Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaves 139-166.

Reaching agreements over water management on transboundary rivers is a complex yet necessary endeavour to assure that humans can live within the limits of available resources. The myriad of challenges is both physical and social in nature; the uncertainty of water availability due to natural hydrologic variability is often increased by the involvement of multiple management institutions. Jurisdictions of control are typically defined by political borders, and thus they represent distinct geographic domains and interests. Increasing scarcity, driven by rapidly expanding populations and our growing awareness of climatic non-stationary, increases the urgency to find agreements among these institutions. Although the need is significant and growing, a lack of available approaches exist that considers the physical, technical and political dynamics to address these complex challenges. This thesis describes novel analytical methods to engage in the complex political realm of transboundary river management. Building from an engineering systems analysis approach to engage this topic, the main hypotheses of this thesis are: (1) Existing analytical approaches for water resource development are useful but often constrained in a transboundary negotiation context, and (2) cooperation among co-riparian water management institutions can be significantly increased with strategic implementation of analytical tools to jointly manage current and future risks. To test this hypothesis, this thesis presents an analytical approach that (1) examines previous applications of water resource models to identify their perceived contribution to managing transboundary rivers, (2) develops a new modelling framework that engages with transboundary negotiations, and (3) incorporates methods for risk-based decision making to evaluate the benefits, opportunities and trade-offs of cooperation among co-riparian states. A retrospective analysis is conducted on the Colorado and Murray-Darling River Basins to understand lessons learned from recent applications of analytical modelling tools. New methods are then developed and applied to the rapidly changing Eastern Nile River Basin. The ongoing construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the implications on downstream countries of Sudan and Egypt provides the context and a relevant case for testing the methods and evaluating the hypotheses. Results from this thesis demonstrate the distinct advantages of an early development of system-wide analytical tools within a transboundary context, which is made available to all parties. Conversely, the challenges of reconciling multiple models used by different institutions after full allocation is reached in a basin is a significant barrier to cooperative management. Results also demonstrate the advantages of developing an analytical tool that is sufficiently accurate, transparent and flexible to seek creative solutions, and the need to select an appropriate breadth and depth of model design that conveys its credibility, saliency and legitimacy to support a decision-making process. The appropriate design of tools to consider multiple future hydrologic scenarios can shift a discourse from rigid water allocations to considering the effects of new developments in terms of changes to risks, and to allow stakeholders to decide whether these changes are tolerable when juxtaposed with the benefits that new infrastructure provides. Finally, the results show how risks among multiple stakeholders can be evaluated under expanding uncertainties, and cooperative solutions can be sought to minimise or balance these risks. The application of the proposed methods to the Eastern Nile Basin indicates that solutions are indeed possible that benefit all three countries. A number of cooperative solutions are identified that suggest operational rules for the new and existing infrastructure. These operations can be responsive to variable climatic conditions and thus encourage dynamic cooperation. In this light, the developments in Ethiopia need not be a risk, but can result in substantial benefits to the downstream countries if agreements can be reached. Embedding highly adaptable analytical tools within a negotiation process can help to overcome the challenges faced at this historic point on the Nile River.

Aquaculture is currently the fastest growing sector of protein production, and is expected to overtake the harvest of wild fisheries. Limitations in nutrition, specifically fatty acid nutrition, are preventing even more dramatic growth of many species of commercial importance. Currently, much of the research involving fatty acids examines requirements as being correlated to thermal guilds (warm vs. cool water) or salinity tolerance (marine vs. freshwater). However, recent studies have revealed the potential for trophic level to be as much, if not more, influential in determining fatty acid requirements of a species. As such, two feeding trials were conducted to determine the requirements of two species of different trophic levels (Oreochromis niloticus and Trachinotus carolinus) based on C18 PUFA vs. LC-PUFA. Nile Tilapia, O. niloticus, exhibited similar growth regardless of the inclusion of C18 PUFA or LC-PUFA, however, tissue fatty acid profiles were influenced per the diet provided. As such, it was concluded that Nile Tilapia exhibit the capacity to effectively synthesize LC-PUFA from C18 PUFA as is seen in many species that occupy low trophic levels. Florida Pompano, T. carolinus, did not exhibit any significant differences in growth regardless of the diet provided, but numerical differences indicated benefits towards inclusion of dietary LC-PUFAs. Similar to O. niloticus, tissue fatty acid profiles were significantly affected by dietary treatment. Based on numerical differences in growth performance and significant differences in tissue fatty acids, it was concluded that Florida Pompano show a typical carnivorous requirement for LC-PUFA.

