475 research outputs found
Genetic and morphological discrimination of species within the nominal Brachidontes exustus (Mollusca: bivalvia) cryptic species complex from the Florida Keys:
No full textThe discovery of sibling and cryptic species complexes in the oceans has dramatically increased the estimated number of extant marine species. However, most cryptic species complexes remain taxonomically obscure, lacking descriptions of the morphological or
ecological differences defining the species. The distributions and morphologies of species in the nominal Brachidontes exustus complex in the Florida Keys were investigated utilizing molecular and multivariate statistical techniques.
DNA barcoding, a method of comparing newly generated sequences of the mitochondrial cytocrome c oxidase I gene (COI) from specimens of unknown species to a database of known sequences from voucher specimens, identified two cryptic species on Long Key, Florida Keys. Two differing habitats, which were <5 km apart, had single-species populations, even though both locations were within the dispersal range of larval recruits from the other location. This was the first record from the Florida Keys for these species
to be encountered as single species populations.
Tests for pseudo-crypsis among three species of the B. exustus morphospecies complex collected throughout the Florida Keys were performed with multivariate morphometics. Specimens were assigned to species using RFLP-based molecular methods. A discriminant function was constructed that, based on shell morphology, assigns individual mussels to a certain species with a high confidence (95%). Morphological differences among the species were sufficient to create robust statistical methods of resolving species using shell morphology alone. The suite of functions will facilitate future manipulation experiments with live specimens. The morphologies of the two most common species, provisionally called Bahamian and Gulf, were more similar in locations of coexistence than in locations of exclusivity.
An improved molecular-based technique for determining species, a multiplex PCR with species-specific forward oligonucleotides, was designed and tested. The method discriminates species by visualization of PCR products after electrophoresis on an agarose gel stained with ethidium brominde. This is a low cost, high throughput method that can effectively screen large numbers of specimens from the entire geographic range of the nominal species. This method can be used to identify species using larvae or juveniles which are unlikely to have the shell differences that can be used in the multivariate morphometric approach.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical references (p. 130-143)by Kyle Francis Bennet
Establishing the relationships among carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of pork
No full textBarrows and gilts (N=1238) with the same genetic background, housing, and management were raised under commercial conditions and marketed when the average pig weight in a pen reached 138 kg. Pigs were slaughtered over 7 weeks in a commercial processing facility. Carcass length was measured on the left side of each carcass from the anterior of the aitch bone to the anterior of the first rib at 1-d postmortem. Carcasses were fabricated and boneless Canadian back loins (IMPS #414) were vacuum-packaged and transported to the University of Illinois Meat Science Laboratory. At the end of the 14-d aging period, loins were weighed, measured for stretched length (stretched to maximum length without distortion), compressed length (compressed to minimum length without distortion) and sliced into 2.54cm chops using a Treif Puma slicer. Complete boneless chops were counted and ends and incomplete chops were weighed. From the initial population, 286 boneless loins (NAMP #414) were further selected based on instrumental L* color and extractable lipid content resulting in a 5 x 6 factorial arrangement of treatments. Using these values, chops were also assigned a quality grade using the newly developed National Pork Board (NPB) quality grade standards. Low (n = 33) quality includes loins with color scores 4.0 with marbling scores ≥ 2.0. Chops were assigned to sensory panel sessions in an incomplete block arrangement, cooked to a medium-rare degree-of-doneness (63 °C) and evaluated for tenderness, juiciness, and pork flavor by trained sensory panelists. Slice shear force (SSF) and cooking loss were also determined from each loin cooked to 63 °C.
