Academic literature on the topic 'Bimini'

Response to alkalinity was evaluated in two hibiscus cultivars, Bimini Breeze and Carolina Breeze, grown in a soilless growing medium and in hydroponic culture. For soilless growing medium, plants were potted in a sphagnum peat–perlite-based substrate and irrigated with solutions containing 0 to 10 mm NaHCO3 for 12 weeks. In hydroponic culture, bare-rooted plants were transferred to a 9-L tray containing a Hoagland's nutrient solution prepared with NaHCO3 at the concentrations previously indicated. In soilless growing medium, shoot dry weight was minimally affected by NaHCO3 concentration for `Bimini Breeze', but `Carolina Breeze' exhibited a significant decrease in shoot mass with increasing NaHCO3 concentration. In hydroponic culture, increasing concentration of NaHCO3 induced a decrease in shoot and root mass in both cultivars, but root mass decrease was more pronounced in `Bimini Breeze'. In soilless growing medium, increasing the concentration of NaHCO3 caused an increase in growing medium pH. The pH increase was less pronounced for `Bimini Breeze' than for `Carolina Breeze', indicating a higher capacity for root zone acidification by `Bimini Breeze'. Newly developed leaves of both cultivars showed increasing chlorosis with increasing NaHCO3 concentration. However, `Bimini Breeze' was more tolerant because, according to regression models, 5.7 mm NaHCO3 would be required to reduce chlorophyll levels by 10%, compared with 2.2 mm for `Carolina Breeze', when grown in soilless medium. Fe reductase activity decreased when `Carolina Breeze' plants were grown in 5 mm NaHCO3. However, in `Bimini Breeze', Fe reductase activity was enhanced. These observations indicate that the increased tolerance of `Bimini Breeze' to increasing alkalinity is the result of enhanced Fe reductase activity and increased acidification of the root zone.

Tolerance to alkalinity was evaluated in Rose `Pink Cupido', Vinca `Apricot Delight', Chrysanthemum `Miramar', and Hibiscus `Bimini Breeze' and `Mango Breeze'. Plants were potted in a sphagnum peat moss-based growing medium and irrigated with water containing 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mm of Na bicarbonate. In rose, shoot mass was significantly decreased and chlorosis increased at the 5 mm treatment, indicating that the alkalinity toxicity is between 2.5 and 5 mm. In chrysanthemum, the concentration of Na bicarbonate did not significantly affect shoot mass, but caused a significant increase in leaf chlorosis at 5 mm or higher Na bicarbonate. This indicates an alkalinity toxicity level between 2.5 and 5 mm. In Vinca, shoot dry mass was not affected significantly, but leaf chlorosis was significantly increased with 5 mm of Na bicarbonate. This indicates an alkalinity toxicity level between 2.5 and 5 mm. In hibiscus `Mango Breeze', shoot mass was significantly increased at 2.5 and 5 mm, but was significantly decreased at 7.5 mm and above. Leaf chlorosis was significantly increased with a concentration of 5 mm and above, indicating that in hibiscus `Mango Breeze' the alkalinity toxicity level is between 5 to 7.5 mm. In hibiscus `Bimini Breeze', shoot mass was not significantly reduced, but leaf chlorosis exhibited a significant decrease at 7.5 mm. this indicates that in hibiscus `Bimini Breeze' the alkalinity toxicity level is between 7.5 and 10 mm. Growing medium pH increased with increasing levels of Na bicarbonate. The species showed varying capacity for acidification of the growing medium. All species, except rose and vinca, neutralized the alkalinity effect of 2.5 mm, but none of the species neutralized the effect of 5 mm and higher Na bicarbonate.

