Developing a Software Defined Radio Based Faraday Receiver

The ionosphere can be approximated as a magnetized plasma. This results in wave- particle interactions driving a large quantity of ionospheric phenomena. To understand these phenomena, it is important to quantify and measure certain key plasma parameters. One such parameter is electron density. The Faraday Experiment was developed for the purpose of measuring electron density in the D-region of the ionosphere. This experiment was made popular by Martin Friedrich in the 1970s and is currently one of the only ways to provide high resolution measurements of electron density in the D-region without actively disturbing the surrounding plasma. This thesis aims to highlight this experiment and propose an update to one of its main components. This update would bring the Faraday Experiment up to date with today’s technology and extend its usability. In this thesis, the history, methodology, and the development of the updated experiment will be discussed

Improving diagnostic techniques for venereal diseases in bulls

Infectious disease continues to cause significant problems on reproductive efficiency in the cattle industry. The purpose of this project is to evaluate new testing strategies for Tritrichomonas foetus and Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis. This thesis describes the result of three studies that evaluated the use of real-time PCR for the identification of Tritrichomonas foetus and Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis in carrier bulls. The first study evaluated the specificity of a real-time PCR test for T. foetus in individual culture enriched samples, and the sensitivity of the assay for use in pooled samples of up to 25 bulls. Specificity estimates were 98.8% (95% CI 97-99.4) and 100% (95% CI 98.9-100) for culture and real-time PCR, respectively. The sensitivity of the real-time PCR assay for pooled preputial samples was: 96.8% (83.8-99.4) for pool ratios 1/3 and 1/5; 93.5% (79.3-98.2) for pool ratios 1/2, 1/15, 1/20 and 1/25; and 90.3% (75.1-96.6), and were not significantly different. However, 13 of the 217 pools tested were negative and 9 of these negative testing pools contained the same positive sample. The media in this positive sample showed evidence of contamination and could potentially explain the failure to detect T. foetus. The second study evaluated the sensitivity of a real-time PCR for the detection of T. foetus in individual and pooled direct preputial samples. Sensitivity of individual samples tested by culture, real-time PCR in direct and culture enriched samples were determined from 121 samples obtained from 9 infected bulls. Sensitivity estimates were: 95.0% (95% CI: 89.6% to 97.7%) for culture, 95.9% (95% CI: 90.7 to 98.2) for real-time PCR in cultured enriched samples, and 90.1% (95% CI: 83.5 to 94.2) for direct preputial samples and did not differ (P=0.12). Sensitivity estimates for direct pooled samples in groups of 5 or 10 were: 83.6% (95% CI: 75.6 to 89.4) and 77.3% (95% CI: 68.6-84.1), respectively and were not significantly different (P=0.08). The use of repeat sampling tested in pools by real-time PCR increased the sensitivity to 100% and 96% for 3 consecutive samples (pools of 5 or 10, respectively). The use of pooled direct preputial samples although sensitive, still requires the use of repeated sampling. The third study determined the sensitivity and specificity of a recently developed real-time PCR (qPCR) tests for Cfv. A total of 300 virgin bulls were tested by both culture and qPCR. Specificity estimates were 85% (95% CI: 80.5 to 88.6) for qPCR and 100% (95% CI: 98.7 to 100) for culture, and were significantly different (P<0.01). A total of 4 naturally infected bulls and 9 artificially infected bulls were sampled serially to obtain positive samples for a sensitivity analysis. Sensitivity estimates and 95% confidence intervals are as follows: qPCR (85.4%, 95% CI: 80.6-89.2); direct culture on blood agar (82.3%, 95% CI: 77.2-86.5), DFAT (72.1%, 95% CI: 66.2-77.4), direct culture on Skirrow agar (32.7%, 95% CI: 27.2-38.7), TEM and blood agar (30%, 95% CI: 23.4-37.5), and TEM and Skirrow agar (38.1%, 95% CI: 31-45.9). The sensitivity of the different tests evaluated varied significantly with different ambient temperatures (P<0.01). The sensitivity of the qPCR was significantly higher than any other test when temperatures exceeded 5°C. The use of repeated sampling at weekly intervals significantly improved the sensitivity of the qPCR. The real-time PCR assay for the detection of T. foetus in both individual and pooled samples appears to be highly sensitive and specific. Moreover, the possibility of using direct preputial samples provides a cost-effective diagnostic strategy. Real-time PCR in direct preputial samples for BGC diagnosis in bulls has good sensitivity and specificity. However, the use of repeated sampling maybe needed in order to maximize the ability to detect carrier bulls

Manejo integrado del gusano cachón de la yuca, Erinnyis ello.

