Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Habitat Restoration Compendium

The goal of this report is to identify restoration opportunities within the watershed derived from data on habitat change. Many other factors exist that are important in the identification and selection of restoration projects, including water quality and non-point source pollution, water withdrawal, harbor maintenance, recreational impacts, human history, and socioeconomic factors, among others. Although information regarding these factors is not explicitly included in this analysis, these factors must be considered and addressed as they may limit the potential for success in specific restoration effort

Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Restoration Compendium

The Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Habitat Restoration Compendium (HSEHRC) is a compilation of information on the historic and current distributions of salt marsh and sand dune habitats and diadromous fishes within the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary watershed. These habitats and species groups were selected due to the important ecological role they play within the watershed and with effective restoration and conservation efforts, will continue to play. Other ecologically important habitats and species, such as avifauna, shellfish and eelgrass beds, currently are or historically were present within the watershed. Shellfish and seagrass are recognized as important habitats within the Estuary, but were not included in the current report because a different analytical approach may be required for such dynamic and/or short-lived species. A recent report by the New Hampshire (NH) Audubon Society details modern bird use of the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary (McKinley and Hunt 2008). Restoration opportunities have been identified within the watershed by evaluating habitat loss and changes in land use over time. Restoration opportunities are not prioritized in order to allow the goals and objectives of each restoration practitioner to govern project selection. However, in accordance with an ecosystem-based approach to restoration, areas containing multi-habitat restoration opportunities are considered to be of the highest priority. Furthermore, restoration efforts should ensure processes critical for the support of restored components are maintained or reestablished. The goal of this report is to identify restoration opportunities within the watershed derived from data on habitat change. Many other factors exist that are important in the identification and selection of restoration projects, including water quality and non-point source pollution, water withdrawal, harbor maintenance, recreational impacts, human history, and socioeconomic factors, among others. Although information regarding these factors is not explicitly included in this analysis, these factors must be considered and addressed as they may limit the potential for success in specific restoration efforts We present a series of maps detailing changes in the extent of sand dune and salt marsh habitats over time, the current and historic distribution of seven diadromous fish species, and restoration opportunities within the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary and watershed. A narrative describes the methods used, the results of analyses and examples of prominent restoration projects. Each major section concludes with references used in the narrative and maps. The maps are available for viewing as portable document format (.pdf) files. For those with GIS capabilities, the ArcMap 9.2 project files, associated data files and metadata are included on the compact disc as well. The underlying concept and methods for the HSEHRC stem from a previous project conducted within the Great Bay Estuary, the Great Bay Estuary Restoration Compendium (Odell et al. 2006)

Censusing manatees: a report on the feasibility of using aerial surveys and mark and recapture techniques to conduct a population survey of the West Indian Manatee

This report results from an invitation to review the needs and prospects for capture-recapture and aerial census studies of the manatee (Trichechus manatus) in Florida. Three aerial reconnaissance flights provided a first hand view of manatee habitats, as follows: May 3, Suwannee River to Kings Bay and Crystal River (Rathbun, Eberhardt), May 4, Vero Beach to Ft. Lauderdale and Ft. Myers by way of Whitewater Bay (Rose, Percival, Eberhardt), and May 5, Cape Canaveral to Jacksonville, St. Johns River and Blue Spring (Rose, Kinnaird, Eberhardt). (24 page document