Predators often have strong top-down effects on ecosystems and are considered a priority for conservation and management. Predator activity can influence prey distribution, abundance, and foraging behaviors and are likely to influence habitat by impacting ecological and environmental characteristics as well as presence of competitor species. There are knowledge gaps of the functional diversity of fish assemblages, non-consumptive predator effects, and environmental effects on fish assemblages. With this study, effects of top marine predators, such as sharks and great barracuda, on diversity and abundance of prey communities were examined in putative low (north side of South Bimini = lagoon) and high-risk (south side of South Bimini = flat) areas around South Bimini, The Bahamas. Baited remote underwater video surveys (BRUVs) deployed in the nearshore habitat captured abundance and potential predator-prey interactions. Predator and prey abundances at each site were compared to determine potential risk affect within high and low risk environments. A general baseline of predator and prey species was established throughout six months of observation (January- June 2018). Results showed a difference in prey communities between high and low risk habitats. Teleost abundance was highest on the south side of South Bimini. There were no differences in flight behavior of prey from predator (sharks vs barracuda). Longitude, depth, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were significantly linked to biotic assemblages. The identification of significant factors influencing predator-prey interaction is important in understanding community composition and for future implementation of conservation and management practices pertaining to nearby mangrove and seagrass habitats.

Prey selection has never been determined in an elasmobranch, primarily because of the large home ranges possessed by adults making accurate quantification of prey in the environment problematic. Juvenile lemon sharks spend their first few years of life within protected nursery grounds, enabling the first quantification of prey selection due to the restricted area that they inhabit. Growth and survival of juvenile lemon sharks strongly influences adult fitness and recruitment, and therefore prey selection may play an important role in the life history of lemon sharks. The selection of a preferred species or size of prey by juvenile lemon sharks was determined by comparing the proportions of prey in the diet with proportions of prey in the environment at Bimini, Bahamas, between March 2000 and March 2003. The diet of lemon sharks was quantitatively described from the analysis of 642 shark stomachs (54.7 ± 0.3 cm precaudal length PCL, mean ± S.E., range 43.5 to 90.0 cm), of which 396 (62 %) contained food items. The main prey of juvenile lemon sharks at Bimini were mojarras (69% index of relative importance, IRI), parrotfish (5.5 % IRI), swimming crabs (5.1 %) and barracuda (3.1 % IRI). The yellowfin mojarra Gerres cinereus was the main prey of lemon sharks regardless of location, season, shark size or sex. Contingency table analysis revealed the diet of juvenile lemon sharks to be specific to location (χ² = 65.54, p < 0.0001), but homogeneous with season (χ² = 17.91, p = 0.118), shark size (χ² = 64.36, Ρ = 0.057) and shark sex (χ² = 13.21, Ρ = 0.354). Prey sizes were measured where possible, or calculated using least squares linear regression equations relating bone or carapace dimensions with original size. Original size was obtained for 350 dietary items, with 85 % calculated using bone regressions. Juvenile lemon sharks demonstrated no significant spatial or temporal variation in the size of prey consumed (Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Student's t-tests, Ρ > 0.05), but juveniles over 60.0 cm PCL consumed significantly larger prey than smaller sharks (ANOVA, Ρ < 0.001). Bone-length regressions also enabled a more accurate estimate of meal size (2.17 ± 0.17 % BW, mean± S.E., range 0.01 to 21.4 % BW, n = 407) and subsequently daily ration, 1.31 - 1.80% BW (depending on shark size), in comparison to traditional back-calculation techniques. Forty-three blocknets, 540 seine nets and 498 trawls were closed to sample mangrove and seagrass communities, resulting in the capture, identification and measurement of 216,150 fish and macro invertebrates. Catches were extrapolated over the entire study area providing an estimate of population sizes. Prey preference was estimated using chi-square residuals and a traditional electivity index. Values and rankings of selection varied with technique, but both revealed similar trends in prey preference. Proportions of prey families and prey sizes in the diet of lemon sharks from Bimini were significantly different to those found in the environment (χ², Ρ < 0.001 and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Ρ < 0.001 respectively). Lemon sharks demonstrated a preference for slower moving prey that were easier to capture (e.g. mojarras, toadfish, parrotfish and filefish), while avoiding larger, faster and harder to catch prey. Yellowfin mojarra were consumed in proportion to the distribution of fish lengths in the environment, suggesting that their importance in the diet may be due to preferred sizes in the environment as well as their ease of capture. Lemon shark diet was closely correlated with mangrove communities, demonstrating the importance of mangroves and the need for their protection in the Bahamas. The degree of selection exhibited by juvenile lemon sharks was greatest when prey were more abundant (off South Bimini and in the wet season), suggesting that lemon sharks conform to the optimal foraging theory.

