Few studies of tropical fish communities compare fish distributions across the full range of near-shore tropical marine habitats. As a result, our understanding of tropical marine fish communities is often biased towards habitats preferred by researchers. The distribution and habitat preferences of all 136 fish species occurring at 106 stations in three bays off Tortola in the British Virgin Islands were assessed. At a species level, habitat type was often the key factor influencing fish distribution. Of the 44 species occurring at more than 10 stations, 3 were sand specialists, 5 were strongly associated with mangroves, 7 were dependent on seagrass and algal beds and 14 were found only on the forereef. Eleven species were widely distributed both on the forereef and in bays, and 9 of them showed clear evidence of ontogenetic partitioning. The juveniles all preferred bay habitat types and moved onto the forereef as they approached sexual maturity. At a community level, five distinct fish assemblages were found. The assemblage types were classified according to their distribution: 1) forereef, 2) reef flat, 3) non-mangrove associated seagrass, 4) mangrove associated seagrass and 5) eutrophic areas. Forereef stations were the most species-rich with 24 species per station while eutrophic stations had the most depauperate communities with only 4 species per station. Variation in fish species richness at each station was largely explained by a simple habitat complexity index. It accounted for 70% of the variation in fish species richness and 21% of the variation in fish abundance. Rugosity and variety of growth forms were the most important predictors of species richness, but the height of the habitat architecture was the most useful predictor of fish abundance. Artificial reefs were constructed to test the effects of each habitat complexity variable experimentally. Increasing rugosity, variety of growth forms and percentage hard substrate increased the observed number of species but increasing the variety of hole-sizes, and height had no effect. The only complexity variable that had a significant effect on fish abundance was percentage hard substrate. In addition to the static substrate structure, long-spined sea urchins Diadema antillarum affected fish distribution because small fish shelter from predators in their spines. The urchins increase species richness and abundance in low complexity seagrass beds, but on artificial reefs, where shelter was not a limiting factor, the effect was less pronounced. Organic pollution is another factor that negatively affects the fish community by reducing fish species richness and abundance. Poor water quality often alters the natural habitat, confounding observations, but fish species richness was reduced in polluted areas even when artificial reefs were used as habitat controls. The applications of these findings to the management and conservation of fish in the British Virgin Islands are discussed.

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Bibliography: leaves [188]-209.

Moving towards label-free technologies is essential for many clinical and research applications. Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool in the field of biomedicine for label-free cell characterisation and disease diagnosis, owing to its high chemical specificity. However, Raman scattering is a relatively weak process and can require long acquisition times, thus hampering its integration to clinical technologies. Multimodal analysis is currently pushing the boundaries in biomedicine, obtaining more information than would be possible using a single mode and overcoming any limitations specific to a single technique. Digital holographic microscopy (DHM) is a rapid and label-free quantitative phase imaging modality, providing complementary information to Raman spectroscopy, and is thus an ideal candidate for combination in a multimodal system. Firstly, this thesis explores the use of wavelength modulated Raman spectroscopy (WMRS), for the classification of immune cell subsets. Following this a multimodal approach, combining Raman spectroscopy and DHM, is demonstrated, where each technique is considered individually and in combination. The complementary modalities provide a wealth of information (both chemical and morphological) for cell characterisation, which is a step towards achieving a label-free technology for the identification of human immune cells. The suitability of WMRS to discriminate between closely related neuronal cell types is also explored. Furthermore optical spectroscopic techniques are useful for the analysis of food and beverages. The use of Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy to successfully discriminate between various whisky and extra-virgin olive oil brands is demonstrated, which may aid the detection of counterfeit or adulterated samples. The use of a compact Raman device is utilised, demonstrating the potential for in-field analysis. Finally, monodisperse and highly spherical nanoparticles are synthesised. A short study demonstrates the potential for these nanoparticles to benefit the techniques of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and optical trapping, by way of minimising variability.

No description available.

This thesis called Haptic Model of the Monastery of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is composed of two parts, theoretical and practical one. The theoretical part is dealing with selected period of Christian monastery complexes history. There are also mentioned some of the significant events of Christian world, that indisputably have influenced developement of monastic structures. Later on there is described the historical developement of the Monastery of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in České Budějovice (Budweis). The last chapter focuses on issues of people with visual impairment. The practical part of this thesis is based on creating of haptic model of the Monastery of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in České Budějovice in approximate measuring scale 1:125, which is supposed to be used primarily by visually impaired as a haptic-tactile aid, so that they can create an ideal image of shape of the monastery complex.

