Assessement of Malaria Transmission in an Area with Very Low Mosquito Density

The increase in world travel in recent years, especially to and from areas where vector-borne diseases are endemic, has resulted in a substantial rise in imported cases of those diseases. In particular, malaria is a cause of concern. In those countries at the edge of its distribution, it can be difficult to distinguish between autochthonous and imported cases. However, distinguishing between the two is important because of the different allocation of resources to combat the disease that each requires. In general, observation of the various stages of parasite development in wild-caught female mosquitoes is considered evidence of autochthonous transmission. Observation of oocysts in the mosquito mid-gut testifies that mosquitoes are susceptible to infection but conclusions cannot be reached about their ability to complete the transmission cycle. Perhaps the best indication of autochthonous transmission is microscopic observation of sporozoites in mosquito salivary glands, since this detects parasites ready to be inoculated (BELER et al., 1990). Detection of circumsporozoite protein (CSP)(BURKOT, WILLIAMS & SCHNEIDER, 1984) in dry mosquito thoraxes, by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is also widely used to determine transmission, especially when large numbers of mosquitoes need to be processed. Such assays provide information about the parasite species infecting the mosquito (BURKOT & WIRTZ, 1986; WIRTZ et al., 1987; BELER et al., 1990).

Living Snow Fences, 2006

Blowing snow can cause significant problems for mobility and safety during winter weather in three distinct ways. It may drift onto the road, thus requiring almost continuous plowing while the wind is blowing (which may occur when a given winter storm is over). Snow may drift onto wet pavement (perhaps caused by ice control chemicals) and dilute out the chemicals on the road, creating ice on the road. And sufficient blowing snow can cause a major deterioration in visibility on the road, a factor which has been shown to be significant in winter crashes. The problem of blowing snow can be very effectively addressed by creating a snow storage device upwind of the road that requires protection from snow drifting. Typically, these storage devices are fences. Extensive design guidance exists for the required height and placement of such fences for a given annual snowfall and given local topography. However, the design information on the placement of living snow fences is less complete. The purpose of this report is to present the results of three seasons of study on using standing corn as snow fences. In addition, the experience of using switch grass as a snow storage medium is also presented. On the basis of these experimental data, a design guide has been developed that makes use of the somewhat unique snow storage characteristics of standing corn snow fences. The results of the field tests on using standing corn showed that multiple rows of standing corn store snow rather differently than a traditional wooden snow fence. Specifically, while a traditional fence stores most of the snow downwind from the fence (and thus must be placed a significant distance upwind of the road to be protected, specifically at least 35 times the snow fence height) rows of standing corn store the majority of the snow within the rows. Results from the three winters of testing show that the standing corn snow fences can store as much snow within the rows of standing corn as a traditional fence of typical height for operation in Iowa (4 to 6 feet) can store. This finding is significant because it means that the snow fences can be placed at the edge of the farmer’s field closest to the road, and still be effective. This is typically much more convenient for the farmer and thus may mean that more farmers would be willing to participate in a program that uses standing corn than in traditional programs. ii On the basis of the experimental data, design guidance for the use of standing corn as a snow storage device in Iowa is given in the report. Specifically, it is recommended that if the fetch in a location to be protected is less than 5,000 feet, then 16 rows of standing corn should be used, at the edge of the field adjacent to the right of way. If the fetch is greater than 5,000 feet, then 24 rows of standing corn should be used. This is based on a row spacing of 22 inches. Further, it should be noted that these design recommendations are ONLY for the State of Iowa. Other states of course have different winter weather and without extensive further study, it cannot be said that these guidelines would be effective in other locations with other winter conditions.

