The long-term study for the environmental-hydrologic observatory in Pool 16 of the Mississippi RIver includes installing modern sensors to continuously record the nutrient loads at the entrance, the exit and in other pertinent locations of Pool 16. Multiple monitoring locations allows more accurate modeling of nutrients and the sensors can be strategically placed to record nutrient load patterns due to floods, seasonal patterns due to agricultural trends and/or weather, the function of nutrient processing within the pool, or other major occurrences (Carver, 2008). The fact that no other organization has the current ability to record continuous, real-time nutrient data within the Mississippi River provides reason that the Pool 16 observatory may have a significant part in redefining nutrient transport in the Upper Mississippi River Basin and the understanding of the Gulf hypoxia (Carver, 2008). Six high-tech sensors have been deployed in Pool 16 from 2008-2010 recording real-time data such as nitrate, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature and pH. The sensors have collected real-time data at the following locations (Figure 1.3): * Lock and Dam 15 * mouth of the Rock River * along the river bank at the town of Buffalo, IA * in the backwaters of Andalusia Island * along the river bank at LACMRERS * Lock and Dam 16. The collected data now needs to be analyzed not only to understand the data patterns, but to determine whether the data is reliable and makes sense. The main data series that this study focuses on is nitrate concentrations. Nitrate data is analyzed based on the natural patterns observed, how nitrate concentrations are affected by occurrences, and how nitrate patterns are directly related to other measured data such as dissolved oxygen and temperature. The sensors also need to be researched to determine if they are the best piece of technology for our needs and whether the sensors are able to record reliable data. Therefore, the objectives of this study are as follows: * Deploy several sensors in a short amount of time in Pool 16 to determine the efficiency of longer term deployments. * Investigate diurnal phenomena in highly time resolved nitrate concentration data from Pool 16. * Investigate seasonal patterns in nitrate concentration data collected from sensors. * Compare diurnal phenomena and seasonal patterns in nitrate concentrations for the Raccoon River and the Mississippi River. * Evaluate sensor performance and data reliability.

Net photosynthesis and dark respiration studies were conducted on Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. and Frem.) S. Wats and Ceratoides lanata (Pursh) J.T. Howell under field and laboratory conditions. These woody species are commonly found in salt desert shrub communities of the Intermountain West. During these investigations, the effects of air temperature, plant moisture stress, soil water potential, irradiation, and plant phenological status were examined with respect to their influence on carbon dioxide (CO2 ) exchange. Intensive field studies were carried out between April and October. This interval corresponded to the major period of physiological activity in both species. The factors of moisture stress and phenological status appeared to regulate photosynthesis and respiration on a seasonal basis. They set the limits within which daily CO2 exchange could take place. Diel patterns of CO2 exchange were primarily controlled by prevailing temperature and irradiation. Irradiation was more critical during the spring, and temperature became more limiting in the summer. Two alternate photosynthetic strategies of dealing with existing harsh environmental conditions appeared to have evolved in Atriplex confertifolia and Ceratoides lanata. Atriplex confertifolia exhibited an endurance strategy whereby it continued moderate rates of photosynthesis throughout the season. Ceratoides lanata, in contrast, completed the majority of its net assimilation in the spring; then it was relatively inactive when moisture stress became great. These differences seemed to be correlated with water use efficiencies of both species. Rates of net photosynthesis were greatest during the spring in both species. At that time CO2 fixation in Ceratoides lanata exceeded that of Atriplex confertifolia. Later in the year, photosynthetic rates were reduced; and the assimilation rate of Atriplex confertifolia was greater than that observed in Ceratoides lanata. These seasonal patterns of CO2 exchange offered an insight into differences between species using different assimilation pathways. Atriplex confertifolia utilizes the dicarboxylic acid pathway (C4) for carbon fixation, while Ceratoides lanata uses the pentose pathway (C3). Since both species can coexist in the same reasonably stable community, it appeared that both carboxylation pathways were efficient with respect to prevailing environmental conditions. Atriplex confertifolia had lower net assimilation rates than C4 species from warmer climates. It carried on moderate rates of photosynthesis at low temperature (5 to 10 C), and it had relatively low thermal optima (15 to 27 C) for net photosynthesis. An acclimative shift in temperature optima was also noted. This photosynthetic pattern seemed to be related to the climatic conditions under which Atriplex confertifolia evolved. Ceratoides lanata exhibited assimilation rates which were comparable to other C3 species in arid environments. As with Atriplex confertifolia, Ceratoides lanata carried on photosynthesis at relatively low temperatures, but it did not undergo an acclimative shift in the temperature optimum (15 C). Both species were physiologically adapted to severe moisture stress. They carried out active photosynthesis and respiration at soil water potentials between -15 and -50 bars. As soil water potential decreased below -50 bars, CO2 exchange in Ceratoides lanata was curtailed. Photosynthesis and respiration continued at a moderate level in Atriplex confertifolia until soil water potential was reduced below -70 bars.

