Sustainable open space planning and implementation with an assessment of the applicability of GIS in local communities

This research creates a conceptual open space planning process model and a demonstration model that uses GIS (Geographic Information System) software as a means to determine solutions. The conceptual open space planning process model integrated 1) citizen participation and intergovernmental staff cooperation, 2) planning concepts, and 3) sustainability principles. The demonstration model displayed GIS applications through the use of ArcView GIS 3.2 and Spatial Analyst\u27s ModelBuilder extension. Methods pertaining to GIS as a planning tool aid a community in decision-making as part of the planning process for the efficient implementation of a sustainable open space. As communities continue to urbanize, there is an increasing need and demand for public open space. An open space was defined as containing environmentally sensitive land, and providing social and recreational aspects for the enjoyment of local citizen populations. Sustainability principles, as related to open spaces, are comprised of three interrelated pillar values: social, economic, and environmental. Community developments in the form of sustainable open spaces meet the social demands and desires of local citizens, while also benefiting a community economically and promoting natural progression environmentally. The resulting models produced in the report are substantiated and related back to techniques and applications for the implementation of sustainable open spaces in local communities. It was recommended that decision-makers, planners, community stakeholders, and the general public work together to explore the options of acquiring, establishing, funding, and protecting a sustainable open space once its location has been determined. The end-results of this investigation aid as a planning resource for citizens and planners looking for options and recommendations to implement, preserve, and protect, sustainable open spaces within their local communities

An Approach to the Critical Evaluation of Settings of the Poetry of Walt Whitman: Lowell Liebermann's Symphony No. 2

Walt Whitman's poetry continues to inspire composers of choral music, and the growing collection of musical settings necessitates development of a standard evaluative tool. Critical evaluation of the musical settings of Whitman's work is difficult because the extensive body of verse is complex and of uneven quality, and lack of common text among compositions makes comparison problematical. The diversity of musical styles involved further complicates the issue. Previous studies have focused on either ideology or style, but none have united the two critical approaches, thus restricting potential for deeper understanding of the music. This study proposes an approach to critical evaluation of Whitman settings that applies hermeneutics, or a blend of analysis and criticism, to the process. The hermeneutic approach includes an examination of the interrelationship between musical form and style and the composer's ideology, which is revealed through his/her treatment of Whitman's poetry and analyzed in light of cultural influences. Lowell Liebermann (b. 1961) has composed a large scale choral/orchestral setting of Whitman texts in his Symphony No. 2, opus 67 (1999). The selection, placement, and treatment of poetry in Symphony No. 2 provide a window into the composer's mind and his place in the current musical climate. Liebermann's setting reveals his interest in Whitman's search for spirituality and the human spirit's transcendence over time and space. His understanding of Whitman is filtered through a postmodern cynicism, which he seeks to remedy with his nostalgic neo-Romantic style. Chapter One provides an introduction to Whitman's life and examination of his poetry's themes, style, and reception. Chapter Two outlines issues relevant to criticism of Whitman settings and proposes an approach to critical analysis. Chapter Three applies the critical method to Liebermann's Second Symphony, drawing conclusions about its place in contemporary culture

Estimated run size of winter steelhead in Oregon coastal streams, 1980-85

Populations of winter steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exist in virtually every watershed along the Oregon coast. Actual run size of these populations are unknown. The purpose of this report is to present estimates of the run size of wild and hatchery winter steelhead in Oregon coastal streams. Fishery managers in Oregon have previously estimated run sizes of steelhead in Oregon streams. As part of a statewide fish and wildlife planning effort, begun in 1970 by the Oregon State Game Commission, a fish resource inventory was created by estimating the distribution and abundance of fish in individual streams. Passage counts, where available, were used to determine the total combined escapement in streams above the counting facility. In areas where total escapement was not counted, estimates of escapement were derived using steelhead recreational catch statistics. Estimates of the proportion of hatchery and wild stocks in the catch, and estimates of exploitation rate (25% and 50% for wild and hatchery steelhead, respectively). Spawning escapement within individual streams was apportioned using the best judgement of the district biologist. These estimates are generally referred to as the 1977 planning forms. The variable methodology used in different basins and the general lack of documentation of estimation parameters has limited the use of these planning forms. New information regarding recreational catch composition and fishery exploitation rates warrant another attempt at estimating run size. Fishery managers will be able to use this information for basin planning and the fishery management programs contained therein. (21pp.

