Herbivore movement and spatial population dynamics in a heterogeneous landscape

To date, few metapopulation studies have isolated the effects of the intervening matrix from other attributes of landscape structure (e.g., patch geography or quality) that might influence dispersal among patches. Furthermore, there has been little exploration of the mechanisms underlying effects of the matrix on the spatial ecology of species. In this dissertation, I examine how the movement and distribution of the planthopper Prokelisia crocea within and among host-plant patches (prairie cordgrass, Spartina pectinata) is affected by the composition of the matrix (the invasive grass smooth brome [Bromus inermis], native non-host grasses, or mudflat). First, using a mark-recapture study in networks of experimental cordgrass patches that were made identical in size, isolation, and plant quality, I found that the interpatch movement rate of the planthopper was highest in the brome matrix, intermediate in the native grass matrix, and lowest in mudflat. Second, field surveys revealed that individuals accumulated against patch edges in mudflat-bordered patches, but not in patches bordered by non-host grasses. Among patches, incidence and density increased with the proportion of the matrix composed of open mud. Third, I investigated the behavioral bases of these matrix effects using individual movement trials. Whereas movement through mudflat was highly linear, movement was much more tortuous through brome. Within patches, brome edges were three times more permeable to emigration than mudflat edges. I suggest that the effect of matrix composition on the rate of planthopper movement among patches is driven largely by differences in movement tortuosity within the matrix. Tortuous movement through brome likely increases the planthopper’s rate of encounter with spatially aggregated host-plant patches. Furthermore, the effect of the matrix on the planthopper’s within-patch distribution can be attributed to the differences in edge permeability between matrix types. Finally, a literature review revealed that matrix composition and patch quality often covary in plant-herbivore systems, and that most matrix studies have failed to experimentally or statistically isolate the effects of the matrix from potential patch quality effects on dispersal. These findings highlight the value of a mechanistic understanding of the links between landscape structure and dispersal in spatial ecological population studies

Density-functional investigation of the rhombohedral to simple cubic phase transition of arsenic

We report on our investigation of the crystal structure of arsenic under compression, focusing primarily on the pressure-induced A7 to simple cubic (sc) phase transition. The two-atom rhombohedral unit cell is subjected to pressures ranging from 0 GPa to 200 GPa; for each given pressure, cell lengths and angles, as well as atomic positions, are allowed to vary until the fully relaxed structure is obtained. We find that the nearest and next-nearest neighbor distances give the clearest indication of the occurrence of a structural phase transition. Calculations are performed using the local density approximation (LDA) and the PBE and PW91 generalized gradient approximations (GGA-PBE and GGA-PW91) for the exchange-correlation functional. The A7 to sc transition is found to occur at 21+/-1 GPa in the LDA, at 28+/-1 GPa in the GGA-PBE and at 29+/-1 GPa in the GGA-PW91; no volume discontinuity is observed across the transition in any of the three cases. We use k-point grids as dense as 66X66X66 to enable us to present reliably converged results for the A7 to sc transition of arsenic.Comment: To be published in Physical Review B; material supplementary to this article is available at arXiv:0810.169

Bromophenyl functionalization of carbon nanotubes : an ab initio study

We study the thermodynamics of bromophenyl functionalization of carbon nanotubes with respect to diameter and metallic/insulating character using density-functional theory (DFT). On one hand, we show that the activation energy for the grafting of a bromophenyl molecule onto a semiconducting zigzag nanotube ranges from 0.73 eV to 0.76 eV without any clear trend with respect to diameter within numerical accuracy. On the other hand, the binding energy of a single bromophenyl molecule shows a clear diameter dependence and ranges from 1.51 eV for a (8,0) zigzag nanotube to 0.83 eV for a (20,0) zigzag nanotube. This is in part explained by the transition from sp2 to sp3 bonding occurring to a carbon atom of a nanotube when a phenyl is grafted to it and the fact that smaller nanotubes are closer to a sp3 hybridization than larger ones due to increased curvature. Since a second bromophenyl unit can attach without energy barrier next to an isolated grafted unit, they are assumed to exist in pairs. The para configuration is found to be favored for the pairs and their binding energy decreases with increasing diameter, ranging from 4.34 eV for a (7,0) nanotube to 2.27 eV for a (29,0) nanotube. An analytic form for this radius dependence is derived using a tight binding hamiltonian and first order perturbation theory. The 1/R^2 dependance obtained (where R is the nanotube radius) is verified by our DFT results within numerical accuracy. Finally, metallic nanotubes are found to be more reactive than semiconducting nanotubes, a feature that can be explained by a non-zero density of states at the Fermi level for metallic nanotubes.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures and 3 table

