This study develops techniques for the preparation and counting of testate amoebae for Holocene sea-level reconstructions. In addition, this study provides a ~3000 year relative sea-level reconstruction for south Hinnøya in the Vesterålen islands off mainland Norway, adding new data to a poorly defined period of the Holocene sea-level history of north-western Norway. This is important to quantify rates of glacial-isostatic adjustment (GIA), to refine GIA models, and to establish baseline (pre-industrial) rates of relative sea-level change. Surface sediments from two salt marshes (Storosen and Svinøyosen) in south Hinnøya are used to assess the effects of using different preparation procedures and count totals when analysing for testate amoebae. Analytical efficiency can be improved upon by using a mild alkali, chemical disaggregant (5 % KOH) to break up fibrous salt-marsh sediment and concentrate tests prior to counting. A count total of 100 individuals, rather than 150, can be used to make time gains with little or no effects on assemblages. Training sets of salt-marsh surface testate amoebae, foraminifera and elevational data are established for the two field sites. For testate amoebae, species – elevation relationships are constructed using regression modelling and applied to downcore fossil samples using a transfer function to derive estimates of sea level for the past ~100 years. The greater water depths reconstructed between ~3000 and ~100 years ago are not covered by modern foraminiferal training sets and are therefore estimated qualitatively from the fossil foraminiferal assemblages supplemented by information derived from fossil molluscs. Chronology is based on a combination of AMS14C, 210Pb, 137Cs and a suite of geochemical markers. At south Hinnøya, sea level has been falling at a rate of ~0.5 mm yr-1 over the last 3000 years.

- 1 - Testate succession - Summary The purpose of my diploma thesis is to analyse testamentary succession in Czech legal order according to the effective Civil Code (40/1964 Sb.) and the newly enacted New Civil Code (89/2012 Sb.), while performing their comparison and focuses on the implications for the recipients. The thesis is not limited to the succession title as a will but analyses other inheritance assumptions and some related legal institutes as well. The thesis is composed of four chapters, each of them dealing with different aspects of heirdom and acquisition of property by inheritance. Chapter One is introductory, common to both testamentary and intestate succession and it is subdivided into four parts. Part One takes acquaintance of the concept of Czech inheritance law, including its purpose, use of heirdom and basic terminology used in the thesis. Part two describes the sources and basic principles which the Czech inheritance law system consists in and Part Three deals with inheritance assumptions relevant to acquisition of heritance, especially heir capacity to inherit. Chapter Two consists of four parts, in a row dealing with intestate succession, testamentary succession, heritage contract and other testamentary dispositions and points circumstances of their application. Chapter Three focuses...

The law of succession is a branch of civil law that deals with devolution of property rights and duties of a decedent to his heirs. The new Civil Code that came into force in 2014 brought considerable changes in the field of the law of succession. Finally, the legal regulation pays proper attention to the law of succession and testate succession. After more than sixty years, there were restored legal institutions such as Clauses of lesser importance in a testament (condition, determination of time or a mandate), inheritance contract, privileged wills, legacy, vulgar substitution or fideicommissum. Not only because of these institutions can a testator finally organize freely and according to his own will his property situation mortis causa. The purpose of my diploma thesis is to analyze the testate succession according to the Czech Civil code that became effective on the 1st of January 2014. The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is split into five chapters that deal with individual prerequisites of succession. The prerequisites of succession are as follows: the death of a testator, the existence of a decedent's estate, the capacity of an heir to inherit, the legal ground of succession and the acceptance/non-refusal of inheritance. Meeting all prerequisites of succession is crucial to...

No / A laboratory-based experiment was carried out to examine the dissolution characteristics of testate amoebae (Protozoa: Rhizopoda) under acidic conditions. The results suggest a large degree of variability in the dissolution susceptibility of taxa and no straightforward distinction between the relative robustness of xenosomic and idiosomic test types. Individuals from the genus Euglypha have tests composed of thin-walled siliceous plates, which are prone to severe dissolution. Certain other taxa are relatively unaffected by low pH conditions, including Assulina muscorum, Amphitrema flavum and Trigonopyxis arcula type. Differential preservation of subfossil testate amoebae must be acknowledged as a particular problem for peat-based palaeoclimate studies.

