No description available.

This essay will examine gothic traits in young adult and children's fantasy, specifically the fantasy series Septimus Heap (2005-2013) by Angie Sage. In order to get a better overview of the material i will be looking at the series as a whole and from there examining the parts i find relevant.  The basis of my analysis will be the gothic traits identified by Fred Botting in Gothic (2013) and a close reading of Septimus Heap (2005-2013). My analysis will be divided in to categories based on these gothic traits, and sub-categories based on what parts of the source material I am discussing. I conclude that several gothic traits, as defined by Botting, are present and recurring in Septimus Heap (2005-2013) but that aspects of these may sometimes differ from Bottings description of the classic gothic traits.

Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have experienced declines throughout their range over the last 50 years. Long-term declines in sage-grouse abundance in Nevada and Oregon have been attributed to reduced productivity. From 1995-1997, sage-grouse production on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR), Nevada was greater compared to Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (HMNAR), Oregon. Specific causes for the difference were unknown. Thus, the objectives were to: 1) Determine sage-grouse breeding season habitat use (especially with regard to wildfire) on SNWR; 2) Evaluate reproductive parameters to discern differences between SNWR and HMNAR; 3) Compare habitat components which may relate to differences in sage-grouse reproductive success on SNWR and HMNAR; and 4) Establish hematological and serum chemistry reference ranges for sage-grouse hens to assess physiological condition. Cover type was important in selection of nest sites at SNWR; however, nest cover did not affect nesting success and nest-site selection was not related to experience. Vegetative characteristics at successful nest sites were similar to unsuccessful nests but nest sites had greater amounts of tall residual grass (���18 cm) and medium height shrub cover (40-80 cm) than at random sites. Broods used areas with greater forb cover than random sites, indicating use was influenced by availability of forbs. Plant communities in wildfire and associated control sites did not differ appreciably in species composition. Although burning had little stimulatory effect on total forb cover 10-12 years post-burn, alteration of the sagebrush community did not limit sage-grouse use for successful nesting and brood-rearing. Fire did not negatively impact arthropod abundance. Differences in habitat use and sage-grouse productivity between SNWR and HMNAR may be related to differences in forb availability. Forb cover was greater at HMNAR than at SNWR for all cover types. Correspondingly, home range size for sage-grouse broods was greater on SNWR than at HMNAR. Nutrient analysis of forbs indicated higher crude protein, potassium, and magnesium levels at HMNAR than at SNWR; however, these nutrients are not likely to be deficient in most sage-grouse diets. Thus sagebrush-steppe communities supporting these forbs likely meet the dietary nutritional requirements of sage-grouse. Although blood calcium and uric acid levels were greater in sage-grouse hens on HMNAR than at SNWR, differences were attributed to capture date. Furthermore, physiological condition did not affect a hen's ability to nest successfully, nor was condition related to a hen's ability to recruit chicks to 1 August. Causes of sage-grouse decline are varied, but ultimately they are habitat based. Comparisons of reproductive parameters and habitat evaluations, combined with sage-grouse physiology data, may provide insight into habitat differences between study areas not previously recognized. Land management practices (e.g., prescribed fire) which recast the balance of native herbaceous species in degraded big sagebrush communities, may be necessary in the restoration of sagebrush-steppe ecosystems, and ultimately, the recovery of sage-grouse populations. / Graduation date: 2003

