FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / A estacionalidade e a estocasticidade pluviomÃtrica sÃo os principais reguladores da estrutura e da dinÃmica das populaÃÃes em vegetaÃÃes tropicais sazonais secas. Essa estocasticidade, no entanto, pode resultar em ambientes heterogÃneos tanto em relaÃÃo à disponibilidade hÃdrica como em relaÃÃo à disponibilidade vertical e horizontal de luz. Na vegetaÃÃo decÃdua espinhosa do semiÃrido brasileiro (caatinga), uma das espÃcies lenhosas mais abundantes à Cordia oncocalyx, Ãrvore endÃmica e explorada por extrativismo devido ao valor madeireiro, energÃtico, forrageiro, medicinal e paisagÃstico. Para entender como Ãrvores da caatinga respondem à sazonalidade e estocasticidade pluviomÃtrica foram analisados, ao longo de dois anos, a estrutura e a dinÃmica populacional de C. oncocalyx na RPPN Serra das Almas, CrateÃs-CearÃ. Foram determinados: i) estÃdios ontogenÃticos, modelo arquitetural e relaÃÃo altura-diÃmetro; ii) fenodinÃmica; iii) padrÃo espacial; iv) taxas de natalidade, mortalidade, recrutamento e crescimento biomÃtrico. ParÃmetros de estrutura e de dinÃmica foram correlacionados com precipitaÃÃo, umidade do solo, temperatura e disponibilidade vertical e horizontal de luz. A estrutura de C. oncocalyx se assemelha a das espÃcies tolerantes à sombra de florestas pluviais por concentrar a maior densidade nos estÃdios iniciais, mas difere porque forma banco de infantes ao invÃs de banco de plÃntulas. A disponibiliade vertical de luz, com apenas 4.7% atingindo o solo, e a arquitetura PrÃvost indicam a luz como fator limitante para os estÃdios iniciais. Contudo, o coeficiente alomÃtrico diferiu dos modelos de similaridade geomÃtrica, similaridade elÃstica e estresse constante. O crescimento contÃnuo em diÃmetro, mesmo apÃs os indivÃduos atingirem altura mÃxima, aponta a baixa densidade de Ãrvores e as restriÃÃes hÃdricas como as principais forÃas impulsionadoras da alometria, as quais podem limitar o crescimento em altura mas nÃo em diÃmetro. As fenofases vegetativas e reprodutivas respondem similarmente aos pulsos de chuva, com ajustes na Ãpoca, duraÃÃo e intensidade, correlacionadas com variaÃÃes na precipitaÃÃo e umidade do solo, excluÃdo o fotoperÃodo como gatilho. Menor sincronia, separaÃÃo temporal de fenofases e estoque de frutos no banco do solo, foram estratÃgias de distribuiÃÃo de risco apresentadas pela populaÃÃo. A modificaÃÃo da agregaÃÃo em semente e plÃntula para aleatoriedade em infante, e a dissociaÃÃo dos reprodutivos e sementes em relaÃÃo aos estÃdios juvenil e imaturo, indicam que a mortalidade dependente de densidade atua na estruturaÃÃo espacial da populaÃÃo. Entretanto, a retomada da agregaÃÃo nos estÃdios juvenil, virgem e reprodutivo indica que a estocasticidade pluviomÃtrica pode gerar a distribuiÃÃo agregada desses estÃdios. A natalidade e o recrutamento ocorrem na estaÃÃo chuvosa, mas a mortalidade registrada apenas em plÃntula e infante se dà ao longo do ano com pico nos meses secos. O crescimento em altura e diÃmetro mostrou decrÃscimo ou estagnaÃÃo na seca e acrÃscimo na chuva. Juvenil apresentou maior crescimento em altura em Ãreas com dossel mais aberto (rs=0.24). A taxa de incremento populacional (ʎ) foi de 1,0336 e a maior sensibilidade foi na transiÃÃo de infante para juvenil. DominÃncia local e tendÃncia de aumento populacional sÃo explicadas pela formaÃÃo de dois bancos, sementes e infantes, os quais garantem um estoque para recomposiÃÃo populacional mesmo em anos de seca. / The rainfall seasonality and stochasticity are the main regulators of structure and population dynamics in seasonally dry tropical vegetations. This stochasticity, however, can result in heterogeneous environments both in relation to water availability as in the availability of vertical and horizontal light. In deciduous thorny woodland vegetation of semiarid northeastern Brazil (caatinga), one of the most abundant woody species is Cordia oncocalyx, endemic tree and explored through extractivism due to its timber, energetic, foraging, medicinal, and scenic value. To understand how the caatinga trees respond to rainfall seasonality and stochasticity were analyzed, over two years, the structure and population dynamics of C. oncocalyx in Serra das Almas RPPN, CrateÃs-CearÃ. Were determined: i) ontogenetic stages, architectural model and height-diameter relationship, ii) phenodynamics, iii) spatial pattern, iv) birth, mortality, recruitment and growth biometric rates. Parameters of structure and dynamics were correlated with rainfall, soil humidity, temperature and vertical and horizontal light availability. The structure of C. oncocalyx resembles that of shade-tolerant species of tropical rainforest to concentrate the highest density in the early stages, but differs because it forms the bank of infant rather than a seedling bank. The availability of vertical