4 Abstract The present thesis focuses on testate amoebae (TA) and their relationship to their natural environment, as well as on relevant microscopic imaging methods. The bulk of the data has been published in original scientific papers and is compiled into three separate chapters (Pt I, Pt II and Pt III), each annotated by a brief introduction. (Pt I) The methods section is devoted to specialized microscopic techniques employed to broaden the scope of the ecological analyses. In particular, precise discrimination between live and dead individuals, biomass determination inside individual tests and a multi-modal visualization of the cytoplasm and organelles enhance the data. Laser scanning confocal microscopy and two-photon microscopy are the main imaging modalities employed to study TA morphology in detail. The data have implications for taxonomy and ecophysiology, including the use of TA as bioindicators of pollution. (Pt II) An actuoecological analysis focuses on the seasonal variability of TA species composition in a freshwater ecosystem, namely the Komo any ponds in Prague, during the course of the year. The species composition variation is correlated to simultaneously recorded limnological parameters such as temperature, pH, contamination by (heavy) metals (As, Cd, Mn, Ni, Fe, Pb), polycyclic aromatic...

Arcella Ehrenberg 1832 is one of the most numerous testacean genera. Arcellinids are an aerobic lineage of testate amoeba that live in a wide variety of environments. Probably their ability to survive in such divergent conditions is related to some de- gree of metabolic flexibility. Anaerobic organisms have gained and lost a number of genes related to energetic metabolism. These processes modify classic mitochondria until loss of function and transformation in mitochondrial related organelles (mitosomes and hydrogenosomes). Here I propose that Arcella intermedia adaptation to microarophilic environments is related to the acquisition of new genes. There are two main modes of acquisition of new genes. The traditional view, where duplication is followed by mutations and neo-functionality of the duplicate. Or genes can be acquired from other species (lateral gene transfers). The second process has a major importance in prokaryotic evolution and is probably under considered in eukaryotic evolution. I also propose in this work that genes related to anaerobic metabolism in Arcella are acquired by lateral gene transfer. However, analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data are absent for A.intermedia. Characterizing genome-scale data from eukaryotes is essential for gene discovery and for inferring transitions over the tree of life. The transcriptome dataset from this work provides the first effort of characterization of expressed sequences in A.intermedia. We used single cell from different moments of growth and whole culture RNA extraction in order to increase the diversity of metabolic moments of the cells. Mapped sequences allowed us to identify functional pathways in A.intermedia cells. In general, it seems that metabolic processes are showing up more, followed by signaling and responses to stimuli. We describe functioning of carbohydrate and energy metabolism including even an anaerobic pathway to produce energy. We found ACS-ADP and PFO genes in A.intermedia. We describe amino acid metabolism, with at least 12 amino acids metabolizing pathways described and catabolism mainly related to TCA cycle intermediates. Calcium, Ras GTPases, PI3K-AK and AMPK-mTOR are the main signaling pathways represented in transcriptomes. We described important pathways for amoeba: endocytosis and phagocytosis and it seems to be similar with the ones already described for other amoeba with a dependence on F-actin and small GTPases of Rho subfamily. We couldn\'t find lots of information about programmed cell death in A.intermedia, however cell growth are similar to pathways described for dinoflagellates. We expect that upcoming genomes will finish the description of functioning of those organisms, but we believe our work already is a good starting point. In order to gain a clearer picture of the presence of anaerobic metabolism genes in Amoebozoa, we conducted BLAST searches in Amoebozoa and Arcellinida data bases for the presence/absence of ACS-ADP, PFO and [FeFe]-H2ase. Other Arcellinida species also presented these genes, Difflugia sp., Difflugia compressa and Cyclopyxis lobostoma. Besides these, the already known Mastigamoeba balamuthi, Entamoeba histolytica and Acanthamoeba castelanii. Amoebozoa sequences don\'t form a monophyletic group in any of the three genes. However, Arcellinida sequences always grouped together. As such distinct amoeba groups have those anaerobic metabolism genes, however, most of the Amoebozoa do not. It is more likely to think of lateral transfers occurring independently among these amoeba groups, generating the possibility of occupying a new niche. The main objective of this work was to start generating tools to understand the ability of some testate amoeba to resist environmental harsh conditions. We found lots of interesting questions but the one we focused on this dissertation was (1) the evolution of anaerobic