Thesis (DPhil (Ancient Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Various opinions on the nature of Aphrahat‟s interactions with the Jews have essentially revolved around either accepting or rejecting the claim that the Persian Sage had contact with (Rabbinic) Jews and/or may have been influenced by them. While some significant research went into determining the precise nature of these relationships, the issue was never settled. This dissertation contributes to this ongoing discussion by posing and attempting to answer two primary research questions: 1) Did Aphrahat encounter actual Jews during his own lifetime or did he Simply project/imagine them into his Demonstrations from reading the New Testament collection? If the first question is answered in the affirmative, the focus of the dissertation becomes the following question: 2) Were the Jews whom Aphrahat encountered Rabbinic/Para-Rabbinic or not? To provide answers to these questions the author uses a textual comparative methodology, juxtaposing texts from both sources and then seeking to analyze them in relation to each other. Every section that deals with such comparison is organized into three sub-sections: 1) agreement, 2) disagreement by omission; and 3) disagreement by confrontation (this pattern is consistently followed throughout the study). The author concludes that the answer to both of these questions can be given in the affirmative. First, Aphrahat did not imagine nor project the Jews in his Demonstrations from his reading of the New Testament, but he (and his community) encountered the Jews on the streets of Ancient Northern Mesopotamia. Second, Aphrahat (and his community, sometimes only via his community) indeed had interactions with Rabbinic (or more accurately Para-Rabbinic) Jews. / AFRIKAANSE OSOMMING: Verskeie menings oor die aard van Afrahates se interaksies met die Jode het in hoofsaak gedraai om óf aanvaarding óf verwerping van die aanspraak dat die Persiese wysgeer kontak gehad het met (Rabbynse) Jode en/of deur hulle beïnvloed kon gewees het. Terwyl sekere beduidende navorsing ondersoek ingestel het na bepaling van die presiese aard van hierdie verhoudings, is die aangeleentheid nooit die hoof gebied nie. Hierdie verhandeling dra by tot hierdie voortgaande bespreking en poog om twee primêre navorsingsvrae te vra en te probeer beantwoord: 1) Het Afrahates werklike Jode gedurende sy eie leeftyd teëgekom of het hy hulle eenvoudig in sy “Demonstrationes” na aanleiding van die lees van die Nuwe Testament-versameling geprojekteer/gewaan? Indien die eerste vraag bevestigend beantwoord word, raak die fokus van die verhandeling die volgende vraag: 2) Was die Jode wat Afrahates teëgekom het, Rabbyns/Para-Rabbyns of nie? Om antwoorde op hierdie vrae te kan gee, gebruik die skrywer ʼn tekstueel vergelykende metodologie, deur tekste van beide bronne langs mekaar te plaas en hulle dan in verhouding tot mekaar te probeer analiseer. Elke afdeling wat met sodanige vergelyking te make het, word in drie onderafdelings georden: 1) ooreenkoms, 2) verskil deur weglating, en 3) verskil deur konfrontasie (hierdie patroon word konsekwent dwarsdeur die studie gevolg). Die skrywer kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat albei hierdie vrae bevestigend beantwoord kan word. Eerstens, Afrahates het nie die Jode in sy “Demonstrationes” na aanleiding van sy lees van die Nuwe Testament gewaan of geprojekteer nie, maar hy (en sy gemeenskap) het die Jode in die strate van Antieke Noord-Mesopotamië teëgekom. Tweedens, Afrahates (en sy gemeenskap, partymaal slegs via sy gemeenskap) het inderdaad interaksies met Rabbynse (of meer presies Para-Rabbynse) Jode gehad.

