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The biology of malaria parasites, Plasmodium spp., may be influenced by the presence of genetically distinct conspecific clones within a single infection, resulting in competition for host resources and transmission, and increased virulence for the vertebrate host. The extent of within host diversity, however, may be limited because overall clonal diversity could be reduced by the transmission biology of Plasmodium and variation in local prevalence. I examined clonal diversity of a natural malaria parasitehost association, P. mexicanum in its hosts, the western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, and sandflies, Lutzomyia vexator and L. stewarti, at a site in California ("Hopland"). Using microsatellite markers I characterized for the parasite, I examined (i) diversity within and among infections over time and space, (ii) transmission success of clones into both vector and lizard, (iii) the effects of clonal diversity on the parasite's infection dynamics and virulence for the lizard. From 1996 to 2006, clonal diversity varied both temporally and spatially, with slightly more multiclonal infections detected during years of high vs. low parasite prevalence (88% vs. 78% for sites with the highest prevalence at Hopland). Spatially, low prevalence sites (< 1% of lizards infected) had fewer multiclone infections (50%). Thus, even when prevalence drops over time, or at sites with chronically low prevalence, clonal diversity of the parasite remains high. Using natural and induced infections in the lizard, I found that multiclonal infections are no more infectious to vectors than single-clone infections, and almost all clones transfer successfully when the insect takes a blood meal. A competition experiment demonstrated that infections block new genotypes from entering a lizard host. Thus, multiclone infections are likely to be established when vectors feed on a complex infection and transmit those parasite clones to an uninfected lizard. The transmission biology of Plasmodium thus allows for the maintenance of genetic diversity in the parasite population. Finally, I examined the effects of multiclonality on the parasite's infection dynamics and virulence to the lizard host. Induced infections harboring a single or multiple clones had similar overall growth rates and maximal parasitemia, but multiclonal infections had significantly higher investment in gametocytes, suggesting competition for transmission. In addition, variation in parasite growth and density was greater for multiclonal infections, with approximately 1/3 displaying high replication rates and final parasitemia. Virulence measures indicated that weight change and proportion of immature erythrocytes was consistent for infections with 1, 2, 3 or > 3 clones, but the highly diverse infections had greater blood hemoglobin and glucose and more rapid clotting rates. Compared with the noninfected control lizards, highly diverse infections (3+) had higher blood glucose levels but similar hemoglobin levels. I have found that genetic diversity of the malaria parasite Plasmodium mexicanum varies both temporally and spatially, although overall diversity remains high. The transmission dynamics of the parasite maintains high genetic diversity within infections. Additionally, diversity within hosts plays a significant role in variation of infection dynamics and virulence.

This thesis examines the motivations, mechanisms and prospects of Turkish Kurdish international migration in relation to the Environment of Insecurity as a set of combined socio-economic and political factors triggered by an ethnic conflict. The analysis focuses on three different, but complementary, levels of analysis. The research comprises first, the analysis of the environment of insecurity in Turkey emphasising its broader socio-economic, legal-political, and demographic aspects; second, the patterns and processes of international migration involving Turkish Kurds investigating the motivations, the mechanisms, and the future migration potentials; third, the role of the expression of ethnicity and of ethnic conflict. A mixed method approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods to address different levels of analysis and different aspects of migration is adopted. The analysis of Turkish Demographic Health Survey data examines the extent to which an environment of insecurity exists for Turkish Kurds. The findings of the Turkish International Migration Survey data outline the patterns of individual migration motives, mechanisms and future intentions. Finally, semi-structured in-depth interviews examine the role of the ethnic conflict and the expression of ethnicity to clarify the relationship between Turkish Kurdish international migration and the ethnic environment of insecurity while also presenting a live account of migration motivations and mechanisms. The research shows that the environment of insecurity is an issue of ethnic conflict and it constitutes the major facilitating factor in Turkish Kurdish international migration resulting in large asylum migration flows. Due to the armed ethnic conflict between the PKK and the Turkish Army in Turkey during the last two decades of the last century, recent migration patterns of Turkish Kurds are dominated by clandestine migration. Along with legal migrations (e.g. economic, family, education), irregular migration appears as a strong trend involving asylum migration and illegal migration. Tightening immigration controls in Europe also prompts this. The conflict situation also serves as an opportunity framework for some who wanted to migrate. While migration is appearing as a liberating event for Turkish Kurdish ethnicity it is found that Kurdish immigrants have not fully exploited the opportunities for exercising their ethnicity. However, for many, migration from Turkey to Germany is an act of escape and so is an expression of ethnicity.