Theoretical part of the thesis, regarding the purpose of practical output (haptic aid), deals in its first sections with special pedagogy ophthalmopedies and typhlography. The second section of the thesis theoretical part analyses the theme of St. Christopher, which appears in the form of wall painting in the monastery temple of the Sacrifice of the Virgin Mary in České Budějovice. In connection with the place of occurrence, the history of the monastery is outlined. Practical part of the thesis is intended for various solutions of creating a specific haptic aid for the blind. That one is used to "view the image" through a relief which thanks to its plastic properties provides a visual impression of a flat surface.

The Sun within the World: Wakas and Saints in the Mines of Charcas and in Lake Titicaca (15th-17th Centuries)Mines and mining offer both for the Andean as the Spanish systems of beliefs the background of a setting in which were developed rites and cult complexes, and if there was an adaptation of European beliefs it is because there existed compatibilities between the two systems of representing the world. Alchemical beliefs approximated, in some manner, both the etiological myth of the Inca-Sun and the the same myth of origin of Andean gold, which was a solar myth. However, the encounter between the two systems of representation did not necessarily determine a series of syncretic practices. All appearances indicate that in Potosi, in the middle of the 17th century, the cult to the Virgin-mountain did not correspond to a popular practice, but neither did it preclude the practice of various autochthonous cults of major historical significance which, in turn, were related among themselves. In the present work, these shamanic cults are analyzed in different mines. The images that issued from them put in play a series of artifacts, of figures and entities that were also encountered in the description of the old Colla cult of the Island of Titicaca, heir of Tiwanaku. All these cults were influenced to a large degree by the religious system elaborated by the Incas. / Las minas ofrecieron tanto al sistema de creencias andino como al español el trasfondo de un paisaje en el que se desarrollaron ritos y cultos complejos, y si hubo una adaptación de las creencias europeas fue porque existían compatibilidades entre los dos sistemas de representación del mundo. Las creencias alquímicas se acercaban, de alguna manera, tanto al mito etiológico del Inca-Sol como al mito de origen del oro andino, que era un mito solar. Sin embargo, el encuentro de esos sistemas de representación no determinó forzosamente una serie de prácticas sincréticas. Todo parece indicar que en Potosí, a mediados del siglo XVII, el culto a la Virgen-cerro no correspondía a una práctica popular, pero tampoco impedía la práctica de varios cultos autóctonos de mayor profundidad histórica que, a su vez, estaban relacionados entre ellos. En el presente trabajo, estos cultos chamánicos se analizan en el caso de diferentes minas. Las imágenes que se desprenden de ellos ponen en juego una serie de artefactos, figuras y entidades que encontramos también en la descripción del viejo culto colla de la isla de Titicaca, heredera de Tiwanaku. Todos estos cultos influenciaron gran parte del sistema religioso elaborado por los incas.