light, with only 4.7% reaching the ground, and PrÃvost architecture indicate light as a limiting factor in the early stages. Nevertheless, the allometric coefficient differ from geometric similarity, elastic similarity and constant stress models. The uninterrupted growth in diameter, even after individuals reach the maximum height, indicates the low density of trees and water restrictions as the main driving strenght of allometry, which may limit the growth in height, but not in diameter. Both the vegetative and reproductive phenophases respond similarly to variations in rain pulses, with adjustments in time, duration, and intensity, which were correlated with variations in rainfall and soil humidity, excluding photoperiod as a trigger. Lower synchrony, temporal separation of phenophases, and storage of fruits on the ground were risk-spreading strategies used by the population in the dry year. The change of aggregation in seeds and seedlings for randomness in the infant, and the decoupling of reproductive and seeds in relation to juvenile and immature stages, may indicate that the density-dependent mortality operates in the spatial structure of the population. However, the resumption of aggregation in juvenile, virginile and reproductive stages indicates that rainfall stochasticity creates the aggregate distribution of these stages. The dynamics of birth and recruitment occur in the rainy season, but recorded mortality only in seedling and infant occurs throughout the year with a peak in the dry months. The height and diameter growth showed decline or stagnation in the drought and increase in the rainfall. Juveniles showed greater growth in height in areas with more open canopy (rs = 0.24). The rate of population increase (ʎ) was 1.0336 and the highest sensitivity was in the transition from infant to juvenile. Local dominance and population growth tendency are explained by the formation of two banks, seeds and infants, which ensure a stock for recomposition even in drought years.

Qualitative research was conducted in order to explore the generation of social and musical capital through music therapy sessions and musical activities with youths attending the Redefine Community Music Project in the Western Cape. This study was conducted from the perspective of Wood‟s Matrix Model (2006) of music therapy where different interlinking musical activities in a range of contexts are shown to extend the benefits of individual music therapy. Data were gathered through conducting a case study with one of the ensemble groups in the Redefine Community Music Project. This group attended music therapy sessions, and the members of the group took part in ensemble rehearsals in preparation for the bi-annual public performance. Data were analysed through using Ansdell and Pavlicevic‟s (2001) method of qualitative content analysis, as well as the analytic technique of open coding proposed by Gibbs (2007). The findings suggest that the multi-faceted format of the Matrix Model of music therapy (Wood, 2006), as reflected in the socio-musical networks of the Redefine Community Music Project, offered participants enhanced opportunities to generate social and musical capital. By facilitating diverse opportunities for musicing in various contexts, participants were enabled to accrue a broad range of social and musical capital with which to create valuable relationships to the self and with others. It is suggested that music therapists and community musicians wishing to facilitate the generation of social capital through music flexibly adapt their practices to the socio-musical needs of the communities in which they work and offer diverse formats of musicing in which social and musical capital may be generated. In this manner individuals and communities may be empowered to cultivate relationships of diverse value in a creative way. / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Music / unrestricted

We reinvestigate the validity of mapping the problem of two onsite interacting particles in a random potential onto an effective random matrix model. To this end we first study numerically how the non-interacting basis is coupled by the interaction. Our results indicate that the typical coupling matrix element decreases significantly faster with increasing single-particle localization length than is assumed in the random matrix model. We further show that even for models where the dependency of the coupling matrix element on the single-particle localization length is correctly described by the corresponding random matrix model its predictions for the localization length can be qualitatively incorrect. These results indicate that the mapping of an interacting random system onto an effective random matrix model is potentially dangerous. We also discuss how Imry's block-scaling picture for two interacting particles is influenced by the above arguments.

