Detailed knowledge about the habitat requirements of butterflies is vital for successful conservation. The aim of the present study was to examine the habitat requirements of the endangered butterfly Scolitantides orion on 15 sites in Östergötland, Sweden. The requirements of adults and ovipositing females were studied with regard to several environmental variables measured at three scales; small, transect and large scale. The probability of finding adults increased with decreasing tree cover at the small scale, and adult numbers increased with the proportion of bare rock at the large scale. In contrast, ovipositing females mainly responded to the small scale. The main finding was that females oviposited in areas with higher tree cover (< 70 %) than that preferred by dwelling adults (< 20 %). However, there was a greater probability of finding eggs when tree cover was less than 50 %. Furthermore, egg numbers on host plants increased with the number of leaves on the stem and with the proportion of surrounding bare rock or bare ground. At the transect scale, females oviposited in areas with a higher density of host plants. To conclude, S. orion predominately inhabits open areas with warm microclimatic conditions for dwelling and oviposition. To conserve this species, suitable areas containing nectar plants and high densities of host plants with large leaf numbers and surrounded by large proportions of bare rock or bare ground, should be preserved. The areas should be maintained by selective clearing at regular intervals to uphold canopy openness and heterogeneity.

The Apollo butterfly, Parnassius apollo, is categorized as Near Threatened (NT) in IUCN Red List. Today in Sweden it is found only in strongly fragmentized populations. In the county of Stockholm, P. apollo exists exclusively in some islands of the archipelago and with one mainland population in Stora Vika. This study has the purpose of expanding the knowledge of the local conditions for the butterfly in the south parts of the county of Stockholm and thereby contributes to a sustainable land management that can preserve the Apollo butterfly. A comparative study was done between areas where the butterfly today have: a stable population (Stora Vika, Utö and Ålö), has disappeared (Muskö and Yxlö) or is strongly declining (north part of Ornö). The investigation was based on factors that was considered be contributing to the species decline. Factors that was investigated was the general distribution of host-plant S. telephium, overgrowth in rocky outcrops, presence of nectar plants close to host-plants and if a large proportion of forest in the surroundings of the investigation sites could have a isolating impact on sites. The study was based on 10 sites where the butterfly exist, 7 sites where it has disappeared and 3 sites where it has declined. No significant differences could be found for any factor. On the contrary, the general presence of host-plants at rocky outcrops seems to be the same in areas where the butterfly has disappeared as in areas where it exist today. However caterpillars were only found at sites with a wide distribution of host-plants and also at sites with a large proportion of forest in the surroundings. This was speaking against the hypothesis that a large proportion of forest could have an isolating effect on sites and therefore a negative impact on the adult butterfly preferences. The result creates new questions and the conclusion is that more knowledge of the local conditions is needed to ensure good practice in land management. Sites which are today hosted by the caterpillar should be identified, investigated and protected. Furthermore should the dispersal of nectar plants be investigated and it would be interesting to study the effects of limestone by analyzing and compare Cd concentrations in S. telephium from Muskö with plants from Stora Vika, Utö and Ålö.

The thesis proposes using the efficient memory arrangement methods for the implementation of radix-r multi-dimensional Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT). By using the memory instead of the registers to buffer and reorder data, hardware complexity is significantly reduced. We use the recursive architecture that requires only one arithmetic-processing element to compute the entire DFT/DCT operation. The algorithm is based on efficient coefficient matrix factorization and data allocation. By exploiting the features of Kronecker product representation in the fast algorithm, the multi-dimensional DFT/DCT operation is converted into its corresponding 1-D problem and the intermediate data is stored in several memory units. In addition to the smaller area, we also propose a method to reduce the power consumption of the DFT/DCT processors.

Aligning and fixing the fiber and laser device is an important work in butterfly laser module packaging. Assembling these two component by laser welding is to achieve reliable and stable weld joint. However, during the welding process, rapid solidification of the welded region and the associated material shrinkage causes the fiber position moved. The relative movement between fiber and laser is called post-weld-shift(PWS). A few micrometers PWS makes coupled power lost. Therefore, minimizing the PWS between fiber and laser is a key research topic in butterfly laser module packaging. We can correct the PWS minimal by fiber shift inspect. But it has a difficult of space limit in butterfly laser module packaging. In this study, a video camera with image acquisition system was used to measure the PWS. We also used a mirror image to solve the problem of space limited. The PWS inspection result has matched our simulation. This method can successfully inspect the PWS in butterfly laser module.

