Seabed environmental monitoring programmes have been conducted at oil installations in the North Sea for many years. Such studies seek to determine the areal extent of the spread of contaminated cuttings and effects on assemblages of benthic organisms. Survey programmes usually follow a prescriptive programme with respect to the numbers of samples, mesh size and level of taxonomic identification. This thesis examines the effects of altering these survey components on the information content of three commonly used ordination methods, PCA, DCA and CA, with the aim of determining the minimum necessary expenditure to show the same outputs. The use of microbial bioassays was investigated as a potential alternative means of assessing the extent of infaunal disturbance. <I>Minimum number of replicates</I>. When analysing data from a strong environmental gradient, one replicate sample per station provided the same visual information as the total data set of two replicates. The DCA and CA procedures provided outputs which were easily interpretable ecologically, but the PCA biplots were difficult to interpret. Analysis of data from a weak environmental gradient required a higher number of replicates for each technique and outputs were more variable at low replicate numbers. <I>Taxonomic resolution</I>. When infauna were aggregated to the taxonomic level of class, the information content of the three ordination methods was the same as recorded for species level. However, at the taxonomic levels of order and phylum the information on the bi-plots was difficult to interpret. Although this suggests that there exists the potential for reducing the cost of analysis, further corroboration with different data sets would be required. <I>Sieve size</I>. Primary screening of 0.5 mm mesh fauna by a 1.0 mm mesh may be a more cost effective strategy than either a 1.0 mm or 0.5 mm fraction although there was some loss of information on the ordination bi-plots.

This thesis describes the results of three studies that used different measures of bacterial numbers in retail ground beef (n=309) collected across different locations in Saskatchewan within a one-year period (May 2011 – May 2012). The measurements were compared among three sample categories: 1 - ground beef displaying government inspection information on the label legend (n=126), 2 - originating from facilities licensed by local health regions and thus not subjected to government inspection (n=80), or 3 - processed and repackaged at the retail level thus carrying no government inspection information on the label (n=103). The first study reports baseline levels of bacteria in Saskatchewan retail ground beef as measured by traditional (total aerobic plate count (TAPC) and total E. coli plate count (TEPC)) and culture-independent methods (estimate of total bacterial load (TBL) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction). After accounting for season and whether the samples were fresh or frozen at purchase, the lowest TAPC (log10 4.9 culture forming units per gram (cfu/g); 95% CI log10 4.7 to log10 5.1 cfu/g), TEPC (log10 0.58 cfu/g; 95% CI log10 0.39 to log10 0.77 cfu/g), and TBL in frozen ground beef (log10 4.5 target copies per gram (tc/g); 95% CI log10 4.0 to log10 4.9 tc/g) were observed in samples originating from federally regulated or provincially licensed facilities. In the second study, presence of known Enterobacteriaceae virulence factors (stx1, stx2, and eae) was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and compared between samples originating from three different regulatory and inspection environments as well as collected during different seasons of the year, and purchased fresh or frozen. One hundred and twelve out of all tested samples (n=308) were positive for the presence of at least one virulence marker with stx1 identified in 107 samples, stx2 - in 8, and eae - in 26. No significant associations were found between the virulence markers presence and sample category, state or season of purchase. The third study investigates the presence and diversity of Campylobacter spp. organisms in the same pool of 309 retail beef samples as detected by molecular methods. Fifty samples (16.2%) tested positive for Campylobacter genus-specific DNA in conventional PCR and 49 samples (15.9%) tested positive for at least one Campylobacter species DNA presence in real-time qPCR, but the crude agreement between the two methods was less than 50%. C. coli DNA presence was observed in 14 samples (4.5%), C. curvus – in 11 (3.6%), C. fetus – in 6 (1.9%), C. hyointestinalis – in 24 (7.8%), C. jejuni – in 12 (3.9%), C. rectus – in 6 (1.9%), and C. upsaliensis – in 9 (2.9%). There was no difference in the frequency of Campylobacter identified among the three sample categories, fresh and frozen, or samples purchased during the cold or warm season. These studies provide data on prevalence of bacteria in retail ground beef offered for sale in Saskatchewan and compare differences between samples presented to the consumer as originating from federally regulated or provincially licensed facilities, locally licensed facilities, or repackaged and processed directly at a retail outlet. The information on baseline levels of bacteria in retail ground beef and the comparisons among different categories can be used in prioritising food safety improvement efforts in Saskatchewan.