No description available.

[pt] Desde a década de 80, abordagens data-driven têm sido utilizadas para identificação de fluidos e caracterização de reservatórios carbonáticos e siliciclásticos principalmente em relação à análise das amplitudes sísmicas. No entanto, técnicas aplicadas com sucesso para rochas siliciclásticas, como por exemplo: Análise AVO, inversões sísmicas e IDH (Indicadores Diretos de Hidrocarbonetos) revelaram não obter o mesmo êxito para reservatórios carbonáticos heterogêneos. Em contrapartida, diversos artigos mostram que fluxos de caracterização de reservatórios com modelos de física de rochas incorporados têm alcançado grande sucesso para obtenção de propriedades petrofísicas e atributos elásticos de ambas as rochas, utilizando sísmicas e well logs, em uma abordagem model-driven, focada nas características microestruturais do reservatório. Dessa forma, levando em consideração a importância de se utilizar modelos de física de rochas no escopo da caracterização de reservatórios, dois modelos de física de rochas - Xu e Payne e T-Matrix - foram aplicados, comparados e seus parâmetros foram estocasticamente avaliados e otimizados em um arcabouço Bayesiano. Através dessa abordagem, foi possível estimar, de uma forma confiável, os atributos elásticos de um reservatório carbonático (coquinas) levando em consideração diversos tipos de incertezas. Além disso, após a calibração e validação de ambos os modelos de física de rochas para diferentes poços, análises de sensibilidade foram realizadas para compreensão de forma quantitativa do comportamento dos atributos elásticos das coquinas em relação às alterações do conteúdo mineralógico, tipos de poro e fluidos desse reservatório. / [en] Since the 80 s, data-driven approaches have been used for fluids identification and reservoir characterization of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks mainly regarding seismic amplitudes analyses. However, techniques successfully applied for siliciclastic rocks, such as: AVO analysis, seismic inversions and DHI (Direct Hydrocarbon Indicators) ranking revealed not have achieved the same outstanding and reliable results for heterogeneous carbonate rocks. On the other hand, several articles demonstrate that reservoir characterization workflows with rock physics models embedded have been reaching a robust success in order to obtain petrophysical properties and elastic attributes of both rocks, from the seismic and well logs, in a model-driven approach focused on the reservoirs microstructural information. In this way, taking into account the importance of applying rock physics models in the scope of reservoir characterization, two rock physics models - Xu and Payne and T-Matrix - were applied, compared and their parameters were stochastically evaluated and optimized in a Bayesian framework. Through this approach, it was possible to estimate, in a reliable manner, the elastic attributes of a carbonate reservoir (coquinas) taking into consideration different kinds of uncertainties. Furthermore, after the calibration in the well location and validation of both rock physics models for other wells, sensitivity analyses were conducted in order to quantitatively understand how the coquinas elastic attributes behave regarding the variations in the reservoir mineralogical content, pore shapes and fluids.

