Nanoparticles are thought to present a unique hazard to human health. Furthermore, the increasing use of nanomaterials in consumer products has not been accompanied by relevant risk assessments. It is conceivable that skin flexion may assist the translocation of nanoparticles across the stratum corneum. However, current in vitro methodology to study dermal absorption involves the exclusive use of immobile skin within diffusion cells. Therefore, a novel skin-flexing diffusion cell system (“CutaFlex™”) was developed to incorporate reproducible skin flexing (2 flexes min-1; 6 mm maximum amplitude). The initial aims of this Thesis were to characterise the CutaFlex™ system to eliminate the possibility of flexion-induced (experimental) skin damage, demonstrate equivalence with historical permeability data to model compounds and assess the effect of skin flexing on barrier disruption. Subsequent work aimed to investigate the hypothesis that nanoparticles require dermal flexion to penetrate intact skin. In supporting these aims, this Thesis also performed work to assess the correlation between direct measurements of skin barrier function (using tritiated water) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), the effect of flexing on the performance of topical skin protectants (barrier creams) and to further validate in vitro diffusion cell measurements against in vivo data acquired under identical conditions. The results demonstrated that skin flexing did not alter skin barrier function and that the CutaFlex™ system was in general agreement with historical measurements of skin permeability. Furthermore, controlled chemical or physical damage to the stratum corneum was not exacerbated by skin flexing. Skin flexion did not facilitate the dermal absorption of a range of nanoparticles (quantum dots). However, differences in the partitioning of nanoparticles into the stratum corneum were observed (independent of the degree of flexing), with greater amounts of negatively charged nanoparticles found in the superficial layers of the stratum corneum in comparison with positive or neutral nanoparticles. Flexing had a modest effect on the performance of a skin barrier cream which was limited to low dose applications; an effect tentatively ascribed to flexion-induced movement of cream to previously untreated areas. A poor correlation was found between 3H2O water permeability and TEWL flux. Most importantly, there was excellent agreement between in vitro skin permeability studies and in vivo studies (which used a surrogate measure of skin permeability). To summarise, the data in this Thesis has led to the development and characterisation of a novel diffusion cell (CutaFlex™), capable of simultaneously flexing skin whilst performing dermal absorption measurements comparable with the OECD-compliant models.

Tropical forests are storehouses of more thanhalf of the world‘s biodiversity and play a key role in global carbon, water and energy cycles. However, as a consequence of rapid anthropogenic climate change, biodiversity and climate functions of these forests are under a threat. Climate is changing not only in mean state but its variability is increasing, with extreme events such as droughts, heat waves and storms also rising. Water is fundamental to plants‘ existence, and in the tropics, is a key determinant of plant species‘richness, composition, growth and survival. There is thus an increasing interest in understanding how changing rainfall may cause functional changes in forests or change their species composition. Therefore, the overarching goal of thisdissertation was to understand the impact of water variability on tropical forest tree growth and vulnerability to drought.Forest tree growth along spatial and temporal rainfall gradientsObservational studies that measure whole forest tree growth along spatial or temporal gradients of rainfall are the most common way of formulating forest growth response curves to water availability, when manipulative experiments are cost-prohibitive or impractical (fire or large mammal disturbance). In the tropics, since very few species show anatomically distinct tree rings, estimating tree growth from trunk diameter is the standard practice to obtain growth patterns across species. However, this method—of equating woody growth to diameter change--is susceptible to bias from water-induced stem flexing. In the absence of bias correction, temporal variability in growth is likely to be overestimated and incorrectly attributed to fluctuations in resource availability, especially in forests with high seasonal and inter-annual variability in water. This problem has been largely ignored in the absence of any corrective measure and due to under-appreciation of the magnitude of error. While diameter re-censuses in permanent sampling plots (PSPs) have been most commonly done at 3-5 year scale (using a graduate tape), increasingly they are done at seasonal and annual scales (using band dendrometers) to closely match variation in rainfall, the scales at which hydrostatic bias may be greater in magnitude relative to woody growth. Besides, along a spatial rainfall gradient, inter-annual variability in water may vary, causing systematic differences in the hydrostatic bias for forests along the gradient. Therefore, one broad objective of this thesis was to evaluate the problem of hydrostatic bias in whole forest growth-rainfall relationship at annual and supra-annual scales, for temporal as well as spatial rainfall gradients and propose and test a novel corrective solution.Further, it also examines if growth-diameter relationship vary along the spatial gradient, which it may arise due to differences in light environments and/or disturbance history and species composition. The missing link of Eco-hydrology Differential responses of tree species in terms of growth and survival to variation in water that they can access, the proximate cause is likely shaped through their life-history strategies, the ultimate cause. However, we neither know the depths at which the diverse tree species in a forest draw water from and its dynamics, nor variation in water at those depths vis-à-vis rainfall patterns—for lack of appropriate methods. This has been a key missing link in understanding how water shapes trees‘ life-history strategies, their demographic trade-offs and co-existence, and also our predictive ability to determine species-specific responses to changing rainfall patterns, especially droughts. Since droughts are highly stochastic events and trees‘ responses to their drought ―experiences‖ may be revealed at decadal scales, long-term evaluations are key. Therefore, the second broad objective of this thesis was to develop a framework to determine trees’ water uptake depths, variation