Orientador: Marco Antonio Belo / Banca: Annelise Carla Camplesi dos Santos / Banca: Wilson Gomez Manrique / Banca: Luciano Melo souza / Banca: Silvia Patrícia Carraschi de Oliveira / Resumo: Com o objetivo de estudar a fisiopatologia da reação inflamatória em tilápias, este estudo avaliou a participação do tratamento exógeno com cetoconazol sobre o efeito glicocorticoide de tilápias do Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus, durante aerocistite aguda induzida por Aeromonas hydrophila. Para tanto, foram utilizadas 91 tilápias, constituindo cinco tratamentos: Não tratado e não inoculado (Padrão fisiológico); Não tratado e inoculado (controle infectado); Tratado com dexametasona (DEXA) e inoculado; Tratado com cetoconazol (CETO) e inoculado; Tratado com DEXA + CETO e inoculado. Após anestesia profunda nos períodos experimentais de 6, 24 e 48 horas pós-inoculação (HPI) coletou-se o exsudato para contagem celular e sangue para determinação do hemograma completo, proteinograma, bioquímico sérico. Na fase inicial da infecção (6HPI), o tratamento subcutâneo das tilápias com 200 UI-kg-1 de cetoconazol resultou em atividade pró-inflamatória caracterizada pelo aumento do acúmulo de granulócitos e diminuição de trombócitos no exsudato, associado à neutrofilia e aumento dos níveis séricos de haptoglobina e ceruloplasmina. No quadro eritrocitário inicial de tilápias tratadas com cetoconazol, observou-se diminuição do número de hemácias com diminuição do hematócrito e do volume corpuscular médio, caracterizando alterações microcíticas comuns em deficiências por ferro, corroborando os aumentos observados nos níveis séricos das proteínas de fase aguda haptoglobina e ceruloplasmina. No pico ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In order to study the pathophysiology of the inflammatory reaction in tilapias, this study evaluated the participation of the exogenous treatment with ketoconazole on the glucocorticoid effect of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, during acute aerocysteine induced by Aeromonas hydrophila. For this, 91 tilapias were used, constituting five treatments: Untreated and uninoculated (Physiological pattern); Untreated and inoculated (infected control); Treated with dexamethasone (DEXA) and inoculated; Treated with ketoconazole (CETO) and inoculated; Treated with DEXA + CETO and inoculated. After deep anesthesia in the experimental periods of 6, 24 and 48 hours post-inoculation (HPI), the exudate was collected for cell count and blood for determination of the complete blood count, proteinogram, serum biochemistry. In the initial phase of infection (6HPI), the subcutaneous treatment of tilapia with 200 IU kg -1 of ketoconazole resulted in proinflammatory activity characterized by increased granulocyte accumulation and decreased thrombocytes in the exudate associated with neutrophilia and increased levels of serum levels of haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin. In the initial erythrocyte framework of ketoconazole-treated tilapia, a decrease in the number of red cells with decreased hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume was observed, characterizing common microcytic changes in iron deficiencies, corroborating the observed increases in serum levels of acute phase proteins haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin. At the peak of cellular exudation to the inflamed focus 24 HPI, tilapia treated with ketoconazole showed increased thrombocyte accumulation associated with thrombocytopenia and increased serum levels of transferrin. In the late phase of infection (48 HPI), subcutaneous treatment of tilapia with 200 IU kg-1 of ketoconazole resulted in proinflammatory activity characterized... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientador: Pedro de Magalhães Padilha / Banca: Luiz Edivaldo Pezzato / Banca: Lincoln Carlos Silva de Oliveira / Resumo: O trabalho avaliou o perfil metaloproteômico de amostras de tecido muscular de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Métodos eletroforéticos em segunda dimensão (2D PAGE) foram utilizados no fracionamento das proteínas e na identificação por análise de imagens obtidas nos géis de poliacrilamida. Foi feito mapeamento de cálcio, cobre, ferro, manganês e zinco nos spots proteicos por Absorção Atômica usando o módulo chama (FAAS) e forno de grafite (GFAAS). As proteínas dos spots nos quais foram identificados a presença de Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn foram caracterizadas por Espectrometria de Massas (ESI MS MS). Em média foram detectados 620 spots por gel, com desvio padrão de 11,3 e correlação média de 73% entre os géis. As determinaçoes por FAAS/GFAAS indicaram a presença de cálcio em todos os spots, cobre em 2 spots, ferro em um único spot, manganês em 6 spots, e zinco em 3 spots. Dos 18 spots preoteicos nos quais foram identificados a presença dos íons metálicos, 11 foram caracterizados por ESI MS MS, proteínas podem ser candidatas a biomarcadoras de Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn / Abstract: The study evaluated the metalon protemic profile samples of muscle tissue of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Methods for second dimension electrophoresis (2D PAGE) has been used in the fractionation of proteins and identification by analysis of images obtained