Cette thèse traite de plusieurs façons de construire une théorie quantiques des champs en quatre dimensions à partir de la théorie des cordes.<br /><br />Dans une première partie nous étudions la construction d'une théorie Yang-Mills supersymétrique, couplée à un superchamp chiral dans la représentation adjointe, à partir de la théorie des cordes de type IIB sur une variété Calabi-Yau non compacte, avec des D-branes qui enroulent certaines sousvariétés. Les propriétés de<br />la théorie de jauge sont alors reflétées dans la structure<br />géométrique de la variété Calabi-Yau. En particulier, on peut calculer en principe le superpotentiel effectif de basse énergie qui décrit la structure des vides de la théorie de jauge en utilisant la théorie des cordes (topologiques). Malheureusement, en pratique, ceci n'est pas faisable. Il est remarquable qu'on puisse cependant montrer que la dynamique de basse énergie de la<br />théorie de jauge est codée par la géométrie d'une autre variété Calabi-Yau non compacte, reliée à la première par une transition géométrique. La théorie des cordes de type IIB sur cette deuxième variété, dans laquelle sont allumés des flux de fond appropriés, génère une théorie de jauge en quatre dimensions, qui n'est d'autre que la théorie effective de basse énergie de la théorie de<br />jauge originale. Ainsi, pour obtenir le superpotentiel effectif de basse énergie il suffit simplement de calculer certaines intégrales dans la deuxième géométrie Calabi-Yau, ce qui est faisable, au moins perturbativement. On trouve alors que le problème extrêmement difficile d'étudier la dynamique de basse<br />énergie d'une théorie de jauge non Abelienne a été réduit à celui de calculer certaines intégrales dans une géométrie connue. On peut démontrer que ces intégrales sont intimement reliées à certaines quantités dans un modèle de matrices holomorphes, et on peut alors calculer le superpotentiel effectif comme fonction de<br />certaines expressions du model de matrices. Il est remarquable que la série perturbative du modèle de matrices calcule alors le superpotentiel effectif non-perturbatif.<br /><br />Ces relations étonnantes ont été découvertes et élaborée par plusieurs auteurs au cours des dernières années. Les résultats originaux de cette thèse comprennent la forme précise des relations de la ``géométrie spéciale" sur une variété Calabi-Yau<br />non compacte. Nous étudions en détail comment ces intégrales géométriques dépendent du cut-off, et leur relation à l'énergie libre du modèle de matrices. En particulier, sur une variété Calabi-Yau non compacte nous proposons une forme bilineaire sur le<br />produit direct de l'espace des formes avec l'espace des cycles, qui élimine toutes les divergences, sauf la divergence logarithmique. Notre analyse détaillée du modèle de matrices holomorphes clarifie aussi plusieurs aspects reliés à la méthode du col de ce modèle de matrices. Nous montrons en particulier qu'exiger une densité spectrale réelle restreint la forme de la<br />courbe Riemannienne qui apparaît dans la limite planaire du modèle de matrices. Çela nous donne des contraintes sur la forme du contour sur lequel les valeurs propres sont intégrées. Tous ces<br />résultats sont utilisés pour calculer explicitement l'énergie libre planaire d'un modèle de matrices avec un potentiel cubique.<br /><br />La deuxième partie de cette thèse concerne la génération de théories de jauge supersymétriques en quatre dimensions comportant des aspects caractéristiques du modèle standard à partir de<br />compactifications de la supergravité en onze dimensions sur une variété G_2. Si cette variété contient une singularité conique, des fermions chiraux apparaissent dans la théorie de jauge en quatre dimensions ce qui conduit potentiellement à des anomalies. Nous montrons que, localement à chaque singularité, les anomalies<br />correspondantes sont annulées par une non-invariance de l'action classique au singularités (``anomaly inflow"). Malheureusement, aucune métrique d'une variété G_2 compacte n'est connue explicitement. Nous construisons ici des familles de métriques sur des variétés compactes faiblement G_2, qui contiennent deux singularités coniques. Les variétés faiblement G_2 ont des propriétés semblables aux propriétés des variétés G_2, et alors ces exemples explicites pourraient être utiles pour mieux comprendre la situation générique. Finalement, nous regardons la<br />relation entre la supergravité en onze dimensions et la théorie des cordes hétérotiques E_8\times E_8. Nous étudions en détail les anomalies qui apparaissent si la supergravité est formulée sur le produit d'un espace de dix dimensions et un intervalle. Encore une fois nous trouvons que les anomalies s'annulent localement sur<br />chaque bord de l'intervalle si on modifie l'action classique d'une façon appropriée.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Botany, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p.20-24).

