Hydroclimatic variability in the western United States (the West) is characterized by a north-south dipole pattern of precipitation and streamflow variance, with centers of opposite association in the Pacific Northwest and the Desert Southwest. These dipole centers tend to react in opposite fashion to tropical Pacific Ocean conditions, and the resulting contrast in precipitation variability is an important component of Western climate. Teleconnection impacts are not as well understood in the transition zone separating the centers of opposite association, located primarily within the semi-arid Intermountain West. This leads to low hydroclimatic predictive capacity in the transition zone region, an area that is extremely important for water supply in the West. In this dissertation, I examine paleohydroclimatic variability in this region using dendrochronology, investigate recent variability through a synoptic climatology approach, and assess future conditions based on climate change projections.Overall, this dissertation's findings confirm that the transition zone region is highly vulnerable to extremes in hydroclimatic variability and underscore the need for improved predictive capacity in the region. In the Snake River headwaters, low- to mid-elevation Pseudotsuga menziesii trees are the strongest recorders of winter precipitation, a vital component of water supply, and the season of precipitation impacting growth is a major component of the overall variability between tree-ring sites in the region. The 415-year reconstruction of Snake River streamflow indicates that extended droughts, more severe than those recorded in the instrumental period, have occurred in the pre-instrumental past. Streamflow in the upper Snake River is strongly linked to Pacific Ocean conditions and sensitive to storm track position. The West's precipitation dipole has a surprisingly narrow transition zone that has shifted in its location over time in some areas but has remained remarkably stationary across Nevada and Utah. Projected climate changes - including warmer temperatures, changing seasonality, reduced snowpack, and changes in the storm track position - highlight the importance of understanding climate-water linkages for future water resource management.

Within the middle McMurray exposures along the Steepbank River (Steepbank River Outcrops 3 and 4), nine recognized facies can be divided into three genetically related groups: sand-dominated facies, inclined heterolithic stratification (IHS) facies and mixed heterolithic facies. Together, these facies are interpreted to represent a fluvially dominated, tidally influenced point bar that experienced strong seasonal variation in river discharge. Annual fluctuations between river-flood stage and low-flow stage are responsible for the deposition of fluvially dominated sand beds alternating with brackish, tidally influenced mud beds that cover the point-bar surface as members of the various IHS facies. The dichotomy of fluvially dominated sand deposition and brackish-water ichnology of the mud beds represents the annual migration in position of the tidal and salinity nodes caused by fluctuations in fluvial discharge. Recognition of metre-scale cycles (MSCs) of alternating sandier and muddier intervals within the IHS facies imply that decadal climate cycles, likely caused by fluctuations in ocean and/or solar dynamics, influenced point-bar deposition. These MSC packages are defined by an upward decrease in sand-bed thickness, an upward increase in mud-bed frequency, and an upward increase in bioturbation intensity, all occurring on a metre scale. MSCs are an important architectural element of these large-scale tidal-fluvial point bars because they are predictable, repeatable and continuous around the point bar. Analysis of paleocurrents relative to inclined-heterolithic-stratification bedding planes indicates that bend-flow modifications (BFMs) were effective in redistributing flow around the point bar. Furthermore, this suggests that Outcrop 3 is representative of an upstream-to-bend-apex transition within a large-scale point-bar planform. Recognition of multiple channels at Outcrop 4 was based on large-scale erosional truncation, IHS bed-orientation changes, large cumulative thicknesses of the middle McMurray, thick sand-package thicknesses, changes in relative scale of sedimentary structures, and the occurrence of large mud clasts. Similarities in depositional expression between channels suggest autogenic channel stacking (within-valley stacking), rather than the stacking of separate valleys. Finally, discordant paleocurrents within the basal sand-dominated facies are likely representative of amalgamated channel-bottom facies from several generations of channel. This suggests that only the upper intervals of basal sand-dominated facies are genetically linked to the overlying IHS facies. / Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-01-30 13:25:32.53

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No / This study investigates the interfacial characteristics between aggregates and cement paste matrix in nanofillers modified concrete. A three-point bend test on the specimens composed of two pieces of aggregates bonded with a thin layer of cement pastes with/without nanofillers was carried out to characterize the interfacial bond strength of the composites. The scanning electron microscope observations and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry analysis were also performed to characterize the interfacial microstructures and compositions of the composites. The experimental results indicated that the nanocomposites have higher interfacial bond strength and narrower interfacial transition zone thickness as well as more optimized intrinsic compositions and microstructures than that of composites without nanofillers. Specifically, the interfacial bond strength of nanocomposites can reach 7.67 MPa, which is 3.03 MPa/65.3% higher than that of composites without nanofillers. The interfacial transition zone thickness of nanocomposites ranges from 9 μm to 12 μm, while that of composites without nanofillers is about 18 μm. The ratio of CaO to SiO2 in the interface of composites without nanofillers is 0.69, and that of nanocomposites increases to 0.75–1.12. Meanwhile, the nanofiller content in nanocomposite interface is 1.65–1.98 times more than that in the bulk matrix. The interfacial microstructures of nanocomposites are more compact and the content and crystal size of calcium hydroxide were significantly reduced compared with that of composites without nanofillers. / National Science Foundation of China (51978127 and 51908103), and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2019M651116).