Holocene and Pleistocene grainstone deposits surrounding Ocean Cay located on the western margin of Great Bahama Bank provide key evidence for the comprehension of patterns, processes and petrophysical heterogeneity of carbonate grainstone shoals. New datasets consisting of high-resolution remote sensing data, acoustic Doppler current measurements, sub-bottom profiles, and sedimentological and petrophysical analyses offer an opportunity to elucidate the various factors in the deposition of a grainstone shoal complex and assess of how much of the sedimentary fabric and early diagenetic overprint influences the petrophysical characteristics of similar ancient deposits. The Holocene shoal complex investigated here includes the Cat Cay ooid shoal and the Ocean Cay tidal deltas, which collectively form a 1-3 km wide, 35 km long sand belt around Ocean Cay. These factors controlling the distribution, preservation and modification of these sediments are the antecedent Pleistocene topography, bathymetry, and hydrodynamics at this margin. High-resolution seismic data reveal that the laterally continuous and thick Cat Cay ooid shoal north of Ocean Cay is situated on top of a flat Pleistocene surface and located platformward of a Pleistocene rock ridge. This finding challenges the assumption of previous studies that an antecedent high is needed for ooid shoal initiation. In contrast, south of Ocean Cay, skeletal-rich tidal deltas occur east of rocky Pleistocene islands and formed over an irregular Pleistocene surface that is slightly shallower than the flat surface north of Ocean Cay. In addition to the antecedent topography, differences in shoal morphology and sediment attributes between the north and south areas around Ocean Cay are related to linkages among fluid flow patterns, shoal morphology and granulometry. The hydrodynamic data document the influence of tidal flows in modifying the shape of bars creating sinuous and parabolic forms during flood and ebb reversing flows. Spatial distribution of grain size and sorting is affected because high flow velocities (up to 100 cm sec-1) inside tidal channels and inlets can erode and remobilized sediments mixing skeletal grains, peloids and ooids. Dominance of flood tide across this Holocene shoal complex allowed tidal deltas to form bankward of inlets between rock islands. Tidal channels and inter-bar troughs can focus tidal flow during flood tide creating lobes platformward instead of previously assumptions on the effect of storm and formation of spillover lobes bankward. Cores from the subsurface at Ocean Cay show that the architecture of the Pleistocene grainstone facies is similar to the Holocene shoal configuration of bars, channels, and bioturbated stabilized areas. Cross-bedded oolitic/peloidal and bioturbated skeletal/peloidal facies exhibit facies-dependent petrophysical heterogeneity, and reveal depositional and early diagenetic controls on petrophysical properties. Porosity and permeability in the grainstones at Ocean Cay are high, up to 47% and up to 11500 mD, respectively. Early diagenesis modifies the pore geometry of the rock, thus reducing permeability. A comparison of petrographic and petrophysical properties of the Pleistocene shoal with those from the Pennsylvanian ooid shoals reveals that were strongly influenced by the original fabric and early near-surface diagenesis. The integration of data from both the modern and ancient carbonate systems provides a better understanding of the factors controlling shoal morphology, facies architecture, and rock properties. The results of this study can be used as a guide for interpreting heterogeneity and reservoir properties of analogous facies within ancient ooid shoals.