in water availability at those depths and trees’ demographic responses over multiple decades. From this, to understand how belowground hydrology shapes drought-vulnerability, demographic trade-offs and coexistence of forest tree species. This thesis titled—Eco-Hydrology of a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest: Tree Growth, Belowground Water Dynamics and Drought-Vulnerability—is organized as follows: Chapter 1 lays down an introduction to the thesis, followed by a description of the study site and datasets used in the thesis in Chapter 2. This thesis uses a variety of methods and multiple datasets, all of which are from the protected Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests of the Western Ghats in southern India in the Mudumalai and Bandipur National Parks. It is then followed by three data chapters: Chapter 3 describes the seasonal fluctuations in a five year long (1980-1985) tree diameter time series (using dendrometers) of a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Bandipur National Park to illustrate the issue of hydrostatic stem-flexing. It investigates the possibility that band dendrometers may themselves underestimate stem shrinkage at diurnal or seasonal scale. It also evaluates if there could be a best season and time of the day for undertaking forest diameter censuses that can minimize hydrostatic bias. Chapter 4(published in Forest Ecology and Management)measures the hydrostatic bias in a sample of trees in a 50 ha PSP of a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Mudumalai National Park, and proposes a novel way to correct this bias at the whole community level in the 20 year long 4-year interval growth time series. Chapter 5 (in review with Environmental Research Letters) investigates and presents two new confounding factors in growth-rainfall relationships along a spatial rainfall gradient: hydrostatic bias and size-dependency in growth rates. For this it evaluates forest tree growth estimates in seven 1-ha PSPs (~800 trees, 3-year annual time series 9using dendrometers) along a 1000 mm rainfall gradient spanning a mesic savanna-moist forest transition in Mudumalai National Park. Using the period for which seasonal diameter time series was available (2 yrs), it evaluates if the extent of seasonal fluctuations systematically vary along the gradient—most likely due to hydrostatic stem flexing. It also describes the presence of an anomalous size-diameter relationship in the mesic savanna from a large plots (50 ha PSP, diameter records using graduated tape). These observations are then used to draw insights for ―space for time‖ substitution modeling. Chapter 6 (in prep for Nature Plants) analyses belowground water environments of trees over two decades (1992-2012), a period that includes a prolonged and intense drought, in the 50 ha PSP of a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Mudumalai. It uses a locally parametarised dynamic hydrological model in which site rainfall is also a forcing variable. It then develops a novel dynamic growth model and inversely estimates water uptake depths for adult trees of all common species (include ~9000 trees) in the PSP from their above-ground growth patterns over two decades vis-à-vis belowground water availability at multiple depths. It then examines if species‘ water uptake depth obtained thus is a predictor of their drought-driven mortality. Finally, this is used to evaluate the hydrological niche partitioning tree species operate under and how that drives their water uptake strategies, demographic trade-offs, and drought-vulnerability. Summarizes the thesis and suggests future directions

The research presented in this thesis investigated the functional morphology in root<br />systems in relation to their role in providing anchorage and stability for the plant. The<br />anchorage of different types of root systems was investigated as well as the influence of<br />several environmental factors on their development. The research presented in this study<br />was completed by carrying out a series of modelling, glasshouse and field experiments<br />using physical models and real plants.<br />Model experiments showed that solid shapes like bulbs are very well suited to resist<br />vertical upward forces, i.e. uprooting, and shed some light on the mechanism of<br />anchorage in bulbs. The results of this laboratory study showed that the concept of<br />optimal bulb shape for resisting uprooting is viable. Uprooting tests on real bulb plants<br />confirmed the theoretical predictions about it, and showed the importance of bulbs in<br />anchorage. This study also proved that the soil type is very important when considering<br />the anchorage of solid forms such as the bulbs.<br />A second model study showed that the simplest models of tap root-dominated root<br />systems increase their resistance to overturning with the third and second power of the<br />embedment depth in cohesionless and in cohesive soil respectively. Anchorage strength<br />of a root system dominated by a tap root will be maximised with minimum investment<br />in structural material if the rigid tap root is extended to the largest possible depth.<br />Glasshouse experiments investigated the effects of soil compaction and temperature,<br />two of the most important environmental factors, on the axial and lateral development<br />and growth of the root systems of two species of young pines. It was shown that the rate<br />of root axial development in both investigated species decreased with an increase in soil<br />compaction whereas the lateral proliferation of their roots systems was not significantly<br />affected by soil consistency. A temperature of around 15°C seemed to be optimal for the<br />root elongation rate since the increase in axial length of the roots of both species was<br />largest at this temperature.<br />The effect of mechanical stimulation as a factor in shaping the root systems of plants<br />was also investigated. Apart from the changes caused to the parts of the tree above<br />ground, unidirectional periodical flexing induced an increase in total root CSA and<br />larger biomass allocation to the roots parallel to the plane of flexing which, in turn,<br />resulted in a larger number of major lateral roots with larger CSA in the plane of<br />flexing.<br />Mechanical and morphological field studies on two Pinus species investigated the<br />anchorage of plate root systems and showed that lateral roots in older trees are not the<br />major source of root anchorage in either of the species; although in both species a<br />certain asymmetry in the distribution of major lateral root CSA was recorded, it was not<br />significantly correlated to the asymmetry in anchorage.