Yes / This study investigates the interfacial characteristics between aggregates and cement paste matrix in nanofillers modified concrete. A three-point bend test on the specimens composed of two pieces of aggregates bonded with a thin layer of cement pastes with/without nanofillers was carried out to characterize the interfacial bond strength of the composites. The scanning electron microscope observations and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry analysis were also performed to characterize the interfacial microstructures and compositions of the composites. The experimental results indicated that the nanocomposites have higher interfacial bond strength and narrower interfacial transition zone thickness as well as more optimized intrinsic compositions and microstructures than that of composites without nanofillers. Specifically, the interfacial bond strength of nanocomposites can reach 7.67 MPa, which is 3.03 MPa/65.3% higher than that of composites without nanofillers. The interfacial transition zone thickness of nanocomposites ranges from 9 μm to 12 μm, while that of composites without nanofillers is about 18 μm. The ratio of CaO to SiO2 in the interface of composites without nanofillers is 0.69, and that of nanocomposites increases to 0.75–1.12. Meanwhile, the nanofiller content in nanocomposite interface is 1.65–1.98 times more than that in the bulk matrix. The interfacial microstructures of nanocomposites are more compact and the content and crystal size of calcium hydroxide were significantly reduced compared with that of composites without nanofillers. / The National Science Foundation of China (51978127 and 51908103), and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2019M651116).

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. Given its relative availability, strength, economy, and versatility to fit various applications, the material has been incorporated in roadways, bridges, buildings, and a host of other infrastructure projects. Oftentimes, concrete will be exposed to several environmental conditions that ultimately affect its durability and lifespan. These conditions include repeated freezing and thawing, chloride intrusion, sulfate attack, alkali-silica reaction, and many others. Given the age and condition of American infrastructure, concrete structures throughout the country need repair or rehabilitation. Often this repair includes the removal of degraded or damaged concrete and the application of an overlay material. There are several factors affecting the bond performance of the newly formed substrate-repair concrete, such as surface roughness, overlay material, and substrate moisture condition. The work presented in this thesis is dedicated to understanding the effect of substrate moisture condition on the overlay transition zone (OTZ) of the substrate-repair concrete. The substrate moisture condition can significantly impact the microstructure characterization of the OTZ. If the substrate is too dry, then it may absorb water from the repair material, reducing the local water-to-cement (w/c) ratio in the OTZ. Conversely, if the substrate is too wet, then the w/c ratio of the OTZ will be locally increased. In both scenarios, the interfacial bond strength is expected to be modified due to the change in the local w/c ratio. To understand this effect, various test methods and degradation mechanisms were explored. Initially, substrate-repair concrete specimens were prepared utilizing three separate substrate moisture conditions: saturated surfaced dry (SSD), sub-saturated surface dry (Sub-SSD), and oven dry (OD). After allowing these samples to cure, the strength and ion penetration risk were evaluated. The bond strength of the samples was evaluated through flexural strength testing and fracture energy determined through the RILEM draft tests. The OTZ ion penetration risk was evaluated by conducting rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT) on samples prepared with the three substrate moisture conditions. Furthermore, to determine the effect of repeated freezing and thawing on the OTZ and flexural strength, additional samples were created with the three moisture conditions. After allowing these