Data were analyzed using the REG procedure in SAS and the effect of NPB quality grade was analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS as a one-way ANOVA where quality grade was considered a fixed effect. Carcass length varied from a minimum of 78.2 cm to a maximum of 96.5 cm. Boneless loin yield varied from a minimum of 13 chops to a maximum of 20 chops. Carcass length explained 15% (P < 0.0001) of the variation in boneless loin chop yield. Loin weight explained 33% (P < 0.0001) of the variation in boneless loin chop yield. Compressed loin length explained 28% (P < 0.0001) of the variation in boneless loin chop yield. Stretched loin length explained only 9% (P < 0.0001) of the variation in boneless loin chop yield. The combination of loin weight and compressed loin length was able to explain 39.3% (P < 0.0001; C(p) = 12.399) of the variation in boneless loin chop yield using a required F statistic at the SLENTRY and SLSTAY level = 0.15. Instrumental L* color score ranged from 43.11 to 57.60 and extractable lipid ranged from 0.80% to 5.52%. Extractable lipid content and instrumental chop color individually accounted for a maximum of 2% (R2 = 0.02) of the variation of tenderness, juiciness or pork flavor. Chops categorized as NPB high quality (SSF = 17.50 kg) were 6.5% more tender (P≤ 0.02) than chops categorized as medium (SSF = 18.68 kg) and 11.2% more tender then chops categorized as low quality (SSF = 19.59 kg), but medium and low quality chops did not differ in SSF. However, trained sensory panelists did not discern tenderness differences (P = 0.13) among NPB quality grades. Juiciness (P = 0.43) and flavor (P = 0.11) scores did not differ among NPB quality grades. Cook loss tended (P = 0.06) to decrease from 16.86% to 15.32% as quality grade increased.
Overall, carcass length is a poor predictor of boneless loin chop yield. However, using boneless loin parameters such as boneless loin weight and compressed loin length may be more predictive of the number of chops produced from a boneless pork loin. Further, when color or marbling was used as a single trait, it was not predictive of sensory quality. However, using these traits in combination such as with the NPB quality grades may result in differences in sensory quality between pork loins.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'Closed Access', the embargo will last until 2018-12-01The student, Kyle Wilson, accepted the attached license on 2016-12-07 at 10:10.The student, Kyle Wilson, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2016-12-07 at 10:27.This Thesis was approved for publication on 2016-12-08 at 16:48.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #10464 on 2017-02-28 at 14:43:21Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-01T17:02:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
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Reason: Author requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemEmbargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 98735
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Phlik pum kila Olimpik
No full textDrawing on studies conducted by several scholars, such as David C. Young and Donald G. Kyle, the author reexamines the history of the modern Olympics
Eddy Covariance measurements in a semi-arid mangrove ecosystem on the coastal line of Magdalena Bay in the Mexican State of Baja California Sur
No full textThe objective of this database is to measure and identify the seasonal variation of meteorological conditions and atmospheric carbon flux of a semi-arid mangrove ecosystem on the coastal line of Magdalena Bay in the Mexican State of Baja California Sur. This dataset is part of a larger project entitled Carbon Flux in a Semi-Arid Mangrove Ecosystem in Magdalena Bay, B.C.S Mexico. The project and meteorological station were managed and operated primarily by the first author. Local support was provided by the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR) and funded by San Diego State University and NOAA Educational Partnership Program/ Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing Technologies.
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The study site is located along the northern extent of Magdalena Bay (Bahia Magdalena), which is about 10 km north of the fishing town of Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos, BCS, Mexico (25°15'44N, 112° 4'48W). The area is a contiguous series of productive and biologically diverse embayments, intertidal mud flats, and mangrove-lined canals bounded by islands and sand bars that extend for 175 km along the Pacific coast of BCS. The site is located within the largest of these bays in the northwest region of Magdalena Bay in an area bordered by the sandy barrier island of Isla Magdalena, which forms a protected inner shelf lagoon that connects the inner lagoons and canals to the Pacific Ocean via the "Boca de Soledad". Magdalena Bay is characterized by a high floral and faunal diversity, where the arid desert region transitions into a coastal area. Seasonal upwelling in the sub-tropical California Current allows high rates of productivity in the bay, which is dominated by surf grass, eel grass, intertidal mud flats, salt marshes, and mangrove lined coastlines. The dominant mangroves species found in this area are red (Rhizophora mangle), white (Laguncularia racemosa) and black (Avicennia germinans) mangrove trees.
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Data was collected for 22 days between January 8 and 30, 2012; for 69 days during summer between June 20 and August 28th, 2012; and for 19 days between January 5 and 24 in 2013. January 2012, and January 2013 were grouped together as winter and the months of June through August were grouped as Summer for seasonal period analysis.