Convergence and Heterogeneity in Euro Based Economies:Stability and Dynamics

Cluster analysis is used to explore the performance of key macroeconomic variables in European countries that share the euro, from the inception of the currency in 2002 through to 2013. An original applied statistical approach searches for a pattern synthesis across a matrix of macroeconomic data to examine if there is evidence for country clusters and whether there is convergence of the cluster patterns over time. A number of different clusters appear and these change over time as the economies of the member states dynamically interact. This includes some new countries joining the currency during the period of examination. As found in previous research, Southern European countries tend to remain separate from other countries. The new methods used, however, add to an understanding of some differences between Southern European countries, in addition to replicating their broad similarities. Hypotheses are formed about the country clusters existing in 2002, 2006 and 2013, at key points in time of the euro integration process. These hypotheses are tested using the rigour of a bivariate analysis and the multivariate method of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). The results confirm the hypotheses of cluster memberships in all three periods. The confirmation analysis provides evidence about which variables are most influencing cluster memberships at each time point. In 2002 and 2006, differences between countries are influenced by their different Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and labour productivity scores. In 2013, after the crisis, there is a noticeable change. Long term interest rates and gross government debt become key determinants of differences, in addition to the continuing influence of labour productivity. The paper concludes that in the last decade the convergence of countries sharing the euro has been limited, by the joining of new countries and the circumstances of the global economic crisis. The financial crisis has driven divergences from pre-existing integration. Country convergence needs to be understood as a dynamic and multivariate concept. This is a significant development of convergence theory and is an addition to how the concept has been understood previously

Infrared dust emission in the outer disk of M51

We examine faint infrared emission features detected in Spitzer Space Telescope images of M51, which are associated with atomic hydrogen in the outer disk and tidal tail at R greater than R_25 (4.9', ~14 kpc at d=9.6 Mpc). The infrared colors of these features are consistent with the colors of dust associated with star formation in the bright disk. However, the star formation efficiency (as a ratio of star formation rate to neutral gas mass) implied in the outer disk is lower than that in the bright disk of M51 by an order of magnitude, assuming a similar relationship between infrared emission and star formation rate in the inner and outer disks.Comment: 13 pages in manuscript form, 2 figures; download PDF of manuscript with original-resolution Figure 1 at http://www.eg.bucknell.edu/physics/thornley/thornleym51.pd

Axial piston pump leakage modelling and measurement

This thesis is concerned with the dominant leakage characteristics of an axial piston pump. Results have been obtained from a combination of analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and experimental work, and have added to existing knowledge in this field. The measurement of slipper leakage within an axial piston pump is impossible due to additional leakage from the pistons and between the cylinder barrel and port plate. It may only be determined by analysis and this aspect has been studied via a new CFD simulation. Further progress has been made experimentally on slipper leakage. A new test apparatus was designed and developed by the author and comparisons have been made with parallel analytical work. Previous research in this area has concentrated on single-landed slippers and leakage rates from such slippers have been examined, however only under static conditions. The work in this thesis is the first to consolidate experimental studies on multiple-land slippers, and the first to measure slipper leakage under dynamic conditions. These results have been compared with both CFD simulations and a new theoretical study undertaken in parallel with this work. The new test apparatus allowed measurement of both leakage and groove pressure under a range of operating conditions. It was established that the presence of a groove reduces the restoring moment produced, and hence enables the slipper to operate with an appropriate angle of tilt, thus permitting hydrodynamic lift to more readily exist. However, this occurs at a cost of increased leakage. In addition to the experimental work on slippers, the time-varying pressures within selected cylinders of an axial piston pump were measured. In parallel, a fully dynamic CFD model of a pump was produced. This model included all leakage paths from the pump. It was discovered that the port plate leakage dominated the overall leakage, with slipper leakage still being significant, but with piston leakage insignificant. This model was also used to predict the flow and pressure ripple from the pump and the predictions were compared with experimental measurements.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo