Assessing the role of tree growth patterns on the spatial variability of evapotranspiration on a subalpine transition zone in Kananaskis, Alberta

Canada’s Rocky Mountains provide a large and essential supply of freshwater to downstream ecosystems and communities. Previous research has demonstrated that warmer temperatures, associated with climate change, are expected to increase the recruitment of trees towards alpine zones, by way of tree islands and krummholz. Tree islands and krummholz are coniferous trees that grow in isolated patches. Tree islands are stunted and deformed, yet their stems grow above the shrub layer, leaving them exposed to winter snowdrifts, unlike krummholz, which grow stunted or in matts, below the snowpack. These trees are unique, relative to conifers below the treeline limit, as they have growth mechanisms which allow them to persist in areas that are otherwise too harsh for full treeline expansion. This thesis addresses the complex relationships between the spatial variability of evapotranspiration (ET) in tree islands and krummholz on a subalpine ridge slope in Kananaskis, Alberta. As well, relationships between these canopies and controls on ET, such as snowcover, meteorological fluxes and vegetation characteristics are assessed. By addressing these objectives, this study will reduce existing knowledge gaps on how forest transition zones in mountain ecosystems may contribute to ecosystem water loss, should these tree patches continue to prosper at higher elevations. Atmometers, which measure the rate of ET from heterogenous landcover to the atmosphere, were used at FRS to determine the rate of potential crop evapotranspiration (ETC) from krummholz and tree islands. ETC was then converted to actual evapotranspiration (ETA) using patch-specific correction coefficients (KC) in order to address the influence of canopy dynamics and water availability on ET. ETA during the growing season was greater in the krummholz (190 mm) than the tree islands (131 mm). Krummholz were observed to be moisture rich tree patches that were shorter in height and more exposed than tree islands. Because of this, krummholz ET was controlled by the advection of sensible heat transported from drier areas downward over the krummholz resulting in oasis-effect ET (QE > Q*). Horizontal advection of sensible heat from the taller tree islands to the shorter krummholz increases clothesline-effect ET at FRS. In addition, the exposure of the krummholz to the effects of solar radiation to the their subsurface increases the rate of early growing season ETA by increasing soil water evaporation. Tree islands, which extend above the annual snowpack were capable of sheltering windblown snow, increasing the amount of water available to the tree islands and krummholz for the growing season. Water balances for the tree islands and krummholz indicated that SWE was the primary source of water to the patches and did not suggest water deficits during the observed growing season. Tree island ET rates were controlled by the evaporation of intercepted precipitation (2 - 58%), and growth characteristic such as increased canopy density, which increased subsurface sheltering, reducing soil water evaporation, while maintaining inner-canopy VPD (increases transpiration). The results of this study improve our knowledge of how tree islands and krummholz will influence ecosystem water storage, especially in terms of ET, and determined what dominant controls exist on ET in subalpine systems. As climate change is expected to decrease annual snowpack levels and increase seasonal air temperatures, ET from tree island and krummholz may contribute to water deficits in subalpine ecosystems

Addressing Self-Reported Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in College Students via Web-Based Self-Compassionate Journaling

Depression, anxiety, and stress in the college undergraduate population have been steadily rising over the past decade. Trait self-compassion has been shown to be significantly and negatively related to perceptions of stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Research has indicated that self-compassion inductions are effective in increasing state self-compassion. In general, selfcompassion inductions are designed to be easily self-administered. Current research on Internetbased interventions indicates that self-administered therapeutic techniques are effective in reducing self-reported depression, anxiety, and stress. The goal of the current study was to compare the effects of self-compassionate journaling, narrative journaling, and a true control group on depression, anxiety, stress, and self-compassion. There was not a significant time x induction interaction, nor did time or condition have a significant effect on outcomes

Animal and Pasture Responses to Grazing Management of Chemically Suppressed Tall Fescue in Mixed Pastures