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Submitted by RAFAELA GOULARTE AMARAL null (goularteamaral@gmail.com) on 2016-11-23T16:56:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_finalBibliote.pdf: 1373961 bytes, checksum: 1b2d19d3756a76e3bfc66f5a604dadaf (MD5) / Rejected by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br), reason: Solicitamos que realize uma nova submissão seguindo as orientações abaixo: No campo “Versão a ser disponibilizada online imediatamente” foi informado que seria disponibilizado o texto completo porém no campo “Data para a disponibilização do texto completo” foi informado que o texto completo deverá ser disponibilizado apenas 6 meses após a defesa. Caso opte pela disponibilização do texto completo apenas 6 meses após a defesa selecione no campo “Versão a ser disponibilizada online imediatamente” a opção “Texto parcial”. Esta opção é utilizada caso você tenha planos de publicar seu trabalho em periódicos científicos ou em formato de livro, por exemplo e fará com que apenas as páginas pré-textuais, introdução, considerações e referências sejam disponibilizadas. Se optar por disponibilizar o texto completo de seu trabalho imediatamente selecione no campo “Data para a disponibilização do texto completo” a opção “Não se aplica (texto completo)”. Isso fará com que seu trabalho seja disponibilizado na íntegra no Repositório Institucional UNESP. Por favor, corrija esta informação realizando uma nova submissão. Agradecemos a compreensão. on 2016-11-29T11:17:28Z (GMT) / Submitted by RAFAELA GOULARTE AMARAL null (goularteamaral@gmail.com) on 2016-11-29T23:09:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_finalBibliote.pdf: 1373961 bytes, checksum: 1b2d19d3756a76e3bfc66f5a604dadaf (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-11-30T19:13:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 amaral_rg_me_ilha.pdf: 1373961 bytes, checksum: 1b2d19d3756a76e3bfc66f5a604dadaf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-30T19:13:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 amaral_rg_me_ilha.pdf: 1373961 bytes, checksum: 1b2d19d3756a76e3bfc66f5a604dadaf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-10-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Os plantios clonais são comumente utilizados para obter ganhos na produtividade. No entanto, a uniformidade genética, quando em extensas áreas, pode comprometer o desempenho silvicultural do eucalipto. Uma alternativa seria o emprego da mistura de clones em áreas comerciais. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de comparar a auto e alocompetição entre clones comerciais de Eucalyptus spp., e estimar as capacidades de exercer ou sofrer competição. O experimento foi implantado em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com 12 clones comerciais no espaçamento de 3,6 m x 2,5 m, com 5 plantas por parcela e 3 repetições. Foram avaliados aos 3 e 5 anos os caracteres altura de planta, diâmetro à altura do peito, volume e incremento médio anual. Com os dados médios da parcela foram efetuadas as análises estatísticas e estimados os parâmetros de competição. Houve diferenças entre a auto e a alocompetição para incremento médio anual e volume em ambas as idades avaliadas. O desempenho médio dos clones em auto e alocompetição foram semelhantes, não ocasionando prejuízos para a produção de madeira. A mistura clonal pode ser empregada sempre que for vantajosa do ponto de vista de manejo ou industrial. Os clones diferiram quanto à sua capacidade de exercer ou sofrer competição. / Clonal plantations are commonly used for gains in productivity. However, the genetic uniformity when in extensive areas, can compromise the silvicultural performance of Eucalyptus. An alternative would be the use a mixture of clones in commercial areas. This study was conducted in order to compare auto and allocompetition between commercial clones of Eucalyptus spp., and estimate the capacity to exercise or tolerate competition. The experiment was established in a randomized block design, with 12 commercial clones in the spacing of 3.6 m x 2.5 m, and consists of 5 plants per experimental plot in 3 repetitions. Each clone was evaluated exercising and tolerating competition in all the others, at 3 and 5 years. With the average data were performed statistical analysis and estimated parameters of competition. There were differences between auto and allocompetition the two ages evaluated for annual volume and average increment. The average performance of clones auto and allocompetition were similar, not causing damage to the production of the timber could be used to mix clonal whenever advantageous from the standpoint of handling or manufacturing. Clones differed in their ability to tolerate or exercise competition.

