Estudamos um modelo de passeios aleatórios simples em grafos, conhecido como modelo dos sapos. Esse modelo pode ser descrito de maneira geral da seguinte forma: existem partículas ativas e partículas desativadas num grafo G. Cada partícula ativa desempenha um passeio aleatório simples a tempo discreto e a cada momento ela pode morrer com probabilidade 1-p. Quando uma partícula ativa entra em contato com uma partícula desativada, esta é ativada e também passa a realizar, de maneira independente, um passeio aleatório pelo grafo. Apresentamos limites superior e inferior para o parâmetro crítico de sobrevivência do modelo dos sapos na árvore, e demonstramos que este parâmetro crítico não é uma função monótona do grafo em que está definido. / We study a system of simple random walks on graphs, known as frog model. This model can be described generally speaking as follows: there are active and sleeping particles living on some graph G. Each particle performs a simple random walk with discrete time and at each moment it may disappear with probability 1 - p. When an active particle hits a sleeping particle, the latter becomes active and starts to perform, independently, a simple random walk on the graph. We present lower and upper bounds for the surviving critical parameter on the tree, and we show that this parameter is not a monotonic function of the graph it is defined on.

In this paper the rate of convergence, speed of execution and symplectic properties of the time-integrators Leap-Frog (LF2), fourth order Runge-Kutta(RK4) and Crank-Nicholson (CN2) have been studied. This was done by solving the one-dimensional model for a particle in a box (Dirichlet-conditions). The results show that RK4 is the fastest in achieving higher tolerances, while CN2 is the fastest in achieving lower tolerances. Fourth order corrections of LF (LF4)and CN (CN4) were also studied, though these showed no improvements overLF2 and CN2. All methods were shown to exhibit symplectic behavior.

Male túngara frogs can add a distinctive note ("chuck”) to their mating call. Production of the chuck involves vibrating a pair of laryngeal fibrous masses that is attached to the vocal cords. The muscular control of this mechanism remains unknown. Recent studies revealed a split in the laryngeal dilator muscle, which unveiled the deep dilator as a novel laryngeal muscle with unique attachments, innervation, and (likely) function. The deep dilator may position the fibrous masses for chuck production. The goals of this study were 1) to confirm the innervation of the novel muscle through electrophysiology; and 2) to determine the action of each laryngeal muscle (including the deep dilator), in isolation and in combination with one another, to elucidate the control of laryngeal function. I stimulated 32 combinations of the five laryngeal muscles electrically with 3-5 repetitions. Using suction glass electrodes, I stimulated the branches of the laryngeal nerves in excised larynges maintained in saline solution and filmed the resulting movements to measure their displacement due to stimulation. The results showed that the novel muscle is exclusively innervated by the short laryngeal nerve, a condition equivalent to that of the mammalian posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, responsible for opening the vocal cords. Also, contraction of the deep dilator muscle is required and sufficient to produce lateral displacement of the fibrous masses and, therefore, to create a chuck. This identifies the deep dilator as a key element in the evolution of call complexity in túngara frogs. Clarifying the mechanism that controls the addition of chucks to the túngara frog call is an important step in understanding the evolution of signal complexity in animal communication systems. The recognition of the mechanism may allow comparative studies to be made that can reveal why complex calling evolved in the túngara frog lineage while not in others.