related genes in testate amoeba lineages. The assembled and annotated sequence data will be available as reference sequences, making the work with this group easier. The results can also potentially be applied as biomonitoring markers for the management of water resources. This work will improve the general knowledge on the evolution and function of freshwater organisms. We expect also to make a contribution on the understanding of the impact of lateral gene transfers in Arcellinida diversity / Arcella Ehrenberg 1832 é um dos gêneros de tecamebas mais numerosos, perten- cente aos Arcellinida. Estas são uma linhagem aeróbia de amebas tecadas que vivem em uma grande variedade de ambientes. Provavelmente, sua capacidade de sobreviver em condições tão divergentes está relacionada a algum grau de flexibilidade metabólica. Os organismos anaeróbicos ganharam e perderam vários genes relacionados ao metabolismo energético. Este processo modifica mitocôndrias clássicas até a perda da função e transformação em organelas relacionadas (mitossomos e hidrogenossomos). Aqui proponho que a adaptação de Arcella intermedia a ambientes microaerófilos está relacionada à aquisição de novos genes. Existem dois modos principais de aquisição de genes. Na visão tradicional, a duplicação gênica é responsável por gerar diversidade, seguida por mutações e neofuncionalidade da duplicata. Alternativamente, os genes podem ser adquiridos de outras espécies (transferências laterais de genes). O segundo processo tem uma grande importância evolutiva e é ainda pouco considerado na evolução eucariótica. Por isso, também proponho neste trabalho que genes relacionados ao metabolismo anaeróbico em Arcella sejam adquiridos por transferência lateral de genes. Entretanto, a análise de dados genômicos e transcriptômicos é inexistente para A.intermedia. A caracterização de dados em escala genômica de eucariotos é essencial para a descoberta de genes e para a inferência transições sobre a árvore da vida. O conjunto de dados de transcriptoma deste trabalho fornece um primeiro esforço de caracterização de sequências expressas em A. intermedia. Utilizamos extrações de célula-única em diferentes momentos de crescimento e extração de RNA de cultura inteira, a fim de aumentar a diversidade de momentos metabólicos das células. Sequências mapeadas permitiram identificar vias funcionais em células de A. intermedia. Em geral, parece que genes relacionados a processos metabo?licos são os que aparecem mais frequentemente, seguidos dos de sinalização e respostas a estímulos. Nós descrevemos a função do metabolismo de carboidratos e energia, incluindo uma via anaeróbica. Encontramos em A.intermedia os genes ACS-ADP e PFO. Descrevemos o metabolismo de aminoácidos, com pelo menos 12 vias metabólicas de aminoácidos descritas e catabolismo relacionado a intermediários do ciclo de TCA. Cálcio, Ras GTPases, PI3K-AK e AMPK-mTOR são as principais vias de sinalização representadas nos transcriptomas. Descrevemos importantes vias para amebas, que são endocitose e fagocitose. Parecem ser vias semelhantes àquelas já descritas para outras amebas, com dependência de F-actina e pequenas GTPases da subfamília Rho. Não conseguimos encontrar muitas informações sobre a morte celular programada em A. intermedia, mas o crescimento celular é semelhante com as vias descritas para os dinoflagelados. Esperamos que os próximos genomas terminem a descrição da função desses organismos, mas acreditamos que nosso trabalho já é um bom ponto de partida. A fim de obter uma visão mais clara da presença de genes de metabolismo anaeróbico em Amoebozoa, realizamos buscas no BLAST em bancos de dados de Amoebozoa e Arcellinida, para a presença/ausência de ACS-ADP, PFO e [FeFe] -H2ase. Outras espécies de Arcellinida também apresentaram estes genes, Difflugia sp, Difflugia compressa e Cyclopyxis lobostoma. Além destes, os já conhecidos Mastigamoeba balamuthi, Entamoeba histolytica e Acanthamoeba castelanii. Sequências de amebozoários não formam um grupo monofilético em nenhum dos três genes. No entanto, as sequencias de Arcellinida sempre se agrupam. Como são grupos de Amoebozoa de tal maneira distintos que possuem estes genes de metabolismo anaeróbico, e sendo que a maioria não possui, é mais provável que sejam transferências laterais independentes entre esses grupos de ameba, gerando a possibilidade de ocupar um novo nicho. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi gerar ferramentas para entender a capacidade de algumas amebas tecadas em resistir a condições adversas do meio ambiente. Encontramos muitas questões interessantes, mas a que teve nosso foco nesta dissertação foi (1) a evolução de genes relacionados ao metabolismo anaeró?bio em linhagens de amebas tecadas. Os dados da sequência reunidos e anotados estarão disponíveis como sequências de referência, facilitando o trabalho com esse grupo. Os resultados também podem ser aplicados aos marcadores de biomonitoramento para o gerenciamento dos recursos hídricos. Este trabalho irá melhorar o conhecimento geral sobre a evolução e função de organismos de água doce. Esperamos tambem contribuir para a compreensão do impacto das transferências laterais na diversidade de Arcellinida

