Modeling winter severity and harvest of moose: impacts of nutrition and predation

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2013Climate change is expected to have both positive and negative impacts on northern ungulate populations. Moose (Alces alces) will likely benefit from an increase in the growing season length and frequency of wildfire. However, increases in extreme weather events may result in moose population declines, particularly for nutritionally stressed moose populations. Management strategies to reduce the nutritional stress of populations may become increasingly important. We used stage-structured population models to examine the impact of deep-snow events on moose population trajectories and evaluated female harvest strategies designed to mitigate nutritional stress by decreasing intraspecific competition. Population trajectories were primarily influenced by young adult and prime adult survival. Populations held at low density by predation are likely buffered against the effects of severe weather events, whereas nutritionally stressed populations are vulnerable to population declines from the same environmental conditions. Harvest of cow-calf pairs may be an effective way to maximize harvestable yield and maintain population resilience when nutritional condition is poor. Moose population abundance over the long-term may become more variable due to the effects of climate change. Future modeling needs to incorporate alternative harvest and climate scenarios to help us better understand how we can promote moose population resilience.Chapter 1: General introduction -- Chapter 2: Population models of Interior Alaska moose: impacts of nutrional condition on responses to winter severity and potential management strategies -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Methods -- Model structure -- Model parameterization -- Model performance -- Sensitivity of population growth rate to changes in vital rates -- Projected increases in deep snow years -- Snow depth -- Population responses to deep snow events -- Population responses to female harvest scenarios -- Results -- Model performance -- Sensitivity of population growth rate to changes in vital rates -- Population responses to deep snow events -- Population responses to female harvest scenarios -- Discussion -- Population responses to deep snow events -- Population responses to female harvest scenarios -- Management implications -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Chapter 3: General conclusions -- References

Taking Action for Looked After Children in School: A Knowledge Exchange Programme

This book will become a teaching resource for all professionals concerned with the education of children in care, such as designated teachers and Virtual School colleagues

Minimum Image Size for Phase Error Correction Using Phase Gradient Autofocus on Synthetic Aperture Radar Images

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is used for imaging large patches of earth�s surface; however, these images suffer from phase errors induced by demodulation errors. These demodulation error are caused by uncompensated fluctuations in the flight path and atmospheric irregularities which cause unknown delays for the returned signal. Phase errors cause the resulting image to blur along the dimension parallel to the flight path, and must be corrected in order to produce a high resolution radar image. This paper attempts to find a minimum image size for which phase gradient autofocus (PGA) can effectively be used to correct phase errors. To measure the accuracy of the correction two metrics are used: average coherence after coherent change detection (CCD) and mean absolute error (MAE) of the estimated phase error compared to the applied phase error.Electrical Engineerin

Promoting the achievement of looked after children and young people in South Tyneside

As of March 2016, there were 70,440 children and young people in care in England. The number of looked after children has continued to increase steadily over the last eight years. Sixty per cent of these children are in care because of abuse or neglect and three-quarters are placed in foster care arrangements. Children and young people who are in or have experienced care remain one of the lowest performing groups in terms of educational outcomes. Last year, 14% of looked after children achieved five or more A*–C GCSEs or equivalent, including English and mathematics. As a consequence, they also experience poorer employment and health outcomes after leaving school compared to their peers. They are over-represented amongst the offender population and those who experience homelessness. However, research is emerging to show that children and young people in care can have very positive experiences of school and are supported effectively to reach their full potential academically and socially. The purpose of this report is to share practice in selected South Tyneside schools that is contributing to improved outcomes and school experiences for children and young people in care. In July 2015, the South Tyneside Virtual School (VS) collaborated with UCL Institute of Education to run their Promoting the Achievement of Looked After Children (PALAC) programme with seven schools in the local authority (LA). This report presents an account of the programme, including the activities undertaken by the participants and the outcomes of the programme to date for students in care and staff in the participating school

Promoting the achievement of looked after children and young people in Lincolnshire

As of March 2017, there were 72, 670 children and young people in care in England. The number of looked after children has continued to increase steadily over the last eight years. Sixty per cent of these children are in care because of abuse or neglect and three-quarters are placed in foster care arrangements. Children and young people who are in or have experienced care remain one of the lowest performing groups in terms of educational outcomes. The average Attainment 8 score for children in care is 19.3 compared to 44.5 for non-looked after children and 19.3 for children in need. In 2017 there was an increase in the percentage of children in care achieving a pass in English and Mathematics from 17.4% to 17.5% and also in entering EBacc. Care leavers can experience poorer employment and health outcomes after leaving school compared to their peers. They are over-represented amongst the offender population and those who experience homelessness. However, research is emerging to show that many children and young people in care can have very positive experiences of school and are supported effectively to reach their full potential academically and socially. The purpose of this report is to share practice in selected Lincolnshire schools that is contributing to improved outcomes and school experiences for children and young people in care. In 2017, Lincolnshire Virtual School (VS) collaborated with UCL Institute of Education to deliver the Promoting the Achievement of Looked after Children (PALAC) programme with seven schools and the Early Years service in the local authority (LA). This report presents an account of the programme, including the activities undertaken by the participants and the outcomes of the programme to date for pupils in care and staff in the participating schools

Wood materials and shearwalls of older light-frame residential structures

Light-frame construction practices and materials have changed greatly over the past 100 years. Contemporary research has focused on modern construction; thus, we know a great deal about the behavior of modern lightframe buildings under lateral forces. However, there are many light-frame buildings that were built prior to the introduction of modern building codes and material standards, and these buildings are still in service. The material and performance databases for these older structures are limited, so risk assessment and condition assessment are challenged for seismic or wind events. The project objective is to establish a basis for probabilistic assessment of the seismic performance of older construction by examining the performance of shearwalls, connections, and wood materials from older light-frame buildings Nineteen structures built between 1900 and 1970, scheduled for demolition, were sampled for material and connection tests as well as full-size shearwall tests. The scope of tests for each source structure was based on the availability of full-size shearwalls and the type of sheathing material used in the structure. Two exterior sheathing types were found in the source structures, horizontal plank sheathing and plywood. Wood lath-and-plaster was the characteristic interior wall covering in buildings of this era. Specific gravity was determined, and embedment tests were performed on the wood framing and sheathing materials. Bending-yield tests were performed on the sheathing nails (typically 0.113 by 2.5- in.), and lateral single-nail connection tests were performed on extracted connections. Full-scale shearwall racking tests were done both monotonically and cyclically using the basic CUREE loading protocol. The average specific gravity of the wood materials was 0.46. The material extracted from the source structures had an embedment strength that was statistically similar to the National Design Specifications (NDS) table value for a specific gravity of 0.46 (4.0 ksi). The results of the nail bending-yield test showed no significant change over time. Nails had average bending-yield strength of 97.3 ksi, which is similar to the NDS stated value of 100 ksi. In general, the connection tests showed agreement with the European Yield Model (EYM) equations for connection strength. The full-size shearwall capacities were in agreement with known values for walls with each type of sheathing. Based on the limited testing done in this study, no adverse effects due to age and service life were observed. The materials and assemblies performed according to modern standards for new construction. Insect damage and fungi deterioration were present in many of the structures, and because these conditions were avoided as much as possible, no inferences are made regarding the effects of insect and fungi damage on lateral shear strength. These tests show that a structure built in the early 1900’s will meet modern design expectations as long as the material has been kept dry and free of damage due to insects. The principal threats to hazard performance observed during this study were the construction practices in the early twentieth century. Most of the source structures had no anchorage to the foundation, shearwalls were connected to roof diaphragms with limited toe nail connections, most structures were sheathed with horizontal planks, and many of the source structures had few walls that met the modern prescribed aspect ratio for structural shearwalls of 2:1 for full table design capacity. The results of this research can be integrated with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) document on seismic rehabilitation for buildings

Stability of g-modes in rotating B-type stars

We have studied the stability of low degree $g$-modes in uniformly rotating B-type stars, taking into account the effects of the Coriolis force and the rotational deformation. From an analysis treating rotation frequency as a small parameter it is found that slow rotation tends to $destabilize$ high radial-order $retrograde$ $g$-modes, although the effect is very small or absent for relatively low order modes. Calculating eigenfrequencies at selected rotation rates, we find, on the other hand, that rapid rotation tends to $stabilize$ $retrograde$ $g$-modes. The stabilizing effect appears stronger for less massive B-type stars having low effective temperatures. If we change rotation rate continuously, the frequency of a $g$-mode belonging to ($l', m$) crosses frequencies of other $g$-modes belonging to ($l', m$). If the parity of the two encountering modes are the same, they interact each other and the stability (i.e., imaginary part of eigenfrequency) of each mode is modified. Using an asymptotic method we discuss the property of such mode crossings and couplings. For rapidly rotating stars mode couplings are important for the stability of low degree $g$-modes. In particular, we find that the stabilization of retrograde $g$-modes in rapidly rotating stars is due to many strong mode couplings, while %prograde sectoral% modes are exceptionally immune to the damping effects from the mode couplings.Comment: 13 pages, 15 figure

Promoting the achievement of looked after children and young people in the City of Nottingham

As of March 2016, there were 70,440 children and young people in care in England. The number of looked after children has continued to increase steadily over the last eight years. Sixty per cent of these children are in care because of abuse or neglect and three-quarters are placed in foster care arrangements. Children and young people who are in or have experienced care remain one of the lowest performing groups in terms of educational outcomes. Last year, 14% of looked after children achieved five or more A*–C GCSEs or equivalent, including English and mathematics. As a consequence, they also experience poorer employment and health outcomes after leaving school compared to their peers. They are over-represented amongst the offender population and those who experience homelessness. However, research is emerging to show that children and young people in care can have very positive experiences of school and are supported effectively to reach their full potential academically and socially. The purpose of this report is to share practice in selected City of Nottingham schools that is contributing to improved outcomes and school experiences for children and young people in care. In July 2015, the City of Nottingham Virtual School (VS) commissioned UCL Institute of Education to run their Promoting the Achievement of Looked After Children (PALAC) programme with seven schools in the Local Authority (LA). This report presents an account of the programme, including the activities undertaken by the participants and the outcomes of the programme to date for pupils in care and staff in the participating schools

Promoting the achievement of looked after children and young people in the London Borough of Hounslow

As of March 2016, there were 70,440 children and young people in care in England. The number of looked after children has continued to increase steadily over the last eight years. Sixty per cent of these children are in care because of abuse or neglect and three-quarters are placed in foster care arrangements. Children and young people who are in or have experienced care remain one of the lowest performing groups in terms of educational outcomes. Last year, 14% of looked after children achieved five or more A*–C GCSEs or equivalent, including English and mathematics. As a consequence, they also experience poorer employment and health outcomes after leaving school compared to their peers. They are over-represented amongst the offender population and those who experience homelessness. However, research is emerging to show that children and young people in care can have very positive experiences of school and are supported effectively to reach their full potential academically and socially. The purpose of this report is to share practice in selected Hounslow schools and colleges that is contributing to improved outcomes and school experiences for children and young people in care. In July 2015, the Hounslow Virtual School (VS) collaborated with UCL Institute of Education to run their Promoting the Achievement of Looked After Children (PALAC) programme with seven schools in the local authority (LA). This report presents an account of the programme, including the activities undertaken by the participants and the outcomes of the programme to date for students in care and staff in the participating schools

Relationship Between Concentric Velocities at Varying Intensity in the Back Squat Using a Wireless Inertial Sensor

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of velocities in the back squat between one repetition maximum (1RM) and submaximally loaded repetition maximum (RM) conditions, specifically in regard to what has been described as the minimal velocity threshold (MVT). The MVT describes a minimum concentric velocity that an individual must reach or surpass in order to successfully complete a repetition. Design: To test the presence of a MVT, participants were tested for 1RM and RM back squat ability. The mean concentric veloci ties (MCV) of the last successful repetition of each condition were then compared. Methods: Fourteen male participants familiar with the back squat volunteered to participate in the current study (age = 25.0 y ± 2.6, height = 178.9 cm ± 8.1, body mass = 88.2 kg ± 15.8). The mean concentric velocity (MCV) during the last successful repetition from each testing condition was considered for the comparison. Results: Results indicated a non-significant negative relationship of MCV between the 1RM and RM conditions (r = -0.135), no statistical difference between testing conditions (p = 0.266), with a small-to-moderate effect size (d = 0.468). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that MVT should be further investigated to enhance its use in the practical setting. Additionally, coaches considering using a velocity-based approach for testing athletes should use data from either 1RM or RM conditions, but not both interchangeably. Coaches should be cautious when considering group averages or comparing velocity data between athletes, which may not be appropriate based on our results