Lors d'une opération d'usinage, l'intégrité de la surface usinée et l’optimisation du procédé sont conditionnées par les paramètres de coupe (vitesses de coupe et d’avance, géométrie et matériau de l'outil...). Certaines conditions de coupe peuvent induire des effets indésirables tels que des vibrations importantes, des efforts de coupe excessifs et une usure prématurée de l'outil, conduisant à des qualités de surfaces médiocres. Dans l’industrie, l’utilisation d'approches empiriques pour opérer ce choix se révèle couteux et difficilement exploitable. Le développement d’outils de simulation basés sur des modèles prédictifs s’avère nécessaire. Ces modèles permettent de maitriser et de comprendre les phénomènes thermomécaniques aux interfaces outil-copeau et outil-pièce qui conditionnent l'intégrité de la surface usinée ainsi que la durée de vie de l'outil de coupe. L'objectif de la thèse est la modélisation des effets thermomécaniques en usinage avec des approches hybrides 'Analytique-c. Ceci permet d'analyser l'interaction entre les conditions de coupe du procédé d'usinage, le comportement du matériau et les conditions tribologiques aux interfaces outil-copeau et outil-pièce (contact collant-glissant, partage de la source de chaleur due au frottement). Le travail comporte également une validation expérimentale pour la coupe orthogonale à sec. Le modèle proposé est basé sur les développements suivants: (i) mise en place d'une 'Approche 1D par Tranche' pour la prise en compte de l'écoulement de la matière dans la zone primaire de cisaillement du copeau, (ii) modélisation du problème thermique transitoire non linéaire dans le système 'copeau-outil-pièce' en couplant une formulation EF de type Petrov-Galerkin avec la méthode de Newton-Raphson et une intégration implicite dans le temps, (iii) une nouvelle formulation de la distribution de pression le long de la face de coupe de l'outil, (iv) une nouvelle approche pour gérer le partage de la source de chaleur par friction à l'interface outil-copeau. La démarche proposée permet de mettre en place une modélisation thermomécanique de l'interaction outil-matière applicable aux procédés industriels comme le perçage très utilisé dans le domaine aéronautique. Comparée aux simulations basées sur la méthode des Éléments Finis, l'approche développée requiert un temps de calcul de l'ordre de quelques minutes avec une précision comparable / In dry machining, the thermomechanical process of chip formation, the tool wear and the surface integrity depend strongly on the tribological conditions along the tool rake face. Besides, the friction conditions at the tool-chip interface and along the round cutting edge are very complex. It should be noted that to understand the friction effects in machining, we have to analyse the inherent relationship among, the cutting conditions (cutting and feed velocities, tool geometry), the workpiece material behaviour, the thermomechanical characteristics of the tool material, the frictional heat partition in the sliding zone and the friction conditions at the tool-chip and tool-workpiece interfaces. Due to the problem complexity, it appears that despite many works on machining, the understanding of the effect of friction conditions requires further investigations. In the present work, to identify the interaction between the thermomechanical phenomena at the tool-chip interface and the material flow in the primary shear zone; an analytical model has been coupled with a finite element approach. For the tool rake face, a new pressure model was developed. The transient nonlinear thermal problem in the workpiece-tool-chip system has been solved by using a FE model based on the Petrov-Galerkin formulation. The coupling between the primary shear zone (PSZ) (chip formation), the secondary shear zone (SSZ) (sticking zone) and the frictional heat at the sliding zone has been taking into account. The model allows to determine in a fast and simple way several significant machining parameters as: (i) the cutting forces, (ii) the temperature distribution in the tool-chip-workpiece system, (iii) the heat flux from the PSZ to the workpiece, (iv) the tool-chip contact length, (v) the frictional heat partition and (vi) the apparent friction coefficient. The proposed model allows to analyze different industrial machining processes such as drilling and milling

Toward the objective to create or to replace impaired tissues, it is essential to establish a culture process allowing tissue growth in vitro . The Petri dish culture or the traditional 2D culture has only a limited potential, mainly caused by a poor oxygen mass transfer to feed larger tissue constructs. In this project, an autonomous and complete bioprocess has been built to fullfill these needs. The developed reactor is versatile because many cell culture chamber designs can be connected to it. Two proportional-integral algorithms (PI) can control the dissolved oxygen concentration and the pH. The pressure, the temperature and mass flow rate are recorded in real time. An actuator allows mimicking the cardiac output flow. In this mémoire , it will be demonstrated how the reactor has been optimized to reduce the risk of bioburden. Also, the procedures to develop the control tools of the PI algorithm will be detailed. To characterize the reactor, a RTD study will be presented. To characterize the cell culture chamber, a permeability analysis using fluorescent microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be exposed. Finally, two cell culture chamber designs to orient microvessel formation have been tested and these results will be presented.

FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Cearà / In order to evaluate the effects of replacing corn for broken rice (QA) and the inclusion of parboiled rice bran (FIAP) in rations for meat quails, two experiments were conducted in the period 7 to 49 days age. In each trial, 288 quails with seven days of age were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments and six replications of eight birds for experimental unit. In the first experiment, was tested the levels of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of replacement corn by broken rice and it was observed that the replacement of corn for broken rice did not significantly influence the performance and carcass characteristics of quails at different stages of creation, neither economic viability. In the second experiment, the treatments were a control diet without the inclusion of FIAP, and the other containing 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% of FIAP. There was a linear decrease in the apparent digestibility of dry matter (CDMS) and crude energy (CDEB) and a linear increase of apparent metabolizable energy (EMA) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (EMAn) with the inclusion of FIAP in rations, above 5%. Therefore, there was a linear decrease in feed intake and weight gain, without influence in feed conversion, carcass characteristics and parameters of bone quality. Although there was some reduction parameters when FIAP increased above 5%, the performance of birds fed with different levels of FIAP was similar in relation to the control group. Furthermore, the use until 25% of FIAP provided better economic viability. It can be argued that the broken rice can replace corn in the feeding of meat quails at levels up to 100%, while the FIAP can be included in rations in proportions of up to 25% without affecting carcass characteristics. / Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da substituiÃÃo do milho por quirera de arroz (QA) e da inclusÃo do farelo integral de arroz parboilizado (FIAP) nas raÃÃes de codornas do tipo corte, foram realizados dois experimentos no perÃodo de 7 a 49 dias de idade. Em cada experimento, 288 codornas com sete dias de idade foram distribuÃdas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos e seis repetiÃÃes de oito aves por unidade experimental. No primeiro experimento, foram testados os nÃveis de 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100% de substituiÃÃo do milho pela quirera de arroz e observou-se que nÃo houve influencia significativa sobre o desempenho e as caracterÃsticas de carcaÃa das aves, nas diferentes fases de criaÃÃo, nem tÃo pouco sobre a viabilidade econÃmica. No segundo experimento, os tratamentos consistiram de uma raÃÃo controle, sem a inclusÃo de FIAP, e as demais contendo 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25% de FIAP. Houve decrÃscimo linear nos coeficientes de digestibilidade da matÃria seca (CDMS) e energia bruta (CDEB), bem como aumento linear da energia metabolizÃvel aparente (EMA) e energia metabolizÃvel aparente corrigida para nitrogÃnio (EMAn) com a inclusÃo do FIAP nas raÃÃes, acima de 5%. Observou-se ainda reduÃÃo linear no consumo de raÃÃo e ganho de peso, sem, contudo influenciar na conversÃo alimentar, caracterÃsticas de carcaÃa e parÃmetros de qualidade Ãssea. Embora tenha ocorrido reduÃÃo de alguns parÃmetros, quando se aumentou o FIAP acima de 5%, nÃo houve prejuÃzo significativo nos resultados de desempenho das aves alimentadas com os diferentes nÃveis do FIAP em relaÃÃo Ãs do grupo controle. O uso de atà 25% de FIAP proporcionou a melhor viabilidade econÃmica. Pode-se afirmar que a quirera de arroz pode substituir o milho na alimentaÃÃo de codornas de corte em nÃveis de atà 100%, enquanto, o FIAP pode ser incluÃdo nas raÃÃes em proporÃÃes de atà 25%, sem afetar as caracterÃsticas de carcaÃa.