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-11-28T16:26:19Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Camila Kellen de Souza Cardoso - 2016.pdf: 3418310 bytes, checksum: cdf808292a924eda861aac5082af3dde (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2016-11-28T17:23:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Camila Kellen de Souza Cardoso - 2016.pdf: 3418310 bytes, checksum: cdf808292a924eda861aac5082af3dde (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-28T17:23:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Camila Kellen de Souza Cardoso - 2016.pdf: 3418310 bytes, checksum: cdf808292a924eda861aac5082af3dde (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-11 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / Aim: To assess the associated factors to bone mineral density (BMD), as well as the effects of extra virgin olive oil and the Brazilian Traditional Diet (DietBra) on bone health of severely obese patients. Methods: The first study refers to baseline data of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) that analyzes sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, health conditions, anthropometric and biochemical data associated with BMD of total body, total vertebral column, and total hip. The second study is a blind RCT with three groups of intervention: olive oil, receiving 52 ml/day of extra virgin olive oil and habitual dietary intake; diet, receiving a DietBra; and olive oil + DietBra, receiving 52 ml/day of olive oil and healthy diet prescription. The three groups had monthly consults with a nutritionist and were followed-up during 12 weeks. BMD of total vertebral column was primary outcome of the RCT, while BMD of otal hip, calcium, vitamin D, and parathormone (PTH) were secondary outcomes. Data collection occurred between June 2015 and February 2016 with 111 severely obese patients (Body Mass Index ≥ 35 kg/m2 ). The allocation ratio between groups in the RCT was 1:1:1. BMD was evaluated by Dualenergy x-ray absorptiometry. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was employed to verify normal distribution of continuous data. Student’s t-test, ANOVA, Bonferroni, simple linear regression, and hierarchic multiple linear regression were used to analyze baseline data. Fisher’s exact test, Pearson’s chi-square test, unpaired Student’s t-test, ANOVA, Bonferroni, and ANCOVA were used to analyze the data from the clinical trial by intention to treat. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: At the first level of baseline, men presented higher BMD of total body than women (p≤0.001), while advanced age was associated with lower BMD in the three measurement sites (p=0.047, 0.039 and 0.010). At the second level, having diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) was associated with higher BMD of total body (p=0.033), while ≥150 min/week of aerobic physical activity was associated with higher BMD of vertebral column (p=0.028) and total hip (p=0.004). Patients presenting previous fracture (p=0.013) and with a higher degree of obesity (p=0.015) had lower BMD of total vertebral column. Having an adequate intake of vitamin D was associated with higher BMD of total vertebral column (p=0.020). At the third level, low serum zinc (p=0.024) and elevated C-reactive protein (p=0.049) were associated with lower BMD of total vertebral column. In the RCT, the olive oil group presented an increase in serum calcium between baseline and the end of follow-up (p=0.007). Mean serum calcium was higher in the olive oil group compared to the olive oil + DietBra group at the end of follow-up (p=0.026). The DietBra group presented a higher means BMD of total vertebral column (p=0.016) and BMD of total hip (p=0,029) than the olive oil + DietBra group. In addiction, the PTH reduced in DietBra group after intervention (p=0.047) and delta PTH was higher in the DietBra group compared to the olive oil + DietBra group (p=0.042). Conclusion: Classic factors associated with bone health as gender, advanced age, physical activity, previous fracture, vitamin D intake and C-reactive protein also occurred in severely obese individuals, although tobacco use, solar exposure, medication use, serum calcium and vitamin D were not associated with BMD. Furthermore, the DietBra increased BMD of total vertebral column and reduced PTH, while the extra virgin olive oil was increased serum calcium. In a separate way, both interventions had good results for severely obese patients' bone health. / Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores associados a densidade mineral óssea (DMO), assim como os efeitos do azeite de oliva extravirgem e dieta tradicional brasileira (DietBra) na saúde óssea de obesos graves. Metodologia: o primeiro estudo trata-se de dados do baseline do ensaio clínico randomizado (ECR), com análise de fatores sociodemográficos, estilo de vida, condições de saúde, dados antropométricos e bioquímicos associados à DMO de corpo total, coluna total e quadril total. O segundo estudo é um ECR cego, com três grupos de intervenção: grupo azeite que recebeu 52 mL/dia (4 sachês) de azeite de oliva extravirgem e manteve a alimentação habitual, o grupo DietBra que recebeu prescrição de dieta saudável com padrão de dieta tradicional brasileira e o grupo azeite + DietBra que recebeu 52 mL/dia (4 sachês) e prescrição de dieta saudável com padrão de dieta tradicional brasileira. Os três grupos tiveram consultas mensais, em dias diferentes da semana, com seguimento de 12 semanas, foram avaliadas a DMO de coluna total como desfecho primário e DMO de quadril total, cálcio, vitamina D e paratormônio (PTH) como desfechos secundários do ECR. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre junho de 2015 e fevereiro 2016, com 111 pacientes obesos graves (índice de massa corporal ≥35 kg/m2 ), com proporção entre os grupos do ECR em torno de 1:1:1. A DMO foi avaliada pelo método de Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Foi empregado o teste Kolmogorov-Smirnov para verificar a normalidade dos dados. Para os dados do baseline foi utilizado T de Student ou Anova, seguindo de Bonferroni, Regressão Linear Simples e Regressão Linear Múltipla modelo hierarquizado. Para o ECR foi utilizado Teste Exato de Fisher ou QuiQuadrado de Person, T de Student, ANOVA seguida de Bonferroni e ANCOVA, foi adotada a abordagem estatística por intenção de tratar por meio da aplicação do teste T Student não-pareado intra grupo. Foi considerado p<0,05. Resultados: no primeiro nível do baseline, homens apresentaram maior DMO de corpo total (p= <0,001) do que mulheres, enquanto a idade avançada foi associada a menor DMO nos três sítios (p=0,047, 0,039 e 0,010). No segundo nível, ter diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) foi associado a maior DMO de corpo total (p=0,033), enquanto ≥150 minutos/semana de atividade física aeróbica foi associada com maior DMO de coluna total (p=0,028) e quadril total (p=0,004), assim como indivíduos com fratura prévia (p=0,013) e maior grau de obesidade (p=0,015) apresentaram menor DMO de coluna total. Por outro lado, ter ingestão adequada de vitamina D esteve associado a maior DMO de coluna total (p=0,020). No terceiro nível, o zinco sérico baixo (p=0,024) e PCR elevada (p=0,049) associaram-se a menor DMO de coluna total. No ECR, o grupo azeite apresentou aumento no cálcio sérico entre o início e final do estudo (p=0,007), assim como a média final de cálcio foi maior no grupo azeite em comparação ao grupo azeite + DietBra (p=0,026), o grupo DietBra apresentou média final de DMO de coluna total (p=0,016) e DMO de quadril (p=0,029) maior do que o grupo azeite + DietBra, além disso o PTH reduziu no grupo DietBra pós a intervenção (p=0,047) e o delta PTH foi maior no grupo DietBra em comparação ao grupo azeite + DietBra (p=0,042). Conclusão: fatores clássicos associados à saúde óssea como sexo, idade mais avançada, atividade física, fratura prévia, ingestão de vitamina D e proteína C-reativa também ocorreram em obesos graves, mas tabagismo, exposição solar, uso de medicamentos, cálcio e vitamina D séricos não foram associados à DMO em obesos graves. Além disso, a DietBra aumentou DMO de coluna total e reduziu PTH, enquanto o azeite de oliva extravirgem aumentou cálcio sérico. Ou seja, de forma isolada as intervenções tiveram bons resultados para saúde óssea de obesos graves