Sound does not transmit well across the interface of two media. Therefore, most organisms communicate using one medium. Some anurans vocalize at the interface of air and water, though reception of these vocalizations is generally unknown. The túngara frog ( Engystomops pustulosus ) may be the first anuran to have evidence suggesting simultaneous acoustic communication both above and below the air-water interface. This thesis addresses whether the female túngara frog would be receptive to underwater acoustic signals and if males project their advertisement calls at biologically relevant intensities underwater. Females floated and swam with their eardrums and body walls constantly submerged. Using laser Doppler vibrometry, peak vibrations of female eardrums were found to be centered at about 3.5 kHz in air, but dropped to about 1.4 kHz underwater. The peak velocity of the eardrum was about 0.2 mm/s in air and 0.04 mm/s in water when stimulated with tones at 80 dB relative to 20 µPa. Males projected their advertisement calls with a sound pressure level of 121 dB (at 10 cm, re. 20 µPa) in water and 98 dB (at 10 cm, re. 20 µPa) in air. In relation to air, the dominant frequency of the advertisement call (0.8 kHz) was the most intense spectral band underwater whereas the dominant frequency of the chuck (2.5 kHz in air) was less intense. The advertisement signal for the male túngara frog was broadcasted underwater with more energy than in air at its main frequencies. Female eardrums were sensitive to frequencies within the male advertisement call both in air and in water, if the frequencies were transmitted at amplitudes plausible to be encountered in nature. These results strengthen the available evidence of underwater communication, and indicate the presence of auditory specializations in the acoustic communication of this species.

No description available.

Globally, amphibian species have been in decline and a wide range of factors have been purported to be driving the decline. The Gulf Coastal Plain of Florida has a high degree of endemism and rarity and the biodiversity in the region includes a diverse suite of amphibian species. Degradation of habitat has been considered by many to be a major part of amphibian declines, however amphibian declines are complex and in many cases multiple factors are occurring in concert. My dissertation research examined aspects of habitat ecology and occupancy for two rare amphibians, Florida Bog Frog (Rana okaloosae) (Chapter 1, 2, and 3) and Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma bishopi) (Chapter 5), that are both restricted to the Northern Gulf Coastal Plain. Further, for R. okaloosae I examined the influence of a sympatric congener, Bronze Frog (R. clamitans clamitans), on microhabitat selection (Chapter 1) and growth of tadpoles (Chapter 4). My overall goal was to be able to elucidate factors that limit the geographic range of R. okaloosae and A. bishopi and to identify habitat characteristics that managers could maintain or create to conserve or increase populations of these species. My first chapter examined the microhabitat relationships between R. okaloosae and R. c. clamitans. Rana okaloosae is endemic to northwestern Florida and is sympatric with R. c. clamitans, a more common and widely distributed congener. Further, the two species appeared to be syntopic, have overlapping breeding seasons, and are known to hybridize. The objectives of this chapter were to assess the microhabitat selection of both species and to assess differences in microhabitat use of males of both species during the breeding season. My modeling of habitat selection and comparison of variables used by each species suggests that males of these species select different resources when calling. Therefore, these sympatric ranids select for different resources at a fine scale, however there does appear to be some overlap among some selected habitat characteristics. In Chapter 2, I assessed the habitat use of R. okaloosae at multiple spatial scales. I surveyed for R. okaloosae and evaluated habitat characteristics at used sites and sites where I had no detections to develop among- and within-stream habitat models for R. okaloosae. Rana okaloosae used habitats with high amounts of emergent vegetation at both the among-stream scale and the within-stream scale. Emergent vegetation appears frequently in models of anuran habitat selection, particularly those that occur in fire-dominated landscapes. Further understanding the habitat requirements of R. okaloosae will allow land managers to use appropriate management activities (e.g., prescribed fire) that will increase emergent vegetation and potentially restore habitat that may help increase populations of R. okaloosae. In Chapter 3, I conducted aural surveys for R. okaloosae at two different spatial scales: range-wide and stream-level scales to understand how occupancy and colonization of R. okaloosae may be influenced by scale. My results suggest that at both spatial scales occupancy of R. okaloosae was best described by the presence of mixed forest wetlands at survey sites. At the range-wide scale, colonization and detection were constant across years, however, at the stream-level scale, colonization was predicted by the number of years since last fire and detection was best predicted by the additive combination of relative humidity and temperature. Occupancy of R. okaloosae was patchy at the range-wide and at the stream-level scales and colonization was low at both scales, while derived estimates of local extinction were moderately high. While R. okaloosae still occur in 3 watersheds where they were initially observed in the 1980's, one of the three watersheds appears to be very isolated and detections there are becoming very infrequent. In Chapter 4, I experimentally evaluated the effects of R. c. clamitans tadpoles on R. okaloosae tadpoles. My results suggest that there was limited influence of R. c. clamitans on R. okaloosae. Conversely, it appeared that Rana c. clamitans was more susceptible to intraspecific competition than interspecific competition. The lack of a strong competitive effect of Rana c. clamitans on Rana okaloosae suggests that competitive interactions among tadpoles may have a limited effect at the densities I examined. In Chapter 5, our objectives were to evaluate a suite of within-pool factors (i.e., vegetation structure, water level, and an index to presence of fish) that could influence occupancy of breeding wetlands by larval flatwoods salamanders on Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, USA. Site occupancy over a 4 year period was best described by a model that incorporated high herbaceous vegetation cover and open canopy cover. Detection probability was assessed, but it varied among years and was not included in the model. Our study suggests that managing the breeding habitat of flatwoods salamander for open canopies and dense herbaceous vegetation may contribute to this species' recovery. In conclusion, Chapters 1-3 of my dissertation contribute to a growing understanding about the habitat ecology of R. okaloosae. I have evaluated habitat use of R. okaloosae at multiple spatial scales. At the finest spatial scale R. okaloosae selected for sites that had an abundance of cover probably decreasing their risk of predation (Chapter 1). Similarly, in Chapter 2 at two spatial scales, among and within-streams, R. okaloosae selected for emergent vegetation. Finally, at the broadest spatial scale, range-wide, R. okaloosae were found to be associated with mixed forest wetlands (Chapter 3). I did not find strong support for competition between R. okaloosae and R. c. clamitans tadpoles, although there was some evidence of asymmetric competition (Chapter 4). Further, adult males of each species did not select the same habitat characteristics for calling sites, so there appeared to be some resource partitioning (Chapter 1). Finally, the presence of A. bishopi larvae was found to be associated with herbaceous vegetation and moderate amounts of canopy cover (Chapter 5). Results from Chapter 2 and 5 suggest that both R. okaloosae and A. bishopi are associated with habitat conditions that are likely a result of fire penetrating wetland areas. / Ph. D.