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T19:24:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LEANDRO BOHNENBERGER.pdf: 1385012 bytes, checksum: 8cb9261c7084a7005906fd2de4b19855 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-07-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Although cassava leaves are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals and are easily found at low prices, their direct consumption is limited due to the presence of anti-nutritious and/or toxic substances. Aiming to create alternatives to the use of these leaves, the present paper aimed to determine the coefficients of apparent digestibility (AD) from the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and crude energy (CE) of cassava leaf protein concentrate (CLPC) for Nile Tilapia, and to evaluate its inclusion in Nile Tilapia food. The CLPC has been extracted through isoeletric precipitation, method described by CEREDA & VILPOUX (2003). In the CLPC, it has been determined the perceptual of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ashes, dry matter (DM) and crude energy (CE), which have shown 48.42%, 13.57%, 3.48%, 93.01% and 5527 Kcal/kg., respectively. 24 tilapias with an average weight of 86.92 ± 36.70 g have been used. The animals have been submitted to fecal collection methodology, through sedimentation, in tanks with funneled shapes. The DM, CP, and CE of CLPC have presented AD of 33.06%, 66.57% and 30.06%, respectively, thus, showing digestible protein and energy values of 32.23% and 1661.13 kcal of DE/kg. In order to evaluate CLPC inclusion in Nile Tilapia food, 300 larvae at the age of 7 days old have been used, which were distributed in 20 aquariums with capacity for 30 liters of useful volume, in a fully randomized outline with five treatments and four repetitions, pointing out that the experimental unit is consisted of an aquarium with 15 tilapia larvae. Five isoproteic and isoenergetic diets have been elaborated containing 38.6% of digestible protein and 3300 kcal of DE/kg of diets with level of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of CLPC inclusion. At the end of the experimental time, differences have not been noticed (W>0.05) on the final average weight, weight gain, final length and survival of larvae which were fed with diets containing CLPC. It is concluded that CLPC is a protean food and it may be used in diets for tilapia in initial phase in up to 20% of inclusion without causing performance and survival harms. / Folhas de mandioca são ricas em proteínas, vitaminas e minerais e, apesar de serem facilmente encontradas a baixo custo, seu consumo direto fica limitado devido à presença de substâncias antinutritivas e/ou tóxicas. Na busca de criar alternativas para o uso dessas folhas, o presente trabalho objetivou determinar os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CD) da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), e energia bruta (EB) do concentrado protéico de folhas de mandioca (CPFM) para a tilápia do Nilo, e avaliar sua inclusão na alimentação da tilápia. O concentrado foi extraído das folhas de mandioca por precipitação isoelétrica, método descrito por CEREDA & VILPOUX (2003). Foram determinados no concentrado protéico de folhas de mandioca (CPFM) o percentual de proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), cinzas, matéria seca (MS) e energia bruta (EB), que apresentaram, 48,42%, 13,57%, 3,48%, 93,01% e 5527 Kcal/Kg, respectivamente. Foram utilizadas 24 tilápias com peso médio de 86,92 ± 36,70g. Os animais foram submetidos à metodologia de coleta de fezes, por sedimentação, em tanques afunilados. A MS, PB e EB do CPFM apresentaram CD de 33,06%, 66,57% e 30,06%, respectivamente. Apresentando valores de proteína e energia digestíveis de 32,23% e 1661,13 Kcal de ED/Kg. Para avaliar a inclusão do CPFM na alimentação da tilápia, foram utilizadas 300 larvas com idade de sete dias, distribuídas em 20 aquários com capacidade para 30 L de volume útil, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, sendo a unidade experimental constituída por um aquário com 15 larvas de tilápia. Foram elaboradas cinco rações isoprotéicas e isoenergéticas com 38,6% de proteína digestível e 3300 Kcal de ED/Kg de ração com níveis de 0, 5, 10, 15 e 20% de inclusão do CPFM. Ao final do período experimental, não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) nas médias de peso final, ganho de peso, comprimento final e sobrevivência das larvas alimentadas com rações, incluindo CPFM. Conclui-se que o CPFM é um alimento protéico e que pode ser utilizado em rações para tilápias em fase inicial em até 20% de inclusão sem causar prejuízos no desempenho e sobrevivência.