Treatment of endophyte-infected tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh] with the broad leaf herbicide Chaparral® can mitigate fescue toxicosis and enhance forage quality by suppressing seedhead emergence. Applying the herbicide to fescue pastures also reduces forage mass and promotes severe spot grazing when pastures are continuously grazed. A grazing experiment was conducted with steers (2013) and heifers (2014) to evaluate animal and plant responses in fescue-bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) mixtures treated with Chaparral to determine the effects of grazing management on pasture carrying capacity, nutritive values, botanical composition, and animal performance. Continuous and rotational (i.e., four subdivisions to provide a 7-d grazing period and a 21-d rest period) grazing treatments were assigned to six, 3.0-ha fescue-bluegrass pastures in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Each pasture had six tester animals, and stocking rates were varied using put-and-take animals. Pastures were grazed from 16 April to 8 July 2013 (Year 1) and 20 May to 12 Aug (Year 2) and cattle were blocked by body weight for allotment to pastures. Pasture carrying capacities were greater (P = 0.07) for rotational compared to continuous pastures across both years. Calves on rotationally grazed pastures had greater average daily gain (P = 0.03) and gain per acre (P = 0.05) than those on the continuous treatment across both years. Canopies of continuously grazed pastures contained less (P = 0.01) tall fescue than those in rotationally grazed pastures. Herbage in pre-grazed paddocks had less NDF and ADF than post-grazed paddocks and continuously grazed pastures in 2013 (P \u3c 0.10), but did not differ in 2014 (P \u3e 0.10). In vitro digestible dry matter was greater (P = 0.07) in pre-graze rotational pastures in 2013 compared with continuous and post-graze rotational, and IVDDM did not differ (P \u3c 0.01) between pre-graze rotational and continuous in 2014, but was greater than post-graze rotational. Crude protein was lower (P = 0.06) in both years in post-graze rotational pasture than in continuous or pre-graze rotational pasture, which did not differ. In 2013, there was no difference (P = 0.60) in root WSC among treatments; however, in 2014, WSC levels were greater (P = 0.01) in rotationally grazed pastures compared with continuously grazed pastures. This grazing experiment indicated that rotational grazing of Chaparral treated fescue-bluegrass mixtures can improve both animal performance and the sustainability of pasture productivity

The Effects of Ego Threat and Self-Esteem Boost on Overall Self-Control Ability.

Self-control enables people to make decisions that can promote overall well-being. Such decisions include refraining from overeating or the decision to motivate individuals to persevere when faced with difficulties. The purpose of this study was to determine if not requiring the expenditure of self-control and boosting self-esteem would enable participants to persist longer at a task designed to measure self-control than participants who were required to expend self-control and received an ego threat. No significant main effects were found for self-control manipulations, F (1, 223) = .54, p = .46, or for self-esteem manipulations, F (1, 223) = .01, p = .91. No significant interaction effects were found. F(3, 219) = .785, p =.503

Idiopathic Juxtafoveal Telangiectasia

Idiopathic Juxtafoveal Telangiectasia (IJT), also called Idiopathic Macular Telangiectasia, is a group of disorders with varying etiologies that share the common finding of telangiectatic vessels in the juxtafoveal region of the macula. IJT is classically divided into three groups, each with clinically dis-tinct findings and differing etiologies. Type I typically occurs unilaterally, primarily affects males, and is thought to be congenital. Vision loss usually results from macular edema. The most common type, II, normally presents bilaterally, has no sex predilection, and is thought to be acquired. Vision loss occurs not from edema, but from retinal atrophy. The last type, III, is extremely rare and is usually found in association with coexisting systemic or neurological disorders. Vision loss most likely results from retinal isch-emia. This paper will describe classifications, clinical findings, etiologies, and treatment options of IJT along with patient case figures

Indigenous peoples and natural hazard research, policy and practice in southern temperate Australia : an agenda for change

Engaging with Indigenous peoples is clearly on the agenda of natural hazard leaders in southern Australia, but there is very little research, policy or practical experience to support this work. Indeed, with a few important exceptions, natural hazard organisations and research institutions have had little engagement with Indigenous peoples, their organisations or research priorities or protocols. While there are substantial gaps in the research evidence, it is important to start identifying the issues at hand and consider what might be done in response. This paper provides a brief overview of the fraught relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia and some common misunderstandings. The paper includes specific suggestions for current research, policy and practice, noting that natural hazard agencies and research institutions are influential and closely related. It is clear there are challenges. However, changing practice is essential to foster more respectful terms between Indigenous peoples and Australia’s natural hazard and emergency management sector

Nutritional Outcome Measures of Preadolescents and Adolescents Diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa after Receiving Nasogastric Feedings versus Oral Diet upon Hospitalization

The purpose of this project was to review the literature related to the demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and nutrition therapy characteristics of inpatient preadolescents and adolescents diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN). The literature review includes an overview of the prevalence and diagnostic criteria for AN, screening and evaluation of patients, inpatient treatment protocols, the complications associated with AN, and nutrition treatment options (oral diet, enteral feeding, and parenteral nutrition)