Submitted by Gizele Lima (gizele.lima@inpa.gov.br) on 2017-11-13T20:18:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Piovesan, P.R.R._2017_Dissertação_Lianas da Amazônia Central.pdf: 2167316 bytes, checksum: 70410127c173094150839e16ed94a3cb (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-13T20:18:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Piovesan, P.R.R._2017_Dissertação_Lianas da Amazônia Central.pdf: 2167316 bytes, checksum: 70410127c173094150839e16ed94a3cb (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-31 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas - FAPEAM / Lianas are plants that need support to reach the forest canopy. Some authors suggest that the high local abundance of individuals of some species is due to high reproductive capacity through vegetative means. We evaluated whether vegetative propagation capacity of liana species can explain the relative local abundance of the species, and if this vegetative propagation capacity is correlated with the phylogenetic placement of the studied species. We based liana species selection on relative abundance data for lianas in the 25-ha Reserve at KM 37, in the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, Manaus, Brazil (data from Robyn J. Burnham). Priority species were those that formed congener pairs with species showing different levels of abundance, and a spectrum of species that represented the local diversity of lianas. Five individuals were collected of each species with seven replicate cuttings per individual, each with four nodes. The cuttings were planted horizontally in plastic boxes containing a layer of sand covered by a layer of coconut fiber, and maintained in moist conditions for five months in the greenhouse of the National Institute of Amazonian Research, simulating tropical forest conditions. The percentage of survival, percentage rooting, the Index of Regeneration Potential, and the length of the longest root were recorded for each species. The results indicated a significantly positive correlation between vegetative propagation and local relative abundance. Congeneric species showed similar vegetative propagation capacity. Vegetative reproductive capacity was compared within all major evolutionary lineages including lianas, and was highest in the families Fabaceae and Bignoniaceae, which are the two families of greatest abundance in the studied area and generally in neotropical forests. / Lianas são plantas que precisam de apoio para alcançar o dossel da floresta. Alguns autores sugerem que a alta abundância local de indivíduos de algumas espécies é devida à alta capacidade reprodutiva através de meios vegetativos. Avaliamos se a capacidade de propagação vegetativa de espécies de lianas pode explicar a abundância local relativa e se essa capacidade de propagação vegetativa está correlacionada com a colocação filogenética das espécies estudadas. Baseamos a seleção de espécies de lianas em dados de abundância relativa de lianas em 25 ha da Reserva do KM 37, no Projeto Dinâmica Biológica de Fragmentos Florestais, Manaus, Brasil (dados de Robyn J. Burnham). Prioritariamente foram selecionadas espécies que formaram pares congêneres com espécies apresentando diferentes níveis de abundância e um espectro de espécies que representavam a diversidade local de lianas. Cinco indivíduos foram coletados de cada espécie com sete repetições de estacas por indivíduo, cada uma com quatro nós. As estacas foram plantadas horizontalmente em caixas de plástico contendo uma camada de areia coberta por uma camada de fibra de coco e mantidas em condições húmidas durante cinco meses na casa de vegetação do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, simulando condições de floresta tropical. A porcentagem de sobrevivência, porcentagem de enraizamento, o Índice de Potencial de Regeneração e o comprimento da maior raiz foram registrados para cada espécie. Os resultados indicaram uma correlação significativamente positiva entre a propagação vegetativa e a abundância relativa local. As espécies congêneres apresentaram capacidade de propagação vegetativa semelhante. A capacidade reprodutiva vegetativa foi comparada em todas as principais linhagens evolutivas que incluem lianas, e foi maior nas famílias Fabaceae e Bignoniaceae, que são as duas famílias de maior abundância na área estudada e geralmente em florestas neotropicais.