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:47:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LEANDRO BOHNENBERGER.pdf: 1385012 bytes, checksum: 8cb9261c7084a7005906fd2de4b19855 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-07-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Although cassava leaves are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals and are easily found at low prices, their direct consumption is limited due to the presence of anti-nutritious and/or toxic substances. Aiming to create alternatives to the use of these leaves, the present paper aimed to determine the coefficients of apparent digestibility (AD) from the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and crude energy (CE) of cassava leaf protein concentrate (CLPC) for Nile Tilapia, and to evaluate its inclusion in Nile Tilapia food. The CLPC has been extracted through isoeletric precipitation, method described by CEREDA & VILPOUX (2003). In the CLPC, it has been determined the perceptual of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ashes, dry matter (DM) and crude energy (CE), which have shown 48.42%, 13.57%, 3.48%, 93.01% and 5527 Kcal/kg., respectively. 24 tilapias with an average weight of 86.92 ± 36.70 g have been used. The animals have been submitted to fecal collection methodology, through sedimentation, in tanks with funneled shapes. The DM, CP, and CE of CLPC have presented AD of 33.06%, 66.57% and 30.06%, respectively, thus, showing digestible protein and energy values of 32.23% and 1661.13 kcal of DE/kg. In order to evaluate CLPC inclusion in Nile Tilapia food, 300 larvae at the age of 7 days old have been used, which were distributed in 20 aquariums with capacity for 30 liters of useful volume, in a fully randomized outline with five treatments and four repetitions, pointing out that the experimental unit is consisted of an aquarium with 15 tilapia larvae. Five isoproteic and isoenergetic diets have been elaborated containing 38.6% of digestible protein and 3300 kcal of DE/kg of diets with level of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of CLPC inclusion. At the end of the experimental time, differences have not been noticed (W>0.05) on the final average weight, weight gain, final length and survival of larvae which were fed with diets containing CLPC. It is concluded that CLPC is a protean food and it may be used in diets for tilapia in initial phase in up to 20% of inclusion without causing performance and survival harms. / Folhas de mandioca são ricas em proteínas, vitaminas e minerais e, apesar de serem facilmente encontradas a baixo custo, seu consumo direto fica limitado devido à presença de substâncias antinutritivas e/ou tóxicas. Na busca de criar alternativas para o uso dessas folhas, o presente trabalho objetivou determinar os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CD) da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), e energia bruta (EB) do concentrado protéico de folhas de mandioca (CPFM) para a tilápia do Nilo, e avaliar sua inclusão na alimentação da tilápia. O concentrado foi extraído das folhas de mandioca por precipitação isoelétrica, método descrito por CEREDA & VILPOUX (2003). Foram determinados no concentrado protéico de folhas de mandioca (CPFM) o percentual de proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), cinzas, matéria seca (MS) e energia bruta (EB), que apresentaram, 48,42%, 13,57%, 3,48%, 93,01% e 5527 Kcal/Kg, respectivamente. Foram utilizadas 24 tilápias com peso médio de 86,92 ± 36,70g. Os animais foram submetidos à metodologia de coleta de fezes, por sedimentação, em tanques afunilados. A MS, PB e EB do CPFM apresentaram CD de 33,06%, 66,57% e 30,06%, respectivamente. Apresentando valores de proteína e energia digestíveis de 32,23% e 1661,13 Kcal de ED/Kg. Para avaliar a inclusão do CPFM na alimentação da tilápia, foram utilizadas 300 larvas com idade de sete dias, distribuídas em 20 aquários com capacidade para 30 L de volume útil, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, sendo a unidade experimental constituída por um aquário com 15 larvas de tilápia. Foram elaboradas cinco rações isoprotéicas e isoenergéticas com 38,6% de proteína digestível e 3300 Kcal de ED/Kg de ração com níveis de 0, 5, 10, 15 e 20% de inclusão do CPFM. Ao final do período experimental, não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) nas médias de peso final, ganho de peso, comprimento final e sobrevivência das larvas alimentadas com rações, incluindo CPFM. Conclui-se que o CPFM é um alimento protéico e que pode ser utilizado em rações para tilápias em fase inicial em até 20% de inclusão sem causar prejuízos no desempenho e sobrevivência.

