Morphological Convergence in Forest Microfungi Provides a Proxy for Paleogene Forest Structure

Amber, fossilized plant resin from gymnosperms and angiosperms, is renowned for preserving a wide range of organisms in microscopic fidelity. These so-called amber inclusions comprise many groups of organisms, ranging from bacteria to arthropods and vertebrates. Calicioid lichens and fungi, which are from now on referred to as “calicioids,” constitute a diverse group of tiny ascomycetes with superficially similar, usually well-stalked ascomata and which often accumulate mature ascospores on top of the apothecial disk to form a true mazaedium. The aim of this study is to use all available information on the morphology and ecology of extant calicioids to reconstruct the substrate and habitat ecology of known fossil calicioids and then to use this information to open new insights into the stand structure and ecological conditions of European Paleogene amber forests. First, we introduce the morphology of extant calicioids and demonstrate that their structural features are intimately linked to habitat ecology and are instrumental for successful dispersal; we also explain the conspicuous morphological convergence between phylogenetically distant calicioid fungi. Then, we show that the adaptive traits of calicioids have not changed since at least the Eocene, and argue that their fundamental niches also have remained unchanged. Finally, we summarize what the diversity and relative abundance of fossil calicioids in amber tells us about the ecological conditions that once prevailed in European amber forests.Peer reviewe

Die Macht der Göttinnen : ethnopsychoanalytische und tiefenhermeneutische Ansätze im Kontext einer Studienreise nach Indien, Andhra Pradesh

Alexandra LiehmannKlagenfurt, Alpen-Adria-Univ., Dipl.-Arb., 2011KB2011 04(VLID)241297

China tries within the current internationl framework dominated by the US to gain more power in the IMF

This thesis analyses whether China tries to gain more power in the IMF staying within the current international U.S.-dominated system. The analysis focuses on China's behavior in the IMF during the reform process of the last decade. The thesis examines the ways in which China can gain more power staying in the IMF. However, current power structures make it difficult to implement changes and China might therefore use political groups such as the BRICS and their New Development Bank to exert pressure. But the intention of the BRICS is not to overthrow the system but to reform it. Using official statements and speeches delivered by Chinese, U.S. or IMF staff in the IMF as well as articles published in newspapers Chinese claims and US reactions were analyzed. The results suggest that China stays within the international system and does not try to overthrow it. Nevertheless, pressure is created through the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB). The intention of this thesis is to give a current account of Chinese behavior in the international community, supporting the understanding of underlying dynamics. Keywords IMF, China, Reforms, BRICS, New Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank, international system, challeng

Combustion of boron-based slurries in a ramburner

In a combustion chamber which was equipped with windows, boron and boron alloy slurries were burnt. The fraction of the solids in these mixtures was 25%. For the quantitative analysis of the reaction products three spectrometer systems were used. An optical multichannel analyzer for the range .2 to .9 Mym, an acusto-optical tunable IRfilter for the range 1.2 - 2.4 Mym and rotating IR-filters covering the range from 2.5 to 14.5 Mym.The determination of the gas phase temperature of the exhaust plume was obtained by evaluation of the OH rotation bands. The particle temperature was measured with a fast two-color pyrometer.During the burning process of boron with an average particle size of 2 Mym, only a weak background radiation was detected. Mg and AlB2 produced a greater amount of particles in the exhaust due to their particle size of about 50 Mym.The spectra of the exhaust plume show typical bands for the particular metals and the combustion products of the JET Al fuel.As described earl ier /1/, particle size distribution, surface characteristics and temperature are important parameters for the ignition and combustion of solids. Also the flow field inside the combustion chamber influences the burning behaviour of the solid particles. We therefore injected the slurries against the main flow direction to produce high turbulence

Statistické popsání okresu zbraslavského v království českém 1879

monografi

Weiterentwicklung einer Strahlungsflussdichtemessung auf der Receiveroberfläche eines Solarturmkraftwerks

Für die Bestimmung der Effizienz von Heliostatfeld und Receiver sowie zur Überwachung des Betriebes von solaren Turmkraftwerken ist die Messung der Strahlungsflussdichteverteilung auf dem Receiver von großer Bedeutung. Für den Solarturm Jülich des DLR ist ein Messsystem in der Entwicklung, bei dem für eine Korrektur der verschiedenen Grundreflektivitäten der Absorbercups bislang eine gleichmäßige Bestrahlung des Receivers bei Bewölkung angenommen wurde. Die Prüfung dieser Annahme ist ein wesentliches Ziel dieser Arbeit. Es konnte experimentell gezeigt werden, dass bei Bewölkung die örtlichen Unterschiede der Einstrahlung auf den Receiver in der Größenordnung ± 3 % liegen und somit nicht vernachlässigbar sind. Eine entsprechende Berücksichtigung im Messsystem wurde implementiert. Die bestehende Messsoftware wurde im Rahmen dieser Arbeit überarbeitet und erweitert. Es wurde insbesondere eine Benutzeroberfläche erstellt und der Messablauf automatisiert, um quasi-kontinuierliche Messungen zu ermöglichen. Abschließend wurde das verbesserte Messsystem erprobt

How to build a strengths-based organization: Learnings from Craigwood Youth Services

Much has been written recently about how appreciative inquiry, positive organizational scholarship, and a focus on strengths can lead organizations to high performance. Little has been written, however, about how to build a strengths-based organization, one in which the performance advantages of a positive approach are realized in a sustainable way by integrating strength-based principles into every aspect of the organization's culture. Using an action research methodology, this dissertation examines the experience of Craigwood Youth Services, an accredited children's mental health organization in southern Ontario, in transforming itself from a deficit-based to a strengths-based organization. It identifies seven practices of a strength-based organization: (1) metanoia—intentionally shifting mental models to prepare the way for new possibilities; (2) remaining open to a continuous state of becoming; (3) respecting and valuing diversity; (4) enabling personal re-creation to assure sustainability; (5) leveraging learning to facilitate co-creation and re-creation; (6) building on the past while focusing on the future; and (7) engaging the power of the heart. Building on Kerber and Buono's (2005) conceptualization of major approaches to change, it shows how these seven practices, when integrated into the systems, structures, and strategies of the organization, lead to high performance by creating a culture of accountable co-creation. In an application specific to children's mental health organizations in Ontario, the dissertation argues that the creation of strength-based organizations and the performance advantages they offer are being hindered by the Ontario government's increasing compliance-oriented control and auditing processes. It contends that the government's primary focus on avoiding risk (rather than promoting excellence) creates an environment antithetical to flourishing organizations. Excessive regulation weakens children's mental health organizations by eliminating creativity, marginalizing personal judgment, eroding trusting relationships, and failing to leverage strengths. This dissertation offers the strength-based organization as a positive alternative to deficit-based compliance and control

Thine is my heart galopp /

In bound volumes: Copyright Deposits 1820-186