Fused floating-point arithmetic units such as a floating-point fused Dot-Product (fused DP) and a floating-point fused Add-Subtract (fused AS) are employed for the implementation of the butterfly unit of the FFT due to their characteristics of low power and less area. In addition, the fused DP has less delay and lower error. Among the elements of the fused DP, two internal mantissa multipliers occupy the largest area and consume the largest power. A Multiple-Constant Multiplier (MCM) architecture has high speed, low power consumption, and small area compared to a conventional multiplier. The MCM is used for the internal mantissa multiplier, providing a solution for low power and high performance. Despite the benefits of the MCM, it lacks precision compared to a conventional multiplier. Due to this, the butterfly unit using the MCM has higher error. In this report, a new architecture of the butterfly unit has been designed by merging conventional MCMs. The new architecture provides two options. It either reduces the error or it lowers the power compared to a conventional MCM butterfly unit. / text

Changed management of semi-natural grasslands is thought to be one important factor for explaining the decline of butterfly populations in Sweden and the rest of Europe. This study explores how vegetation height, variation in vegetation height and flower abundance can help predict the occurrence of butterfly species in semi-natural grasslands in southern Sweden. My study is based on data collected by a national environmental monitoring programme (NILS) during 2006-2010. Generalized linear models showed that all three explanatory variables significantly affected 26 of the 41 species of butterflies studied. The study also investigated preferences for three different systems for grouping species but did not find differences among groups. Several of the species would most likely benefit from variation in grazing pressure or rotational grazing as well as flower-rich grasslands. The results may also help when aiming management at the preservation of individual species.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-115). Also available on the World Wide Web.

The thesis presents data from butterfly transects monitoring, carried out for 7 years on 36 transects established both within nature reserves and unprotected landscapes throughout the Czech Republic and walked three times a month between April and September. Only seven transects were monitored for the whole monitoring period. There were 192 771 individual butterfly records on 127 species of butterflies and burnet moths, i.e. 76.5% of the Czech fauna of the targeted groups). Data on their abundances are for the first time available for the Czech Republic. The distribution of individual species abundances approximated a lognormal model. The abundant species were generalists of non-wooded habitats, which prosper in the intensively managed landscapes of the Czech Republic. Trends of abundance, determined by the TRIM program, were estimable for 92 species. Over the monitored period, the relative abundance of nine species significantly decreased, while those of of seven species significantly increases. The remaining 76 did not display unequivocal trends, but still, 17 are likely increasing and 29 likely decreasing. Comparing the trends with the life history and bioclimatic traits of the butterflies showed that species whose abundance did not change possess traits typical for generalist butterflies (mobile species, overwintering in later life stages, longer flight period etc.), while decreases were more common among thermophilic species. Splitting the analyses for data originating from reserve vs. unprotected areas suggested that mesophilic species and species of more advanced successional stages prosper outside of reserves, whereas thermophilic species tend to decline there, and that an opposite pattern applies to reserves. I discuss recommendations for future of the monitoring Czech butterfly monitoring scheme.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar variáveis cinemáticas e coordenativas do nado borboleta sob diferentes modelos inspiratórios, velocidades de nado e níveis de desempenho. Participaram 23 nadadores competitivos, divididos em grupo de nível iniciante (n = 9) e grupo de nível avançado (n = 14). Foram mensuradas as durações das fases da braçada (entrada e apoio, puxada, empurrada e recuperação) e da pernada (descendente1, ascendente 1, descendente 2, ascendente 2), bem como a duração relativa das duas fases propulsivas principais DP1 (do início ao final da fase descendente 1 da pernada) e DP2 (do início da puxada ao final da fase descendente da segunda pernada). Os ângulos de ataque do tronco foram avaliados nos pontos-chave de entrada das mãos, início da puxada, início da empurrada e saída das mãos da água. Com relação à coordenação de membros, foram avaliadas as diferenças temporais entre pontos-chave da braçada e da pernada, sendo: T1 (entrada das mãos – início da fase descendente da primeira pernada), T2 (final da fase descendente da primeira pernada – início da puxada), T3 (início da empurrada – início da fase descendente da segunda pernada), T4 (final da fase descendente da segunda pernada – saída das mãos da água) e TTG (diferença de tempo total). Foi realizado, ainda, o estudo de um dos casos por meio de videogrametria tridimensional, por meio da qual foi possível mensurar as amplitudes de oscilação vertical do vértex e do ombro. Os principais resultados mostram que: (1) O grupo de nível avançado, comparado ao de nível iniciante, apresentou maior velocidade de nado, maior freqüência de ciclos e maior índice de nado. Este maior índice de nado foi acompanhado de menores ângulos de ataque do tronco nos pontos-chave de entrada das mãos, início da puxada e saída das mãos da água. Nadadores de nível avançado apresentaram, ainda, menor duração relativa na fase de entrada e apoio, maior duração relativa na fase de recuperação. Considerando as fases propulsivas principais do nado, a duração relativa de DP2 foi maior no grupo avançado. Com relação