No description available.

No description available.

The aim of the present work was to investigate aflatoxin levels in various food commodities and to study its production by Aspergillus parasiticus in culture to find out the possible ways to control it. Of 40 food samples collected from Abha region, Saudi Arabia, only 25% were contaminated with aflatoxins. Oil-rich commodities had the highly contaminated commodities by fungi and aflatoxins while spices were free from afatoxins. The optimal pH for the growth of A. parasiticus and its productivity of aflatoxin B, was found at 6.0, while the best incubation conditions were found at 30°C for 10 days. D-glucose was the best carbon source for fungal growth, as well as aflatoxin production. Corn steep liquor, yeast extract and peptone were the best nitrogen sources for both fungal growth and toxin production. (NH4)2HPO4 (1.55 gL-1) and NaNO2 (1.6 gL-1) reduced fungal growth and toxin production with 37.7% and 85%, respectively. Of ten amino acids tested, asparagine was the best for aflatoxin B, production. Zn2+ and Co2+ supported significantly both fungal growth, as well as aflatoxin B, production at the different tested concentrations. Zn2+ was effective when added to A. parasiticus growth medium at the first two days of the culture age. The other tested metal ions gave variable effects depending on the type of ion and its concentration. Water activity (a ) was an important factor controlling the growth of A. parasiticus and toxin production. The minimum aW for the fungal growth was 0.8 on both coffee beans and rice grains, while aW, of 0.70 caused complete inhibition for the growth and aflatoxin B, production. H202 is a potent inhibitor for growth of A. parasiticus and its productivity of toxins. Incubation with NaHCO3 and C6H5000Na converted aflatoxin B, to a water-soluble form which returned to aflatoxin B, by acid treatment. Black pepper, ciliated heath, cuminum and curcuma were the most inhibitory spices on toxin production. Glutathione, quinine, EDTA, sodium azide, indole acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, phenol and catechol were inhibitory for both growth, as well as, aflatoxin B, production. Stearic acid supported the fungal growth and decreased the productivity of AFBI gradually. Lauric acid is the most suppressive fatty acid for both fungal growth and aflatoxin production, but oleic acid was the most potent supporter. Vitamin A supported the growth but inhibited aflatoxin B, production. Vitamins C and D2 were also repressive particularly for aflatoxin production. The present study included determining the activities of some enzymes in relation to aflatoxin production in A. parasiticus culture during 20 days. Glycolytic enzymes and pyruvate-generating enzymes seems to be linked with aflatoxin B, production. Also, pentose-phosphate pathway enzymes may provide NADPH for aflatoxin B, synthesis. The decreased activities of TCA cycle enzymes particularly from 4th day of growth up to 10th day were correlated with the increase of aflatoxin B, production. All the tested enzymes as well as aflatoxin B, production were inhibited by either catechol or phenol.

No description available.

A numerical model was utilized to assess the effects of elevated temperature on the application of in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and enhanced in situ bioremediation (EISB) for the subsurface remediation of trichloroethene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE). Temperature adjustment of the contaminant physicochemical properties as well as the chemical/biological reactions associated with ISCO and EISB were accounted for in the model domain. ISCO reaction rates were estimated using Arrhenius principles; microbial growth rates for EISB were estimated using non-linear fits to published literature data. The results from this study showed that temperature did provide remedial benefits to ISCO and EISB treatment during the short-term timeframe of oxidant/substrate injection. During these time periods, heated ISCO and EISB treatment exhibited greater DNAPL mass removal and mass flux reduction compared to heated abiotic dissolution. In the long term, after oxidant/substrate injection was terminated, the treatment enhancements achieved by ISCO and EISB were negated. Permeability (k) reduction due to rind formation (ISCO) and bioclogging (EISB) inhibited DNAPL dissolution and contributed to greater dissolution tailing effects. Tailing effects caused by ISCO were more severe compared to EISB since rind formation contributed to permanent k reduction; partial k recovery was observed in the EISB scenarios due to biomass decay. Even though higher temperatures were beneficial to ISCO and EISB during the short-term oxidant/substrate injection period, treatment efficacy was ultimately controlled by the detrimental by-products (rind from ISCO and biomass from EISB) formed as a result of the associative chemical/biological reactions. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2014-02-10 18:59:23.177