The association of: flies with man has been recorded through many centuries. In nearly all of these records the association is one of discord rather than harmony. In the Book of Exodus, 8:24, in the King James version of the Old Testament, we can read, "...and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses; and in all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarms of flies." Centuries later the "grievous swarms of flies" 'were associated with a particular disease by Mercurialis. In 1577 he expressed the belief that flies carried the "virus" of plague from those ill or dead of plague to the food of those not yet ill of plague (8).

Milk samples from two cheese plants with overlapping milk supplies were collected monthly for one year in an attempt to measure seasonal variation in the ability of milk and whey to support lactic culture growth . Treatments to control and minimize variability of milk or whey were evaluated to optimize stability in starter culture performance. Raw milk samples were tested for somatic cell counts, activity tests (modified Horrall- Elliker), acid degree values, and total plate counts. Activity (modified Horraii-EIIiker) and inhibitory tests were also performed on pasteurized, pasteurized-vacuumized and high heat milk treatments. Rennet whey (heated and unheated) was collected from raw and pasteurized-vacuumized milk and tested for lactic culture performance by monitoring growth under pH control for 16 h and measuring milli-equivalents of neutralizer (NaOH) added. Lactic culture performance and stability in raw milk was poor in all seasons. Culture performance in high heat milk was poor, but demonstrated good repeatability. Pasteurized milk supported good lactic culture performance and stability. Pasteurized-vacuumized milk provided excellent lactic culture performance and stability throughout the year. Culture performance during December through March demonstrated the greatest variation. The cultures performed more uniformly during April through August. September was a transition month. Cultures demonstrated uniformity and optimum culture activity during October and November.

This research is a study of the Female Metaphor in her three aspects of Virgin, Mother and Crone. It is an interpretation of these three faces as representing the Dynamic by which the Cosmos unfolds, that is, the extant Creativity that is in continual transformation and has always been so. Accordingly, as this thesis takes the Cosmos to be a seamless whole, the conscious alignment with the continual process of transformation innate to Being. Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme call the composition of these three, cosmic grammar. The ritual celebration of seasonal points are then developed as a method of embodying and sensualizing, and speaking this deep Dynamic of Creativity. These ritual celebrations are based in ancient Western spiritual practice that relates with Earth's cyclical transitions. Through methods of ritual, meditation, imagination, dance and storytelling, over the period of the annual seasonal cycle, I created a context, which sought to enable more harmonious relationship with self, other and Cosmos through identification of the self with an organic and primordial process innate to the unfolding Cosmos. I found it to be a process that catalyzed personal transformation of the participants over time - a transformation that has clear and inevitable cultural implications. While it is not the focus of this thesis to track these cultural changes, such change is implicit in the personal and relational changes experienced and noted, since the personal and the cultural are mutually embedded in a shamanic process like this is. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The climatology of the seasonal cycle of water mass variation and transformation in Bass Strait, south-eastern Australia, is studied using a high resolution three-dimensional sigma-coordinate hydrodynamic model coupled with data from observations and previous studies. Model forcing consists of the principal tidal constituents from the Australian National Tidal Centre and long-term monthly mean atmospheric forcing fields from NCEP reanalysis. The initial density field is established using temperature and salinity means and annual and semi-annual harmonics from the CARS2000 hydrographic atlas. This is also used to prescribe incoming water mass properties at model open-sea boundaries with seasonal variation. Far-field forcing is included with open-sea boundary parameterisation of residual sea-level representing both the South Australian Current and the East Australian Current. Lagrangian and Eulerian tracer methods are used to derive transport timescales, such as age, residence times and flushing times. These are used to examine and summarise model predictions and as a diagnostic tool in sensitivity studies. Currents, sea-level and water mass properties in the model compare favourably with previous studies and observations, despite limitations in the model and in the data used for comparison. The seasonal cycle, in model results, is characterised by formation of a shallow (< 20 m) saltier surface-layer in late spring to summer and subsequent downward mixing and erosion of the salinity field in autumn to winter with water mass from the west. This leaves behind water mass with positive age and salinity anomalies in areas of low flushing. In late winter-early spring most parts of this water mass leave the Strait interior. These areas are thought to be related to the source water of the Bass Strait Cascade. The residual circulation in all model experiments is shown to be related to seasonal-mean sea-level anomalies, arising from both barotropic and baroclinic adjustment, both in and surrounding the Strait.

