In nature we see a wide variety of bold colors and unique shapes. Trees personify these characteristics with their curved branches creating distinctive lines and shapes. Leaves and blossoms enhance their structures with an array of colors. Trees possess awe inspiring energy. Each tree is a living thing, its growth shaped by its environment.Similarly, my work is a response to the environment. I employ a spontaneous and bold technique in an attempt to capture the energy I perceive in nature. The use of vigorous lines and high keyed contrasting colors with varied textures conveys that trees are living, growing entities, each one unique. I remain open to new ways of expressing this aesthetic so that my work will continue to grow like a tree and evolve.

The ENE-trending Himalayan fold-thrust belt in Pakistan exhibits contrasting deformation styles both along and across the strike. The centrifuge modelling technique has been used to investigate these variations in structural style. For the purpose of modelling, the Salt Range and Potwar Plateau (SR/PP) stratigraphy has been grouped into four mechanical units. From bottom to top these are the Salt Range Formation, carapace unit (Cambrian-Eocene platform sequences), Rawalpindi Group, and Siwalik Group. These stratigraphic units of alternating competence, composed of thin layers of plasticine modelling clay and silicone putty, rest on a rigid base plate that represents the crystalline basement of the Indian plate. The models are built at a linear scale ratio of ~10-6 (1mm=1km) and deformed in a centrifuge at 4000g. The models are subjected to horizontal shortening by collapse and lateral spreading of a “hinterland wedge” which simulates overriding by the Himalayan orogen (above the Main Boundary Thrust). The models of the central SR/PP show that the accretionary wedge develops a prominent culmination structure with fault-bend fold geometry over the frontal ramp, while the eastern SR/PP is more internally deformed by detachment folds, fault-propagation folds and pop-up and pop-down structures. Model results show that the transition from fault-bend fold to detachment-fold and fault-propagation-fold geometry in the prototype may take place in a transfer zone marked by an S-bend structure (Chambal Ridge and Jogi Tilla) at the surface and the lateral ramp in the subsurface. Moreover, the models suggest that an oblique ramp below the Kalabagh strike-slip connecting the two frontal ramps below the Surghar Range and the central Salt Range developed similar structure that can be observed in the prototype. The model results also show that the Northern Potwar Deformed Zone may have been developed over ductile substrata due to the close similarity between the models and the prototype structures. The deformation style in the models illustrates the importance of mechanical stratigraphic and basement ramp systems in the evolution and the structural styles of the SR/PP. / Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-07-29 19:42:25.027

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Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:44:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_carlos_andre_bahry.pdf: 1649930 bytes, checksum: 5a801e0a506210fec9f7f5f02d60c77a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-06-12 / Soybean seed coats perform as a modulator of the interactions between internal structures of seeds and the external environment, which are vital for its quality. In order to perform a deeper study, four tests were performed. In Test 1, the expression of eight genes was evaluated, possibly related to the quality of the seeds, and express on the seed coats; on Test 2, the seed coats chemical composition was determined; on Test 3, the internal structure of seed coats was analyzed and on Test 4, physical and physiological traits of seeds were evaluated. Four contrasting soybean genotypes were used for the seed coat traits, two yellow seed coats, BMX Potência RR and CD 202, and two black seed coats, TP and IAC. The relative expression of the genes VINV1, SCB1, SCS1, SBP, LEGINSULIN, CHIA1, SGF14c e CHS8* was evaluated through the qPCR technique in seven phases of seed coat development, on the 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 days after anthesis. Concerning the chemical composition of the seed coats, the phenolic compounds concentration, antioxidant potential, anthocyanin, carotenoids and lignin were determined. For the structural characterization of the seed coats, two