Die vorliegende Arbeit ist im Rahmen eines Projektes zur Untersuchung der Genexpression bei Tiermodellen neurologischer Erkrankungen entstanden. Mit herkömmlichen Kandidatenansätzen ist eine Genexpressionsanalyse nur in beschränktem Umfang zu realisieren. Ziel war daher die Etablierung eines Verfahrens wie SAGE (serielle Analyse der Genexpression), das die Analyse des gesamten Transkriptoms zuläßt. Wie die Arbeit zeigt, ist SAGE in einem Standardlabor durchführbar. Es wurden geringfügige Abwandlungen der Orginalmethode eingeführt. Zur Sequenzfehlerkorrektur wurde ein spezielles Computerprogramm entwickelt und evaluiert. Zur Evaluierung der statistischen Auswertung von SAGE wurde zusätzlich zu einer Darstellung des gesamten statistischen Entscheidungsprozesses explorativ die Situation statistischer Entscheidungen wie sie im Rahmen üblicher SAGE Experimente auftreten mit vier Tests nachgeahmt. Es wurde eine Testvariante (modifizierter Z-Test) angewandt und evaluiert, die bis dato noch nicht zur Auswertung von SAGE benutzt worden war. Um die Reliabilität von SAGE abschätzen zu können, wurde von vier Mäusegroßhirnen die Gesamt-RNS vereinigt. Diese Transkriptgrundpopulation wurde zweigeteilt und parallel untersucht. Die beiden Gruppen wurden anhand eines statistischen Tests, der die gesamte Verteilungen der beiden Profile prüft, auf Homogenität untersucht. Zusätzlich wurde das Zusammenhangsmaß ermittelt. Dies ergab, daß die Reliabilität von SAGE im vorliegenden Kontext (relativ geringe Stichprobe und ein komplexes Gewebe) nicht optimal ist. Es kann jedoch keine Aussage dazu gemacht werden, ob dies der Methode selbst, das heißt ihrer molekularbiologischen Praxis und der Datenaufbereitung, anzulasten ist oder einer großen Stichprobenvariabilität. Dies bedeutet, daß in der vorliegenden Arbeit keine endgültige Aussage zur Reliabilität von SAGE möglich ist. Es werden Möglichkeiten dargestellt mit einer suboptimale Reliabilität im Rahmen von zukünftigen Projekten umzugehen. / The work presented here evolved within the framework of a project that examines gene expression of neurological conditions in animal models. Using conventional methods (candidate genes study) gene expression analysis is limited. Hence, the aim was to establish a procedure like SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) that allows for analysis of the entire transcriptome. As shown it is possible to perform SAGE in a standard laboratory. Minor changes to the original version were made. A special computer program was developed and evaluated to reduce sequencing errors. In addition to a description of the entire statistical process, the statistics of SAGE were explored by simulating normal SAGE experiments, using 4 statistical tests. One test version (modified Z-test) that has not been used for statistical analysis of SAGE yet was applied and reviewed. To assess the reliability of SAGE the total-RNA of 4 corteces of mice was extracted and combined. This basic transcript population was divided in two and the parts examined in parallel. Both groups were analysed using a statistical test that tests the entire distribution of both profiles for homogeneity. Additionally the correlation (and its degree) of the profiles was calculated. The result was that the reliability of SAGE is not optimal in the context of this work (relatively small sample and complex tissue). However, no conclusion can be drawn as to whether the method itself (biomolecular practice and data analysis) is responsible for this, or whether it is due to sample variability. This means that in the work presented here no final statement concerning the reliability of SAGE is possible. Possibilities are described to deal with the issue of suboptimal reliability within the framework of future projects.

Esta tese trata da aplicação de técnicas de estatística para a resolução de problemas encontrados na análise de dados provenientes da área de biologia molecular -- mais especificamente, dados gerados por estudos de expressão gênica obtidos pela contagem de transcritos, também chamados de perfis digitais de expressão. / This thesis is about the analysis of gene expression data produced by transcript counting methods, also known as digital gene profiles.