LSTA Five Year Plan, 1998-2002, 2002

The LSTA goals for Iowa, FY98-FY02, are as follows: 1. Provide all Iowans with expanded access to information and materials through the State of Iowa Libraries Online (SILO) network. 2. Improve library service to Iowans through knowledgeable, well-trained staff and wellinformed public library trustees and library users. 3. Meet Iowans’ increasing demands for information and library services by identifying and encouraging resource sharing and partnerships. 4. Provide state level leadership and services to accomplish the LSTA Five-Year Plan. The primary objectives of this evaluation are to provide: $ An assessment of the overall impact of Iowa’s LSTA funding and success in achieving the goals identified in the state’s five-year plan. $ An in-depth analysis of two specific goals from the plan: providing Iowans with expanded access to information and materials through the State of Iowa Libraries Online (SILO) network; and improving library service to Iowans through knowledgeable, well-trained staff and well-informed public library trustees and library users. LSTA built on accomplishments made possible with the federal HEA II-B grant awarded to the State Library in 1995. This grant led the way in bringing technology to Iowa libraries by creating an electronic library network for resource sharing. SILO (State of Iowa Libraries Online) became fully functional in 1997. The State Library continued funding SILO with LSTA money when the grant ended. This funding supports the SILO infrastructure, providing equitable access to information through cutting edge technology to Iowans in both small and large, rural and urban, communities. Access to electronic material and information has encouraged public libraries to increase the number of computers and public access to the Internet. LSTA funding was used to increase training opportunities for library staff and trustees. Many programs, such as librarian certification, were strengthened by an increase in continuing education opportunities.

LSTA Five Year Plan, 1998-2002, 2002

The LSTA goals for Iowa, FY98-FY02, are as follows: 1. Provide all Iowans with expanded access to information and materials through the State of Iowa Libraries Online (SILO) network. 2. Improve library service to Iowans through knowledgeable, well-trained staff and wellinformed public library trustees and library users. 3. Meet Iowans’ increasing demands for information and library services by identifying and encouraging resource sharing and partnerships. 4. Provide state level leadership and services to accomplish the LSTA Five-Year Plan. The primary objectives of this evaluation are to provide: $ An assessment of the overall impact of Iowa’s LSTA funding and success in achieving the goals identified in the state’s five-year plan. $ An in-depth analysis of two specific goals from the plan: providing Iowans with expanded access to information and materials through the State of Iowa Libraries Online (SILO) network; and improving library service to Iowans through knowledgeable, well-trained staff and well-informed public library trustees and library users. LSTA built on accomplishments made possible with the federal HEA II-B grant awarded to the State Library in 1995. This grant led the way in bringing technology to Iowa libraries by creating an electronic library network for resource sharing. SILO (State of Iowa Libraries Online) became fully functional in 1997. The State Library continued funding SILO with LSTA money when the grant ended. This funding supports the SILO infrastructure, providing equitable access to information through cutting edge technology to Iowans in both small and large, rural and urban, communities. Access to electronic material and information has encouraged public libraries to increase the number of computers and public access to the Internet. LSTA funding was used to increase training opportunities for library staff and trustees. Many programs, such as librarian certification, were strengthened by an increase in continuing education opportunities.

LSTA Five Year Plan Evaluation, 1998-2002, 2002

The LSTA goals for Iowa, FY98-FY02, are as follows: 1. Provide all Iowans with expanded access to information and materials through the State of Iowa Libraries Online (SILO) network. 2. Improve library service to Iowans through knowledgeable, well-trained staff and wellinformed public library trustees and library users. 3. Meet Iowans’ increasing demands for information and library services by identifying and encouraging resource sharing and partnerships. 4. Provide state level leadership and services to accomplish the LSTA Five-Year Plan. The primary objectives of this evaluation are to provide: $ An assessment of the overall impact of Iowa’s LSTA funding and success in achieving the goals identified in the state’s five-year plan. $ An in-depth analysis of two specific goals from the plan: providing Iowans with expanded access to information and materials through the State of Iowa Libraries Online (SILO) network; and improving library service to Iowans through knowledgeable, well-trained staff and well-informed public library trustees and library users. LSTA built on accomplishments made possible with the federal HEA II-B grant awarded to the State Library in 1995. This grant led the way in bringing technology to Iowa libraries by creating an electronic library network for resource sharing. SILO (State of Iowa Libraries Online) became fully functional in 1997. The State Library continued funding SILO with LSTA money when the grant ended. This funding supports the SILO infrastructure, providing equitable access to information through cutting edge technology to Iowans in both small and large, rural and urban, communities. Access to electronic material and information has encouraged public libraries to increase the number of computers and public access to the Internet. LSTA funding was used to increase training opportunities for library staff and trustees. Many programs, such as librarian certification, were strengthened by an increase in continuing education opportunities.

