Trophic spatial ecology of invertivorous stream fishes.

In Chapter 1, I studied the relationship between Bigeye Shiner populations and variables of habitat patches within the stream, and the land adjacent to the stream (the riparian zone). This work was done in Brier Creek, a small stream in southern Oklahoma. Results showed that the number of Shiners in a pool was best predicted by habitat variables of the riffle just upstream from a pool. These riffle variables also determined the amount of insect larva drifting from riffles into downstream pools at night, which in turn predicted Shiner feeding success. Body condition of Shiners was best predicted by feeding success. These results illustrate the importance of upstream riffles to the pool-dwelling Bigeye Shiner, and provide an example of how feeding habits can lead to importance of patch context for a species. When animals consume resources originating in other habitats and "imported" into their occupied patch, connections among habitat patches are important to the species' survival.In Chapter 3, I asked if feeding habits of different fish species determined their dependence on insects entering the stream from the riparian zone (terrestrial insects). Using experimental streams, I excluded these insects from half of the experimental units for each fish species, and examined differences in fish diet and body fat. Under terrestrial insect exclusion, diet and body fat of the bottom-feeding Orangethroat Darter were unchanged. Bigeye Shiner switched their diet from terrestrial insects to aquatic resources, but body fat levels did not change. Blackstripe Topminnow also switched their diet away from terrestrial insects, but, unlike Bigeye Shiner, body fat levels decreased when terrestrial insects were unavailable. These results indicate that reducing movement of trophic resources from one habitat to another affects different species in different ways, and that the feeding habits of species may help predict this response. This result is important in light of human landscape modification, which often alters the amount of insects moving into streams from the surrounding landscape. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)In Chapter 2, I studied differences in feeding ecology among populations of Orangethroat Darters on riffles in Brier Creek. Results showed significant differences among riffles. The number of prey items consumed varied significantly among riffles, but was not affected by darter body size. Prey selection varied greatly among riffles, and for four of seven prey items was explained by habitat differences. Contrary to theoretical predictions, diet breadth of darters within riffles was not dependent on the abundance of energetically favorable prey, largely due to a lack of selection for these prey items. These results indicate that variation among riffles can have a strong effect on prey use by the Orangethroat Darter, and that this is an important spatial scale over which to study diet variation in this and similar species.In my dissertation research, I investigated the manner in which trophic ecology links organisms to different habitats within the landscape. I studied three species: the Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile), a fish that lives on the stream bottom and feeds on insect larva and other invertebrates; the Bigeye Shiner (Notropis boops), a minnow that swims in the middle of the water column and feeds on insect larva drifting downstream and terrestrial insects falling into the stream, and the Blackstripe Topminnow (Fundulus notatus), which swims just below the water's surface and feeds on insects falling into the stream from streamside vegetation

The Best is the Enemy of the Good

When I began my residency, I wanted to deepen my clinical expertise so I could better serve the growing population of older adults. I thought my perfectionism would be an asset in this process and help me be successful. As a high achiever, I focused on meeting internal and external expectations, not on growth. What I did not think of was how to better myself as a person—or that I even needed to do so. I did not know that perfectionism can be a weakness that affects not only me but also those around me. I am not alone in my perfectionism as a healthcare professional. Research shows that perfectionism can lead to depression in nurses; negative feelings including guilt, fear, and shame in emergency medicine physicians after a medical error; and difficulty in receiving feedback and challenges in interpersonal relationships among physicians. Just as muscles require an overload stimulus to increase strength, I needed the pressure of residency to make changes in myself that bettered me as a person—and in turn benefited my roles as a physical therapist, coworker, spouse, teacher, and researcher

Review of In Situ Measurements as Indications of Liquefaction Potential at Numerous Sites

Current practice for assessing liquefaction potential of granular soils depends heavily on in situ indices of density, and sometimes direct measurements of density. Correlations have been developed to predict resistance to liquefaction as a function of standard penetration test (SPT) blow count, cone penetrometer (CPT) tip resistance, shear-wave velocity (VS), or other index property. Recognizing that each correlation entails its own uncertainties, and that different indices of liquefaction potential may provide conflicting conclusions, the Bureau of Reclamation reviewed in situ test results from a large number of sites where multiple tests had been used. The goals were to 1) evaluate consistency among the various indices of liquefaction potential, 2) compare indirect indices of density, such as penetration resistance, against actual density measurements, and 3) survey current practice throughout the industry. This paper will provide a summary of the results

On the Use of Empirical Correlations for Estimating the Residual Undrained Shear Strength of Liquefied Soils in Dam Foundations

