Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-210). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point. / Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Master of Science in Natural Resources (Wildlife), College of Natural Resources.

Feeding trials were conducted during 1968 and 1969 to study the physiological effects of Astragalus miser var. serotinus, timber milkvetch, (TMV) in sfieep. In Trial I, TMV was collected from Kamloops and Clinton, pelleted and fed to U groups of Dorset Horn wethers at levels of 0, 35, 70 and 100%. The symptoms exhibited by the sheep fed 100% TMV included backward flexion of the fetlock - joints, hind limb paralysis and inco—ordination of movements. The presence of longitudinal ulcers in the intestines was a characteristic lesion observed in the sheep fed 100% TMV. Fatty infiltration and hemorrhages in the liver and kidney were also observed. After the vetch was cut, dried and pelleted, the miserotoxin content dropped from 2.3 - 3.4% to 0.9%. Trial II was carried out under actual grazing conditions near Kamloops. Yearling ewes fed freshly cut TMV showed symptoms similar to those observed in Trial I. However, the symptoms were less severe and could be observed only when the sheep were exerted. The intestinal ulcers were found to be confined to the jejunum. The activity of the serum glutamic – oxaloacetic transaminase was significantly (p <.05) elevated in the sheep fed TMV indicating extensive tissue destruction. The level of thiamine in blood in both the trials was found to be within the normal range indicating that the beneficial effects of thiamine as a therapeutic agent in TMV poisoning may be indirect. When rats and mice were fed TMV, it was found that they developed a syndrome characterized by the manifestation of convulsive movements terminating in a state of inactivity and a significant decline in body temperature. Extensive hemorrhages were seen in the gastric mucosa. By chromatographic procedures it has been shown that miserotoxin is hydrolyzed to glucose and 3 - nitropropionic acid in the stomach of monogastric animals. In ruminants, miserotoxin is hydrolyzed to glucose and 3 - nitro - 1 - propanol which appears to be responsible for the toxicity. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Since 1957, growth of forestry and forest industries in Peninsular Malaysia has been rapid and uncoordinated. Annual timber production from the permanent forest estate and forests designated for agriculture increased six times to 11.6 million m³ in 1979. Lumber and plywood mill capacity expanded seven times to 10.1 million m³. Previous estimates of the annually available timber supply have ranged from 4.5 to 17.0 million m³. This thesis presents improved methods of planning timber supply for Peninsular Malaysia which should remedy the three major shortcomings in previous analyses and the current planning system. The improved methods consider, for the first time, the full range of timber utilization and forest management possibilities for Peninsular Malaysia, and describe additional potential sources of wood. In addition, the analysis of timber supply state by state could involve the hitherto neglected state governments which own and manage the forests within their territories. Linear programming (Timber RAM) is used to optimize timber supply, as a superior alternative to the traditional area control. Ten scenarios for timber utilization and forest management are considered for Peninsular Malaysia. Only one scenario, representing modest improvement in logging and extensive management of the indigenous forests, is analysed state by state because of insufficient data. The potential for expanded harvests is substantial. However, the magnitude of future harvests is difficult to define because responses of trees to various silvicultural treatments and the eventual extent of the productive forests and priorities likely to be assigned to timber management are not now fully understood. Future annual timber harvests could be increased up to 73.3 million m³, seven times the current harvest, if all productive indigenous forests were converted to plantations of fast-growing species. Increases could also result from improved methods of logging, use of smaller trees and more species, intensification of management, and better utilization of rubberwood, oil palm, mangroves, and forest and mill residues. On the other hand, major timber shortages are likely to occur if current wasteful logging and inadequate management continue. Harvests could be reduced 70 percent. The north-eastern states (Perak, Kelantan, Trengganu and Pahang) will continue to supply more than 70 percent of total timber production. Any increase in harvest from improved timber utilization and forest management will occur mainly in these states. Growth of forest industries, which has started in these states, will continue and accelerate. In contrast, the southwestern states are experiencing a timber shortage, and should shift to further processing of timber to utilize existing infrastructure and available manpower. The recommended planning methods could form the core of a computer-assisted forest planning system for Peninsular Malaysia. The ability of linear programming to help define alternatives, to optimize, and to carry out efficient, effective, and reproducible timber supply calculations should assist planners. Substantial effort should be devoted by Malaysian planners and managers to secure the additional information needed to make the planning system even more helpful in the future. The general approach described here could be used interactively now by the federal and state forestry departments to quantify desirable changes in timber supply and to define implications of various inputs and policies. Before local application the results should incorporate improved data and any changes needed in assumptions regarding the biological, physical, socio-economic and political factors then prevailing in Malaysia. The techniques used for data processing and analysis should employ the best technology available in the country. / Forestry, Faculty of / Graduate

Nature has the power to provide perspective, an atmosphere of reflection and contemplation, and also allows one to retreat to seclusion and recharge. A retreat on a river's edge provides access to these attributes of nature. An effort to blur the boundary of the outdoors was made to encourage immersion into it. The choice of natural and relatively local material provides a relationship between the built and the natural, allowing the inhabitant to experience the marriage of the two. The rhythm of heavy timber framework contrasts and compliments the delicate and translucent southern facade; the existence of the two perpetuates the perspective of balance and harmony. The intention of balance and harmony was not successful the first couple of tries. Trying to manipulate the structure against it's natural geometry and rhythm only produced problems. Once the structure was allowed influence the form instead of vice versa, better spatial opportunities became apparent. / Master of Architecture

Thesis (doctoral)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2004. / Thesis documentation sheet inserted. Appendix reprints four papers and manuscripts co-authored with others. Includes bibliographical references. Issued also electronically via World Wide Web in PDF format; online version lacks appendix.

No description available.

There is little doubt that moisture is a very important factor in relation to material durability. The need for tools to assist in the better understanding and systematic evaluation of moisture movement with the view of incorporating the results within the overall framework of the defect investigation, quality control, and long-term monitoring of moisture, have led to the development of various moisture monitoring and predicting techniques. With the purpose of helping to harmonise the interests in this field, this thesis addresses three major issues in the area of wood moisture. Various studies carried out have been shown that there are substantial discrepancies between specific timber species and published charts for equilibrium moisture content. One of the main objectives of this research was to focus on establishing the equilibrium moisture content for a range of relative humidity and temperature on an individual basis, for twenty commercially important species used in the United Kingdom. The rationale for carrying out the project, the results from the initial trial and the mainstream experiment, the hardware and methodology developed are provided. To meet the requirements of long term accurate and reliable moisture monitoring and to provide comprehensive moisture information, a new type of moisture sensor and related measurement system were developed. The methodology of system design and test procedures are described, emphasising the anti-polarisation method, noise rejection and contact resistance reduction techniques employed. Other aspects of the electrical performance of timber were also investigated. Results from a case study showed that the sensor developed can operate in the critical range of relative humidity with sensitive and accuracy. In the final part of the project, two moisture transport models were developed. Mathematical prediction models in both one dimension and three dimensions are presented for simulating the adsorption and desorption processes in wood. Comparisons are made against long-term experimental data for the one dimensional model. The finite differential method was employed to solve the mathematical expressions developed, resulting in accurate prediction of concentration-driven moisture flows. Investigations were also carried out into the moisture diffusion coefficient and moisture behaviour in the three principal wood directions by using the sensor developed which provided isothermal real-time continuous data.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution." Includes bibliographical references (p. 178-183).

No description available.