l'angle Beta du triangle CKM, les graphes qui y contribuent peuvent être sensible à de la physique au delà du Modèle Standard. Le canal Bs->J/PSiEta mesure l'angle Chi, domaine spécifique de LHCb. La sensibilité pour a mesure des ces deux angles est estimée.

<p>Martina Haag’s method of self-mockery used in her chronicles is characterized by her wish to live up to various ideals. This essay brings out the subversive power of self-deprecatory hu-mor expressed in her book Hemma hos Martina. The author’s strategies and kinds of humor are being studied, leading up to what this humor accomplishes. General theories on humor, by Mary Ann Rishel, Maria Ohlsson, Henri Bergson, Joannne R. Gilbert and Simon Critchley are being applied to find the essence of her craftsmanship in writing comedy. The analysis also goes more closely into the style and language, to give a deeper understanding of how she creates jokes, and also how she relates to her ideals through language. The main thrust of the analysis, though, builds on theories on self-deprecatory humor. Haag is included into Joanne R. Gilbert’s theory on self-deprecation and The Whiner within the field of stand-up comedy.</p><p>Some American feminist critics have rejected self-deprecatory humor as being anti-feminist, stating that women applying this particular kind of humor merely reinforce stereoty-pes, and put themselves down. This paper objects to those critics, leaning on Haag’s book. I wish to show that Haag is not demeaning towards herself, but towards the cultural norms and expectations in our present society. In this context, I show how Haag manages to demystify and criticize ideal representations of women, by lampooning them and revolting against them. In this way, her book turns into a satirical critique of cultural values. My essay illustrates how Haag objectifies herself, making regular use of stereotypes. This is necessary, since these two elements are essential to most humor. Haag confirms stereotypes to make people laugh. This laughter brings about awareness in the reader, making Haag’s work a social critique of current values and norms concerning women.</p>

<p>The main objectives of this thesis are to study if a topographic wetness index (TWI) could be used as a tool for predicting the spatial distribution of vascular plant species richness in the boreal forest as well as to study congruence in species richness between vascular plants, liverworts, mosses and lichens. A wetness index ln(a/tanβ) based on topography was used to assign a specific TWI-value to every 20 x 20m grid in two 25 km2 boreal forest landscapes (differing in average soil pH) in northern Sweden. Soil pH is known to be influenced by groundwater and to affect plant species richness in other biomes. Therefore, the relationships between plant species richness, TWI and soil pH were also studied. </p><p>The results showed that the majority of the investigated boreal forest landscapes were relatively dry and species-poor, whereas interspersed patches linked to areas with relatively high TWI had species-rich vegetation including the species of the drier parts of the landscape. There was a positive relationship between species richness of vascular plants and the TWI in both landscapes, but varied with average soil pH. TWI explained 30 % and 52 % of the variation in plant species richness in the landscape with lower and higher pH, respectively. The proportion of regionally uncommon plants also increased with TWI. Testing different calculation methods of the TWI resulted in a large variation in correlation strengths between the various TWI-values and different measured variables (species richness of vascular plants, soil pH, groundwater flow and soil moisture). The relationship between plant species richness and TWI could be further improved with some of the calculation methods. </p><p>When studying correlations in species richness using data sets from boreal forest in northern Sweden, strong positive correlations among vascular plants, mosses and liverworts were found, but no significant correlation between macrolichens and any of the other groups. This result could be explained by that the species number of each of the three related groups increases with ambient moisture, whereas the species number of macrolichens is weakly associated with moisture. </p><p>In conclusion, the TWI could become a useful tool in conservation management for identifying areas of special interest prior to field inventories. Since vascular plants can be used as an indicator taxon for species richness of mosses and liverworts, high TWI-values indicate areas of species hotspots of these taxa.</p> / <p>Syftet med avhandlingen är att dels studera om ett topografiskt fuktighetsindex skulle kunna vara användbart för att förutsäga fördelningen av kärlväxters artrikedom i boreal skog, dels att studera om den rumsliga fördelningen av artrikedom hos kärlväxter, blad- och levermossor samt lavar sammanfaller.</p><p>Ett fuktighetsindex, ln(a/tanβ), som bara är baserat på topografi användes för att beräkna ett indexvärde för varje 20 x 20 m grid i två 25 km2 stora boreala skogslandskap (med i medeltal olika mark-pH) i norra Sverige. Det är känt att mark-pH påverkas av grundvatten och att pH i sin tur påverkar artrikedom hos kärlväxter i andra biom. Därför studerades även sambanden mellan kärlväxters artrikedom, mark pH och TWI.</p><p>Resultaten visade att större delen av det studerade boreala landskapet var relativt torrt och artfattigt, medan mindre utspridda områden med höga TWI-värden var artrika på kärlväxter och här växte även arter som återfanns i de torra delarna av skogen. Sambandet mellan artrikedom hos kärlväxter och TWI var positivt i båda landskapen, men påverkades av de olika nivåerna på mark-pH. TWI förklarade 30 % av variationen i artrikedom i området med lägre mark-pH respektive 50 % i området med högre mark-pH. Andelen kärlväxter som klassificeras som icke vanliga i respektive region ökade också med TWI. Med andra beräkningsmetoder för TWI visade det sig att styrkan på korrelationerna mellan TWI och olika uppmätta variabler (artrikedom hos kärlväxter, mark-pH, grundvattennivå och markfuktighet) varierade mycket. Sambandet mellan artrikedom hos kärlväxter och TWI kunde förbättras ytterligare med vissa beräkningsmetoder.</p><p>Då korrelationer i artrikedom studerades användes ett dataset från boreal skog i norra Sverige. Resultaten visade på starka, positiva korrelationer mellan kärlväxter, blad- och levermossor, men inga korrelationer mellan någon av dessa grupper och lavar. Detta kunde förklaras med att artrikedom hos de tre korrelerande organismgrupperna ökar med ökad fuktighet, medan artrikedom hos lavar inte är kopplat till fukt.</p><p>Huvudslutsatsen i avhandlingen är att TWI, som endast är baserad på topograpfiskt data, skulle kunna bli ett värdefullt redskap i naturvårdsplanering för att identifiera särskilt intressanta skogsområden innan man gör fältinventeringar. Eftersom studien visar att kärlväxter kan användas som en indikator grupp för artrikedom hos blad- och levermossor indikerar höga TWI-värden områden med hög artrikedom även vad gäller dessa taxa.</p>