à coordenação de membros, estes nadadores apresentaram menor diferença de tempo entre pontos-chave da braçada e da pernada para T2, T3, T4 e TTG. (2) Ao se executar ciclos não-inspiratórios, houve uma menor DC, comparado ao modelo de inspiração lateral, e um maior índice de nado, com relação aos modelos de inspiração frontal e lateral. Ainda, ciclos não-inspiratórios acarretaram em menores ângulos de ataque do que os demais modelos nos pontos-chave de entrada das mãos, início da puxada, início da empurrada e saída das mãos da água. O modelo de inspiração lateral apresentou um menor ângulo de ataque do que o modelo frontal somente no ponto-chave de entrada das mãos na água. Analisando a coordenação de nado, o modelo de inspiração lateral apresentou uma maior diferença de tempo para T1 e T3, quando comparado ao modelo de ciclos não-inspiratórios. (3) Com o aumento da velocidade imposta, os nadadores aumentaram a freqüência de ciclos, reduziram a distância percorrida por ciclo e aumentaram o índice de nado. Esse comportamento foi acompanhado por uma redução do ângulo de ataque do tronco nos pontos-chave de entrada das mãos na água, início da puxada e saída das mãos da água. Ainda, houve aumento na duração relativa das fases propulsivas e redução das fases não-propulsivas da braçada. Da mesma forma a duração relativa das fases propulsivas da pernada aumentou e a duração relativa da fase não-propulsiva A1 reduziu. Com relação à coordenação de membros, as diferenças de tempo para T1, T2, T4 e TTG reduziram com o aumento da velocidade. / The aim of this study was to compare the kinematical and coordinative parameters of the butterfly stroke under different breathing patterns, paces and expertise levels. Volunteered to this study 23 competitive swimmers, divide in beginner level group (n=9) and advanced level group (n = 14). Arm (entry and catch, pull, push and recovery) and leg (downward 1, upward 1, downward 2, upward 2) stroke phases relative duration, the main propulsive phases durations DP1 (from the beginning to the end of the downward 1 leg stroke phase) and DP2 (from the beginning of the pull phase to the end of the upward 2 leg stroke phase). The trunk angle of attack was measured at the hands entry, pull beginning, push beginning and hands exit key points. Regarding the inter-limb coordination, we analyzed the time gap between arm and leg propulsive actions, being: T1 (hands entry – beginning of the downward 1 phase), T2 (end of the downward 1 phase – beginning of the pull phase), T3 (beginning of the push phase –beginning of the downward 2 phase), T4 (end of the downward 2 phase – hands exit) and TTG (total time gap). In parallel a tridimensional analysis case study was developed for measuring the vertex and shoulder’s vertical amplitude of oscillation. The main results includes: (1) The advanced level group presented higher stroke rate and stroke index when compared to the beginner level group. This higher stroke index was due to lower angle of attack at the hands entrym pull beginning and hands exit key point. Advanced level swimmers presented also a shorter entry and catch phase and a longer recovery phase. Regarding the main propulsive phases of the butterfly stroke, advanced level swimmers had a longer DP2. Considering the inter-limb coordination the advanced level group also presented shorter time gaps for T2, T3, T4 and TTG; (2) Performing the non-breathing condition swimmers had shorter stroke length, compared to de lateral breathing pattern, and a higher stroke index, compared to both frontal and lateral breathing conditions. Regarding the trunk angle of attack it was smaller at the hands entry, beginning of the pull phase, beginning of the push phase and hands release key points when performing non-breathing cycles. Compared to frontal breathing pattern, the trunk angle of attack was smaller at the hands entry performing lateral breathing. Compared to non-breathing pattern, T1 and T3 time gaps were longer performing lateral breathing; (3) Increasing the imposed pace, stroke rate and stroke index increased while stroke length decreased. Trunk angle of attack also reduced at the hands entry, beginning of pull phase and hands release key points. Relative duration for arm and leg stroke propulsive phases relative duration increased and non-propulsive phases relative duration decreased, except for the upward 2 phase. Regarding the inter-limb coordination T1, T2, T4 and TTG reduced when increasing the imposed pace.

abstract: Stream flow permanence plays a critical role in determining floristic composition, abundance, and diversity in the Sonoran Desert, but questions remain about the effects of stream flow permanence on butterfly composition, abundance, and diversity. Understanding the effects of flow permanence on butterflies and relevant subsets of butterflies (such as butterflies whose host plants are present) and comparing them to these same effects on plants and relevant subsets of plants (such as butterfly nectar plants and larval host plants) provided insight into pollinator and riparian conservation and restoration. I surveyed four Sonoran desert stream sites, and found significant relationships between flow permanence and plant and butterfly species richness and abundance, as well as strong relationships between plant and butterfly abundance and between plant and butterfly species richness. Most notably, my results pointed to hosted butterflies as a break-out category of butterflies which may more clearly delineate ecological relationships between butterfly and plant abundance and diversity along Sonoran Desert streams; this can inform conservation decisions. Managing for hosted (resident) butterflies will necessarily entail managing for the presence of surface water, nectar forage, varying levels of canopy cover, and plant, nectar plant, and host plant diversity since the relationships between hosted butterfly species richness and/or abundance and all of these variables were significant, both statistically and ecologically. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Plant Biology 2015