In dieser Arbeit wird das Verhalten von gewickelten Seilen aus Stahllitze unter Zug- und Biegebelastung mit Hilfe der Methode der Finiten Elemente untersucht. Ausgehend von dem Modell einer einfachen Litze mit einem Kern- und sechs Außendrähten erfolgt eine ausführliche Analyse der Spannungsverteilung sowohl bei rein axialer Belastung als auch bei Biegung über eine Seilscheibe. Darauf aufbauend wird das Simulationsmodell schrittweise um komplexere Seilkonstruktionen bis hin zu zweifachen Verseilungen erweitert. Daran schließt sich die Untersuchung der inneren Belastungen bei Einbettung in ein Elastomer an, wie dies bei Zugsträngen in Riemengetrieben der Fall ist, sowie der spezifischen Einflüsse der Verzahnung auf die Seilbeanspruchung bei Zahnriemengetrieben. Des weiteren wird eine Möglichkeit der Validierung der Modelle vorgestellt, die ein experimentelles Ermitteln der Relativverschiebungen der Filamente auch im Inneren des Seils zulässt. Abschließend folgen Richtlinien zur Auslegung von Zugsträngen in Zahnriemen sowie Vorschläge, die in dieser Arbeit gewonnenen Ergebnisse in eine zukünftige Verschleißtheorie einfließen zu lassen. / This work examines the behaviour of steel cords under tensile loading and bending by the Method of Finite Elements (FEM). Beginning with a simple strand consisting of one centre and six outer wires a detailed analysis of the stress distribution is made for pure strain as well as for bending over a sheave. Based on this examination the model is extended step by step towards complex cord constructions. The investigation of cables embedded in an elastomer follows, especially the influence of a tooth profile of timing belts on the load inside the cable. Furthermore, a possible validation method for the model is presented. In conclusion directives are given for steel cord design in timing belts and suggestions are made to use the results in a wear model in the future.

In dieser Arbeit wird das Verhalten von gewickelten Seilen aus Stahllitze unter Zug- und Biegebelastung mit Hilfe der Methode der Finiten Elemente untersucht. Ausgehend von dem Modell einer einfachen Litze mit einem Kern- und sechs Außendrähten erfolgt eine ausführliche Analyse der Spannungsverteilung sowohl bei rein axialer Belastung als auch bei Biegung über eine Seilscheibe. Darauf aufbauend wird das Simulationsmodell schrittweise um komplexere Seilkonstruktionen bis hin zu zweifachen Verseilungen erweitert. Daran schließt sich die Untersuchung der inneren Belastungen bei Einbettung in ein Elastomer an, wie dies bei Zugsträngen in Riemengetrieben der Fall ist, sowie der spezifischen Einflüsse der Verzahnung auf die Seilbeanspruchung bei Zahnriemengetrieben. Des weiteren wird eine Möglichkeit der Validierung der Modelle vorgestellt, die ein experimentelles Ermitteln der Relativverschiebungen der Filamente auch im Inneren des Seils zulässt. Abschließend folgen Richtlinien zur Auslegung von Zugsträngen in Zahnriemen sowie Vorschläge, die in dieser Arbeit gewonnenen Ergebnisse in eine zukünftige Verschleißtheorie einfließen zu lassen. / This work examines the behaviour of steel cords under tensile loading and bending by the Method of Finite Elements (FEM). Beginning with a simple strand consisting of one centre and six outer wires a detailed analysis of the stress distribution is made for pure strain as well as for bending over a sheave. Based on this examination the model is extended step by step towards complex cord constructions. The investigation of cables embedded in an elastomer follows, especially the influence of a tooth profile of timing belts on the load inside the cable. Furthermore, a possible validation method for the model is presented. In conclusion directives are given for steel cord design in timing belts and suggestions are made to use the results in a wear model in the future.