Great Bay Estuary Restoration Compendium

Single species approaches to natural resource conservation and management are now viewed as antiquated and oversimplified for dealing with complex systems. Scientists and managers who work in estuaries and other marine systems have urged adoption of ecosystem based approaches to management for nearly a decade, yet practitioners are still struggling to translate the ideas into practice. Similarly, ecological restoration projects in coastal systems have typically addressed one species or habitat. In recent years, efforts to focus on multiple species and habitats have increased. Our project developed an integrated ecosystem approach to identify multi-habitat restoration opportunities in the Great Bay estuary, New Hampshire. We created a conceptual site selection model based on a comparison of historic and modern distribution and abundance data, current environmental conditions, and expert review. Restoration targets included oysters and softshell clams, salt marshes, eelgrass beds, and seven diadromous fish species. Spatial data showing the historical and present day distributions for multiple species and habitats were compiled and integrated into a geographic information system. A matrix of habitat interactions was developed to identify potential for synergy and subsequent restoration efficiency. Output from the site selection models was considered within this framework to identify ecosystem restoration landscapes. The final products of these efforts include a series of maps detailing multi-habitat restoration opportunities extending from upland freshwater fish habitat down to the bay bottom. A companion guidance document was created to present project methods and a review of restoration methods. The authors hope that this work will help to stimulate and inform new restoration projects within the Great Bay estuarine system, and that it will serve as a foundation to be updated and improved as more information is collected

Design and implementation of a compact highly efficient 472kHz radio frequency generator for electrosurgery

2011 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.This thesis explores the utilization of modern design practices and advance technologies to reduce the size of traditional 472kHz radio frequency generators used for electrosurgery. Achieving the reduced size requires an innovative approach to increase the overall efficiency to lower the internal heat dissipation allowing the overall package size to shrink. This thesis covers the selection and design process to achieving the final topology of an innovative approach utilizing a variation of the Class-D amplifier to produce a resonance type power saturation amplifier. While using a high-efficiency power source to control the amplifier voltage rails, and to control the amplitude of the output signal will produce a sinusoidal power source capable of driving a radio frequency surgical scalpel

Retinoid associated proteins in the ovary and oviduct and retinol\u27s effect on oocyte maturation and embryonic development

Vitamin A (retinol) and its natural metabolites, isoforms of retinoic acid, are collectively known as retinoids and are important signaling molecules in vertebrate development and (differentiation. A growing body of evidence suggests retinoids play an important role in reproduction. Systemic and intercellular transport of retinol is mediated by retinol binding protein (RBP). The cellular binding proteins, cellular retinol binding proteins (CRBPs) and cellular retinoic acid binding proteins (CRABPs), participate in retinol storage and metabolism. The actions of retinoids are mediated through nuclear retinoic acid receptors which belong to the family of nuclear ligand inducible transcription factors. The goals of this study were to localize the retinoid binding proteins in the oviduct and ovary and examine the effect of retinoids on oocyte maturation/competence and early embryonic development. Retinol binding protein was immunolocalized to the luminal epithelia of oviductal mucosa of both the ampulla and isthmus. Retinol binding protein expression was considerably higher on day 1 than days 5 or 10 of the estrous cycle. Synthesis, secretion and gene expression of RBP was modulated by ovarian steroids. Within the ovary, RBP was localized IV primarily in the thecal cells of non atretic follicles with some diffuse staining in the granulosa cells and stromal cells. Retinol binding protein staining was also present in the cytoplasm of oocytes from some antral but not pre-antral follicles. Cellular retinol binding protein was localized in thecal cells of non atretic follicles with diffuse staining in the stromal layer. Cellular retinol binding protein was observed in large cells of the corpus luteum while RBP was identified in both large and small luteal cells. Only CRABP exhibited intense staining in nuclei of oocytes from primordial follicles, but was not observed in oocytes or follicular cells of all other size follicles. Cellular retinoic acid binding protein was absent in all cells of the corpus luteum but was present in the stromal layer encapsulating it. In cattle, ovaries from normal cycling animals were analyzed for the presence of RBP and CRBP. Retinol binding protein mRNA was present in thecal but not granulosa cells of antral follicles. However, both thecal and granulosa cells synthesized RBP in vitro. No relative differences were observed in RBP mRNA concentrations or synthesis in luteal tissue between days 2, 6, 10 or 15. Retinol binding protein and CRBP were immunolocalized exclusively to large luteal cells. Experiments were conducted to identify effects of retinoid treatments on superovulated ewes upon subsequent in vitro embryonic development. Ewes were treated with retinoids or vehicle on the first and last day of FSH treatment and embryos surgically recovered and cultured in vitro until occurrence of blastocyst formation and hatching. Treatment of ewes with retinol during superovulation resulted in a dramatic increase in both blastocyst formation and embryonic hatching in comparison with retinoic acid, 9 cis retinoic acid or vehicle. Retinol treatment also significantly improved the number of embryos that progressed through the 8-cell in vitro block. The final experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the retinoids, retinol (100 µM and 10 µM ROH) and retinoic acid (10 µM and 1 µM RA) on the maturation, fertilization and subsequent development of cattle oocytes/embryos in vitro. Addition of 100 µM ROH or 10 µM RA to either maturation and fertilization or embryonic culture media resulted in no blastocyst formation or reduced blastocyst formation. The presence of retinoids in the lower concentrations during oocyte maturation either had no effect or diminished blastocyst formation. Embryos cultured in the presence of 10 µM ROH or 1 µM RA, regardless of maturation and fertilization treatment, exhibited increased blastocyst formation in comparison with culture medium alone. Collectively, these experiments identify retinoid VI binding proteins in the ovary and oviduct and provide evidence that retinoids may influence oocyte development/competence and early embryonic development. These results suggest that retinol has the potential to positively impact reproductive efficiency and assisted reproduction protocols in domestic animals