Historically, earth ovens have been used to provide direct evidence of ancient plant use through the recovery of charred macrobotanical remains and indirectly by means of experimental archaeology and the ethnographic record. Experiments suggest that direct evidence of ancient starch-rich plant use can be obtained through the recovery of starch granules deposited on fire-cracked-rock (FCR) during cooking episodes even in regions where macrobotanical remains are scarcely preserved. Starch contamination, however, can enter into the archaeological record providing “background noise.” Therefore, this study analyzes the results of the Paluxy Sand Geophyte Project to determine if archaeological starch (starch that is both cultural and ancient in origin) can be differentiated from contamination using FCR recovered from heating elements in well-preserved earth ovens at Fort Hood, Texas. FCR, non-cultural rock control samples (RCS), and air control samples (ACS) were processed and analyzed from 27 earth ovens at 6 sites. Contamination control measures were used, including the use of a clean bench, powder-free latex gloves, washing samples prior to processing, spot sampling, and comparisons between starch granule assemblages recovered from FCR and control samples. Laboratory and field equipment were processed and analyzed for contamination. Only one feature (Feature 4 from 41CV984) yielded starch granules that are unambiguously archaeological in origin, rather than the result of contamination, whereas starch assemblages from the other sites could be archaeological or contamination in origin. Small sample sizes, differential preservation, and/or the cooking of non-starch-rich plants could account for the lack of differences between FCR and RCS samples. Finally, maize (Zea mays) starch granules were recovered from all sample types suggesting that maize starch, most likely from “powder-free” gloves and air-fall is a significant source of starch contamination.