in polyacrylamide gels. Mapping of calcium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc in protein spots was done by Atomic Absorption using the module calls flame (FAAS) and graphite furnace (GFAAS). Were characterized by mass spectrometry (ESI MS MS) the protein spots were identified in which the presence of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. On average 620 spots per gel, with a standard deviation of 11.3 and average correlation of 73 % between the gels were detected. Determination by FAAS / GFAAS indicated the presence of all the spots calcium, copper in two spots of a single spot iron, manganese in 6 spots in 3 spots zinc. The 18 spots preoteicos in which the presence of metal ions have been identified, 11 were characterized by ESI MS MS proteins may be candidates for biomarkers Ca , Cu, Fe , Mn and Zn / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-02-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:37:17Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000740068.pdf: 1647648 bytes, checksum: b1d214f874d365863fcad053a496ee8f (MD5) / O trabalho avaliou o perfil metaloproteômico de amostras de tecido muscular de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Métodos eletroforéticos em segunda dimensão (2D PAGE) foram utilizados no fracionamento das proteínas e na identificação por análise de imagens obtidas nos géis de poliacrilamida. Foi feito mapeamento de cálcio, cobre, ferro, manganês e zinco nos spots proteicos por Absorção Atômica usando o módulo chama (FAAS) e forno de grafite (GFAAS). As proteínas dos spots nos quais foram identificados a presença de Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn foram caracterizadas por Espectrometria de Massas (ESI MS MS). Em média foram detectados 620 spots por gel, com desvio padrão de 11,3 e correlação média de 73% entre os géis. As determinaçoes por FAAS/GFAAS indicaram a presença de cálcio em todos os spots, cobre em 2 spots, ferro em um único spot, manganês em 6 spots, e zinco em 3 spots. Dos 18 spots preoteicos nos quais foram identificados a presença dos íons metálicos, 11 foram caracterizados por ESI MS MS, proteínas podem ser candidatas a biomarcadoras de Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn / The study evaluated the metalon protemic profile samples of muscle tissue of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Methods for second dimension electrophoresis (2D PAGE) has been used in the fractionation of proteins and identification by analysis of images obtained in polyacrylamide gels. Mapping of calcium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc in protein spots was done by Atomic Absorption using the module calls flame (FAAS) and graphite furnace (GFAAS). Were characterized by mass spectrometry (ESI MS MS) the protein spots were identified in which the presence of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. On average 620 spots per gel, with a standard deviation of 11.3 and average correlation of 73 % between the gels were detected. Determination by FAAS / GFAAS indicated the presence of all the spots calcium, copper in two spots of a single spot iron, manganese in 6 spots in 3 spots zinc. The 18 spots preoteicos in which the presence of metal ions have been identified, 11 were characterized by ESI MS MS proteins may be candidates for biomarkers Ca , Cu, Fe , Mn and Zn

Resumo: O estado nutricional dos reprodutores é um dos fatores determinantes para o sucesso da reprodução de tilápia-do-nilo. A qualidade dos ingredientes que compõe uma dieta é fundamental na fisiologia reprodutiva dos peixes. Os lipídios possuem um efeito poupador de custo para uma dieta, como fonte de energia. Baseados nestes estudos, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação alimentar com diferentes fontes lipídicas sobre os parâmetros reprodutivos, de matrizes de tilápia-do-nilo da linhagem GIFT. Para isso, dietas contendo 42% de proteína bruta e 4356 Kcal/kg EB, contendo diferentes fontes lipídicas (óleo de linhaça - TOL, soja - TOS, palma - TOP, peixe - TOPX ou fígado de bacalhau - TOFB, com inclusão de 4%) foram fornecidas para fêmeas de tilápia (peso médio de 150g ±12,6) durante 90 dias. Para o desfio de jejum, três lotes de ovos das fêmeas de cada tratamento foram coletados, misturados e incubados. Após a eclosão dos ovos e absorção do saco vitelínico, 300 larvas foram distribuídas em 15 aquários experimentais, e mantidas em jejum até a mortalidade total. A suplementação de 4% de óleo de palma na dieta dos peixes influenciou positivamente nos índices somáticos (hepatosomático e gordura visceral), nos parâmetros reprodutivos (numero total, fertilidade e fecundidade dos ovos; fecundidade, número total e desafio de jejum nas larvas); taxas de colesterol e triglicerídeos e fator de condição. A adição do óleo de palma não apresentou alterações hepáticas decorrentes da suplementação. Não houve diferenças significativas observadas em relação à leucometria diferencial, eritrograma e nas proteínas plasmáticas totais das matrizes de tilápia. A análise histológica do fígado de matrizes... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The nutritional status of the breeding is one of the determining factors for successful reproduction of the Nile tilapia. The quality of the ingredients that make up a diet is essential in the reproductive physiology of fish. The lipids have a sparing effect of cost for a diet as a source of energy. Based on these studies, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with different lipid sources on reproductive parameters, arrays of Nile tilapia GIFT strain. To do this diets containing 42% crude protein and 4356kcal/kg EB, containing different lipid sources (linseed oil - TOL, soybean oil - TOS, palm oil - TOP, fish oil - TOPX or cod liver oil - TOFB, with inclusion of 4%) were provided to female tilapia (average weight 150g ±12,6) for 90 days. For the challenge of fasting, three lots of eggs from females of each treatment were collected, mixed and incubated. After the eggs hatch and absorption of the vitelline sac, 300 larvae were distributed in 15 experimental aquaria, and kept fasting until the total mortality. The supplementation of 4% of palm oil in fish diet had a positive effect on somatic rates (hepatic-somatic and visceral fat) in reproductive parameters (total number, fertility and fecundity of eggs, fertility, and total number of larval challenge of fasting); cholesterol and triglycerides and condition factor. The addition of palm oil did not show hepatic alterations due to supplementation. No significant differences were observed in relation to the differential leukocyte counts, and plasma proteins erythrogram total of matrices of tilapia. Histological analysis of liver arrays showed that fish fed with linseed oil showed indicators of a possible liver steatosis. The arrays fed diets containing fish oil and cod liver oil, also presented positive results, however, the... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Marta Verardino De Stéfani / Coorientador: Teresa Cristina Ribeiro Dias Koberstein / Banca: João Batista Kochenborger Fernandes / Banca: Elisabeth Criscuolo Urbinati / Banca: Newton Castagnolli / Banca: Sergio Fonseca Zaiden / Doutor

The Nile perch, Lates niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), is a predacious freshwater fish widely distributed throughout the Afro-tropic eco-zone. The species was introduced to Lake Victoria in the early 1950s and by 1980 it had dominated the fisheries of Lake Victoria. This was followed by a dramatic decrease in the Nile perch fisheries production due to uncontrolled exploitation. The purpose of this thesis is to provide fundamental knowledge that can be applied in aquaculture and fisheries management through the study of the reproductive biology of L. niloticus. The research was aimed at the studying of the diverse aspects of the reproductive biology of L. niloticus in the Lake Victoria, Ugandan populations. This included reproductive patterns in relation to proximate environmental conditions, size at sexual maturity, gonad and gamete structure, gametogenesis and induced ovulation. The size at 50% sexual maturity for female Nile perch was 59.4 cm, which is lower than the earlier reported size of greater than 90 cm total length. Male L. niloticus matured at 57.8 cm total length in Lake Victoria. Microscopy revealed that L. niloticus from Lake Victoria had one spawning period that started in November and ended in March. Type I atresia occurred at high frequency from March to June, and type III atresia was present from July to September and between November and December. Spermatogenesis in L. niloticus is cystic and sperm development is the result of asynchronous activation of the germ cells. Type II spermatozoa are simple, uni-flagellate aquasperm with no acrosome. Oogenesis in L. niloticus differed from that of other fishes in that no cortical alveoli were present in any stage of oogenesis. Numerous oil globules were present in the primary yolk vesicle stage. This formed one centrally positioned, large oil globule in the tertiary yolk vesicle oocytes during final oocyte maturation. Clove oil was an effective sedative and an anaesthetic for the handling of L. niloticus. Induction time was more rapid at clove oil concentrations of 50 - 100 μl L⁻¹ than in fish exposed to clove oil concentrations less than 50 μl L⁻¹. Fish exposed to high concentrations exhibited significantly short induction times of less than 240 seconds. On average, fish recovered within 673 ± 58 seconds for all the concentrations used. Prolonged exposure of L. niloticus to low clove oil concentrations of 2.5 - 10 μl L⁻¹ did not change the blood plasma cortisol, glucose, and the lactate and chloride ion concentration, relative to the control treatment. Captive breeding was attempted by conducting induced spawning experiments. Only final oocyte maturation was achieved using a decapeptide Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (Dargin, sGnRH-MET), combined with a water-soluble dopamine receptor antagonist metoclopramide. This thesis suggests a research approach that provides a basis for aquaculture of the new species by first studying reproductive biology patterns and then linking the information to gonad and gamete structure so that spawning times can be estimated. It further provides insights into aspects of the reproductive biology of the species and the effects of hormonal intervention on oocytes by showing at which stage of oocyte development hormones should be applied in L. niloticus. Clove oil can be used to sedate and anaesthetise L. niloticus broodfish to reduce the stress related to the handling of large specimens.

The objective of this study was to determine the dietary protein requirements of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) between the ages of 5 – 8 months, and to compare the results with documented protein requirements of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). This was achieved by feeding the crocodiles 4 diets with varying amounts of crude protein (CP), including 62%, 56.6%, 51.6% and 46%. All four diets were iso-energetic with a metabolisable energy to protein ratio of 25.85KJ/g. The highest protein diet contained 44% raw minced chicken and 46.9% fish meal with minimal contribution (of 6.4%) made from vegetable protein sources (full fat soya). The lowest protein diet was made up of a majority of vegetable protein (30% soya bean oilcake, 9.8% full fat soya and 17.2% maize meal) and some contribution from protein of animal origin (4.3% carcass meal and 35% fish meal). This study was carried out for 12 weeks during the crocodiles first year of life. Body mass, total body length, head length and snout to vent length were measured five times at 3 weekly intervals. Twenty representative crocodiles in a pen of 200 were individually tagged for the duration of the trial. As there were 3 replicates for each of the 4 treatment diets, 240 crocodiles in 12 pens were tagged. During the early phase of the study, it was observed that crocodiles on the 46% CP treatment diet were not performing well, and that most of the crocodiles on this diet were losing mass. This treatment diet was discontinued at 9 weeks into the trial for both financial and ethical reasons. The remaining three diets were tested for the full 12 weeks. Chromium oxide was mixed into the diets at two time periods during the trial to determine the protein, energy and dry matter digestibility. It was determined that the 46%, the 51.6%, the 56.6% and the 62% CP diets had a digestible protein (DP) content of 246.44 g/kg, 294.80 g/kg, 381.32 g/kg and 468.65 g/kg and a digestibility coefficient of 53.50%, 57.00%, 69.15% and 75.65% respectively. Performance of crocodiles on the 46% CP treatment diet was found to be lower in all measurement categories than crocodiles on the three higher protein diets. However, crocodiles on the 62% CP treatment diet outperformed all the crocodiles (on all measurement criteria) on the lower protein diets. The poor performance of crocodiles on the lowest protein diet correlates with previous research indicating that crocodilians are unable to perform optimally when the majority of the diet’s protein is made up of vegetable protein sources. It was determined that juvenile American alligators would grow at optimal levels when the diet contained a DP content of 450 g/kg. As the Nile crocodiles in this study performed the best when the diet contained a DP value of 468.65 g/kg, it was concluded that juvenile Nile crocodiles have the same range of protein requirements as that determined for juvenile American alligators. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

West Nile virus (WNv) is an arbovirus and is transmitted by infected mosquitoes after feeding on the blood of birds carrying the virus. The Canadian WNv national surveillance system has just completed its tenth year of operation. The thesis is to evaluate the surveillance system and analyze multi-year human data. The evaluation includes the use of multiple lines of complementary methods such as the US CDC surveillance guidelines, Canadian Evaluation Framework, document review and a survey. Logistic and Poisson regressions were used for data analyses. WNv has become endemic in most parts of Canada since the virus occurred in 2001. The virus activity is peak around August. High numbers of human cases with WNv neurological syndrome identified pose a significant health concern due to the long term sequelae among affected patients. WNv national surveillance met its main objectives and there is a continual need for the surveillance.