Dans les systèmes de positionnement par satellite (GNSS), les réflexions multiples, caractéristiques des canaux de propagation urbains, posent de gros problèmes dans la bonne estimation de la position. Bien que de nombreuses solutions aient été proposées pour lutter contre les multi-trajets (Narrow correlator, MEDLL), les multi-trajets à faibles retards relatifs (<0.1Chips) sont toujours problématique. Plus récemment, l'utilisation de réseaux d'antennes adaptatifs a été proposée pour lutter contre les multi-trajets. En effet, l'échantillonnage spatial du front d'onde réalisé à partir de plusieurs antennes permet de discriminer les sources dans le domaine spatial, et cela quels que soient les retards des multi-trajets. Cette thèse a donc pour objectif de définir des méthodes de réjection des multi-trajets qui tirent partie de la dimension des directions d'arrivées (DOA) apportée par un réseau d'antenne. Le cahier des charges impose que le réseau utilisé soit de petite taille (typiquement réseau carré 2×2), et demande un algorithme robuste aux défauts technologiques.Inspiré des méthodes de réjection d'interférence, les premières solutions proposées ont été les techniques d'antennes adaptatives afin de filtrer spatialement les multi-trajets Cependant, en raison de la petite taille du réseauainsi que de la corrélation intrinsèque entre les multi-trajets et le signal direct, ces méthodes ont rapidement été mises en défaut. En particulier, les multi-trajets spatialement proches du trajet direct restent toujours problématiques.Afin de tirer partie de la dimension spatiale apportée par un réseau d'antennes et sans être trop dépendant de l'espacement angulaire entre les sources, nous avons choisi de joindre à l'estimation des DOA, l'estimation des retards et fréquences Doppler de chaque trajet reçu. L'algorithme SAGE, issu de la théorie du maximum de vraisemblance, a été utilisé afin d'estimer de façon jointe les paramètres des sources. De plus, nous avons proposé une nouvelle implémentation de SAGE qui permet de réduire d'un facteur 500 la complexité de l'algorithme tout en conservant les mêmes performances d'estimation. Les simulations ont montré une nette amélioration de la réjection des multi-trajets par rapport aux méthodes mono-antenne et multi-antennes adaptatives, tout en conservant une complexité calculatoire raisonnable. Cette méthode a fait l’objet d’un brevet.Nous avons ensuite étudié l'influence des défauts technologiques (couplage, défaut de chaîne RF …), numériques (quantification) et des défauts intrinsèques à l'algorithme SAGE (estimation du nombre de multi-trajets) sur les performances d'estimation, et proposé différentes méthodes de compensation. Nous retiendrons que des filtres FIR ont été utilisés pour compenser les défauts large bande de la chaîne RF, et que le couplage peut être estimé à partir de la connaissance des DOA des signaux utiles. Les simulations ont montré qu'avec ces méthodes de compensation, l'algorithme SAGE affichait des performances très proches de celles dans le cas parfait (sans défaut). Un algorithme d'estimation du nombre de multi-trajets a aussi été proposé, et les résultats en simulation dynamique (en utilisant des modèles de canal existants) ont montré une bonne adaptation aux différentes situations.Pour finir, il est important de noter que les outils développés durant cette thèse peuvent être utilisés dans le cadre de l'étude du canal de propagation des signaux GNSS, en identifiant et estimant les multi-trajets susceptibles de perturber l'estimation de la position du récepteur. / In Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) applications, multipath (MP) errors are still one of the major error sources in conventional receivers. The additional signal replicas due to reflections introduce a bias in Delay Lock Loops (DLL), which finally leads to a positioning error. Several techniques have been developed for multipath mitigation or estimation such as the Narrow Correlator Spacing or the Multipath Estimating Delay-Lock-Loop (MEDLL) algorithm.However, these techniques suffers from high sensitivity to noise, and can not mitigate short delay multipath (<0.1 chip).More recently, the use of antenna array algorithms has been proposed for multipath mitigation. Antenna arrays perform a spatial sampling that makes possible the discrimination of sources in the space domain (azimuth and elevation).However, in conventional receivers, little room remains for antenna integration, and only a small number of antenna elements can be integrated. This study will therefore focus on algorithms for a 2x2 square antenna array. Moreover, theproposed solutions have to be robust against technological defects.Two solutions are investigated to mitigate multipath with an antenna array. The first one tries to filter the multipaths in the space domain in order to "clean" the incoming signal of all the multipaths. However, the results obtained with this solution are quite mitigated. Indeed, the small size of the array implies a low space resolution, and the correlation between the LOS signal and the multipaths strongly degrade the performance of high resolution algorithms. Thus, close spaced multipath are still a problem.In the second approach, a set of parameters (amplitudes, times-delays, Doppler shifts, elevations and azimuths) of all the incoming sources are estimated. The main difference with the first approach is that, instead of filtering the sources on the space domain only, the different incoming paths are filtered on space, time and frequency domains. To estimate the parameters of all the sources, SAGE algorithm, which is a low-complexity generalization of maximum likelihood theory, has been considered. Moreover, a new implementation of the SAGE algorithm has been investigated in order to reduce the complexity by a factor 500, without loss of estimation performances. The simulations show a real improvement in the multipath mitigation compared to mono antenna algorithms and beamformerapproaches.The impact of technological defects (mutual coupling, RF channel mismatch …), numerical defect (quantization) and SAGE defect (estimation of the number of path) on the estimation performances were also investigated, and severalcompensation algorithms were proposed. The wide band effects of the RF filter were compensated by FIR equalizer, and mutual coupling can be estimated thanks to the knowledge of the satellites DOA. Simulations show that the estimationperformance of the SAGE algorithm after array calibration are very close than the performance in perfect system. Last, we proposed an algorithm to estimate the number of path, and dynamic simulations (by using channel model) show avery good adaptation of the algorithm.Last but not least, the tools developed in this PhD can be also useful in multipath modelling applications for GNSS.