Habitat use of mesophotic coral reefs by sharks is largely unknown. However, it is well established that mesophotic reefs are the site of spawning aggregations for many species of teleost fish. These aggregations represent seasonal concentrations of potential prey biomass that may influence the habitat use of predatory species such as large sharks. I employed acoustic monitoring to examine the movements of three shark species lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), and Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi)] to determine 1) the comparative spatiotemporal patterns of mesophotic reef habitat use by the three shark species and 2) the spatiotemporal relationship between these sharks and grouper spawning aggregations at a fish spawning aggregation (FSA) site (Hind Bank and Grammanik Bank) along the southern reef shelf edge off St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands (USVI). Tiger and lemon sharks were detected across nearly the entire acoustic array, which spanned ~ 1060 km2. When present, Caribbean reef sharks used a much smaller activity space, composed exclusively of mesophotic reef habitat located within FSA sites. Individuals from all three species were typically detected for stretches of several consecutive days, while periods without detections usually lasted less than one week. Lemon sharks were present at the FSA site more often during the grouper spawning season (Dec-May) than the non-spawning season (Jun-Nov), but showed no preference toward specific areas within the FSA site, which varied by location and grouper species composition. In contrast, there was no relationship between the presence of tiger and Caribbean reef sharks at the FSA site and the grouper spawning season. My results suggest that despite different habitat use patterns and varying degrees of fidelity, this mesophotic reef serves as an important habitat to all three shark species.

Sur le restreint territoire de la Vallée d’Aoste, en Italie, deux modalités distinctes de pèlerinage trouvent place. Une modalité est représentée par les pèlerinages locaux, fréquentés par une communauté de dévots qui se connaissent depuis toujours, l’autre par les pèlerinages internationaux, composés de fidèles qui souvent se rencontrent pour la première fois alors qu’ils montent sur le bus qui les conduira vers le lieu saint. Parmi ces pèlerinages internationaux, un des plus fréquentés dans ces dernières années est celui qui amène les pèlerins à la rencontre de la Vierge de Medjugorje, en Bosnie-Herzégovine. Quelles sont les différences qu’on peut retrouver à l’intérieur de ces deux modalités distinctes de voyage saint ? Les participants aux pèlerinages locaux sont les mêmes qui décident d’aller à la rencontre d’une Vierge “étrangère” et non pas encore reconnue par l’Église ? Et qu’est -e que cette dévotion peut offrir de plus par rapport aux nombreux lieux de culte présents sur la région ? A travers l’instrument de l’analyse ethnographique, Nora Demarchi cherche à répondre à ces questions, en illustrant comment l’analyse du phénomène du pèlerinage religieux peut nous dire de plus sur la société plus en général. / In the narrow area of Valle d'Aosta, in Italy, two different approaches to pilgrimage can be found: one is represented by local pilgrimages, attended by a community of devout constantly in touch with each other, the other one being international pilgrimages, composed by followers who meet for the first time when they board the bus that will take them towards the holy place. Among the latter, one of the most frequented lately is the one that brings the pilgrims towards the Virgin of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. What are the differences we can find between these two different peregrinations ? Are the members of local pilgrimages the same who decide to meet a “foreign” Virgin Mary, which has not even been yet acknowledged by the Church ? Can this second devotion offer something more than the numerous places of worship located in the region ? Through the instruments of ethnographical analysis, Nora Demarchi tries to answer those questions, illustrating how the study of the religious pilgrimage phenomena can say something more about society in a broader sense.