Parks provide a multitude of benefits to communities that, while intuitive and easy to describe, are difficult to quantify. With public park departments being increasingly scrutinized in terms of dollars spent rather than merit value contributed to communities, the difficulty in quantifying those benefits presents a problem. Finding a method to apply monetary values to the contributions of parks in a community has become a prominent need for public parks departments. One way to measure the monetary value of parks to a community is by examining the effects of those parks on the values of surrounding properties. This method assumes that the benefits offered by parks are capitalized into home prices such that prospective buyers are willing to pay premiums on properties that offer easy access to the parks and their benefits. This study utilizes hedonic price modeling and multiple regression analyses to isolate the incremental value conferred on a home based on its proximity to a park. Parks were separated into three categories (regional, community, and neighborhood). Their spatial proximity to homes was measured by Geographic Information Systems and included in regressions along with structural, time, and neighborhood variables for each property. A golf course was also examined so that its effect on proximate home values could be compared to that of the parks. Results suggested the most substantial impact of parks on home values was caused by the regional nature park, followed by the community parks. Neighborhood parks in the aggregate yielded no significant results. Even when these data were disaggregated so parks which had positive and negative influences were analyzed independently, there were no significant results. However, there was some suggestion that positive influences were associated with higher income level and a lower proportion of rental homes in an area. The golf course showed higher premiums than any of the parks, however, homes which were in the overlap of the influence zones of the regional park and golf course had the highest premiums, suggesting a compounding effect.

Inaug.-Diss.--Freie Universität Berlin. / Bibliography: p. 290-307.

The current cellular industry is undergoing a huge paradigm shift from an old homogeneous one-tier network structure to a new heterogeneous two-tier structure with joint deployment of traditional macrocell base stations along with a relatively new small cell base stations, widely known as femtocells. Femtocells are low-powered, low-cost, user-deployed base stations meant to improve poor network coverage and, thereby, increase overall system capacity. As more and more femtocells are deployed, their spectrum usage and resulting interference become non-negligible. While using different operating frequency for femtocells is indeed possible, a co-channel deploy- ment of these will increase spectral efficiency, a much sought design by cellular opera- tors. In this thesis, a femtocell-based scheme is considered as a prospective means to enhance the performance of the current cellular infrastructure. In the adopted frame- work, the femtocell access point is tasked with connecting local femtocell users to the network operator without creating undue interference to cellular users. As such, the femtocell is required to cease communication when a nearby cellular user is present to prevent interference. In the envisioned paradigm, an access point possesses little information about the parent cellular base station. For instance, it may not know the individual channel gains, user locations or frequency allocations. To achieve this goal, femtocell users collectively act as sensing devices and are used to acquire data about local signal strength. This work shows that, despite having little knowledge of the operation of the macro environment, a femtocell can take advantage of the data provided by the acquisition devices and agility of the re-configurable antenna to gain insight about proximate cellular devices. The proposed inference scheme leads to a significant performance gain over oblivious femtocells. Experimental results are provided to support this study and its conclusions.

There is increasing interest in the commericalization of native fruits for utilization as foods and medicinal extracts. This study was undertaken to determine the physicochemical properties and phenolic composition of selected Saskatchewan native fruits, including buffaloberry (<i>Shepherdia argentea</i> Nutt.), chokecherry (<i>Prunus virginiana</i> L.) and sea buckthorn (<i>Hippophae rhamnoides</i> L.). The physicochemical analyses included carbohydrate content, CIELAB colour values, organic acid composition, phenolic content, % seed, soluble solids, pH, total solids, total titratable acidity and proximate composition. Fruit samples were collected and analyzed over four crop years. The proanthocyanidin content was also determined photometrically after acid depolymerization in acid-butanol. Buffaloberry contained a proanthocyanidin concentration of 505 ± 32 mg/100 g fresh fruit and this level was 10 fold higher than that of chokecherry and sea buckthorn. Chokecherry was found to contain an anthocyanin concentration of 255 ± 35 mg/100 g fresh fruit, as determined using the pH differential method. Two high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were developed for simultaneous determination of seven phenolic classes, including anthocyanins, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, flavanones, flavones and flavonols in aqueous methanol extracts. Based on the semi-quantitative analysis of the total phenolic chromatographic index (TPCI), chokecherry contained the highest levels of phenolic compounds with a concentration of 3,327 ± 469 µg/g fresh fruit followed by buffaloberry (578 ± 73 µg/g fresh fruit) and sea buckthorn (477 ± µg/g fresh fruit). The antioxdant activity of the fruit extracts was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2´-azinobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Buffaloberry and chokecherry produced the highest radical scavenging activity and were at least five fold greater than that of sea buckthorn. The major radical scavenging compounds in buffaloberry were ascorbic acid and proanthocyanidins. Radical scavenging activity of chokecherry fruit was largely attributable to its anthocyanins, flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids. Prominent antioxidants in sea buckthorn included ascorbic acid, proanthocyanidins and flavonols. Certain individual compounds in the phenolic extracts were identified by HPLC-photodiode array and HPLC-mass spectrometry. Rutin was found in all of the extracts. Other phenolic compounds identified included catechin in sea buckthorn, and chlorogenic acid and quercetin in chokecherry. The chokecherry fruit pigments were comprised of two major anthocyanins and these were identified as cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside. A preparative scale purification method for these anthocyanins using centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) was determined. Under the CPC conditions employed, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were purified to concentrations of 84 and 90%, respectively.