Biologia de Neotrioza tavaresi Crawford, 1925 (Hemiptera, Psyllidae), galhador da folha do araçazeiro (Psidium cattleianum)

Biology of the leaf gall inducer Neotrioza tavaresi Crawford, 1925 (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) on strawberry guava tree (Psidium cattleianum). A field study was conducted in Curitiba region, State of Paraná, southern Brazil, to describe the life cycle of Neotrioza tavaresi Crawford, 1925, a leaf galling insect in strawberry guava trees (Psidium cattleianum). Three cycles were observed (1997, 1998, 1999) during regular field trips and the insects were observed in Piraquara municipality, where 15 samples with 50 infested leaves were sampled in the 1997-98 cycle. Galls were dissected for detailed studies. Neotrioza tavaresi has a univoltine cycle in which adult individuals were found inside the galls from August onwards. The sexually mature insects with sex ratio 1, emerged from the galls after their dehiscence caused by feeding of the adult insects on the gall walls. Adult emergence started in early October and ended by early December, with its peak in November. Copulation took place as soon as adults exit the gall and egg laying started the next day. Females had more than 100 ovarioles containing 218.7±44.7 (n=50) fully formed eggs. This indicated the short sexual adult life-span (aprox. 5-7 days) of the species, also characterized by a concentrated oviposition. Adult individuals fed and laid their eggs on younger shoots of the plant. The bottoms of the yellowish eggs were inserted into the leaf tissue, mainly on its adaxial edge (78.1%). The nymphs hatched and, as they fed on the adaxial side of expanding leaves, modified the cell growth pattern and the round-shape galls developed on the adaxial side with one insect inside. The gall wall showed distinct layers, with the inner one suppliyng the food to the insects, and the outer layer supplying gall protection. Nymphs went through five instars and the exuviae remained stuck on a ball of wax inside the gall. All parasitoids found were Hymenoptera belonging to Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae (1 sp), Pteromalidae (2 spp) and Encyrtidae (3 spp). The findings suggest that leaf gall inducer and parasitoids insects and plant life cycles are closely connected and both leaf sprouting and gall opening seem to be triggered by the same environmental and plant conditions. The high abundance of shoots may favor insect performance as adult individuals can easily find an ideal place for feeding, copulating and laying eggs.

Impact of High Crop Prices on Environmental Quality: A Case of Iowa and the Conservation Reserve Program, 2007

Growing demand for corn due to the expansion of ethanol has increased concerns that environmentally sensitive lands retired from agricultural production into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will be cropped again. Iowa produces more ethanol than any other state in the United States, and it also produces the most corn. Thus, an examination of the impacts of higher crop prices on CRP land in Iowa can give insight into what we might expect nationally in the years ahead if crop prices remain high. We construct CRP land supply curves for various corn prices and then estimate the environmental impacts of cropping CRP land through the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model. EPIC provides edge-of-field estimates of soil erosion, nutrient loss, and carbon sequestration. We find that incremental impacts increase dramatically as higher corn prices bring into production more and more environmentally fragile land. Maintaining current levels of environmental quality will require substantially higher spending levels. Even allowing for the cost savings that would accrue as CRP land leaves the program, a change in targeting strategies will likely be required to ensure that the most sensitive land does not leave the program.