This thesis, which consists of four essays, focus on seasonal and periodic cointegration models. These models are tools to describe changing seasonality.Essay 1 "Forecasting performance of seasonal cointegration models", with Johan Lyhagen. Forecasts from two different seasonal cointegration specifications are compared in an empirical forecasting example and in a Monte Carlo study. One of the two specifications include a certain parameter restriction at the annual frequency, wheras the other specification is more general. In the empirical forecasting example we also include a standard cointegration model based on first differences and seasonal dummies and analyze the effects of restricting or not restricting seasonal dummies in the seasonal cointegration models. While the Monte Carlo results favor the general specification, and definitely so if larger sample sizes are considered, we do not find such clear cut evidence in the empirical example.Essay 2 "On forecasting cointegrated seasonal time series", with Philip Hans Franses. In this essay we analyze periodic and seasonal cointegration models for bivariate quarterly observed time series in an empirical forecasting study. We include both single equation and multiple equations methods for those two classes of models. A VAR model in first differences, with and without cointegration restrictions, and a VAR model in annual differences are also included in the analysis, where they serve as benchmark models. Our empirical results indicate that the VAR model in first differences without cointegration is best if one-step ahead forecasts are considered. For longer forecast horizons however, the VAR model in annual differences is better. When comparing periodic versus seasonal cointegration models, we find that the seasonal cointegration models tend to yield better forecasts. Essay 3 "Size and power of the likelihood ratio test for seasonal cointegration in small samples: A Monte Carlo study", This essay investigates the small sample size and power properties of the likelihood ratio test in the seasonal error correction model. Two specifications of the model at the annual frequency are analyzed. One is more restricted (RS), designed for the particular case of 'synchronous cointegration', whereas the other specification is general (GS). The results indicate that RS has poor size properties in cases where non-synchronous cointegration clearly should play a role. There is a risk of finding 'evidence' of too many cointegrating vectors at the annual frequency when using RS. On the other hand, if the restriction is almost satisfied, the general specification looses power at least for small sample sizes, while tests in RS have good properties. Essay 4 "On seasonal error correction when the processes include different numbers of unit roots", with Johan Lyhagen. We propose a seasonal error correction model (SECM) for quarterly data which includes variables with different numbers of unit roots and thus needs to be transformed in different ways in order to yield stationarity. A Monte Carlo simulation is carried out to investigate the consequences of specifying a SECM with all variables in annual diffrerences in this situation. The SECM in annual differences is compared to the correctly specified model. Pre-testing for unit roots using two different approaches, and where the models are specified according to the unit root test results, is also considered. The results indicate that, in practice, a cointegration model where all variables are transformed with the annual difference filter is more robust than one obtained by pre-testing for a smaller number of unit roots. / Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögsk., 2001 [4], iv s., s. 1-23: sammanfattning, s. 25-110, [5] s.: 4 uppsatser