There is increasing interest in the commericalization of native fruits for utilization as foods and medicinal extracts. This study was undertaken to determine the physicochemical properties and phenolic composition of selected Saskatchewan native fruits, including buffaloberry (<i>Shepherdia argentea</i> Nutt.), chokecherry (<i>Prunus virginiana</i> L.) and sea buckthorn (<i>Hippophae rhamnoides</i> L.). The physicochemical analyses included carbohydrate content, CIELAB colour values, organic acid composition, phenolic content, % seed, soluble solids, pH, total solids, total titratable acidity and proximate composition. Fruit samples were collected and analyzed over four crop years. The proanthocyanidin content was also determined photometrically after acid depolymerization in acid-butanol. Buffaloberry contained a proanthocyanidin concentration of 505 ± 32 mg/100 g fresh fruit and this level was 10 fold higher than that of chokecherry and sea buckthorn. Chokecherry was found to contain an anthocyanin concentration of 255 ± 35 mg/100 g fresh fruit, as determined using the pH differential method. Two high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were developed for simultaneous determination of seven phenolic classes, including anthocyanins, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, flavanones, flavones and flavonols in aqueous methanol extracts. Based on the semi-quantitative analysis of the total phenolic chromatographic index (TPCI), chokecherry contained the highest levels of phenolic compounds with a concentration of 3,327 ± 469 µg/g fresh fruit followed by buffaloberry (578 ± 73 µg/g fresh fruit) and sea buckthorn (477 ± µg/g fresh fruit). The antioxdant activity of the fruit extracts was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2´-azinobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Buffaloberry and chokecherry produced the highest radical scavenging activity and were at least five fold greater than that of sea buckthorn. The major radical scavenging compounds in buffaloberry were ascorbic acid and proanthocyanidins. Radical scavenging activity of chokecherry fruit was largely attributable to its anthocyanins, flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids. Prominent antioxidants in sea buckthorn included ascorbic acid, proanthocyanidins and flavonols. Certain individual compounds in the phenolic extracts were identified by HPLC-photodiode array and HPLC-mass spectrometry. Rutin was found in all of the extracts. Other phenolic compounds identified included catechin in sea buckthorn, and chlorogenic acid and quercetin in chokecherry. The chokecherry fruit pigments were comprised of two major anthocyanins and these were identified as cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside. A preparative scale purification method for these anthocyanins using centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) was determined. Under the CPC conditions employed, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were purified to concentrations of 84 and 90%, respectively.

The overall baseline (as received) moisture, protein and fat content of hybrid catfish (Ictalurus furcatus x Ictalurus punctatus) fillets were 77.8 +/- 1.38%, 16.7 +/- 0.50% and, 5.7 +/- 1.6%, respectively. Small fillets (111 +/- 19 g) had higher (P≤0.05) baseline moisture (78.6 +/- 0.87% vs 76.8 +/- 1.15%) and lower (P≤0.05) fat content (4.7 +/- 0.64% vs 6.8 +/- 1.72%) than large fillets (247 +/- 62 g), whereas protein content was similar (P>0.05) for both sizes. Retained water of the final fresh and frozen fillets was 1.2 +/- 2.03% and 3.1 +/- 1.02%, respectively, irrespective of fillet size. Psychrotrophic (PPC) and total coliform plate counts (TCC) of the baseline fillets were 4 log CFU/g and 1.6 log CFU/g, respectively and were not different between the process steps, except after injection which was higher (P>0.05) than baseline. Moisture-protein ratio and fat content were good (P≤0.05) predictors for retained water in catfish fillets during processing.