anatomic cuts of these in microtome and the documentation of the results were performed by the capture of images on the microscope. Seed quality was evaluated by the germination test and first counting, with and without immersion of the seeds; seedlings length, with and without immersion; emergence in soil; germination and emergence speed index, emergence speed; electric conductivity; a thousand seeds mass; seed coats mass; seed coats mass and seed mass ratio; size of the seeds; imbibitions; and radicle protrusion. Data were subjected to variance analysis and the means compared by the Tukey test on Tests 1, 2 and 4. On Test 4, concerning seed imbibition, a regression analysis was performed. Genes VINV1, SCS1, SBP and LEGINSULIN are more expressed in the early stages of development of the seed coats BMX Potência RR and the gene CHS8* in the final stages of the same genotype. The SCB1 and SGF14c genes are more expressed in early stages of development of the seed coats CD 202 and the CHIA1 gene in the final stages. The phenol concentration, antioxidants, anthocyanin, carotenoids and lignin are higher in the black seed coat genotypes. These also have a palisade layer and thicker hourglass cells than the yellow seed coats. Black seed coats genotypes, specially the IAC presented a higher physiological quality. BMX Power RR has higher seed hydration in comparison to the other genotypes on the first imbibition hours while TP has the lower; however, the latter and the IAC show radicle protrusion more fast. The lignin concentration in seed coats does not influence soybean seeds hydration. / O tegumento da soja atua como modulador das interações entre as estruturas internas das sementes e o meio externo, sendo vital para a qualidade destas. Para tanto, buscou-se estudar melhor essa relação através da realização de quatro ensaios. No Ensaio 1 se avaliou a expressão de oito genes possivelmente relacionados com a qualidade das sementes e expressos nos tegumentos; no Ensaio 2 determinou-se composição química dos tegumentos; no Ensaio 3 se analisou a estrutura interna dos tegumentos; e, no Ensaio 4 avaliaram-se as características físicas e fisiológicas das sementes. Foram utilizados quatro genótipos de soja contrastantes para as características de tegumento, dois de tegumentos amarelos, BMX Potência RR e CD 202, e dois de tegumentos pretos, TP e IAC. A expressão relativa dos genes VINV1, SCB1, SCS1, SBP, LEGINSULIN, CHIA1, SGF14c e CHS8* foi avaliada pela técnica qPCR, em sete fases de desenvolvimento dos tegumentos, aos 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 e 55 dias após a antese. Quanto à composição química dos tegumentos determinou-se a concentração de compostos fenólicos, potencial antioxidante, antocianinas, carotenóides e lignina. Para a caracterização estrutural dos tegumentos realizaram-se cortes anatômicos destes em micrótomo, sendo a documentação dos resultados realizada pela captura de imagens em microscópio. A qualidade das sementes foi avaliada pelos testes de germinação e primeira contagem, com e sem imersão das sementes; comprimento de plântula, com e sem imersão; emergência em solo; índice de velocidade de germinação e emergência; velocidade de emergência; condutividade elétrica; massa de mil sementes; massa dos tegumentos; razão entre a massa dos tegumentos e a massa das sementes; tamanho das sementes; embebição; e, protrusão radicular. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey nos Ensaios 1, 2 e 4. No Ensaio 4, em relação à embebição das sementes aplicou-se análise de regressão. Os genes VINV1, SCS1, SBP e LEGINSULIN expressam-se mais nas fases iniciais de desenvolvimento dos tegumentos de BMX Potência RR e, o gene CHS8*, nas fases finais deste mesmo genótipo. Os genes SCB1 e SGF14c expressam-se mais nas fases iniciais de desenvolvimento dos tegumentos de CD 202 e, o gene CHIA1, nas fases finais. As concentrações de fenóis, antioxidantes, antocianinas, carotenóides e lignina são maiores nos genótipos de tegumentos pretos. Estes também possuem a camada paliçádica e as células em ampulheta mais espessas que os tegumentos amarelos. Genótipos de tegumentos pretos, em especial o IAC, apresentam maior qualidade fisiológica. BMX Potência RR possui maior hidratação de suas sementes em relação aos outros genótipos nas primeiras horas de embebição e TP, a menor; contudo, este último e IAC apresentam protrusão radicular mais rápida. A concentração de lignina nos tegumentos não influencia a hidratação das sementes de soja.

