Diet, breeding success, detectability, and density of the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) at its northern range limit

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2019I studied the diet, breeding success, detectability, and density of great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) in the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk Valley in Arctic Alaska. The study extended from the southern slopes of the Brooks Range to latitudinal tree line, the northern breeding limit of the species, and included what are likely to be the northernmost great horned owl nests on record (up to 68.0113 degrees north). I completed the study during the 2017 and 2018 breeding seasons, during years of high snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) abundance. The focus of this study was to gain an understanding of how high snowshoe hare abundance influences the recruitment, diet, and distribution of this apex generalist predator, and to determine best methods of detecting great horned owls for similar studies in the future. I used motion sensor cameras on nests as well as pellet analysis for diet and breeding studies, and call surveys for information on detectability and density. Great horned owl diet consisted mostly of snowshoe hares by mass (mean 80%, range 65-99%), with an average prey size of 714 g (95% CI ± 34.26). Nestlings received an average of 459 g (95% CI ± 75) of prey per chick per day, and the proportion of hares in their diet positively correlated with fledging success (P = 0.01). During call surveys, length of playback was the most important factor in detecting great horned owls throughout 12 minute surveys, reaching 23% (95% CI = ± 6.4) at 3 minutes, and up to 80% (95% CI = ± 6.1) at 9 minutes. Inclusion of silent listening periods may lessen the chance of detecting great horned owls during playback surveys, though a larger sample size is needed (P = 0.18). There was no correlation between cloud cover and probability of detection (P = 0.60) or wind speed and probability of detection (P = 0.28). However, there was a positive correlation between temperature and probability of detection (P = 0.02). Call surveys gave an estimate of 4.1 great horned owls per square kilometer (z = 4.302, 95% CI = ± 2.63). This was the northernmost study of North America's most widespread year-round bird of prey, and the first density estimate at their northern breeding limit.National Park ServiceChapter 1: Diet and Reproductive Success -- Chapter 2: Methods of Using Call Surveys to Detect Great Horned Owls -- General Conclusions -- References

Recent experiences using finite-element-based structural optimization

Structural optimization has been available to the structural analysis community as a tool for many years. The popular use of displacement method finite-element techniques to analyze linearly elastic structures has resulted in an ability to calculate the weight and constraint gradients inexpensively for numerical optimization of structures. Here, recent experiences in the investigation and use of structural optimization are discussed. In particular, experience with the commercially available ADS/NASOPT code is addressed. An overview of the ADS/NASOPT procedure and how it was implemented is given. Two example problems are also discussed

Graphic Drama: Reading Shakespeare in the Comics Medium

This project adopts a formalist method of literary analysis to approach the modern genre of Shakespearean comic book adaptations. These texts have as yet received little attention from the academy, despite their sophisticated engagement with problems of visualizing the transition from stage to comics page, as well as their capacity for making original contributions to the interpretation of Shakespearean drama. The formalist method that this thesis employs is derived from the foundational work of comics theorists Will Eisner and Scott McCloud, combined with an understanding of Shakespearean language and stage conventions. Once this method is developed and explained, the dissertation uses it in a series of readings demonstrating the ability of Shakespearean comic books to emulate and elaborate on early modern staging practices, engage sensitively and imaginatively with Shakespeare’ literary language, and actually contribute to interpretive scholarly discussion of Shakespearean drama. Although many texts are examined, there is a particular emphasis on versions of The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth, which represent two extremes of the comics medium’s versatile formal engagement with Shakespearean themes

Postcard: Up-Town Tourist Camp, Syracuse, Kansas

This black and white photographic postcard features a lodging place in Syracuse, Kansas. A one story stucco building serves as the office of the motel in the center of the camp. One story stucco buildings line the left and background of the card. A man stand to the right of the office across from gas pumps. Written text is at the bottom of the card. Handwriting is on the back of the card.https://scholars.fhsu.edu/tj_postcards/1890/thumbnail.jp

A Comparative Analysis of the American and Chinese Pharmaceutical Industries

Following the growth of the Chinese pharmaceutical consumer market and innovative capability, comparisons between the American and the Chinese pharmaceutical industries have become commonplace due to two very divergent governmental, competitive, financial, and knowledge environments, as scholars and businesspeople alike attempt to predict shifts in power dynamics. Previous pharmaceutical industry research has focused on a single country, broad industry analysis (Ni, et al., 2017), or has conducted specific cross-border comparisons which fail to consider the respective macro-environments (Jiang & Luan, 2018; Zhao M. , 2021). This literary review examines four environments relevant to pharmaceutical innovation to achieve a broad and comparable understanding of the two industries, ultimately finding that the American industry is a well-established player focused on highly innovative activities, while the Chinese industry is a relative newcomer that is quickly developing innovative capabilities relevant to global competition dynamics