In this thesis the control of ultrafast (10⁻¹³ s) optical pulses used for metrological applications has been investigated. Two different measurement set-ups have been considered, both based around the `pump-probe' technique, where an optical pulse is divided into two parts, one to `pump' or excite a physical system of interest, the other to `probe' or measure the outcome. In both cases the measurement uses electro-optic sampling (EOS), where an electric field is measured by detecting changes in the optical probe pulse polarisation after interaction with the field. In the first study, a method for wavelength metrology in the terahertz (THz) region has been demonstrated by producing an optical pulse shaper and genetic algorithm to control pump pulses and so indirectly influence the THz spectra they generate. In the second study an OPO (optical parametric oscillator) has been developed to provide ultrafast optical pulses for the generation of < 100 fs electrical pulses for metrology using quantum interference control (QUIC). QUIC electrical signals have been demonstrated successfully by charge accumulation measurements and the QUIC electrical pulse temporally measured using EOS, though the low signal levels due to power restrictions mean the QUIC electrical pulse is unsuitable for metrology at this time. Finally, a portable optical pulse measurement device based around frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) has been designed, built and tested. This has been shown to be capable of retrieving amplitude and phase information in both the temporal and spectral domains for optical pulses as short as 20 fs duration. The ability to characterise shaped pulses also has been demonstrated successfully, with the requirements for full automation identified.