The EC system included a fast response (10Hz) three-dimensional sonic anemometer (CSAT3, Campbell Scientific Inc., Logan, UT, USA) used to measure wind velocity and sonic temperature fluctuations. Atmospheric CO2 and water vapor concentrations were measured by a fast response (10Hz) open-path infrared gas analyzer (IRGA) (LI-7500, LI-COR Inc., Lincoln, NE, USA) at 5 m above the ground
Meteorological measurements in a semi-arid mangrove ecosystem on the coastal line of Magdalena Bay in the Mexican State of Baja California Sur
No full textThe objective of this database is to measure and identify the seasonal variation of meteorological conditions and atmospheric carbon flux of a semi-arid mangrove ecosystem on the coastal line of Magdalena Bay in the Mexican State of Baja California Sur. This dataset is part of a larger project entitled Carbon Flux in a Semi-Arid Mangrove Ecosystem in Magdalena Bay, B.C.S Mexico. The project and meteorological station were managed and operated primarily by the first author. Local support was provided by the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR) and funded by San Diego State University and NOAA Educational Partnership Program/ Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing Technologies.
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The study site is located along the northern extent of Magdalena Bay (Bahia Magdalena), which is about 10 km north of the fishing town of Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos, BCS, Mexico (25°15'44N, 112° 4'48W). The area is a contiguous series of productive and biologically diverse embayments, intertidal mud flats, and mangrove-lined canals bounded by islands and sand bars that extend for 175 km along the Pacific coast of BCS. The site is located within the largest of these bays in the northwest region of Magdalena Bay in an area bordered by the sandy barrier island of Isla Magdalena, which forms a protected inner shelf lagoon that connects the inner lagoons and canals to the Pacific Ocean via the "Boca de Soledad". Magdalena Bay is characterized by a high floral and faunal diversity, where the arid desert region transitions into a coastal area. Seasonal upwelling in the sub-tropical California Current allows high rates of productivity in the bay, which is dominated by surf grass, eel grass, intertidal mud flats, salt marshes, and mangrove lined coastlines. The dominant mangroves species found in this area are red (Rhizophora mangle), white (Laguncularia racemosa) and black (Avicennia germinans) mangrove trees.
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Data was collected for 22 days between January 8 and 30, 2012; for 69 days during summer between June 20 and August 28th, 2012; and for 19 days between January 5 and 24 in 2013. January 2012, and January 2013 were grouped together as winter and the months of June through August were grouped as Summer for seasonal period analysis.
Meteorological variables were averaged over 30-minute intervals from measurements taken every 10 seconds and stored using a datalogger (CR3000, Campbell Scientific Inc.) with a removable 2 GB compact flash memory card: Air temperature (Tair), and relative humidity (RH), (HMP45c, Vaisala, Helsinki, Finland) were measured at 4.5 m in a radiation shield. Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) was calculated from air temperature and relative humidity. Incoming photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was measured by a quantum sensor (LI-190 SB, LI-COR, Lincoln, NE, USA) at 4m above the ground. Net radiation (Rn) (Q-7.1, REBS Inc., Seattle, WA, USA) was measured within the upwind sampling area at 4 m above the ground. Ground heat flux, G, (HFT3, REBS Inc., Seattle, WA, USA) was measured at a depth of 5cm below the ground surface, and copper-constantan thermocouples were placed at depths of 2, 5, and 10cm below the surface to measure soil temperature
Pathways to next-generation redox flow batteries
No full textRedox flow batteries (RFBs) provide a promising pathway towards grid-scale energy storage but are inhibited from widespread implementation due to high costs. RFBs are divided into aqueous (Aq) and nonaqueous (NAq) redox flow batteries, both of which show distinct challenges to build low-cost RFBs with battery prices less than 100 per kWh-1. Overcoming these cost challenges requires a detailed electrolyte techno-economic (TE) model, which explicitly quantifies RFB redox active material, salt, and solvent costs. TE model results identify active species concentration and cell voltage as critical cost-constraining parameters for nonaqueous and aqueous RFBs respectively. Active species concentration targets for NAqRFBs are decreased by increasing cell voltage, and by decreasing area-specific resistance, redox active material molecular weight, and salt molecular weight and concentration. Similarly, cell voltage targets for AqRFBs are decreased by decreasing area-specific resistance and redox active material cost per unit mass and molecular weight. Alternative design pathways for nonaqueous and aqueous RFBs are proposed which decrease NAqRFB redox active material molality targets to 1.1 mol kg-1 and AqRFB cell voltage targets to 0.6 V, and which could potentially decrease RFB battery price to 90 per kWh-1. This TE model is used to analyze a group of experimentally tested nitrobenzene derivatives to find optimal redox active material potential, molecular weight, and salt molecular weight for next-generation nonaqueous RFBs. Nitrobenzene derivatives are found to have a battery price of 260 per kWh-1 when used with TBAPF6 salt, but on switching to TMABF4 salt with lower molecular weight, the battery price can be reduced further to 160 per kWh-1 albeit with higher active material molality targets. Finally, an analytical model of redox active species crossover in nonaqueous RFBs is developed and implemented in order to reduce coulombic inefficiencies in RFBs by selecting optimal operating parameters. The degree of crossover is found to be highly sensitive to current density and separator permeability, and can be decreased by an order of magnitude using thicker separators and higher current densities.