<p>The aim of this study was to investigate the effect the plant matrix and the structure of the flavonoid (i.e. whether aglycone or glycoside) may have on the gastrointestinal uptake and metabolism of luteolin derivatives from Artemisia afra traditional plant medicine. Specifically, how these two factors influenced the intestinal uptake and disposition of luteolin derivatives in pure and in Artemisia afra plant extract forms were to be assessed by investigating the uptake and metabolism of the luteolin derivatives in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells and the perfused rat intestinal loop. To realize this aim, the following were determined: (1) identification and characterization of major luteolin derivatives found in Artemisia afra, (2) the effect of the plant matrix on the uptake of luteolin derivatives in Artemisia afra aqueous-extract forms across the Caco-2 cell monolayer, (3) the effect of the plant matrix on the absorption and metabolism of luteolin derivatives in Artemisia afra aqueous-extract forms in the perfused rat small intestine, (4) the effect of gut contents on the uptake and metabolism of luteolin derivatives in intestinal loop and (5) the metabolic profiles of luteolin derivatives obtained for the pure solutions versus plant aqueous extract solutions in Caco-2 cells and the rat intestine.</p>

L'âge a de tout temps constitué un attribut identitaire important. Nous avons développé au fil de l'évolution une aptitude innée à classer les individus en fonction de leur âge. Cette classification s'appuie en grande partie sur le visage et sur les transformations anatomiques qu'il subit au cours du temps. De plus en plus de traitements cosmétiques, dermatologiques et d'interventions chirurgicales s'attaquant à un signe ou un groupe de signes spécifiques du vieillissement sont mis en oeuvre pour annuler, ou tout au moins masquer partiellement l'effet du temps sur le visage. On peut dès lors s'interroger sur l'influence de chacun des signes sur notre capacité à prédire l'âge d'un individu en observant son visage. Afin de construire un algorithme capable de déterminer l'âge d'individus à partir de leurs photos, nous nous sommes intéressés aux signes du vieillissement et à leur impact sur l'âge apparent. Dans un premier temps, nous avons déterminé et analysé les transformations anatomiques qui altèrent le visage à partir de l'âge adulte (au-delà de 20 ans). Puis nous avons étudié les signes sur lequel on se base pour prédire l'âge d'une personne. Enfin, nous avons construit et validé un modèle prédictif de l'âge en s'appuyant sur les observations précédentes. Transformations anatomiques du visage avec l'âge : La prévalence d'un certain nombre de signes de vieillissement (rides, tâches brunes, forme du visage...) a été mesurée sur un panel représentatif de femmes volontaires âgées de 20 à 74 ans. Ces données ont permis d'établir la cinétique d'apparition de ces signes. Appréciation subjective de l'âge: Il s'agissait de déterminer les signes sur lesquels un observateur s'appuie lorsqu'il évalue l'âge d'un sujet. Pour ce faire, nous avons demandé à un panel constitué de 48 observateurs d'attribuer un âge aux volontaires sur lesquelles nous avions précédemment mesuré les signes du vieillissement. Nous avons confirmé avec ce groupe d'observateurs que la perception de l'âge est liée au sexe et à l'âge de l'observateur. De plus, à l'aide d'une régression PLS (Partial Least Square régression), nous avons établi des relations entre les signes du vieillissement et l'âge observé et démontré que selon que l'on soit jeune ou âgé, un homme ou une femme, on n'exploite pas les mêmes signes de vieillissement pour prédire l'âge.Modèle de prédiction : Enfin, nous avons proposé un modèle s'appuyant sur la régression PLS pour prédire automatiquement l'âge à partir des photos du visage. Ce modèle présente la particularité d'associer, dans une approche unifiée, les signes relatifs à la couleur, à la forme et à la texture du visage, à l'âge des sujets. A l'instar des Modèles Actifs D'apparence (AAM), le modèle construit vise à réduire fortement l'information portée par l'ensemble des pixels du visage. Toutefois, ce dernier est supervisé : Il est donc très approprié dans notre contexte puisque que l'on peut mettre en oeuvre une procédure d'apprentissage pilotée par le but. Les performances sont de fait comparables à celles des humains.