samples to cure, they were subjected to ASTM C666 and were tested to observe their flexural strength. Another important performance indicator of concrete elements is its resistance to chloride ion penetration and corrosion. Since many structural elements are designed with steel reinforcement, chloride ion penetration represents a critical parameter in projecting material performance, since chloride ions will accelerate the rate of steel corrosion. Oftentimes, a key element in projecting this performance is identifying the rate at which ions diffuse through the material. There remain many established techniques to identify this rate of diffusion and derive a chloride diffusion coefficient; however, many of them are either destructive or qualitative in nature. In recent years, transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) has been employed to non-destructively track diffusion and develop diffusion coefficients. The work presented in this thesis surrounds the efforts of incorporating TXM experiments at Virginia Tech. This work initially utilized a SkyScan 1174 μCT, and additional work in this thesis presents the design and construction of a dental X-ray system based on the checking ion penetration (CHIP) design. This system can conduct TXM experiments utilizing a dental X-ray as the source. The research, design, and construction of the CHIP system is discussed in this thesis. Ultimately, the research in this thesis has not observed any significant relationship between substrate moisture condition and overlay bond strength. There does appear to be an increase in chloride ion resistance for drier substrates, suggesting that pre-wetting the surface increases penetrability of the interface. / Master of Science / Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. Given its relative availability, strength, economy, and versatility to fit various applications, the material has been incorporated in roadways, bridges, buildings, and a host of other infrastructure projects. Oftentimes, concrete will be exposed to several environmental conditions that ultimately affect its durability and lifespan. These conditions include repeated freezing and thawing, chloride intrusion, sulfate attack, alkali-silica reaction, and many others. These environmental conditions ultimately degrade the material by inducing cracks, exposing steel reinforcement, and spalling. When the concrete has experienced significant deterioration, repair and rehabilitation of the damaged section must be performed. Most often, this repair consists of the removal of damaged concrete and the application of an overlay material to prevent further deterioration. The topics discussed in this thesis evaluate the optimum substrate conditions prior to an overlay application and the implementation of techniques to evaluate deterioration mechanisms. There are several substrate conditions that will affect bonding with the overlay material, including surface roughness, moisture conditions, and overlay type. This paper focused on the moisture condition and what effect this had on bond strength and resistance to chloride intrusion. This effect was studied in laboratory conditions and under environmental conditions such as rapid freezing and thawing. Several different deterioration mechanisms may contribute to concrete degradation. The research presented in this thesis also aimed to evaluate chloride ion diffusion. To evaluate this mechanism, two systems were explored with the intent of conducting transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM). With TXM, chloride ion diffusion can be tracked to determine the rate at which ions diffuse through the concrete. The two systems explored were an X-ray computed tomography scanner and a dental X-ray system. Both systems can conduct TXM, and this paper presents the efforts dedicated to developing them for this technique at Virginia Tech. Ultimately, the research in this thesis has not observed any significant relationship between substrate moisture condition and overlay bond strength. There does appear to be an increase in chloride ion resistance for drier substrates, suggesting that pre-wetting the surface increases penetrability of the interface.