The presence of the sea ice diatom biomarker IP25 in Arctic marine sediments has been used in previous studies as a proxy for past spring sea ice occurrence and as an indicator of wider palaeoenvironmental conditions for different regions of the Arctic over various timescales. The current study describes a number of analytical and palaeoceanographic developments of the IP25 sea ice biomarker. First, IP25 was extracted and purified from Arctic marine sediments. This enabled the structure of IP25 to be confirmed and enabled instrumental (GC-MS) calibrations to be carried out so that quantitative measurements could be performed with greater accuracy. Second, palaeo sea ice reconstructions based on IP25 and other biomarkers were carried out for a suite of sub-Arctic areas within the Greenland, Norwegian and Barents Seas, each of which represent contrasting oceanographic and environmental settings. Further, an evaluation of some combined biomarker approaches (e.g. the PIP25 and DIP25 indices) for quantifying and/or refining definitions of sea ice conditions was carried out. Temporally, particular emphasis was placed on the characterisation of sea ice conditions during the Younger Dryas and the Holocene. Some comparisons with other proxies (e.g. foraminifera, IRD) were also made. A study of a sediment core from Andfjorden (69.16˚N, 16.25˚E), northern Norway, provided unequivocal evidence for the occurrence of seasonal sea ice conditions during the Younger Dryas. The onset (ca. 12.9 cal. kyr BP) and end (ca. 11.5 cal. kyr BP) of this stadial were especially clear in this location, while in a study from the Kveithola Trough (74.52˚N, 16.29˚E), western Barents Sea, these transitions were less apparent. This was attributed to the presence of colder surface waters and the occurrence of seasonal sea ice both before and after this stadial at higher latitudes. Some regional differences regarding the severity of the sea ice conditions were also observed, although an overall general picture was proposed, with more severe sea ice conditions during the early-mid Younger Dryas and less sea ice observed during the late Younger Dryas. A shift in the climate towards ice-free conditions was recorded in northern Norway during the early Holocene (ca. 11.5 – 7.2 cal. kyr BP). Milder conditions were also observed during the Holocene in the western Barents Sea, with three main climate periods observed. During the early Holocene (ca. 11.7 – 9.5 cal. kyr BP), the position of the spring ice edge was close to the study area which resulted in high productivity during summers. During the mid-late Holocene (ca. 9.5 – 1.6 cal. kyr BP), sea ice was mainly absent due to an increased influence of Atlantic waters and northward movement of the Polar Front. During the last ca. 1.6 cal. kyr BP, sea ice conditions were similar to those of the present day. In addition to the outcomes obtained from the Norwegian-Barents Sea region, comparison of biomarker and other proxy data from 3 short cores from Kangerdlugssuaq Trough (Denmark Strait/SE Greenland) with historical climate observations allowed the development of a model of sea ice conditions which was then tested for longer time-scales. It is suggested that the IP25 in sediments from this region is likely derived from drift ice carried from the Arctic Ocean via the East Greenland Current and that two main sea surface scenarios have existed over the last ca. 150 yr. From ca. AD 1850 – 1910, near perennial sea ice conditions resulted in very low primary productivity, while from ca. AD 1910 – 1986, local sea ice conditions were less severe with increased drift ice and enhanced primary productivity. This two-component model was subsequently developed to accommodate different sea surface conditions that existed during the retreat of the Greenland Ice Sheet during the deglaciation (ca. 16.3 – 10.9 cal. kyr BP).

[pt] A noradrenalina desempenha um papel central em diversos transtornos relacionados ao medo, como o transtorno de ansiedade generalizada (TAG). Estudos farmacológicos em humanos e animais mostraram que os comportamentos relacionados ao medo podem ser regulados pela aplicação sistêmica de drogas noradrenérgicas. No entanto, as diferenças individuais na ansiedade-traço são frequentemente negligenciadas ao estudar os efeitos não apenas de drogas noradrenérgicas, mas de outros compostos. No presente estudo, examinamos os efeitos da ioimbina, um antagonista do receptor alfa2-adrenérgico, em duas linhagens de ratos criados para respostas de alto e baixo congelamento à pistas contextuais previamente associadas a choques nos pés (ratos Carioca de Alto e Baixo Congelamento - CAC e CBC, respectivamente). Descobrimos que a administração sistêmica de ioimbina no segundo dia de condicionamento do medo contextual (sessão de teste) diminuiu significativamente as respostas de congelamento de fêmeas CAC, mas não de machos. No entanto, o tratamento com ioimbina induziu um aumento significativo no comportamento de congelamento de ratos CBC machos e fêmeas. Resultados semelhantes foram observados quando os grupos foram novamente expostos à mesma câmara de condicionamento 6 dias depois. Nossos resultados indicam que, embora a ioimbina leve a efeitos ansiolíticos em ratos CAC, ela tem um efeito ansiogênico nos ratos CBC. Entretanto, esse efeito foi mais evidente nas fêmeas do que nos machos. Nossas descobertas apontam para o papel da noradrenalina na regulação e mediação das respostas de medo em diferentes traços de ansiedade. Além disso, nossos resultados também ressaltam a relevância do uso de ambos os sexos em estudos comportamentais e farmacológicos usando modelos animais de transtornos de ansiedade. / [en] Norepinephrine plays a central role in several fear-related disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Pharmacological studies in humans and animals have shown that fear-related behaviors can be regulated by the systemic application of noradrenergic drugs. However, individual differences in trait anxiety are often overlooked when studying the effects of not only noradrenergic drugs, but other compounds. In the present study we examined the effects of yohimbine, an alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, in two lines of rats bred for high and low freezing responses to contextual cues previously associated with footshocks (Carioca high- and low-conditioned freezing rats - CHF and CLF, respectively). We found that systemic administration of yohimbine on the second day of contextual fear conditioning (test session) significantly decreased the freezing responses of CHF females, but not CHF males. Yet, yohimbine treatment induced a significant increase in freezing behavior of both male and female CLF rats. Similar results were observed when groups were re-exposed to the same conditioning chamber 6 days later. Our findings indicate that while yohimbine leads to anxiolytic effects on CHF rats, it has an anxiogenic effect on CLF ones. However, such effect was more evident in females than in males. Our findings point to the role of norepinephrine in regulating and mediating fear responses in different anxiety traits. Furthermore, our findings also underscore the relevance of using both sexes in behavioral and pharmacological studies using animal models of anxiety disorders.