The study of magmatic processes and their location in the crustal profile is fundamental for the understanding of the volcanic systems and their associated hazards. Changes and continuities in magma storage zones, fractional crystallization and crustal contamination are studied over a time span of 300 ka in Puyehue Volcano in the Southern Volcanic Zone, Chile. Using thermobarometric models outlined in Putirka (2008), bulk assimilationand fractional crystallization modelling this study show that: a) fractional crystallization of plagioclase and clinopyroxene in Puyehue Volcano occurs in the upper 20 km of the crust with plagioclase preceding clinopyroxene in the crystallization sequence, b) fractional crystallization of basaltic andesites is dominated by plagioclase with a break in th e geochemical trend at around 55 wt% SiO2caused by an increased share of pyroxene fractionation and the onset of significant magnetite fractionation, c) both old and young Puyehue volcanics are contaminated by a gabbroic lithology of the lower crust as suggested previously by Jicha et al. (2007) and d) the Anticura Group lavas and a single Puyehue Volcano sample reflect magma-metasediment interaction with likely in the middle to upper crust. / El estudio de los procesos magmáticos y su ubicación en el perfil de la corteza terrestre es fundamental para la comprensión de los sistemas volcánicos y sus riesgos asociados. Cambios y continuidades en las zonas de almacenamiento de magma, cristalización fraccionada y contaminación cortical correspondientes a un lapso de 300 ka se estudiaronen Volcán Puyehue en la Zona Volcánica Sur, Chile. Utilizando modelos termobarométricos descritos en Putirka (2008) más un modelamiento de la asimilación y cristalización fraccionada este estudio muestra que: a) la cristalización fraccionada de plagioclasa y clinopiroxeno en el Volcán Puyehue se produce en los 20 Km superiores de la corteza y que la plagioclasa precede al clinopiroxeno en la secuencia de cristalización, b) la cristalización fraccionada de andesitas basálticas está dominada por plagioclasa con un quiebre en la tendencias geoquímicas en torno al 55 wt%SiO2causado por un aumento relativo delfraccionamiento piroxeno y ael comienzo de un fraccionamiento significativo de magnetita, c) las rocas volcánicas del Volcán Puyehue, tanto lasantiguas como las recientes, están contaminadas por una litología de gabro de la corteza inferior como se ha sugeridoanteriormente por Jicha et al. (2007) y d) las lavas del Grupo Anticura además de una sola muestra Volcán Puyehue evidencian interacción entre magma y metasedimentos que probablemente ocurrió en la corteza media o superior / Studiet av magmatiska processer och deras placering i jordskorpans profil är väsenlig för förståelsen av den vulkaniska system och dithörande risker. I denna studie granskas förändringar och kontinuiteter i lagringszoner för magma, fraktionerad kristallisation och jordskorpsföroreningar över en tidsperiod på 3 00 ka i Puyehue vulkan i den Södra Vulkaniska Zonen, Chile. Till denna ändamål användes termobarometriska modeller beskrivna i Putirka (2008) och andra modeller för assimilering och fraktionerad kristallisation som visar att: a) fraktionerad kristallisation av plagioklas och klinopyroxen i Puyehue vulkanen sker i de övre 20 km av jordskorpan och att plagioklas föregår clinopyroxene i kristallisations följden, b) fraktionerad kristallisering av andesitiska basalterförhärskas av plagioklas samt att den geokemiska utvecklingen förändras omkring 55 wt% SiO2på grund av en ökad fraktioneringsandel av pyroxen plus uppkomsten av betydande magnetit fraktionering, c) både gamla och unga Puyehue vulkaniter är förorenade av ett gabbroisk litologi från den undre kontinentalskorpanså som detföreslagits tidigare av Jicha et al. (2007) och d) Anticura Group lavornasamt ett enda Puyehue-prov reflekterar magma-metasediment interaktion som sannolikt sker i mitten eller övre delenav kontinentalskorpan.

Performance measurement and criterion theory are critical topics in the fields of I/O psychology, yet scholars continue to note several issues with the criterion, including empirically redundant behaviors, construct and measure proliferation, and definitions that conflict. These interconnected problems hinder the advancement of criterion measurement and theory. The goal of this study was to empirically examine the issues of theory/construct clarity and measurement as they exist regarding work performance behaviors. This study's first objective was to clarify definitions of core performance behaviors, particularly to resolve issues of construct proliferation and conceptual conflict. Universal definitions of four core criterion constructs (i.e., task performance, citizenship performance, counterproductive work behavior, and withdrawal) were developed that integrated existing definitions of similar behaviors. Each definition reflects a parsimonious conceptualization of existing performance behaviors, which serves to clarify existing, and at times divergent, criterion conceptualizations. Importantly, these integrated definitions represent commonly-held definitions of the constructs and replace the largely discrepant accumulation of definitions. The second objective was to determine whether existing items assumed to measure the four core work performance behaviors were judged by raters to represent their respective constructs. The results showed that of the 851 items examined, over half were judged to not represent their respective constructs which, importantly, replicated previous research. Additionally, the results highlight items that match their respective construct definition and contain minimal overlap with non-posited constructs. Finally, the third objective was to determine the implications of using the problematic items for both the empirical relationships among work performance behaviors and evidence of construct-related validity. The results provided preliminary evidence that while nomological networks are minimally affected, relationships among some work performance dimensions are significantly affected when problematic items are removed from measures of performance constructs. This dissertation demonstrated the need for more attention to the construct labels placed on the behaviors described in work performance items, as there are potentially adverse consequences for theory and measurement. Ultimately, the results of this study showed that work performance behaviors/items have often been assigned incorrect construct labels which, subsequently, may cast considerable doubt on the theoretical and empirical understanding of the criterion domain.