Importance of Maintaining Shallow-water Habitats for the Movement and Survival of Stream Fishes

Environmental flows are important for the conservation of stream biota. Although a range of flows are necessary for the persistence of aquatic species, minimum flow standards are often the most basic component. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of low flows on habitat availability, habitat connectivity, and water temperature and assess the consequences to stream fish. Stream drying disproportionately affects shallow-water habitat availability in streams. Using a wetted-area approach, I found backwaters, riffles, and runs experienced the greatest loss of area in this study with decreasing discharge. Fish assemblage relationships with channel units were quantified using ordinations. Shallow-water channel units (i.e., riffles, runs, vegetated edgewaters) structured much of the fish assemblage in Barren Fork Creek, particularly benthic fishes. Additional fluvial specialists (e.g., cardinal shiner Luxilus cardinalis) were found in the Illinois and Flint Creek and related to higher-velocity habitats. Diel shifts in habitat use were observed in all streams suggesting connectivity between channel units to be important for fish. Continuous recaptures over about 50 days of four PIT-tagged species in Flint Creek were analyzed using a multistate model in MARK. I found survival probabilities of cardinal shiner and orangethroat darter Etheostoma spectabile were related to daily discharge. More importantly, transition probabilities were related to daily discharge for three species (i.e., cardinal shiner, orangethroat darter, and slender madtom Noturus exilis). Transition probabilities were near zero at approximately 0.43 - 0.57 m3/s suggesting reduced connectivity. Maximum mean daily water temperatures were: 31.63 ˚C and 29.55 ˚C for the Illinois River and Flint Creek, respectively. I used SSTEMP to model a 50% reduction in discharge that resulted in a 0.32 ˚C and 0.13 ˚C decrease in maximum water temperature in each of the two streams. Temperature modeling of Barren Fork Creek was difficult to interpret because of extreme low flows. Increasing discharge in the Illinois River and Flint Creek showed only minimal reductions in risk of exceeding critical thermal maximum (CTM) for fishes. Flint Creek, however, appeared to offer thermal refugia for many species. My results indicated a discharge of 0.57 m3/s was a critical threshold for functional connectivity in Flint Creek. Based on channel morphology, I would expect restricted movements to occur above this threshold in the Barren Fork Creek and Illinois River.Natural Resources and Ecology Managemen

Activity-Based Data Fusion for the Automated Progress Tracking of Construction Projects

In recent years, many researchers have investigated automated progress tracking for construction projects. These efforts range from 2D photo-feature extraction to 3D laser scanners and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. A multi-sensor data fusion model that utilizes multiple sources of information would provide a better alternative than a single-source model for tracking project progress. However, many existing fusion models are based on data fusion at the sensor and object levels and are therefore incapable of capturing critical information regarding a number of activities and processes on a construction site, particularly those related to non-structural trades such as welding, inspection, and installation activities. In this research, a workflow based data fusion framework is developed for construction progress, quality and productivity assessment. The developed model is based on tracking construction activities as well as objects, in contrast to the existing sensor-based models that are focussed on tracking objects. Data sources include high frequency automated technologies including 3D imaging and ultra-wide band (UWB) positioning. Foreman reports, schedule information, and other data sources are included as well. Data fusion and management process workflow implementation via a distributed computing network and archiving using a cloud-based architecture are both illustrated. Validation was achieved using a detailed laboratory experimental program as well as an extensive field implementation project. The field implementation was conducted using five months of data acquired on the University of Waterloo Engineering VI construction project, yielding promising results. The data fusion processes of this research provide more accurate and more reliable progress and earned value estimates for construction project activities, while the developed data management processes enable the secure sharing and management of construction research data with the construction industry stakeholders as well as with researchers from other institutions

Exploratory research into supply chain voids within Welsh priority business sectors

The paper reports the findings resulting from the initial stages of an exploratory investigation into Supply Chain Voids (SCV) in Wales. The research forms the foundations of a PhD thesis which is framed within the sectors designated as important by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and indicates local supplier capability voids within their supply chains. This paper covers the stages of initial data gathering, analysis and results identified between June 2006 and April 2007, whilst addressing the first of four research questions. Finally, the approach to address future research is identified in order to explain how the PhD is to progress