The ability of animals to contend with unpredictable seasonal shifts in quality and quantity of prey has implications for the conservation of wildlife. Steller sea lions(Eumetopias jubatus) were subjected to different quantities and qualities of food to determine what physiological and endocrine responses would occur and whether they differed between season (summer and winter) or diet (high-lipid Pacific herring Clupeapallasi vs. low-lipid Walleye Pollock Theragra chalcogramma). Eight females were divided among two groups. One (Group H) were fed herring for 28 days (baseline), then received a reduced caloric intake for a subsequent 28 days (restriction) to induce a 15%loss of body mass. The second (Group P) were also fed herring during the baseline followed by a reduced isocaloric diet of pollock during the restriction. Both groups subsequently returned to their baseline intake of herring for a 28-day controlled re-feeding. The two groups of sea lions lost identical mass during restrictions independent of species eaten, but did differ in the type of internal energy reserve (protein vs. lipids) they predominantly used. Group H lost significantly more lipids and less lean mass than Group P in both seasons. In summer, Group H also increased activity levels and decreased thermoregulation capacity to optimize energy allocation. No such changes were observed for Group P whose capacity to adjust to the reduced caloric intake seemed to have been blocked by the pollock diet. During winter, the sea lions spared energy allocated to activity (especially Group H) and preserved thermoregulation capacity. Changes in body mass was negatively related to free cortisol and positively related to IGF-1 in winter, but only IGF-1 was related to changes in mass in summer when lean mass regulation seemed more important. Levels of IGF-1 were associated with changes in protein metabolism in both seasons for both groups, but changes in body condition were never explained by the measured metabolites or hormones. The capacity to compensate for mass loss was seasonally dependent with sea lions displaying compensatory growth (by restoring lipid stores) in winter but not in summer. Summer appears to be a more difficult season for sea lions to recover from mild nutritional stress. These physiological findings can be used to refine bioenergetic models needed for the conservation of Steller sea lion populations.

The structure of phytoplankton communities was examined seasonally across five rivers with a focus on small cells and their relative importance. Picophytoplankton (0.2-2 μm), previously considered insignificant in rivers, reached densities as high as those observed in lakes and oceans (~ 10e4-10e5 cells/mL). Their relative importance was not a function of trophic state with the highest contribution to algal biomass found in the most eutrophic river. Body size distributions were analyzed from both chlorophyll-a size fractions and taxonomic enumerations; no significant effect of river or season was detected, suggesting that phytoplankton size distribution is not a useful metric of change in rivers. Unlike lake ecosystems, the rivers were uniformly dominated by small cells (< 20 μm). Taxonomic analyses of the seasonal succession did not reveal a common periodicity of particular divisions (e.g. diatoms). However, strong dominance was more typical of eutrophic rivers even though taxa richness was similar.

This research was conducted in the Mamora cork oak forest of Morocco to: (1) Describe the impacts of sheep grazing (none, 35% use, 70% use) in March, April, May and June of 1987 and 1988 on seasonal forage production; (2) evaluate the effects of these factors on annual changes in herbaceous foliar cover and botanical composition; and (3) determine their effects on seasonal changes in forage quality of the herbaceous vegetation. Neither the month of 1987 nor the degree of use had significant effects on the rate of herbage accumulation. In 1988, the month of grazing, the degree of use and their interaction had significant effects on all rates of herbage accumulation except that between May and June for the March grazed treatment. For the April, May and June treatments, grazing depressed the forage production of the subsequent months. The interaction of the month of grazing and the degree of use had no significant effect on the botanical composition of all groups of species. Averaged over the season, the other forbs were the dominant group of species. Total canopy cover was significantly affected by the year only. The 1988 total vegetative ground cover was significantly higher than the 1987 and 1989 ones as a result of the impacts of the intensity and distribution of rains on vegetative growth, development and distribution. The degree of use had a significant effect on the forage nutrients only for some grazing treatments. It seemed that the effect of the grazing intensity on forage nutrients of the subsequent months is more evident when grazing occurs early in the season. This study developed the first information for this area related to the response of the vegetation to the time and the intensity of grazing. The results suggest that scheduling intensity and timing of grazing livestock might be a key factor in community dynamics. Combined research on grazing management, fertilization and seeding should be undertaken and implemented in the next Mamora management plan. / Graduation date: 1992