I addressed how light availability influences sexual and clonal offspring production, demographic performance and contribution to population dynamics by studying the Neotropical understory herb Calathea marantifolia across a light gradient in Costa Rica. To understand how demographic performance was influenced by light availability I conducted a transplant experiment in the field. Both seedlings and clonal offspring grew best when planted in high light areas, but seedlings showed a faster and more dramatic response. Survival of seedlings was greatest in high light sites but clonal offspring survival was greatest where light availability was low. To examine the demographic consequences of physiological integration between parent plants and their clonal offspring I combined an isotope tracing study with a severing experiment in natural populations. Very little water was transported between parent and offspring. Severing the connections between parent and offspring did not influence the demographic performance of parent plants, but clonal offspring were negatively affected, especially prior to rooting. I investigated the demographic cost of sexual reproduction by manipulating the sexual reproductive effort of plants in the field. Increasing the sexual reproductive effort of plants did not reduce their future demographic performance. However, subsequently produced clonal offspring displayed a small reduction in size due to their parent's increased reproduction. To understand the contribution of both reproductive modes for population growth rate I used field data collected in plots with high and low light. Data from the first census interval were used to develop a new size-structured integral projection model that includes both sexual and clonal recruitment. Population growth rate was faster in high light than in low light and a life table response experiment revealed that this difference was primarily due to improved survival and growth at large sizes and increased clonal reproduction in high light. By removing reproductive modes from the model, I found that sexual reproduction contributes more to population growth than clonal reproduction. When only sexual reproduction is included in the model population growth rate is fastest in high light environments. By contrast, when only clonal reproduction is included in the model population growth rate is fastest low light.

Salmonella spp. is a human pathogen that has been reported in catfish, but with conflicting results. Salmonella spp. was isolated from live catfish, catfish products and the processing environment during catfish production, followed by evaluation of their antibiotic resistance and clonal similarities. Distinction of Salmonella spp. was increased by lowering background microflora with the addition of the antimicrobial novobiocin to the agar media. More than ten Salmonella serotypes were isolated from catfish and catfish products, such as live, chilled fillets, frozen fillets, and conveyor belts in catfish processing facilities. The isolates that were recovered include Salmonella ser. Typhimurium, Barranquilla, Mbadaka, Putten, Infantis and Thompson among others. The number of isolated Salmonella spp. and serotypes varied between sampling in catfish facilities. Clonal similarities of Salmonella spp. were found within sampling but did not show persistency among sampling periods, suggesting the opportunistic nature of the pathogen. Salmonella ser. Typhimurium was the most predominant isolate in live catfish and similarities were found within sampling but were not persistent among sampling periods. Antimicrobial resistant Salmonella was identified from the recuperated isolates. All Salmonella spp. isolates, showed resistance to erythromycin, vancomycin and rifampin regardless of the serotype, but resistant genes were absent suggesting that resistance was due to the pathogen’s biological nature. These results suggest that it is possible to recover Salmonella spp. in catfish products, but its opportunistic nature makes it difficult to predict the source or incidence of this pathogen.

No description available.