Clinical outcome following combination of cutting balloon angioplasty and coronary β-radiation for in-stent restenosis : a report from the RENO registry

RESUME : Actuellement la brachythérapie endovasculaire reste le seul traitement efficace pour la resténose intrastent. Malgré ceci, la limitation majeure de cette technique est la resténose aux extrémités du stent (effet de bord) due à une couverture incomplète par la source radioactive (geographical miss). Le ballon coupant et qui ne glisse pas pourrait limiter le barotraumatisme engendré par la dilatation et qui avec la diminution de la radiation aux extrémités de la source radioactive, est à la base du geographical miss. Cette étude prospective a pour but d'examiner l'efficacité du traitement de la resténose intrastent par la combinaison d'angioplastie avec cutting ballon et β - irradiation. Le registre « Radiation in Europe NOvoste » (RENO) inclut tous les patients traités par β - irradiation coronaire avec le système Beta-CathTM System (Novoste Corporation, Brussels, Belgium) n'ayant pas été inclus dans une autre étude randomisée. Un premier sous-groupe de ces patients (groupe 1, n=166), représente les patients traités par cutting ballon et β - irradiation intra coronaire. Ce groupe a été défini d'une manière prospective et les résultats cliniques à 6 mois ont été comparés par rapport aux autres patients qui ont reçu un traitement par dilatation coronaire conventionnelle et β - irradiation (groupe 2, n=712). A 6 mois de suivi, on a retrouvé une différence significative entre les 2 groupes par rapport à la nécessité d'une nouvelle revascularisation du vaisseau préalablement traité (10,2% de récidive dans le groupe 1 contre 16,6 % dans le groupe 2 , p=0,04). Le nombre d'événements cardiaques majeurs (mortalité, infarctus du myocarde et revascularisation) a également été diminué de manière significative (10,8% contre 19,2% ; />=0,01). Cette observation a été confirmée par une analyse multivariée qui indique un risque diminué pour les événements cardiaques majeurs à 6 mois, (rapport de côtes : 0,49 ; intervalle de confiance 0,27-0,88 ; p=0,02). Comparé à l'angioplastie coronarienne avec ballon conventionnel, l'utilisation de cutting ballon avant la β - irradiation dans le traitement de la resténose intrastent démontre une meilleure évolution clinique à 6 mois. ABSTRACT: At present, vascular brachytherapy is the only efficient therapy for in-stent restenosis. Nevertheless edge restenosis often relat¬ed to geographical miss has been identified as a major limitation of the technique. The non-slippery cutting balloon has the potential to limit vascular barotraumas which, together with low-dose irradiation at both ends of the radioactive source, are the prerequisite for geographical miss. This prospective study aimed to examine the efficacy of combining cut¬ting balloon angioplasty and brachytherapy for in-stent restenosis. The Radiation in Europe NOvoste (RENO) registry prospectively tracked all patients who had been treated by coronary β-radiation with the Beta-CathTM System (Novoste Corporation. Brussels, Belgium) but were not included in a randomized radiation trial, A subgroup of patients with in-stent restenosis treated by cutting balloon angioplasty and coronary β-radiation (group 1, n = 166) was prospectively defined, and clinical outcomes of patients at 6 months were compared with those of patients treated by conventional angioplasty and coronary β -radiation (group 2, n = 712). At 6-month follow-up, there was a significant difference between groups 1 and 2 in- target vessel revascularization (10.2% versus 16.6% respectively; p = 0.04) and in the incidence of major adverse clinical events (MACE) including, death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization (10.8% versus 19.2%; p= 0.01). This observation was confirmed by a multivariate analysis indicating a. lower risk for MACE at 6 months (odds ratio: 0.49; confidence intervals: 0.27-0.88; p = 0.02). Compared to conventional angioplasty, cutting balloon angio¬plasty prior to coronary beta-radiation with the Beta-CathTM System seems to improve the 6-month clinical outcome in patients with in-stent restenosis.