Yuca-Mandioca - Manihot esculent

Resistencia al cizallamiento de la línea de cola en madera de tornillo (Cedrelinga cateniformis Ducke) procedente de plantaciones en la zona de Ucayali - Perú

Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Facultad de Ciencias Forestales. Departamento Académico de Industrias ForestalesSe determinó la resistencia al cizallamiento de la línea de cola en uniones encoladas con polivinilo (PVA) en Tornillo (CedrelingacateniformisDucke), utilizando un encolado doble, dos presiones de prensado (5 y 10 kg/cm2) y tres extendidos (150,200 y 250 g/m2). Los resultados muestran que la resistencia de la unión encolada alcanza valores ligeramente inferiores a los de la madera sólida. Asimismo, el incremento de la presión de prensado y el extendido de cola tienen un efecto favorable en la resistencia al cizallamiento en Tornillo de Campo Abierto. Además, la variación de la presión de prensado y el extendido de cola no tienen influencia sobre la resistencia al cizallamiento de Tornillo en Fajas de 5 m. Finalmente, las condiciones que permiten obtener uniones con una mayor resistencia y mayor porcentaje de madera fallada son: una presión de encolado de 10kg/cm2para Tornillo de Fajas y Campo abierto; y un extendido de 150y 200g/m2 para Fajas y Campo abierto, respectivamente.Tesi

Presentación del estro no puberal y la primera gestación en novillas cebú mestizas en la altillanura colombiana

Maestría en CienciasMaestrí

Trio a novel bovine high-fecundity allele: II. Hormonal profile and follicular dynamics underlying the high ovulation rate

The newly discovered Trio high-fecundity allele produces multiple ovulations in cattle. This study evaluated (1) size and growth rates of follicles in Trio carriers during a synchronized follicular wave, induced by follicle aspiration; (2) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) patterns associated with the follicular wave; (3) size of corpora lutea (CL) and circulating progesterone; and (4) intrafollicular estradiol concentrations prior to normal deviation. Trio carriers had mean dominant follicles that were significantly smaller in diameter and volume than noncarriers. Onset of diameter deviation occurred at ∼3 days after the last follicle aspiration in both genotypes despite Trio carriers having much smaller individual follicles. Follicles of Trio carriers grew at a slower rate than noncarrier follicles (∼65% in mm/day or ∼30% in mm3/day) resulting in much smaller individual dominant follicles (∼25% volume). However, total dominant follicle volume, calculated as the sum of all dominant follicles in each animal, was similar in carriers and noncarriers of Trio throughout the entire follicular wave. Circulating FSH was greater in Trio carriers during the 24 h encompassing deviation. Trio carriers had significantly more ovulations than noncarriers, and individual CL volume was smaller, although total luteal tissue volume and circulating P4 were not different. Thus, increased ovulation rate in Trio carriers relates to smaller individual follicles (one-third the volume) near the time of deviation due to slower follicle growth rate, although time of deviation is similar, with increased circulating FSH near deviation leading to selection of multiple dominant follicles in Trio carriers with similar total follicle volume

Proteomic analysis of follicular fluid in carriers and non-carriers of the Trio allele for high ovulation rate in cattle

This study was conducted to characterise differences in follicular fluid proteins between carriers and non-carriers of a bovine allele for high ovulation rate. A total of four non-carrier and five carrier females were used in an initial study with four and six additional non-carriers and carriers respectively used in a validation study. Emergence of the follicular wave was synchronised and the ovaries containing the dominant follicle(s) were extracted by ovariectomy for follicular fluid collection. A hexapeptide ligand library was used to overcome the masking effect of high-abundance proteins and to increase detection of low-abundance proteins in tandem mass spectrometry. After correcting for multiple comparisons, only two proteins, glia-derived nexin precursor (SERPINE2) and inhibin β B chain precursor (INHBB), were significantly differentially expressed (false-discovery rate <0.05). In a replicate study of analogous design differential expression was confirmed (P<0.05). Joint analysis of results from the two studies indicated that three additional proteins were consistently differentially expressed between genotypes. For three of these five, previous studies have indicated that expression is increased by transforming growth factor-β-bone morphogenetic protein signalling; their reduction in follicular fluid from carrier animals is consistent with the ~9-fold overexpression of SMAD family member 6 (SMAD6) in carriers that is inhibitory to this pathway

Actividades psicomotrices para estimular las áreas involucradas en el proceso de lectura en estudiantes de 7° y 8° grado en el C.E.B.G. José Santos Puga. Año 2015

Objetivos Generales. • Establecer que la falta de psicomotricidad también afecta las áreas relacionadas con la comprensión de lectura en jóvenes que asisten al 7° y 8° grado del C.E.B.G. José Santos Puga, Año 2015 • Diseñar un programa de actividades psicomotrices para estudiantes del 7' y 8' grado que asisten al C.E.B.G. José Santos Pug Objetivos Específicos. • Identificar las dificultades de psicomotricidad como proceso que debe mejorar las áreas de postura, esquema corporal, lateralidad, equilibrio, coordinación espacio temporal relacionadas con la lectura. • Evaluar el nivel de comprensión lectora de los jóvenes que asisten al C.E.B.G. José Santos Puga, y el nivel de desarrollo de las áreas de lateralidad, equilibrio, coordinación espacio temporal. • Aplicar el programa dirigido al desarrollo de las áreas de lateralidad, equilibrio, coordinación espacio temporal y que hayan salido con baja puntuación en comprensión de textos