Population projection matrix (PPM) models are a central tool in ecology and evolution. They are widely used for devising population management practises for conservation, pest control, and harvesting. They are frequently employed in comparative analyses that seek to explain demographic patterns in natural populations. They are also a key tool in calculating measures of fitness for evolutionary studies. Yet, demographic analyses using projection matrices have, in some ways, failed to keep up with prevailing ecological paradigms. A common focus on long-term and equilibrium dynamics when analysing projection matrix models fits better with the outmoded view of ecosystems as stable and immutable. The more current view of ecosystems as dynamic and subject to constant extrinsic disturbances has bred new theoretical advances in the study of short-term &quot;transient&quot; dynamics. Transient dynamics can be very different to long-term trends, and given that ecological studies are often conducted over short timescales, they may be more relevant to research. This thesis focuses on the study of transient dynamics using population projection matrix models. The first section presents theoretical, methodological and computational advances in the study of transient dynamics. These are designed to enhance the predictive power of models, whilst keeping data requirements to a minimum, and borrow from the fields of engineering and systems control. Case studies in this section provide support for consideration of transient dynamics in population management. The second section applies some of these new methods to answer pertinent questions surrounding the ecology and evolution of transient dynamics in plants. Results show that transient dynamics exhibit patterns according to life form and phylogenetic history. Evidence suggests that this can be linked to the stage-structuring of life cycles, which opens up the possibility for new avenues of research considering the evolution of transient dynamics in nature.

La température de l'eau joue un rôle majeur dans le cycle de vie des poissons. Dans un contexte de changement climatique global, le réchauffement peut avoir un impact fort sur la croissance, la fécondité et la survie. L'enjeu de cette thèse est la modélisation mathématique de l'influence de la température sur les traits d'histoire de vie d'une population de chabot (Cottus gobio) afin de faire de la prédiction à la fois au niveau individuel et populationnel. Les données expérimentales qui permettront de calibrer les modèles sont issues du bassin de la Drôme (France) et plus particulièrement du sous-bassin du Bez. Dans une première étape, il s'agit de développer un modèle de rétrocalcul qui peut être utilisé pour calculer les longueurs individuelles des chabots aux âges précédents à partir des données mesurées à la capture. Il s'agit, dans un deuxième temps, de développer un modèle de croissance dépendant de la température de l'eau qui sert à prédire la longueur moyenne des chabots à un âge donné. Enfin, il s'agit de passer de l'échelle de l'individu à celle de la population en prenant en compte tous les traits d'histoire de vie et leurs dépendances vis-à-vis de la température. Plus précisément, un modèle matriciel de type Leslie, à la fois dépendant du temps et de la température, structuré en classe d'âges est développé et utilisé pour prédire la dynamique de population sous différents scénario du réchauffement climatique / Water temperature plays a key role in the life cycle of fish. Therefore, increasing temperatures due to the expected climate change may have a strong impact on growth, fecundity and survival. The goal of this thesis is to model the impact of temperature on the life-history traits of a bullhead population (Cottus gobio) in order to make predictions both at individual and at population level. The models developed here are calibrated on experimental field data from a population living in the Bez River network (Drôme, France). First, a new back-calculation model is derived that can be used to compute individual fish body lengths at earlier ages from capture data. Next, a growth model is proposed that incorporates the water temperature and can be used to predict the mean length at a given age and temperature. Finally, the population is modelled as a whole by linking all life-history traits to temperature. For this purpose, a spatialised time- and temperature-dependent Leslie matrix model structured in age classes was used to predict the population dynamics under different temperature scenarios

Streams and rivers are examples of vital ecosystems that frequently undergo various environmental and anthropogenic stresses. A core question in population ecology is whether a given population will persist under changing ecological conditions. This thesis consists of three papers and is devoted to the mathematical analysis of responses of river-dwelling species to population persistence threats. The first paper presents a stochastic approach to the 'drift paradox' problem, where the classical reaction-advection-diffusion model is replaced by a birth-death-emigration process. We explore the effects of temporally varying flow on the persistence probability and highlight the importance of the benthic stage for the persistence of stream organisms. The second paper addresses the problem of river network fragmentation through disconnecting structures such as dams. We construct a population matrix model that incorporates the spatial structure of the studied river network and compare structural connectivity to an indicator of population persistence. The third paper adapts the same basic matrix model to examine fish response to disturbances travelling downstream from upstream sites. The study of these three aspects of persistence challenges for river populations contributes to the cumulative effects assessment on river networks.