The Bimbi cult in Southern Malawi is a territorial cult, one among a number of other regional belief systems among the Chewa of Southern Malawi. As a religious system the Bimbi cult has a distinctive unwritten theology, elaborate liturgical observances, an organized inherited priesthood and a charismatic leader - the Bimbi - from whom the cult's name derives. The thesis begins by examining the life and structural position of the Bimbi who is, in all aspects the most representative and living symbol of the cult as a moral force. It then looks into the question of the call to Bimbiship and the processes of succession events which are believed to be divine acts from beginning to end. This is evidenced by the fact that succession to Bimbiship cuts across the principles of matrilineage of succession to headmanship among the Chewa. The third chapter of the thesis discusses the religious, shrine and political organizations of the cult which give it its territorial nature and enhance both the legitimacy of the Bimbi and the impact of the cult in the region. The fourth, fifth and sixth chapters set forth to answer the questions, "what is the faith and prayer of the cult?" and "how do the followers understand God, the social and the natural orders in the universe?" To this purpose the thesis examines the rituals, prayers, symbolisms, beliefs and practices of those who adhere to the cult. The seventh chapter of the thesis probes into what is remembered of the earlier history of the cult and the role which the title holders of Bimbiship have played for the past hundred years. Finally an attempt has been made to examine the nature of the interaction between the cult on the one hand and Christianity and Islam on the other.

Although a number of impression management scales are available in the literature, none seem to be concerned with what kind of content is being managed. Previous research suggests that impression management can be separated into two fundamental types of content: agency and communion. Agentic impression management is the tendency to exaggerate one’s courage, leadership or intellectual status. Communal impression management is the tendency to exaggerate one’s claims to be a nice person and good citizen. In Study 1, we developed a new measure of impression management named the Bi-Dimensional Impression Management Index (BIMI): It comprises subscales designed specifically to tap into agentic and communal content. For each content area, we selected the 10 items that shifted the most from honest to fake-good conditions. The resulting subscales were relatively independent (r =.18) and preliminary statistics showed good reliabilities. In Study 2, the BIMI subscales were cross-validated in a new sample, showing good reliabilities and coherent personality correlates. The implications and applicability of the BIMI are discussed, specifically focusing on how this advance is relevant to the literature on faking behaviour.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
Currently several works have been developed in order to provide alternative routes for the synthesis of several organic compounds. These new protocols are generally aimed at obtaining softer and more eco-friendly reactive conditions, better yields and / or reactional times, and mechanistic studies, among others. This work consists of the study of synthesis routes of cyanohydrins and tetrahydropyrans, using lanthanide catalysts and ionic liquids, respectively. As cyanohydrins are products that can be transformed into important organic intermediates. They are obtained by the cyanosilylation of aldehydes reaction, which is synthetically viable only in the presence of a Lewis acid. In this work, the MOF [Eu2 (MELL)(H2O)6] was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the cyanosilylation of aldehydes reaction. The catalytic assays were optimized using a thermally activated MOF in acetonitrile. Different aldehydes several structurally provided their respective cyanohydrins ranging from 1 to 6 hours and yields of 62 to 100%. The MOF was recycled in the addition reaction of TMSCN to 2-furfuraldehyde without loss of activity for five cycles. Tetrahydropyran rings (THP) are common in many natural products, so various strategies are being developed to synthesize them. In this work we also describe the study to obtain 2,4,6-trisubstituted tetrahydropyrans in a single step promoted by the ionic liquid (IL) BMIM][PF6] between the allyl bromide and aldehydes, through the Barbier-Prins reaction. The tests were performed under different conditions and optimized using 1: 4 benzaldehyde and allyl bromide. The use of IL [BMIM][PF6] provided THPs of various aldehydes in good yields ranging from 40% to 75% in 8 hours of reaction. In addition, IL [BMIM][PF6] was recovered and reused in the preparation of 4-bromo-2,6-diphenyl-tetrahydro-2H-pyran by up to 5 times without significant loss of yield of that product. The influence of the PF6- anion on the reaction between benzaldehyde and allyl bromide under the Barbier reaction conditions was investigated, as well as the influence of SnBr2 salt on the Prins cyclization reaction between homoallylic alcohol and benzaldehyde. The results show evidence that PF6- acts by accelerating the Barbier reaction and the excess of SnBr2 acts as Lewis acid in the Prins cyclization reaction. Subsequently, the use of KI in the reaction between benzaldehyde and allyl bromide was investigated, and it was found that depending on the ratio used between KI and SnBr2, the preferential formation of homoalyl alcohol or THP compound could occur.