As the courts have evolved over the past 30 years towards increasingly punitive sanctions for youthful offenders, the fundamental protections afforded to adult defendants have become increasingly relevant for youthful offenders. Among these protections, the right of juveniles to be competent to stand trial has gained nearly universal recognition throughout this country’s courts. Congruent with theory and previous research, we hypothesized that age, intellectual ability, psychiatric symptomatology, and maturity would all be directly related to adolescents’ competence. It was also anticipated that adolescents in the detention sample would evidence lower maturity and competency-related abilities compared to the community sample. Expanding on previous research that has consistently documented an association between age and competence, we hypothesized that psychosocial maturity would partially mediate this relationship. Further, we hypothesized that psychosocial maturity would moderate the direct relations between intellectual ability, psychiatric symptomatology, and competence. In order to test these hypotheses, we utilized a secondary sample from the MacArthur Adjudicative Competence Study that included 927 male and female adolescents ages 11- to 17-years-old recruited from 11 juvenile detention facilities and their surrounding communities. Results demonstrated that age, intellectual ability, and maturity were each directly positively related to competence, and psychiatric symptomatology was negatively related to competence. Further, results provided some support for the hypothesis that maturity partially explains the relationship between age and competence. While the relationship between psychiatric symptomatology and competence did not vary across high and low levels of maturity, results supported the hypothesis that the relationship between intellectual ability and competence varies across high and low levels of psychosocial maturity. Findings suggest that intellectual ability plays an essential role in juveniles’ adjudicative competence and can serve as a protective factor against some aspects of immaturity. Given these findings, it is suggested that youth with deficient intellectual abilities facing the possibility of transfer be automatically referred for evaluations of adjudicative competence. Further, findings suggest that maturity appears to warrant further attention from researchers and clinicians involved in evaluating juveniles’ adjudicative competence. Results are discussed in terms of the legal and clinical implications of developmental immaturity on the prosecution of youthful offenders.

Preservation of large tracts of habitat is often recommended for long-term population viability of area-sensitive species. Large tracts may not always be available. Smaller patches, though not able to contain a viable population individually, may contribute to overall regional population viability if within the small patches pairs could successfully reproduce. By definition, area-sensitive species should have a minimum patch size threshold of habitat below which they will not likely reproduce. Two potential causes for positive relationships between patch size and production are inverse relationships between patch size and brood parasitism and patch size and food availability. My objectives were (1) to determine the minimum patch size thresholds of reproductive success for golden-cheeked warblers (Dendroica chrysoparia), black-and-white warblers (Mniotilta varia), and white-eyed vireos (Vireo griseus); (2) to determine whether thresholds for occupancy, territory establishment by males, or pairing success were indicative of thresholds of reproduction; (3) to determine whether the proportion of pairs fledging brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) young was related to patch size, and (4) to determine the affects of patch size on food availability (i.e., arthropod abundance). The Vickery index of reproductive activity was used to determine reproductive activity of each male or pair and to quantify parasitism occurrences. I collected arthropods using branch clipping to assess the relationship between patch size and arthropod abundance. I found minimum patch size thresholds of reproductive success for golden-cheeked and black-and-white warblers, but not for white-eyed vireos. Minimum patch size of reproductive success was between 15 and 20.1 ha. Minimum patch size thresholds for occupancy, territory establishment by males, and pair formation were not consistent with thresholds for reproductive success. I found no relationships between patch size and cowbird parasitism or patch size and arthropod biomass. Conservation practices for target species based on thresholds of occupancy, territory establishment, or pair formation may not address issues of reproduction. The ability to identify thresholds of reproductive success for target species could be useful in conservation and management in multiple ways including setting goals for retention and restoration of a target species’ habitat patch size.