Effective Shoulder Design and Maintenance, 2007

Granular shoulders are an important element of the transportation system and are constantly subjected to performance problems due to wind- and water-induced erosion, rutting, edge drop-off, and slope irregularities. Such problems can directly affect drivers’ safety and often require regular maintenance. The present research study was undertaken to investigate the factors contributing to these performance problems and to propose new ideas to design and maintain granular shoulders while keeping ownership costs low. This report includes observations made during a field reconnaissance study, findings from an effort to stabilize the granular and subgrade layer at six shoulder test sections, and the results of a laboratory box study where a shoulder section overlying a soft foundation layer was simulated. Based on the research described in this report, the following changes are proposed to the construction and maintenance methods for granular shoulders: • A minimum CBR value for the granular and subgrade layer should be selected to alleviate edge drop-off and rutting formation. • For those constructing new shoulder sections, the design charts provided in this report can be used as a rapid guide based on an allowable rut depth. The charts can also be used to predict the behavior of existing shoulders. • In the case of existing shoulder sections overlying soft foundations, the use of geogrid or fly ash stabilization proved to be an effective technique for mitigating shoulder rutting.

Multiscale phylogeography: glacial history and autopolyploidy of Biscutella laevigata L. (Brassicaceae) in the Western Alps

Résumé Les changements climatiques du Quaternaire ont eu une influence majeure sur la distribution et l'évolution des biota septentrionaux. Les Alpes offrent un cadre spatio-temporel bien étudié pour comprendre la réactivité de la flore et le potentiel d'adaptation d'une espèce végétale face aux changements climatiques. Certaines hypothèses postulent une diversification des espèces en raison de la disparition complète de la flore des Alpes et d'un isolement important des espèces dans des refuges méridionaux durant les dernières glaciations (Tabula Rasa). Une autre hypothèse stipule le maintien de poches de résistance pour la végétation au coeur des Alpes (Nunataks). Comme de nombreuses espèces végétales présentant un grand succès écologique semblent avoir réagi aux glaciations par la multiplication de leur génome (autopolyploïdie), leur étude en milieu naturel devrait permettre de comprendre les avantages inhérents à la polyploïdie. Biscutella laevigata est un modèle emblématique de biogéographie historique, diverses études ayant montré que des populations diploïdes sont actuellement isolées dans les zones restées déglacées durant le dernier maximum glaciaire, alors que des tétraploïdes ont recolonisé l'ensemble des zones alpines mises à nu par le retrait des glaciers. Si le contexte périglaciaire semble avoir favorisé ce jeune complexe autopolyploïde, les circonstances et les avantages de cette mutation génomique ne sont pas encore clairs. Y a-t-il eu de multiples événements de polyploïdisation ? Dans quelle mesure affecte(nt)il(s) la diversité génétique et le potentiel évolutif des polyploïdes ? Les polyploïdes ont-ils une grande flexibilité génomique, favorisant une radiation adaptative, ou doivent-ils leur succès à une grande plasticité écologique ? Cette étude aborde ces questions à différentes échelles spatiales et temporelles. L'échelle régionale des Alpes occidentales permet d'aborder les facteurs distaux (aspects historiques), alors que l'échelle locale cherche à appréhender les facteurs proximaux (mécanismes évolutifs). Dans les Alpes occidentales, des populations ont été densément échantillonnées et étudiées grâce à (1) leur cytotype, (2) leur appartenance taxonomique, (3) leur habitat et (4) des marqueurs moléculaires de l'ADN chloroplastique, en vue d'établir leurs affinités évolutives. Á l'échelle locale, deux systèmes de population ont été étudiés : l'un où les populations persistent en périphérie de l'aire de distribution et l'autre au niveau du front actif de colonisation, en marge altitudinale. Les résultats à l'échelle des Alpes occidentales révèlent les sites d'intérêt (refuges glaciaires, principales barrières et voies de recolonisation) pour une espèce représentative des pelouses alpines, ainsi que pour la biodiversité régionale. Les Préalpes ont joué un rôle important dans le maintien de populations à proximité immédiate des Alpes centrales et dans l'évolution du taxon, voire de la végétation. Il est aussi démontré que l'époque glaciaire a favorisé l'autopolyploïdie polytopique et la recolonisation des Alpes occidentales par des lignées distinctes qui s'hybrident au centre des Alpes, influençant fortement leur diversité génétique et leur potentiel évolutif. L'analyse de populations locales en situations contrastées à l'aide de marqueurs AFLP montre qu'au sein d'une lignée présentant une grande expansion, la diversité génétique est façonnée par des forces évolutives différentes selon le contexte écologique et historique. Les populations persistant présentent une dispersion des gènes restreinte, engendrant une diversité génétique assez faible, mais semblent adaptées aux conditions locales de l'environnement. À l'inverse, les populations colonisant la marge altitudinale sont influencées par les effets de fondation conjugués à une importante dispersion des gènes et, si ces processus impliquent une grande diversité génétique, ils engendrent une répartition aléatoire des génotypes dans l'environnement. Les autopolyploïdes apparaissent ainsi comme capables de persister face aux changements climatiques grâce à certaines facultés d'adaptation locale et de grandes capacités à maintenir une importante diversité génétique lors de la recolonisation post-glaciaire. Summary The extreme climate changes of the Quaternary have had a major influence on species distribution and evolution. The European Alps offer a great framework to investigate flora reactivity and the adaptive potential of species under changing climate. Some hypotheses postulate diversification due to vegetation removal and important isolation in southern refugia (Tabula Rasa), while others explain phylogeographic patterns by the survival of species in favourable Nunataks within the Alps. Since numerous species have successfully reacted to past climate changes by genome multiplication (autopolyploidy), studies of such taxa in natural conditions is likely to explain the ecological success and the advantages of autopolyploidy. Early cytogeographical surveys of Biscutella laevigata have shed light on the links between autopolyploidy and glaciations by indicating that diploids are now spatially isolated in never-glaciated areas, while autotetraploids have recolonised the zones covered by glaciers- during the last glacial maximum. A periglacial context apparently favoured this young autopolyploid complex but the circumstances and the advantages of this genomic mutation remain unclear. What is the glacial history of the B. laevigata autopolyploid complex? Are there multiple events of polyploidisation? To what extent do they affect the genetic diversity and the evolutionary potential of polyploids? Is recolonisation associated with adaptive processes? How does long-term persistence affect genetic diversity? The present study addresses these questions at different spatiotemporal scales. A regional survey at the Western Alps-scale tackles distal factors (evolutionary history), while local-scale studies explore proximal factors (evolutionary mechanisms). In the Western Alps, populations have been densely sampled and studied from the (1) cytotypic, (2) morphotaxonomic, (3) habitat point of views, as well as (4) plastid DNA molecular markers, in order to infer their relationships and establish the maternal lineages phylogeography. At the local scale, populations persisting at the rear edge and populations recolonising the attitudinal margin at the leading edge have been studied by AFLPs to show how genetic diversity is shaped by different evolutionary forces across the species range. The results at the regional scale document the glacial history of a widespread species, representative of alpine meadows, in a regional area of main interest (glacial refugia, main barriers and recolonisation routes) and points out to sites of interest for regional biodiversity. The external Alps have played a major role in the maintenance of populations near the central Alps during the Last Glacial Maximum and influenced the evolution of the species, and of vegetation. Polytopic autopolyploidy in different biogeographic districts is also demonstrated. The species has had an important and rapid radiation because recolonisation took place from different refugia. The subsequent recolonisation of the Western Alps was achieved by independent lineages that are presently admixing in the central Alps. The role of the Pennic summit line is underlined as a great barrier that was permeable only through certain favourable high-altitude passes. The central Alps are thus viewed as an important crossroad where genomes with different evolutionary histories are meeting and admixing. The AFLP analysis and comparison of local populations growing in contrasted ecological and historical situations indicate that populations persisting in the external Alps present restricted gene dispersal and low genetic diversity but seem in equilibrium with their environment. On the contrary, populations colonising the attitudinal margin are mainly influenced by founder effects together with great gene dispersal and genotypes have a nearly random distribution, suggesting that recolonisation is not associated with adaptive processes. Autopolyploids that locally persist against climate changes thus seem to present adaptive ability, while those that actively recolonise the Alps are successful because of their great capacity to maintain a high genetic diversity against founder effects during recolonisation.