Atualmente vários trabalhos têm sido desenvolvidos no intuito de possibilitar rotas alternativas para a síntese de diversos compostos orgânicos. Esses novos protocolos visam geralmente a obtenção de condições reacionais mais brandas e eco-amigáveis, melhores rendimentos e/ou tempos reacionais, estudos mecanísticos entre outros. Este trabalho consiste no estudo de rotas de síntese de cianoidrinas e tetraidropiranos, utilizando catalisadores de lantanídeos e líquidos iônicos, respectivamente. As cianoidrinas são substâncias que podem ser transformadas em intermediários orgânicos importantes. São geralmente obtidas através da reação de cianossililação de aldeídos, que é sinteticamente viável apenas na presença de um ácido de Lewis. Nesse trabalho, a MOF [Eu2(MELL)(H2O)6] foi utilizada como catalisador heterogêneo na reação de cianossililação de aldeídos. Os ensaios catalíticos foram otimizados utilizando a MOF ativada termicamente em acetonitrila. Diversos aldeídos estruturalmente diferentes forneceram suas respectivas cianoidrinas variando de 1 a 6 horas e com rendimentos de 62 a 100%. A MOF foi reciclada na reação de adição de TMSCN à 2-furfuraldeído sem perda de atividade durante cinco ciclos. Anéis tetraidropirânicos (THP) são comuns em vários produtos naturais, portanto várias estratégias estão sendo desenvolvidas para sintetizá-los. Nesse trabalho descrevemos também o estudo para a obtenção de tetraidropiranos 2,4,6-trissubstituídos meso em uma única etapa promovida pelo líquido iônico (LI) BMIM][PF6] entre o brometo de alila e aldeídos, através da reação Barbier-Prins. Os testes foram realizados sob diferentes condições e foi otimizado utilizando-se o benzaldeído e brometo de alila na proporção 1:4. A utilização LI [BMIM][PF6] forneceu produtos THPs de vários aldeídos com bons rendimentos variando-se de 40% a 75% em 8 horas de reação. Adicionalmente o LI [BMIM][PF6] foi recuperado e reutilizado na preparação do 4-bromo-2,6-difenil-tetraidro-2H-pirano em até 5 vezes sem perda significativa dos rendimentos desse produto. Foi investigado a influência isolada do ânion PF6- na reação entre o benzaldeído e o brometo de alila nas condições reacionais de Barbier, assim como a influência do sal SnBr2 na reação de ciclização de Prins entre o álcool homoalílico e o benzaldeído. Os resultados mostram evidências que o PF6- atua acelerando a reação de Barbier e o excesso de SnBr2 atua como ácido de Lewis na reação de ciclização de Prins. Posteriormente foi investigado a utilização do KI na reação entre o benzaldeído e o brometo de alila, e verificou-se que dependendo da proporção utilizada entre o KI e o SnBr2 pode ocorrer a formação preferencial do álcool homoalílico ou do composto THP.Atualmente vários trabalhos têm sido desenvolvidos no intuito de possibilitar rotas alternativas para a síntese de diversos compostos orgânicos. Esses novos protocolos visam geralmente a obtenção de condições reacionais mais brandas e eco-amigáveis, melhores rendimentos e/ou tempos reacionais, estudos mecanísticos entre outros. Este trabalho consiste no estudo de rotas de síntese de cianoidrinas e tetraidropiranos, utilizando catalisadores de lantanídeos e líquidos iônicos, respectivamente. As cianoidrinas são substâncias que podem ser transformadas em intermediários orgânicos importantes. São geralmente obtidas através da reação de cianossililação de aldeídos, que é sinteticamente viável apenas na presença de um ácido de Lewis. Nesse trabalho, a MOF [Eu2(MELL)(H2O)6] foi utilizada como catalisador heterogêneo na reação de cianossililação de aldeídos. Os ensaios catalíticos foram otimizados utilizando a MOF ativada termicamente em acetonitrila. Diversos aldeídos estruturalmente diferentes forneceram suas respectivas cianoidrinas variando de 1 a 6 horas e com rendimentos de 62 a 100%. A MOF foi reciclada na reação de adição de TMSCN à 2-furfuraldeído sem perda de atividade durante cinco ciclos. Anéis tetraidropirânicos (THP) são comuns em vários produtos naturais, portanto várias estratégias estão sendo desenvolvidas para sintetizá-los. Nesse trabalho descrevemos também o estudo para a obtenção de tetraidropiranos 2,4,6-trissubstituídos meso em uma única etapa promovida pelo líquido iônico (LI) BMIM][PF6] entre o brometo