The main objectives of this thesis are to study if a topographic wetness index (TWI) could be used as a tool for predicting the spatial distribution of vascular plant species richness in the boreal forest as well as to study congruence in species richness between vascular plants, liverworts, mosses and lichens. A wetness index ln(a/tanβ) based on topography was used to assign a specific TWI-value to every 20 x 20m grid in two 25 km2 boreal forest landscapes (differing in average soil pH) in northern Sweden. Soil pH is known to be influenced by groundwater and to affect plant species richness in other biomes. Therefore, the relationships between plant species richness, TWI and soil pH were also studied. The results showed that the majority of the investigated boreal forest landscapes were relatively dry and species-poor, whereas interspersed patches linked to areas with relatively high TWI had species-rich vegetation including the species of the drier parts of the landscape. There was a positive relationship between species richness of vascular plants and the TWI in both landscapes, but varied with average soil pH. TWI explained 30 % and 52 % of the variation in plant species richness in the landscape with lower and higher pH, respectively. The proportion of regionally uncommon plants also increased with TWI. Testing different calculation methods of the TWI resulted in a large variation in correlation strengths between the various TWI-values and different measured variables (species richness of vascular plants, soil pH, groundwater flow and soil moisture). The relationship between plant species richness and TWI could be further improved with some of the calculation methods. When studying correlations in species richness using data sets from boreal forest in northern Sweden, strong positive correlations among vascular plants, mosses and liverworts were found, but no significant correlation between macrolichens and any of the other groups. This result could be explained by that the species number of each of the three related groups increases with ambient moisture, whereas the species number of macrolichens is weakly associated with moisture. In conclusion, the TWI could become a useful tool in conservation management for identifying areas of special interest prior to field inventories. Since vascular plants can be used as an indicator taxon for species richness of mosses and liverworts, high TWI-values indicate areas of species hotspots of these taxa. / Syftet med avhandlingen är att dels studera om ett topografiskt fuktighetsindex skulle kunna vara användbart för att förutsäga fördelningen av kärlväxters artrikedom i boreal skog, dels att studera om den rumsliga fördelningen av artrikedom hos kärlväxter, blad- och levermossor samt lavar sammanfaller. Ett fuktighetsindex, ln(a/tanβ), som bara är baserat på topografi användes för att beräkna ett indexvärde för varje 20 x 20 m grid i två 25 km2 stora boreala skogslandskap (med i medeltal olika mark-pH) i norra Sverige. Det är känt att mark-pH påverkas av grundvatten och att pH i sin tur påverkar artrikedom hos kärlväxter i andra biom. Därför studerades även sambanden mellan kärlväxters artrikedom, mark pH och TWI. Resultaten visade att större delen av det studerade boreala landskapet var relativt torrt och artfattigt, medan mindre utspridda områden med höga TWI-värden var artrika på kärlväxter och här växte även arter som återfanns i de torra delarna av skogen. Sambandet mellan artrikedom hos kärlväxter och TWI var positivt i båda landskapen, men påverkades av de olika nivåerna på mark-pH. TWI förklarade 30 % av variationen i artrikedom i området med lägre mark-pH respektive 50 % i området med högre mark-pH. Andelen kärlväxter som klassificeras som icke vanliga i respektive region ökade också med TWI. Med andra beräkningsmetoder för TWI visade det sig att styrkan på korrelationerna mellan TWI och olika uppmätta variabler (artrikedom hos kärlväxter, mark-pH, grundvattennivå och markfuktighet) varierade mycket. Sambandet mellan artrikedom hos kärlväxter och TWI kunde förbättras ytterligare med vissa beräkningsmetoder. Då korrelationer i artrikedom studerades användes ett dataset från boreal skog i norra Sverige. Resultaten visade på starka, positiva korrelationer mellan kärlväxter, blad- och levermossor, men inga korrelationer mellan någon av dessa grupper och lavar. Detta kunde förklaras med att artrikedom hos de tre korrelerande organismgrupperna ökar med ökad fuktighet, medan artrikedom hos lavar inte är kopplat till fukt. Huvudslutsatsen i avhandlingen är att TWI, som endast är baserad på topograpfiskt data, skulle kunna bli ett värdefullt redskap i naturvårdsplanering för att identifiera särskilt intressanta skogsområden innan man gör fältinventeringar. Eftersom studien visar att kärlväxter kan användas som en indikator grupp för artrikedom hos blad- och levermossor indikerar höga TWI-värden områden med hög artrikedom även vad gäller dessa taxa.