Il existe peu d’études sur les effets physiologiques et pharmacologiques du médicament anesthésiant le plus utilisé chez les anoures, la tricaïne méthanesulfonate, et son utilisation chez la grenouille Xenopus laevis. Notre premier objectif était d’évaluer l’effet de bains d’immersion de 20 minutes de 1 et 2 g/L de tricaïne méthanesulfonate sur la fonction cardiorespiratoire, l’analgésie et les réflexes ainsi que d’étudier la pharmacocinétique. Nos résultats démontrent que des bains de 1 et 2 g/L produisent une anesthésie chirurgicale de 30 et 60 minutes respectivement, sans effet significatif sur le système cardiorespiratoire. À la suite d’une immersion à 2 g/L, on note une demi-vie terminale de 3,9 heures. Cette dose ne produit aucun effet sur l’histologie des tissus 24 heures après l’immersion. Dans une deuxième expérience, nous avons évalué les effets d’une surdose de tricaïne méthanesulfonate en bain d’immersion sur les systèmes cardiorespiratoire et nerveux central grâce à l’électroencéphalographie ainsi que l’effet d’une injection de pentobarbital sodique après 2 heures d’immersion. L’EEG montre un effet dépresseur sur le SNC avec l’utilisation de la tricaïne méthanesulfonate sans voir un arrêt de signal d’EEG sur la période de 2 heures d’enregistrement. Les surdoses à 1 g/L et 3 g/L n’ont pas d’effet significatif sur le rythme cardiaque, et l’injection de pentobarbital suite au bain d’immersion de tricaïne méthanesulfonate est nécessaire pour induire l’euthanasie. Nous avons démontré que le bain de tricaïne méthanesulfonate peut produire une anesthésie de 30 à 60 minutes avec dépression du SNC sans effet cardiovasculaire chez les Xenopus laevis. / Very few studies exist on the physiological and pharmacological effects of the most commonly used anesthetic agent used in amphibians, tricaine methanesulfonate, in Xenopus laevis frogs. Our first goal was to measure the effects of 20 minutes bath immersions of 1 and 2 g/L tricaine methanesulfonate on cardiorespiratory system, analgesia and reflexes. We also studied the pharmacokinetic of tricaine methanesulfonate following an immersion in a 2 g/L bath. Our results show that both 1 and 2 g/L baths produce surgical anesthesia during 30 and 60 minutes respectively, without significant effect on the cardiorespiratory system. Following the immersion in a 2 g/L bath, the tricaine methanesulfonate has a terminal half-life of 3,9 hours and no effect on tissue histology is observed 24 hours after anesthesia. In a second experiment, we evaluated the effects of tricaine methanesulfonate overdose on cardiorespiratory system and on central nervous system using electroencephalography. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of sodium pentobarbital injection after 2 hours of immersion. A significant EEG depression of central nervous system activity occurred with the use of tricaine methanesulfonate following 2 hours of recording and the pentobarbital injection was necessary to induce euthanasia. We showed that tricaine methanesulfonate can produce safe anesthesia of 30 to 60 minutes with reduction of CNS activity and without cardiorespiratory effect in Xenopus laevis.

Amphibians develop in aquatic environments where they are very susceptible to the effects of pesticides and other environmental contaminants. Glyphosate-based herbicides are widely used and have been shown to affect survival and development of tadpoles under laboratory conditions. The goal my thesis is to determine if agriculturally relevant exposure to Roundup WeatherMax®, a herbicide formulation containing the potassium salt of glyphosate and an undisclosed surfactant, influences the survival and development of wood frogs tadpoles (Lithobates sylvaticus) under both laboratory and field conditions. In the field, experimental wetlands were divided in half using an impermeable curtain so that each wetland contained a treatment and control side. Tadpoles were exposed to two pulses of this herbicide at environmentally realistic concentration (ERC, 0.21 mg acid equivalent (a.e.)/L) and predicted environmental concentrations (PEC, 2.89 mg a.e./L), after which survival, growth, development, and expression of genes involved in metamorphosis were measured. Results indicate that exposure to the PEC is extremely toxic to tadpoles under laboratory conditions but not under field conditions. Results from both experimental conditions show sublethal effects on growth and development, and demonstrate that ERC of glyphosate-based herbicides have the potential to alter hormonal responses during metamorphosis. My secondary objectives were to compare the effects of Roundup WeatherMax® to the well-studied Vision® formulation (containing the isopropylamine (IPA) salt of glyphosate and POEA), and to determine which ingredient(s) are responsible for the sublethal effects on development. Survival, growth and gene expression results indicate that Roundup WeatherMax® has greater toxicity than Vision® formulation. Contrary to my prediction, results suggest that, under realistic exposure scenarios, POEA is not the sole ingredient responsible for the observed developmental effects. However, my results demonstrate that chronic exposure to the POEA surfactant at the PEC (1.43 mg/L) is extremely toxic to wood frog tadpoles in laboratory. As part of the Long-term Experimental Wetlands Area (LEWA) project, this research contributes to overall knowledge of the impacts of glyphosate-based herbicides on aquatic communities.