The intention of this paper is to argue a position for the use of floodplain linear parks as a means of urban flood mitigation. Current approaches often focus on protecting existing and future structures via the use of costly-engineered solutions such as dams and floodwalls. My argument is that the same money can be used to restore the floodplain by removing such structures and establishing a park system that will serve as a valuable public amenity, while allowing flooding to occur with minimal damage produced. In the long run, such a park will provide a greater return on the investment than other potential solutions. A discussion of the "Proximate Principle" will describe how this works. From an environmental perspective, the importance of such a park will be discussed by placing it in the context of the green infrastructure concept, which is essentially an umbrella term for ongoing efforts to better integrate human and natural systems. Three case studies are presented that demonstrate examples of such park systems and the effects they had on local economies and communities. These studies begin demonstrating the social connotations for such a project as well. Throughout this paper, ties are made to the city of Roanoke, Virginia (where the project portion of this thesis takes place) to demonstrate the relevance of floodplain linear parks to the city. All arguments made are supported by a conceptual floodplain park plan for the city of Roanoke. / Master of Landscape Architecture

(Piaractus mesopotamicus) initially weighing 72.0 g were fed three diets - a) 0.5% vegetable (zucchini), b) commercial 32% (P32) and c) commercial 36% (P36) protein diets for 24 weeks and their growth performance compared. Processing yields and proximate composition were determined following dressing of pacu. The microbiological quality of pond cultured pacu was compared to aquacultured hybrid striped bass, tilapia, and rainbow trout grown in pond and recirculating aquaculture systems. Sensorial analyses for differences in flavor, preference, and color were also determined. Protein concentration significantly influenced the weights, lengths, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio (p < 0.05). Diet insignificantly influenced the processing yields (p > 0.05). The moisture, protein and total lipid contents were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by the dietary protein. The indicative bacterial quality differed significantly for pacu as well as the water used for culturing pacu (p < 0.05) among dietary treatments. Aquaculture production systems significantly influenced the indicative and pathogenic bacterial quality. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were not isolated from any of the sampled fish. The qualitative and quantitative results of Clostridium botulinum were influenced by the production system (p < 0.05). Flavor of pacu was comparable to that of hybrid striped bass, tilapia, and rainbow trout, but superior to catfish. Cooking significantly improved the color of the ground fish fillets. / Master of Science

A total of 40 beef arm chucks were collected from three cities across the United States to study the proximate composition of their separable lean. Chucks were fabricated 5-7 d postmortem and later cooked and dissected, or dissected raw into four separable components, separable lean, external fat, separable seam (intermuscular) fat, and connective tissue (considered inedible). Proximate analysis was conducted on the separable lean component of each dissected retail cut. Dissection data showed that multiple muscled cuts had a numerically lower percent separable lean when compared to the retail cuts comprised of a single muscle. Proximate analysis showed that as the mean value for moisture decreased in the retail cut, the mean percentage of total fat increased. Least squares means of total fat percentage were reported on the retail cuts stratified by USDA quality grade (upper Choice, lower Choice, and Select). Some of the retail cuts had significantly different total fat percentage of the separable lean when considering the differences in USDA quality grade. Cooking yields for the three methods utilized were numerically different. The cuts that were roasted had the highest cooking yield (80.72 %), followed by cuts that were grilled (76.58%), and finally cuts that were braised (66.13%). Differences in final endpoint temperature for each cut may account for the differences between cooking methods. This study was designed to acquire data to update the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, as well as to provide nutritional information for cuts that are not presently in the database. This study evaluated thirteen cooked cuts and twelve raw cuts in an effort to increase the number of retail cuts available to search for nutrient information in the National Database.

The purpose of this study was to collect and analyze retail cuts from the beef rib and plate that had been identified as needing nutrient composition updates in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). Twenty beef carcasses were selected from three different regions of the United States, and the rib and plate were collected for shipment via refrigerated truck to the Rosenthal Meat Science and Technology Center. Each rib and plate was fabricated 14 to 21 d postmortem into the appropriate retail cuts to be used for this study. The cuts were dissected, either raw or cooked (braised, grilled, roasted), into four separable components: separable lean, seam fat, external fat, and refuse. Bone and heavy connective tissue were considered refuse. Percent total chemical fat, moisture, protein, and ash analyses were conducted on the separable lean component obtained from dissection. Cooking yields were evaluated for each of the three cooking methods utilized in this study. Grilled cuts had the highest numerical yield followed by roasted and braised cuts. Dissection data showed single muscle cuts had a higher percentage of separable lean than retail cuts composed of multiple muscles. Boneless and lip-off retail cuts contained a higher percentage of separable lean when compared to their bone-in and lip-on counterparts. Finally, proximate analysis data showed that as retail cuts increased in the percentage of total chemical fat, the percentage of moisture decreased. When percentage of total chemical fat was stratified by USDA quality grade, most cuts showed differences between USDA Choice and Select quality grades. This study was a collaborative project; therefore, the results and discussion of this thesis are only based on findings from Texas A and M University's data. The final project results will be published in the USDA’s National Nutrient Database SR.