Doctor Legum - LLD / South African Muslims constitute a religious minority group that is subject to dual legal systems. In the public sphere they are bound by South African law whereas in the private sphere are duty bound in terms of their religion to follow Islamic law. Muslims are required, in terms of their religion, to ensure that their estates devolve in terms of the Islamic law of succession. A son inherits double the share of a daughter in terms of the Islamic law of intestate succession. This unequal distribution of shares has led to a premise that the Islamic law of intestate succession discriminates against females. The South African Constitution strongly promotes the right to equality and non-discrimination. There is therefore a serious need to investigate the fairness of the Islamic law of intestate succession within the context of South African law. This is in the interest of a religious minority group who have been in South Africa since 1654.

Testament Abstract The aim of this thesis was to provide a comprehensive analysis of the testament, one of the most important institutes of inheritance law. Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the New Civil Code, focuses on strengthening testamentary freedom, which permits the testator to decide, how his property is disposed of upon his death. This work is divided into three chapters. Chapter one brings general and comprehensive overview of legislation on inheritance law, notably with respect that inheritance law is part of to the private law. Attention has been paid to principles on which the law is based on. The work then defines the other two inheritance titles, i.e. heritage contract and intestate succession, and compares them with the "will". Second chapter, which is main theme of this master's thesis, outline discusses about the institute of last will, including obligatory and optional elements of testament, permissible forms of will, clauses, legatum and revocation the testament, while briefly considering some institutes more closely in the light of the current legislation. Finally, the paper examines Polish inheritance law, with an eye towards field of testate succession and explains the nuances within both systems. It sets out the fundamental differences. On the other hand points out the similarities, even...

- Evolution of inheritance titles My thesis contains the description and analysis of inheritance titles through the history - from Roman law to legal situation de lege ferenda. The institution of inheritance is an indispensable part of the system of law. The inheritance contributes to keeping property values of a deceased person for his successors, usually for further generations. The inheritance law contributes also to the certainty and continuity in legal relations between entities of civil law relations. The topic of this thesis are inheritance titles, which represent legal grounds of inheritance. The thesis pays the greatest deal of attention to the regulation de lege lata and regulation de lege ferenda and their comparation. Description of the provisions of the civil code is accompanied by important judgments of the courts. Historical excursion starts in the Roman law which is commonly accepted as the basis of the current legal regulations and follows by the brief review of the middle-ages law. The thesis then deals with the Allgemeines bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (ABGB) adopted in 1811. This civil code became the first modern regulation in the Czech territory. ABGB was valid until the beginning of the twentieth century's 50s, after the communist revolution, when new "socialistic" regulation took...

A paleoecological study was carried out on a 4.7 m peat core from Anderson Fen on central Vancouver Island, using a multi-proxy approach. Pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, and physicochemical analyses were used to document past vegetation, peatland developmental history, and carbon and nitrogen accumulation rates over the last 14,000 years. Lake sediment and aquatic plant remains at the base of the core indicate a shallow pond was present at the site after deglaciation. By ~11,700 calendar years before present (cal yr BP), the shallow pond became a herb-dominated wetland (marsh) through terrestrialization. Bog formation started around 10,500 cal yr BP with decreasing water levels, as indicated by high C:N, Sphagnum and fungal remains, and testate amoebae such as Archerella flavum and Heleopera. A fen developed by ~9400 cal yr BP with fluctuating water levels through the rest of Holocene. Carbon accumulation rates were highest towards the surface and during the early Holocene warm period, with an overall mean rate of 12.9 g/m2/cal yr, which is low compared to continental and northern peatlands. Pollen analysis reveals that non-arboreal communities dominated by Salix prevailed soon after deglaciation before the expansion of Pinus forests 13,200 cal yr BP. Pseudotsuga menziesii dominated forests between ~10,700 and 8400 cal yr BP under warm and dry conditions. Tsuga heterophylla rainforest was established by ~7000 cal yr BP under increasingly cool and wet conditions. Overall, Anderson fen and the surrounding area experienced major and rapid changes in environmental conditions and vegetation in response to climate change during the late glacial and early Holocene, while mid- to late Holocene changes have been more subtle and relatively gradual. / Graduate / 2020-10-25