Il existe peu d’études sur les effets physiologiques et pharmacologiques du médicament anesthésiant le plus utilisé chez les anoures, la tricaïne méthanesulfonate, et son utilisation chez la grenouille Xenopus laevis. Notre premier objectif était d’évaluer l’effet de bains d’immersion de 20 minutes de 1 et 2 g/L de tricaïne méthanesulfonate sur la fonction cardiorespiratoire, l’analgésie et les réflexes ainsi que d’étudier la pharmacocinétique. Nos résultats démontrent que des bains de 1 et 2 g/L produisent une anesthésie chirurgicale de 30 et 60 minutes respectivement, sans effet significatif sur le système cardiorespiratoire. À la suite d’une immersion à 2 g/L, on note une demi-vie terminale de 3,9 heures. Cette dose ne produit aucun effet sur l’histologie des tissus 24 heures après l’immersion. Dans une deuxième expérience, nous avons évalué les effets d’une surdose de tricaïne méthanesulfonate en bain d’immersion sur les systèmes cardiorespiratoire et nerveux central grâce à l’électroencéphalographie ainsi que l’effet d’une injection de pentobarbital sodique après 2 heures d’immersion. L’EEG montre un effet dépresseur sur le SNC avec l’utilisation de la tricaïne méthanesulfonate sans voir un arrêt de signal d’EEG sur la période de 2 heures d’enregistrement. Les surdoses à 1 g/L et 3 g/L n’ont pas d’effet significatif sur le rythme cardiaque, et l’injection de pentobarbital suite au bain d’immersion de tricaïne méthanesulfonate est nécessaire pour induire l’euthanasie. Nous avons démontré que le bain de tricaïne méthanesulfonate peut produire une anesthésie de 30 à 60 minutes avec dépression du SNC sans effet cardiovasculaire chez les Xenopus laevis. / Very few studies exist on the physiological and pharmacological effects of the most commonly used anesthetic agent used in amphibians, tricaine methanesulfonate, in Xenopus laevis frogs. Our first goal was to measure the effects of 20 minutes bath immersions of 1 and 2 g/L tricaine methanesulfonate on cardiorespiratory system, analgesia and reflexes. We also studied the pharmacokinetic of tricaine methanesulfonate following an immersion in a 2 g/L bath. Our results show that both 1 and 2 g/L baths produce surgical anesthesia during 30 and 60 minutes respectively, without significant effect on the cardiorespiratory system. Following the immersion in a 2 g/L bath, the tricaine methanesulfonate has a terminal half-life of 3,9 hours and no effect on tissue histology is observed 24 hours after anesthesia. In a second experiment, we evaluated the effects of tricaine methanesulfonate overdose on cardiorespiratory system and on central nervous system using electroencephalography. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of sodium pentobarbital injection after 2 hours of immersion. A significant EEG depression of central nervous system activity occurred with the use of tricaine methanesulfonate following 2 hours of recording and the pentobarbital injection was necessary to induce euthanasia. We showed that tricaine methanesulfonate can produce safe anesthesia of 30 to 60 minutes with reduction of CNS activity and without cardiorespiratory effect in Xenopus laevis.