A multichannel electron detection system for use in a stabilized magnetic spectrometer

Multichannel counting systems facilitate the determination of differential cross sections in electron scattering experiments. The need for a high resolution counting system capable of handling fast counting rates has led to the construction of a transistorized, multichannel system for use with the 100 Mev linear electron accelerator being constructed at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Design and operation of the counting system are discussed, and testing procedures are described. Since accurate measurement and stability of the spectrometer magnetic field is of fundamental importance in the operation of the multichannel detector, an accurate rotating coil fluxmeter for measuring and regulating the spectrometer magnetic field has also been built and is described. More familiar techniques of magnetic field measurement are not suitable for this application. Measurement of magnet current does not yield sufficient accuracy due to variations in field strength not linearly related to magnet current, and nuclear­ magnetic resonance devices are impractical where there is an inhomogeneous field such as exists in a double focusing spec­trometer magnet. The fluxmeter measures and regulates field strength to an accuracy of one part in 1000 or one gauss, whichever is greater.http://hdl.handle.net/10945/12696http://www.archive.org/details/multichannelelec00kenaLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Investigation of the physiological and biochemical function of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3

textUncoupling proteins (UCPs) are highly conserved inner mitochondrial membrane proteins that have been found in plants, nematodes, flies, and vertebrates. UCPs dissipate the proton gradient formed by the electron transport chain in an energy-expending process that generates heat. In mammals, the brown fat-specific UCP1 is thought to be the dominant, if not the only significant mediator of thermogenic responses. However, adult humans express only negligible amounts of brown fat and UCP1, yet still show significant non-shivering thermogenic responses (e.g. amphetamine-induced hyperthermia, diet induced thermogenesis, fever). Thus, the fact that human thermogenic mechanisms haven't been identified is a huge gap in our understanding of human thermoregulation. UCP3 is primarily expressed in skeletal muscle, an established thermogenic organ which is a major target of amphetamine-induced pathology. UCP3 knockout mice have a near complete loss (~80%) of amphetamine-induced thermogenesis and are completely protected from amphetamine-induced death over a range of lethal doses. With regard to mechanisms of UCP3 activation, we observed that norepinephrine and free fatty acids are elevated in the bloodstream prior to peak amphetamine-induced hyperthermia. However, little is known about the anatomic location of UCP3-dependent thermogenesis or the mechanisms by which fatty acids regulate UCP function. Thus, we sought to investigate the physiology and biochemical activation of UCP3 to establish the thermogenic potential of skeletal muscle uncoupling and elucidate the mechanisms of UCP3 function. The overall goal of this research was to identify the tissue target(s) and mechanisms involved in amphetamine-induced UCP3-dependent thermogenesis. Herein, we show that in addition to a deficit in induced thermogenesis, UCP3-null mice also lack responses to other physiologically-relevant stimuli (i.e. catecholamines and bacterial pathogens). Conversely, UCP3 knockout mice, engineered to express UCP3 only in skeletal muscle have an augmented thermogenic response to amphetamines. In order to explore UCP3's mechanism of activation, we performed a modified yeast two-hybrid analysis and identified [Delta][superscript 3,5][Delta][superscript 2,4]dienoyl-CoA isomerase (DCI) as a UCP3 binding partner. DCI, an auxiliary fatty acid oxidation enzyme, protects cells from the accumulation of toxic lipid metabolites. Using immunoprecipitation and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) assays, we determined that UCP3 and DCI directly bind in the mitochondrial matrix in order to augment lipid metabolism. These findings support a novel model in which skeletal muscle UCP3 is responsible for inducible thermogenesis through cooperation with binding partners such as DCI which enhance oxidation of fatty acids. Together, these studies shed light on thermogenic pathways in rodents that are likely to be relevant to humans.Pharmac

Sustainable open space planning and implementation with an assessment of the applicability of GIS in local communities

This research creates a conceptual open space planning process model and a demonstration model that uses GIS (Geographic Information System) software as a means to determine solutions. The conceptual open space planning process model integrated 1) citizen participation and intergovernmental staff cooperation, 2) planning concepts, and 3) sustainability principles. The demonstration model displayed GIS applications through the use of ArcView GIS 3.2 and Spatial Analyst's ModelBuilder extension. Methods pertaining to GIS as a planning tool aid a community in decision-making as part of the planning process for the efficient implementation of a sustainable open space. As communities continue to urbanize, there is an increasing need and demand for public open space. An open space was defined as containing environmentally sensitive land, and providing social and recreational aspects for the enjoyment of local citizen populations. Sustainability principles, as related to open spaces, are comprised of three interrelated pillar values: social, economic, and environmental. Community developments in the form of sustainable open spaces meet the social demands and desires of local citizens, while also benefiting a community economically and promoting natural progression environmentally. The resulting models produced in the report are substantiated and related back to techniques and applications for the implementation of sustainable open spaces in local communities. It was recommended that decision-makers, planners, community stakeholders, and the general public work together to explore the options of acquiring, establishing, funding, and protecting a sustainable open space once its location has been determined. The end-results of this investigation aid as a planning resource for citizens and planners looking for options and recommendations to implement, preserve, and protect, sustainable open spaces within their local communities.</p

Ensemble Concerts

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Winspear Hall

Ensemble Concerts

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Concert Hal