Heartwood is the dead, inner layers of wood in the tree which no longer transport water. It is usually dark in colour and has increased decay-resistance compared to the sapwood. Heartwood forms in the transition zone when the ray cells die and deposit chemical extractives in the surrounding xylem. These chemicals convey natural durability which is of value to the forest and timber industry. Despite its value the formation of heartwood is poorly understood. The objective of this PhD is to improve our understanding of heartwood formation in Sitka spruce and Scots pine, the most widely planted species in Britain. Separating heartwood and sapwood at the sawmill can increase timber value due to differences in wood properties. The amount of heartwood varies both with height within, and between trees. Empirical models were developed to describe heartwood and sapwood distribution by diameter, area and ring number 1) within any wood disc 2) with height in the standing tree using taper functions, and 3) its variation between trees. Models will be incorporated into wood quality models to optimise heartwood utilisation. According to pipe theory a certain area of sapwood sustains a volume of canopy, with redundant sapwood converted to heartwood. Sap flux was examined across the sapwood and transition zone in Sitka spruce to understand water transport in relation to heartwood formation and identify seasonal change in transport in the transition zone. Results suggest that the transition zone ceases water transport around dormancy and the amount of heartwood formed may be driven by new wood formation, maintaining sapwood depth. Heartwood formation is a seasonal process, however this has not been confirmed in Sitka spruce or Scots pine, or under UK climatic conditions. Seasonal variation in carbon dioxide and ethylene production by the transition zone were measured to identify the time of heartwood formation, which was late summer through dormancy, consistent with published literature. The role of ethylene in heartwood formation is confirmed. Heartwood formation is an active developmental process, a form of programmed cell death, and as such must be carefully regulated temporally and spatially. Regulation by phytohormones has been proposed but not confirmed. Screening for a broad range of phytohormones during the proposed season of heartwood formation identified an increase in abscisic acid and a decrease in auxin concentration in the transition zone. Abscisic acid, auxin and ethylene also regulate xylogenesis, therefore the same signals that initiate cambial dormancy may also provide the temporal regulation of heartwood formation. The results of this PhD will optimise the use of heartwood in Sitka spruce and Scots pine in the UK and contribute towards selective tree breeding for increased heartwood volume worldwide.

Les cils et les flagelles sont des organites conservés chez les eucaryotes où ils jouent des rôles essentiels et variés comme la motilité et la signalisation cellulaire. La zone de transition (ZT) est une structure complexe, localisée à la base des cils, indispensable à leur assemblage et pour la sélection des constituants ciliaires. Chez l'Homme, de nombreuses pathologies appelées ciliopathies sont associées à des défauts d'assemblage ou de fonctionnement des cils. Les plus sévères sont liées à des défauts de protéines de la ZT. Cette dernière est composée principalement de trois complexes protéiques nommés MKS, NPHP et CEP290 interagissant étroitement entre eux. D'autres protéines, dont CBY conservée des mammifères à la drosophile, s'ajoutent à ces modules mais leur interconnections ne sont pas connues Deux modes d'assemblage ciliaire ont été décrits : la ciliogenèse compartimentée et cytosolique. La fonction de la ZT au cours de la ciliogenèse compartimentée a fait l'objet de nombreuses études mais son rôle dans la ciliogenèse cytosolique reste peu connu. Au cours de ma thèse j'ai analysé la fonction de nouvelles protéines de la ZT en utilisant le modèle de la drosophile qui présente les 2 types de ciliogenèse. J'ai d'une part réalisé un crible protéomique en cellules murine IMCD3 et caractérisé le module protéique CBY, composé de CBY, FAM92A et DZIP1L. Ce module est conservé chez la drosophile à la ZT. Il est nécessaire à la ciliogenèse notamment pour l'assemblage de la ZT et pour l'ancrage du corps basal à la membrane plasmique. L'absence de ces protéines entraine des défauts ciliaires importants dans l'assemblage des flagelles de spermatozoïde et des cils des neurones sensoriels chez les drosophiles.En conclusion, ce travail apporte de nouvelles connaissances sur l'assemblage de la ZT et sur le rôle de CBY dans les mécanismes qui contrôlent la ciliogenèse / Cilia and flagella are highly conserved organelles among eukaryotes species. They are composed of a microtubular cytoskeleton and play essential functions during development and in numerous physiological processes. As a result, in humans, cilia dysfunction leads to a wide range of pathologies, called ciliopathies.At the ciliary base, the transition zone (TZ), a complex structure, is required for proper cilia assembly and regulates the traffic of ciliary components in and out cilia. Defects in TZ proteins lead to severe ciliopathies. The TZ is composed of 3 protein complexes, MKS, NPHP et CEP290 that closely interact. Additional proteins, like CBY, conserved between mammals and Drosophila, have been described at the TZ but their precise role and relationships with the other TZ complexes are unknown. Two modes of cilia assembly have been described: compartmentalized and cytosolic ciliogenesis. Whereas the function of the TZ in compartmentalized ciliogenesis is well documented, its role in cytosolic ciliogenesis remains poorly characterized. During my PhD, I characterized new TZ proteins conserved in mammals and Drosophila and analyzed their function during cilia assembly in Drosophila. First, I performed a proteomic screen in murine IMCD3 cells and characterized the CBY module composed of CBY, FAM92A1 and DZIP1L. This complex is conserved in Drosophila and locates at the TZ. Moreover, I showed that this module is necessary for TZ assembly and centriolar docking to the plasma membrane and hence required for cilia and flagella assembly. In absence of these proteins, Drosophila show severe ciliogenesis defects both in sperm cells and in sensory neurons.In conclusion, this work brings new insights into the understanding of TZ assembly and of the mechanisms, that control ciliogenesis

L'origine de la zone de transition dunitique (DTZ) à l'interface manteau-croûte est mal connue, ainsi que les processus physico-chimiques impliqués dans sa genèse. Pour aborder cette question, ce travail a porté sur l'étude pétrologique, géochimique et structurale de 20 coupes (600 échantillons) levées dans la DTZ du massif de Sumail (ophiolite d'Oman), épaisse de plus de 400 mètres à l'aplomb d'un paléo-diapir mantellique. Au-delà des données in situ sur minéraux (microsonde, LA-ICP-MS) et des compositions en éléments majeurs des roches totales, le développement d'une procédure analytique a permis l'acquisition des compositions en éléments en traces des dunites dont les teneurs sont de l'ordre du ng.g-1. La DTZ est faite de dunites pures (olivine et chromite) et de dunites imprégnées, contenant une quantité variable de minéraux interstitiels ayant cristallisé à partir d'un magma percolant. Ces faciès renferment des minéraux d'une variété insoupçonnée incluant, en plus de ceux clairement issus d'un MORB (clinopyroxène et plagioclase), de l'orthopyroxène, amphibole, grenat, et des diopsides témoignant d'un processus d'hybridation entre le MORB et des fluides hydratés. Les forts rapports Mg# et teneurs en TiO2 des orthopyroxènes et amphiboles ainsi que la composition des clinopyroxènes, intermédiaire entre clinopyroxènes magmatiques et diopsides hydrothermaux, a permis de contraindre la composition du magma hybride qui résulterait du mélange entre un magma d'affinité tholéiitique et un fluide supercritique riche en silice, voire trondhjémitique issu de la fusion incongruente hydratée des orthopyroxènes mantelliques, similaire au produit de fusion hydratée des roches environnantes (péridotites serpentinisées, troctolites, gabbros). Ces minéraux sont observés en position interstitielle et en inclusion dans les chromites, témoignant de leur origine précoce et du fait que les magmas hybrides ont participé à la formation de la DTZ. La combinaison des interprétations des données in situ et des données roches totales a permis la déconvolution du message polyphasé enregistré par les dunites : la signature du protolithe, celles de la dunitisation et du rééquilibrage de la matrice d'olivine avec un MORB percolant (métasomatisme cryptique), la signature de refertilisation par la cristallisation des minéraux interstitiels (métasomatisme modal), ainsi que les effets de la serpentinisation. Il apparaît que les dunites pures, caractérisées par un spectres de terres rares en forme de U ou de V, semblent avoir acquis cette signature très précocement, probablement lors de la phase initiale de leur genèse sous l'effet de rééquilibrages avec des liquides très riches en éléments incompatibles (REE, Th, U, HFSE) et pouvant correspondre au magma hybride. L'étude structurale de la DTZ dans le massif de Sumail a montré l'influence de la tectonique synmagmatique sur la structuration de la DTZ, se traduisant par l'alternance d'horizons imprégnés ou non ainsi que par l'évolution verticale sur plusieurs dizaines de mètres des compositions chimiques à l'approche des zones de failles. On l'observe notamment pour les teneurs en éléments immobiles dans les fluides tels que le Ti, les REE ou le Th. La DTZ semble s'être développée dans un environnement transtensif dont les deux systèmes de failles principaux N130 et N165-180 ont accommodé la percolation des magmas et fluides responsables de la dunitisation ainsi que l'introduction des fluides hydrothermaux pouvant conditionner les échanges globaux avec les enveloppes externes.La comparaison avec les DTZ d'autres massifs en Oman ou à Trinity (Californie), ayant évolué dans un contexte magmatique différent, montre également l'importance des failles synmagmatiques dans la structuration de la DTZ. Les liquides qui ont percolé dans ces DTZ apparaissent systématiquement sous-saturés en Al et saturés en H2O, amenant à interpréter le caractère hydraté comme une condition critique pour la genèse des dunites. / The origin of the dunitic transition zone (DTZ) between the mantle and the crust is still largely unknown, as well as the physical and chemical processes involved in its genesis. To address this topic, this thesis focused on the petrological, geochemical and structural study of 20 cross-sections (600 samples) collected along the DTZ from the Sumail massif, Oman ophiolite, 400 meters thick and located above a former paleo-mantle diapir. In addition to mineral compositions acquired using in situ methods (microprobe, LA-ICP-MS) and to whole rock major elements, the development of an analytical procedure permitted to determine trace element contents in dunites that display low concentrations (regularly about one ng.g-1). The DTZ is made of pure dunites (olivine and minor chromites), and of impregnated ones, containing a variable amount of interstitial minerals that crystallized from a percolating melt. These latter rocks contain an unexpected mineralogical variety with, in addition to clinopyroxene and plagioclase showing a MORB affinity, the presence of orthopyroxene, amphibole, garnet and diopsides that highlights a hybridization process between the MORB and hydrated fluids. The high Mg# ratio and TiO2 content in orthopyroxene and amphibole together with the clinopyroxene composition, intermediate between igneous clinopyroxene and pure hydrothermal diopside, allow deciphering the nature of the parent melt as the result of the mixing between tholeiitic melt and a supercritical water enriched in silica, or trondhjemitic fluid issued from the hydrated incongruent melting of mantle orthopyroxene, similar to melts produced by the hydrated melting of country rocks (serpentinized peridotites, troctolites, gabbros). All these minerals are observed both in interstitial position and as inclusions in chromite, showing that they crystallized early and that hybrid melts participated to the genesis of the DTZ. The comparison between mineral and whole rock compositions permitted to highlight the different processes that led to the observed chemical signatures of dunites: the protolithe signature, the dunitization process, chemical reequilibration between the olivine matrix and the percolating MORB, refertilization following the crystallization of interstitial minerals, as well as the effects of later serpentinization. Pure dunites, characterized by U or V-shaped REE patterns, seem to have acquired early the LREE-enriched signature that probably results from the reequilibration with silica- and incompatible trace elements-rich fluids (REE, Th, U, HFSE) generated through the harzburgite orthopyroxenes incongruent melting and probably reflecting the hybrid melt that crystallized interstitial hydrous minerals. The structural study of the DTZ in Sumail highlights the effect of synmagmatic faults on the DTZ development, resulting in the alternation between pure and impregnated horizons as well as in the vertical chemical structuration with compositions evolving on few tens of meters until fault zones. This is particularly true for chemical species expected as immobile during weathering as Ti, REE or Th. The DTZ seems to have been developed in a transtensional environment structured by two main faults systems, oriented N130 and N165-180. These faults spatially constrained both the melt flow, thus the dunitization, and the introduction of hydrothermal fluids probably oceanic in origin. This meeting zone between igneous and hydrothermal fluids can strongly influence the chemical exchanges and distribution between the deep lithosphere and the surface. The comparison between the Sumail DTZ and other ones from Oman or Trinity (California) ophiolites, which evolved in a different magmatic setting, shows the systematic role of synmagmatic faults. Melts that percolated these other DTZ were under-saturated in Al and saturated in water, allowing to interpret the hydrated component as an essential condition for dunites genesis at the mantle-crust transition.