The oceanic base of slope record of the Permian-Triassic crisis: view from Tethys (Oman)

The Oman Mountains provide some of the best sections of Permian and Triassic sediments from ocean sea floor to base-of-slope environments related to the distal South Tethyan margin. The central part of the range exposes the Buday'ah section of oceanic sediments in the so-called "Hawasina allochtons". The locality of Wadi Maqam in the north-western part of the Oman Mountains is among places where the thick Permian-Triassic base-of-slope sediments is exposed (Baud et al., 2001). Overlying 400 m of middle Permian limestones and dolomites, the upper Permian sediments consist of 50 m of ≈ 10 cm thick beds of cherts and dolomites rich in sponge spicules. The top of the Permian units is well bioturbated lime mudstone-wackestone, devoid of cherts and dated as late Changhsingian (Krystyn in Richoz et al., 2005). The boundary yellow shales are overlain by very thinly bedded, laminated microbial platy lime mudstone with H. parvus. The dramatic loss of the burrowing infauna indicates the appearance of oxygen-poor water. These Induan sediments are about 25 m thick and show at the top the first calcirudites, commonly clast-supported (edge-wise conglomerates), and are characterized by tabular clasts representing the sub- in situ reworking of the laminated, platy calcilutite. The very thick Smithian overlying litho-unit (up to 900 m) marks the onset on the base-of-slope of a deep-marine basin in which carbonate submarine fan deposits developed This very thick unit consists essentially of platy limestones, calcarenites and calcirudites. It comprises mainly grey-beige calcilutite, laminated and flaggy, interbedded with sparse beds of fine-grained calcarenite in cm beds. Channelized beds of intraformational calcirudite are also part of this succession which constitutes the greater part of the outcrop available. During the Spathian to Anisian, the sedimentation changes to terrigenous mudstone and siltstone that ended with Ladinian radiolarites.

Reorganization of a deeply incised drainage: role of deformation, sedimentation and groundwater flow

Deeply incised drainage networks are thought to be robust and not easily modified, and are commonly used as passive markers of horizontal strain. Yet, reorganizations (rearrangements) appear in the geologic record. We provide field evidence of the reorganization of a Miocene drainage network in response to strike-slip and vertical displacements in Guatemala. The drainage was deeply incised into a 50-km-wide orogen located along the North America-Caribbean plate boundary. It rearranged twice, first during the Late Miocene in response to transpressional uplift along the Polochic fault, and again in the Quaternary in response to transtensional uplift along secondary faults. The pattern of reorganization resembles that produced by the tectonic defeat of rivers that cross growing tectonic structures. Compilation of remote sensing data, field mapping, sediment provenance study, grain-size analysis and Ar(40)/Ar(39) dating from paleovalleys and their fill reveals that the classic mechanisms of river diversion, such as river avulsion over bedrock, or capture driven by surface runoff, are not sufficient to produce the observed diversions. The sites of diversion coincide spatially with limestone belts and reactivated fault zones, suggesting that solution-triggered or deformation-triggered permeability have helped breaching of interfluves. The diversions are also related temporally and spatially to the accumulation of sediment fills in the valleys, upstream of the rising structures. We infer that the breaching of the interfluves was achieved by headward erosion along tributaries fed by groundwater flow tracking from the valleys soon to be captured. Fault zones and limestone belts provided the pathways, and the aquifers occupying the valley fills provided the head pressure that enhanced groundwater circulation. The defeat of rivers crossing the rising structures results essentially from the tectonically enhanced activation of groundwater flow between catchments.

Isotopic variation across the Audubon's-myrtle warbler hybrid zone.