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2018-05-01The student, Rylan Dmello, accepted the attached license on 2016-04-27 at 10:19.The student, Rylan Dmello, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2016-04-27 at 10:26.This Thesis was approved for publication on 2016-04-27 at 14:53.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #9543 on 2016-07-07 at 13:51:00Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-07T20:35:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3
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Previous issue date: 2016-04-27Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 93193
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The case for tradable remedies in WTO dispute settlement
No full textIn response to concerns over the efficacy of the WTO dispute settlement system, especially in regard to its use by developing countries, Mexico has tabled a proposal to introduce tradable remedies within the Dispute Settlement Understanding. The idea is that a country that has won cause before the WTO, and who is facing non-implementation by the author of the illegal act but feels that its own capacity to exercise its right to impose countermeasures is unlikely to lead to compliance, can auction off that right. The attractiveness of this idea is that it offers an additional possibility to injured WTO members to get something from the dispute settlement mechanism without putting into question the legal nature of the existing contract, that is, the predominantly decentralized system of enforcement in the WTO. Examining all disputes brought to the WTO since its inception, the authors find some support for Mexico's perception that developing countries face a practical problem when they attempt to carry through with effective retaliation within the WTO system. And based on the formal results of Bagwell, Mavroidis, and Staiger (2003), they describe arguments that lend some support to the efficacy of Mexico's proposed solution from the perspective of formal economic theory.Information Technology,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,General Technology,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Trade and Services,Economic Theory&Research,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Information Technology,World Trade Organization
The Hundred Years War : The Chagrin of Nobles and Delight of Kings
No full textii, 26 p.During the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries England and France were tied in a conflict that would come to be known as the Hundred Years War, a string of conflicts fought for control of the French crown and an era that brought both 'nations' to their knees. This war began as a small disagreement over the feudal hierarchy of the French duchy of Gascony but over time progressed into total war. It brought the burdens of war upon the common people and effectively drained both societies of both human and material resources. The medieval inhabitants of Europe's lives were wrought with famine, disease and ceaseless war—they must have truly believed the end of days was nigh.3 These dark times created a society fit to rise to a more prosperous future because of the societal developments incited by this gruesome and incessant war fought between two super-powers of the middle ages—France and England. However, the immediate aftermath of the war did not provide any notion of this "brighter future". These two titans limped forth on into history before they were truly able to run again— and in time, they were faster than before. This coming age, the author believes, can be characterized by a greater sense of efficiency and lack of intimacy in warfare, politics and government that came to be as a result of the Hundred Years War
Evaluation of the Sensitivity of the Amazonian Diurnal Cycle to Convective Intensity in Reanalyses
No full textModel parameterizations of tropical deep convection are unable to reproduce the observed diurnal and spatial variability of convection in the Amazon, which contributes to climatological biases in the water cycle and energy budget. Convective intensity regimes are defined using percentiles of daily minimum 3-hourly averaged outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) from Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES). This study compares the observed spatial variability of convective diurnal cycle statistics for each regime to MERRA-2 and ERA-Interim (ERA) reanalysis data sets. Composite diurnal cycle statistics are computed for daytime hours (06:00-21:00 local time) in the wet season (December-January-February). MERRA-2 matches observations more closely than ERA for domain averaged composite diurnal statistics-specifically precipitation. However, ERA reproduces mesoscale features of OLR and precipitation phase associated with topography and the propagation of the coastal squall line. Both reanalysis models are shown to underestimate extreme convection
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