Materials derived from chicken feathers could be used advantageously in composite building material applications. Such applications could potentially consume the five billion pounds of feathers produced annually as a by-product of the U.S. poultry industry. To aid the development of successful applications for chicken feather materials (CFM), the physical and mechanical properties of processed CFM have been characterized in this research. Results describing the moisture content, aspect ratio, apparent specific gravity, chemical durability, Youngs modulus, and tensile strength for processed CFM and specifically their fiber and quill components are presented herein. Processed chicken feather fiber and quill samples were found to have similar moisture contents in the range of 16 - 20%. The aspect ratio (i.e., length/diameter) of samples were found to be in the range of 30 - 50, and the fiber material was found to have a larger aspect ratio than the quill material. A comparison with values in the literature suggests that different processing regimes produce CFM with higher aspect ratios. Samples were found to have apparent specific gravities in the range of 0.7 - 1.2, with the fiber material having a higher apparent specific gravity than the quill material. A comparison with values in the literature suggests that apparent specific gravity results vary with fiber length and approach the value for keratin as fiber length decreases and internal voids become increasingly accessible. Chemical durability results showed that CFM rapidly degrade in highly alkaline (pH=12.4) environments and are, thus, likely incompatible with cement-based materials without special treatment. The Youngs modulus of processed chicken feather materials was found to be in the range of 3 - greater than 50 GPa and, thus, comparable to the Youngs moduli of other natural fibers. The tensile strength of oven-dried samples was found to be in the range of 10 - greater than 70 MPa. In agreement with results in the literature, the fiber material was found to have a greater tensile strength than the quill material. Finally, a simplified approach for comparing the effective Youngs moduli and effective tensile strengths of various processed CFM samples was introduced.

Precision management of cotton production can increase profitability by decreasing inputs. The overall objective of this project is to improve cotton production by minimizing seeding rates while still maximizing yields and lint quality in water-limited soils. The research for this study was conducted at the Texas AgriLife Research IMPACT Center located in the Brazos River floodplain. In 2008 and 2009, 27 measurement locations were selected in production-sized center-pivot irrigated fields and planted in cotton variety Deltapine 164 roundup ready flex / bollgard II. Sites were selected based on soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) values, in a low, medium, and high ECa zones. Three seeding rates (74,100; 98,800; and 123,500 seeds ha-1) were established in each of the three ECa zones with three replications. In 2009, an additional seeding rate was added at 49,400 seeds ha-1. At each measurement location, soil texture, soil moisture (weekly), lint quantity and quality (High Volume Instrument) were measured. An additional replication for each ECa zone and seeding rate was selected for lint quantity and quality (HVI) measurements. Results indicated that cotton lint yield increased as ECa values, clay content, and water holding capacity of the soil increased. The seeding rates did not consistently affect cotton lint yield or quality. Seeding rates of 74,100 and 49,400 seeds ha-1 in a low and medium ECa zone for IMPACT-08 and -09 yielded more lint (300 kg ha-1), respectively. HVI lint quality parameters, such as, micronaire, fiber length, strength, uniformity, and elongation were significantly better in ECa zone 3. While the seeding rates did not affect the amount of soil water used throughout the season, lint yield variations between ECa zones can be explained by the rate at which soil water was used. Lower rates at which soil water was used within ECa zone 3 resulted in higher lint yields when compared to ECa zones 1 and 2, which used soil water faster and at greater depths. The findings suggest that irrigation applied to the low ECa zone was not sufficient to meet the plants demand, while in a high ECa zone, irrigation could have been reduced, resulting in cost savings through reduced inputs.

Moose populations in southern Manitoba have declined. Although the primary cause of this decline is unclear, wolf predation is considered a main contributor because wolves have limited moose populations elsewhere. To help understand the role of wolf predation in limiting moose populations we reconstructed the proportional diet of wolves using stable isotope analysis and a Bayesian stable isotope mixing model (MixSIAR). We tested the assumptions of MixSIAR by running sensitivity analyses on trophic discrimination and prior information. We observed differences in wolf diet in areas where moose and deer coexist and are spatially separated, with changes both seasonally and annually. Our results suggest white-tailed deer were preyed on during winter, even in areas where deer are locally rare, suggesting prey catchability is more important than local prey density. Seasonal changes in prey accessibility strongly affect wolf predation rates, and manipulating alternative prey populations could mitigate predation impacts on moose. / October 2015