L’hypothyroïdie congénitale (HC) est une maladie relativement fréquente, touchant un nouveau-né sur 3000-4000, et dont la majorité des cas sont causés par un défaut dans le développement embryonnaire de la glande. Il existe plusieurs arguments en faveur d’une cause génétique dans une minorité de ces dysgénésies thyroïdiennes mais, à ce jour, seuls quelques cas ont put être reliés à une mutation dans l’un ou l’autre de trois gènes codant pour des facteurs de transcription impliqués dans le développement de la thyroïde (TITF1, PAX8 et FOXE1).<p>Au cours de notre travail de thèse, nous avons caractérisé la 6ème mutation du gène PAX8 à l’état hétérozygote, dans un cas familial d’HC. Nous avons étudié l’impact fonctionnel de cette altération qui entraîne une perte de liaison de la protéine mutée à une séquence cible spécifique, ainsi qu’une diminution drastique de la synergie de transactivation en association avec Titf1. Le phénotype des patients est également intéressant à plus d’un titre. En effet, nous avons pu observer que les mutations de PAX8 sont compatibles avec le développement d’une thyroïde en place et de taille normale à la naissance, pouvant conduire à un diagnostic erroné de dyshormonogenèse. De plus, un des trois patients présente un phénotype rénal qu’il est tentant de relier à la mutation de PAX8 étant donné que ce gène est exprimé durant le développement de cet organe, tout comme dans la thyroïde.<p>Notre travail a également consisté en l’élaboration d’une librairie SAGE du bourgeon thyroïdien en développement, afin de rechercher de nouveaux gènes candidats impliqués dans le développement de la glande thyroïde. Grâce à une technique d’amplification d’ARN, nous avons obtenu une librairie d’environ 94.000 étiquettes à partir de bourgeons thyroïdiens provenant d’embryons de souris au 11ème jour de développement. Cette librairie nous a permis d’identifier une nouvelle isoforme du transcrit de Titf1 modifiant l’extrémité 3’-non codante du messager, ainsi qu’un gène de fonction inconnue mais dont le profil d’expression ainsi que sa grande conservation au cours de l’évolution laissent suggérer un rôle important, tant dans les tissus embryonnaires que dans les tissus adultes.<p>Ces deux découvertes valident le caractère prédictif de notre librairie qui constitue un outil de choix pour l’identification de nouveaux gènes de développement thyroïdien et donc de nouveaux candidats pour l’étude des mécanismes étiopathogéniques à la base des dysgénésies thyroïdiennes.<p>/<p>Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a relatively frequent disease affecting 1 every 3000-4000 newborns. The majority of CH cases are caused by a defect in the embryonic development of the gland. There exists several arguments in favor of a genetic cause for a minority of these thyroid dysgeneses but, to this day, only a few cases have been related to a mutation in one of three genes coding for transcription factors implicated in thyroid development (TITF1, PAX8 and FOXE1).<p>In the course of this work, we have caracterized the 6th mutation of the PAX8 gene, in the heterozygous state, in a familial case of CH. We have studied the functional impact of this modification which leads to a loss of the protein’s DNA-binding properties and to a severe reduction in the transactivation synergy in association with Titf1. The phenotype of the patients presents also interesting features. Indeed we have observed that the PAX8 mutations are compatible with the development of an in-place, normal-sized thyroid at birth, which could lead to an erroneous diagnostic of dyshormonogenesis. Moreover, one of the three patients presents with a renal phenotype (unilateral kidney agenesis) which is tempting to relate to the PAX8 mutation, given this gene is expressed during kidney development.<p>Our work also consisted in the generation of an embryonic thyroid bud SAGE library, which we used to search for new candidate genes implicated in thyroid development. With the help of a RNA amplification technique, we obtained a library of roughly 94.000 tags starting from mous thyroid buds at E11. This library allowed us to identify a new Titf1 splicing variant modifying the 3’-UTR of the transcript, and a gene of unknown function. The latter’s expression profile and high conservation throughout evolution suggest a crucial role in embryonic as well as adult tissues.<p>These two findings validate the predictive character of our library which constitutes a powerful tool to identify new thyroid developmental genes and new candidate genes for the study of the etiopathogenic mecanisms responsible for CH.<p><p> / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Esta tese trata da aplicação de técnicas de estatística para a resolução de problemas encontrados na análise de dados provenientes da área de biologia molecular -- mais especificamente, dados gerados por estudos de expressão gênica obtidos pela contagem de transcritos, também chamados de perfis digitais de expressão. / This thesis is about the analysis of gene expression data produced by transcript counting methods, also known as digital gene profiles.

Population growth for species with long lifespans and low reproductive rates (i.e., K-selected species) is influenced primarily by both survival of adult females and survival of young. Because survival of adults and young is influenced by habitat quality and resource availability, it is important for managers to understand factors that influence habitat selection during the period of reproduction. My thesis contains two chapters addressing this issue for K-selected species in Utah. Chapter one evaluates habitat selection of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercusurophasianus) on Diamond Mountain during the critical nesting and brood-rearing period. Chapter two address selection of birth sites by bison (Bison bison) on Antelope Island, Utah. We collected micro-habitat data for 88 nests and 138 brood locations of greater sage-grouse from 2010-2012 to determine habitat preferences of nesting and brooding sage-grouse. Using random forests modeling techniques, we found that percent sagebrush, percent canopy cover, percent total shrubs, and percent obscurity (Robel pole) best differentiated nest locations from random locations with selection of higher values in each case. We used a 26-day nesting period to determine an average nest survival rate of 0.35 (95% CI = 0.23 – 0.47) for adults and 0.31 (95% CI = 0.14 – 0.50) for juvenile grouse.Brood sites were closer to habitat edges, contained more forbs and less rock than random locations. Average annual adult female survival across the two-year study period was 0.52 (95% CI= 0.38 – 0.65) compared to 0.43 (95% CI= 0.28 – 0.59) for yearlings.Brooding and nesting habitat at use locations on Diamond Mountain met or exceeded published guidelines for everything but forb cover at nest sites. Adult and juvenile survival rates were in line with average values from around the range whereas nest success was on the low end of reported values. For bison, we quantified variables surrounding 35 birth sites and 100 random sites during 2010 and 2011 on Antelope Island State Park. We found females selected birth sites based on landscape attributes such as curvature and elevation, but also distance to anthropogenic features (i.e., human structures such as roads or trails). Models with variables quantifying the surrounding vegetation received no support.Coefficients associated with top models indicated that areas near anthropogenic features had a lower probability of selection as birth sites. Our model predicted 91% of observed birth sites in medium-high or high probability categories. This model of birthing habitat, in cooperation with data of birth timing, provides biologists with a map of high-probability birthing areas and a time of year in which human access to trails or roads could be minimized to reduce conflict between recreation and female bison.