Immunomodulators in feline asthma

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on July 13, 2010).Vita.Thesis advisor: Carol R. Reinero"May 2010"M.S. University of Missouri-Columbia 2010.Experimental asthma was induced in 10 cats using Bermuda grass allergen (BGA) and cats were randomly selected to receive either feG (1 mg/kg, PO) or saline for 2 weeks, followed by a 2 week washout period before receiving the alternate treatment. A clinical scoring system was employed and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood were collected prior to and after each 2 week treatment. Cytology and cytokine analysis were performed on BALF samples and in vitro cytokine restimulation was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in BALF total nucleated cell counts or eosinophil percentages. Greater than 40% of the BALF supernatant samples had IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, CXCL-8 and IFN-[gamma] concentrations below the lower limit of detection of the assay regardless of time point or treatment administered. Interleukin-4 and IFN-[gamma] concentrations in the cell culture supernatant from stimulated PBMCs were below the lower limit of detection for all samples. There was no significant difference in BALF or plasma TNF activity or clinical scores between treatment groups. In cats with experimental asthma, daily use of feG during chronic aeroallergen exposure did not dampen eosinophilic airway inflammation, alter cytokine profiles in the plasma or BALF, or decrease clinical signs associated with allergen challenge. These results support that feG at this dosage can not be recommended as monotherapy for the chronic treatment of allergic asthma in cats.Includes bibliographical reference

Algebraic KK-theory and Grothendieck-Witt theory of monoid schemes

We study the algebraic $K$-theory and Grothendieck-Witt theory of proto-exact categories of vector bundles over monoid schemes. Our main results are the complete description of the algebraic $K$-theory space of an integral monoid scheme $X$ in terms of its Picard group $\operatorname{Pic}(X)$ and pointed monoid of regular functions $\Gamma(X, \mathcal{O}_X)$ and a description of the Grothendieck-Witt space of $X$ in terms of an additional involution on $\operatorname{Pic}(X)$. We also prove space-level projective bundle formulae in both settings

Group completion in the K-theory and Grothendieck-Witt theory of proto-exact categories

We study the algebraic $K$-theory and Grothendieck-Witt theory of proto-exact categories, with a particular focus on classes of examples of $\mathbb{F}_1$-linear nature. Our main results are analogues of theorems of Quillen and Schlichting, relating the $K$-theory or Grothendieck-Witt theories of proto-exact categories defined using the (hermitian) $Q$-construction and group completion