Oceanographic processes shape genetic signatures of planktonic cephalopod paralarvae in two upwelling regions

The planktonic paralarval stage of cephalopods (octopus, squids and cuttlefishes) is an important dispersal phase, particularly of benthic species, that lasts from days to months. Cephalopod paralarvae modify their vertical position in the water in upwelling ecosystems and such behaviour influences their spatial distribution and genetic structure, but to what extent? In this work specific water masses were sampled with Lagrangian buoys in two contrasting upwelling systems (Iberian Peninsula and Morocco) of the Iberian-Canary current eastern boundary upwelling (ICC) in order to: (i) identify the cephalopod assemblage in the different upwelling systems (ii) define their planktonic dispersal patterns and (iii) analyse the effect of different dispersal patterns on genetic structure and connectivity. Cephalopod paralarvae were identified using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI), revealing 21 different species and F-st values showed no population structure between both upwelling systems. Cephalopod species richness was two times higher in the Moroccan upwelling than in the Iberian Peninsula, with an undescribed Ancistrocheiridae species identified in Moroccan waters. Three common planktonic dispersal patterns were identified in the ICC: coastal, coastal-oceanic and oceanic. Coastal and oceanic dispersal patterns favoured spatio-temporal paralarval retention or "schooling" of different cohorts over the continental shelf and continental slope in 9 and 11 species, respectively. Such spatio-temporal retention was reflected in the complex haplotype networks and high nucleotide/haplotype diversity recorded for these two groups. The only cephalopod species displaying a coastal-oceanic dispersal pattern was Octopus vulgaris, where low nucleotide and haplotype diversity was observed. The observed decline in genetic structure resulted from the dispersal of similar cohorts within upwelling currents and upwelling filaments to the oceanic realm. Seascape analysis revealed that cephalopod paralarvae from two coastal upwelling ecosystems of the ICC display three planktonic dispersal patterns with contrasting distributions and signatures at the genetic level

Biomasa potencial y distribución de pulpo en el este del banco de Campeche (Yucatán, México)

The octopus fishery on the Campeche Bank (Yucatán, Mexico) is considered the third largest in the world. In Yucatán, two fleets target this resource: an artisanal fleet and a semi-industrial fleet. The artisanal fleet only catches Octopus maya, while the semi-industrial fleet catches two species, O. Maya and O. “vulgaris” Type II, because it operates at deeper waters ( > 30 m). Since there is no information on the abundance of O. “vulgaris” Type II, management is based only on O. Maya. In order to generate information about the abundance of this species, four fishing research cruises were carried out in the northeastern area of the continental shelf off the Yucatán Peninsula. Four methods (a stratified random method, a swept area, geostatistics and a weighted swept area) were applied and compared to determine the instantaneous abundance and biomass of both species in the study area. The lowest potential biomass was calculated with the geostatistical method, with values between 18.5% and 36.7% lower than the other three methods. O. “vulgaris” Type II showed the lowest biomass (37.8±3.36 t) during May and July and the highest (189.56±11.6 t) in December. Our findings revealed that the total abun­dance of both species was similar in the study area, with a geographic overlap whose amplitude changed throughout the year according to the geographic position: O. Maya dominated at approximately 88°W, while O. “vulgaris” Type II dominated towards the southeast at 87°W.La pesquería de pulpo en el banco de Campeche (Yucatán, México) se considera la tercera productora mundial de pulpo. En Yucatán, dos flotas capturan este recurso: una flota artesanal y una semi-industrial. La flota artesanal solo captura Octopus maya, mientras que la flota semi-industrial captura dos especies: O. Maya y O. “vulgaris” Tipo II. Esto se debe a que la flota semi-industrial opera en aguas más profundas ( > 30 m). Dado que no existe información sobre la abundancia de O. “vulgaris” Tipo II, el manejo se basa únicamente en la evaluación de O. Maya. Con objeto de generar información sobre la abundancia de esta especie, se realizaron cuatro campañas de prospección pesquera en la zona noreste de la plataforma con­tinental de la Península de Yucatán. Se aplicaron cuatro métodos (método aleatorio estratificado, área barrida, geoestadística y área barrida ponderada) y sus resultados se compararon para determinar la abundancia y biomasa instantáneas de ambas especies en el área de estudio. La biomasa potencial más baja se obtuvo con el método geoestadístico, con valores de 18.5 a 36.7% más bajos que con los otros tres métodos. O. “vulgaris” Tipo II mostró una biomasa más baja (37.8±3.36 t) durante mayo y junio, mientras que la más alta (189.56±11.6 t) fue en diciembre. Nuestros hallazgos revelaron que la abundancia total para las dos especies fue similar; además ambas especies presentaron una superposición geográfica, cuya amplitud cambió con el período del año y la posición geográfica: O. maya fue dominante en la longitud de los 88°W, mientras que O. “vulgaris Tipo II dominó hacia el sudeste de la plataforma de Yucatán (aproximadamente 87°W)