[pt] Os ratos Carioca com alto condicionamento (CAC) e Carioca com baixo condicionamento (CBC) são duas linhagens que são criadas seletivamente para altos e baixos níveis de congelamento, em resposta a sugestões contextuais previamente associadas ao estímulos elétricos nos membros. Essas duas linhas têm traços significativamente diferentes de respostas semelhantes à ansiedade, em diferentes protocolos comportamentais. O presente estudo utilizou ratos machos e fêmeas de CAC e CBC para investigar possíveis associações entre comportamento relacionado à ansiedade e ingestão de álcool. Quinina e sacarina foram utilizadas como soluções de controle do paladar. Os resultados indicaram que os ratos CAC tinham um fenótipo ansioso mais alto e os animais CBC tinham um fenótipo ansioso mais baixo, quando as duas linhagens foram comparadas com uma linhagem, selecionada aleatoriamente, que foi usada como grupo controle (CTR). Os ratos machos exibiram consistentemente maior congelamento condicionado do que as fêmeas. Os ratos CAC consumiram mais concentrações de álcool de 6 porcento e 10 porcento do que os ratos CBC em um teste de livre escolha de consumo e maior consumo na concentração de álcool 10 porcentp em um teste de escolha forçada. Ratos fêmeas CAC exibiram a maior quantidade de ingestão de álcool durante essas três condições, em comparação com ratos machos CAC e também consumiram mais quinina que ratos machos. Finalmente, ratos CAC exibiram menor consumo de sacarina em comparação com CBC e animais controle. No total, esses resultados revelaram diferenças entre os sexos no comportamento semelhante ao da ansiedade e no consumo de álcool, corroborando a hipótese de que existe uma relação positiva entre ansiedade e ingestão de álcool. / [en] Carioca High-conditioned Freezing (CHF) and Carioca Low-conditioned Freezing (CLF) rats are two linesthat are selectively bred for high and low levels of freezing in response to contextual cues that are previously associated with footshock. These two lines have significantly different traces of anxiety-like responses in different behavioral protocols. The present study used male and female CHF and CLF rats to investigate possible associations between anxietyrelated behavior and alcohol intake. Quinine and saccharin were used as taste control solutions.The results indicated that CHF rats had a higher anxious phenotype and CLF animals had a lower anxious phenotype when both breeding lines were compared with a randomly selected line that was used as a control group. Male rats consistently exhibitedmore conditioned freezing than females. CHF rats consumed more 6 percent and 10 percent alcohol concentrations than CLF rats in a free-choice test and more of a 10 percent alcohol concentration in a forcedchoice test. Female CHF rats exhibited the highest amount of alcohol intake during these three conditions compared with male CHF rats. Female rats also consumed more quinine than male rats. Finally, CHF rats exhibited lower saccharin consumption compared with CLF and control animals. Altogether, these results revealed sex differences in anxiety-like behavior and alcohol consumption,supporting the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between anxiety and alcohol intake. The Carioca breeding lines were developed for high and low defensive behavior in response to diffusecontextual cues that are associated with footshock but not to well-defined danger-related stimuli, corroborating the view that anxiety but not fear is associated with alcohol consumption.

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