Differences in seasonal migratory behaviours are thought to be an important component of reproductive isolation in many organisms. Stable isotopes have been used with success in estimating the location and qualities of disjunct breeding and wintering areas. However, few studies have used isotopic data to estimate the movements of hybrid offspring in species that form hybrid zones. Here, we use stable hydrogen to estimate the wintering locations and migratory patterns of two common and widespread migratory birds, Audubon's (Setophaga auduboni) and myrtle (S. coronata) warblers, as well as their hybrids. These two species form a narrow hybrid zone with extensive interbreeding in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, which has been studied for over four decades. Isotopes in feathers grown on the wintering grounds or early on migration reveal three important patterns: (1) Audubon's and myrtle warblers from allopatric breeding populations winter in isotopically different environments, consistent with band recovery data and suggesting that there is a narrow migratory transition between the two species, (2) most hybrids appear to overwinter in the south-eastern USA, similar to where myrtle warblers are known to winter, and (3) some hybrid individuals, particularly those along the western edge of the hybrid zone, show Audubon's-like isotopic patterns. These data suggest there is a migratory divide between these two species, but that it is not directly coincident with the centre of the hybrid zone in the breeding range. We interpret these findings and discuss them within the context of previous research on hybrid zones, speciation and migratory divides.

Major: Electronics and Communication Engineering

Today, information technology is strategically important to the goals and aspirations of the business enterprises, government and high-level education institutions – university. Universities are facing new challenges with the emerging global economy characterized by the importance of providing faster communication services and improving the productivity and effectiveness of individuals. New challenges such as provides an information network that supports the demands and diversification of university issues. A new network architecture, which is a set of design principles for build a network, is one of the pillar bases. It is the cornerstone that enables the university’s faculty, researchers, students, administrators, and staff to discover, learn, reach out, and serve society. This thesis focuses on the network architecture definitions and fundamental components. Three most important characteristics of high-quality architecture are that: it’s open network architecture; it’s service-oriented characteristics and is an IP network based on packets. There are four important components in the architecture, which are: Services and Network Management, Network Control, Core Switching and Edge Access. The theoretical contribution of this study is a reference model Architecture of University Campus Network that can be followed or adapted to build a robust yet flexible network that respond next generation requirements. The results found are relevant to provide an important complete reference guide to the process of building campus network which nowadays play a very important role. Respectively, the research gives university networks a structured modular model that is reliable, robust and can easily grow.

Femoroacetabular impingement: normal values of the quantitative morphometric parameters in asymptomatic hips.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the means and the reference intervals of the quantitative morphometric parameters of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in normal hips with high-resolution computed tomography (CT). METHODS: We prospectively included 94 adult individuals who underwent CT for thoracic, abdominal or urologic pathologies. Patients with a clinical history of hip pathology and/or with osteoarthritis on CT were excluded. We calculated means and 95 % reference intervals for imaging signs of cam-type (alpha angle at 90° and 45° and femoral head-neck offset) and pincer-type impingement (acetabular version angle, lateral centre-edge angle and acetabular index). RESULTS: The 95 % reference interval limits were all far beyond the abnormal thresholds found in the literature for cam-type and to a lesser extent for pincer-type FAI. The upper limits of the reference intervals for the alpha angles (at 90°/45°) were 68°/83° (men) and 69°/84° (women), compared to thresholds from the literature (50°, 55° or 60°). Reference intervals were similar between genders for cam-type parameters, and slightly differed for pincer-type. CONCLUSION: The 95 % reference intervals of morphometric measurements of FAI in asymptomatic hips were beyond the abnormal thresholds, which was especially true for cam-type FAI. Our results suggest the need for redefining the current morphometric parameters used in the diagnosis of FAI. KEY POINTS: ? 95 % reference intervals limits of FAI morphotype were beyond currently defined thresholds. ? Reference intervals of pincer-type morphotype measurements were close to current definitions. ? Reference intervals of cam-type morphotype measurements were far beyond the current definitions. ? Current morphometric definitions of cam-type morphotype should be used with care.