Current practice (2009) for seismic analysis of embankment dams relies heavily on empirical correlations with penetration resistance (standard penetration test or cone penetration test) to predict the residual undrained shear strength of liquefied foundation materials. At least six such relationships have been published for the SPT alone, in different “formats.” Some apply a fines adjustment to the SPT blowcounts, but others do not; some express the predicted strength as a ratio with pre-earthquake effective overburden stress, whereas others predict it directly, without explicit consideration of overburden. For the foundations of embankment dams, the difference between the strength-ratio approach and prediction of Sur directly, from the SPT alone, can be important. In this paper, the underlying assumptions and data are reviewed critically, including the effects of different material types and different mechanisms governing the strength. Simplified statistical analyses were applied in attempt to determine the most appropriate format for a correlation and to obtain a new correlation that explicitly accounts for both overburden and blowcount

AS-852-18 Resolution on Change of Degree Designation from B.A. to B.S. for Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies (LAES)

That the Academic Senate of the California State University of San Luis Obispo approve the request to change the designation of the B.A. for Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies to a B.S

Evaluation of Structural Alternatives for Seismic Risk Mitigation at Deer Creek Dam

Deer Creek Dam is a zoned earthen embankment on the Provo River in central Utah. The site is potentially subject to very severe earthquake loading, and some foundation materials have been identified as being likely to be liquefied by strong shaking. This could lead to instability or large dynamic deformations of the downstream slope, and possibly a breach of the dam. Several structural concepts were evaluated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to determine the best method to stabilize the embankment. The selected modification concept was a rolled earthfill key under the downstream toe of the embankment, with a berm over it to weight the key and buttress the slope. This concept was selected in the fall of 2002, and in July 2003, a contract was awarded to modify the dam. This paper presents background information on the dam and its foundation, and describes the process of determining that modification is required and designing the modification. The latter includes potential earthquake loadings, in situ and laboratory testing to evaluate the foundation, and analyses of liquefaction potential and the stability of the unmodified embankment. The various concepts for modification are described, along with the rationale for selecting the preferred concept

Chiropteran Mortality

The study of chiropteran mortality is a difficult one because observations concerning mass mortality, predation, and fatal accidents are sporadic and unexpected. Almost every known predaceous animal preys on bats from time to time; but (with one or two rare exceptions) do so only when an occasional opportunity presents itself, and do not specialize in bat predation. Our knowledge of bat pathology is meager. Mass-mortalities have been reported only from sight observations, and the causative organisms rarely ascertained, because of the unexpected encounter. The relationships between human and chiropteran diseases are becoming much better understood; this study is mostly oriented toward man, and not toward the cause and effect of disease in the chiroptera. The longevity of certain bats is known to range between 15 and 20 years; but their unique activities make them rather prone to accident. They become impaled on such sharp objects as barbed wire, and locust, burdock, and cactus spines. They fall into water holes and drown, get entrapped in tar pits, get electrocuted on high-power lines, etc., but remain among the most abundant mammals on earth today. We have attempted to assemble the literature on all known causes of mortality in bats but cannot, of course, cite all noted occurrences

Governance Reform and the Judicial Role in Municipal Bankruptcy

Recent proceedings involving large municipalities such as Detroit, Stockton, and Vallejo illustrate both the utility and the limitations of using the Bankruptcy Code to adjust municipal debt. In this article, we contend that, to truly resolve the distress of a substantial city, municipal bankruptcy needs to do more than simply provide immediate debt relief. Debt adjustment alone does nothing to remedy the fragmented decision-making and incentives for expanding municipal budgets that underlie municipal distress. Unless bankruptcy also addresses governance dysfunction, the city may slide right back into financial crisis. Governance restructuring has long been an essential element of corporate bankruptcy. Given the monopoly position of local governments as providers of local public goods, governance reform is even more important in the municipal bankruptcy context. Some might argue that reducing a city’s debt is the best bankruptcy courts can do, because a more comprehensive approach would, among other things, interfere with state sovereignty. In our view, these concerns do not withstand inspection. Based on a careful analysis of the historical origins of the current municipal bankruptcy provisions, as well as an assessment of recent Supreme Court jurisprudence, we argue that governance reform is permitted even under existing law. To be sure, the states themselves, rather than a bankruptcy court, ideally should be the ones to effect municipal governance reform. But political factors and the salience of the fiscal crisis make state intervention unlikely, thus underscoring the need for a more comprehensive approach to municipal bankruptcy