de alila e aldeídos, através da reação Barbier-Prins. Os testes foram realizados sob diferentes condições e foi otimizado utilizando-se o benzaldeído e brometo de alila na proporção 1:4. A utilização LI [BMIM][PF6] forneceu produtos THPs de vários aldeídos com bons rendimentos variando-se de 40% a 75% em 8 horas de reação. Adicionalmente o LI [BMIM][PF6] foi recuperado e reutilizado na preparação do 4-bromo-2,6-difenil-tetraidro-2H-pirano em até 5 vezes sem perda significativa dos rendimentos desse produto. Foi investigado a influência isolada do ânion PF6- na reação entre o benzaldeído e o brometo de alila nas condições reacionais de Barbier, assim como a influência do sal SnBr2 na reação de ciclização de Prins entre o álcool homoalílico e o benzaldeído. Os resultados mostram evidências que o PF6- atua acelerando a reação de Barbier e o excesso de SnBr2 atua como ácido de Lewis na reação de ciclização de Prins. Posteriormente foi investigado a utilização do KI na reação entre o benzaldeído e o brometo de alila, e verificou-se que dependendo da proporção utilizada entre o KI e o SnBr2 pode ocorrer a formação preferencial do álcool homoalílico ou do composto THP.

Thesis (PhD (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In both developing and developed countries, to ensure sustained economic growth the quest for optimal roads performance is an extremely high priority. A global increase in the use of foamed bitumen and bitumen emulsion materials (BSMs) as a solution to roads maintenance, rehabilitation, and upgrading has become evident. This is driven by environmental policies aimed at conserving energy and limiting the exploitation of new borrows pits. It has therefore become imperative that BSMs are used optimally, and, in order to achieve this, practitioners need to understand the mechanisms that influence durability and long-term performance. The changes in the behaviour of materials and the failure mechanisms of BSM mixes are long-term phenomena. This implies that the study of the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the mixes is vital. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of the moisture damage and age-hardening characteristics, which are related to materials’ properties, is required. The main objective of this study is to advance BSM technology by assessing the influence of the selected materials on durability behaviour and long-term performance in all phases of application (i.e. mix design, construction, and in-service condition). This study begins with a comprehensive literature review of research dealing with the interactions of binder and mineral aggregates. The properties of bitumen (foamed bitumen or bitumen emulsion) and mineral aggregates were reviewed. This was followed by review into the colloidal behaviour of foam and emulsion and physicochemical and mechanical interaction with mineral aggregates. Factors influencing the interaction of BSMs were then identified. Finally, the fundamental theories on thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, and electrokinetics were used to describe the step-by-step process by which adhesive bonding and cohesion occur in BSMs. The mixture durability in terms of moisture damage was investigated. To achieve this aim, the physical and mechanical moisture-induced damage process was analysed. The test control parameters were established and a laboratory device to quantify these parameters designed. New moisture conditioning procedures were developed and demonstrated in this study. From the moisture induction simulation test (MIST) procedure, it became evident that pulsing water pressures into compacted and cured BSM mixes simulates the hydrodynamic effect that occurs in the field due to dynamic traffic loading. The different mix matrices typically applicable to the recycling processes – such as Hornfels-RAP and Quartzite crushed stone, stabilised with either foamed bitumen or bitumen emulsion and the addition of active filler (cement or lime) – were investigated. It was found that a new moisture-conditioning procedure using the MIST device and monotonic triaxial testing can distinguish those BSM mixes that are resistant to moisture damage from those that are less resistant. The validation of the MIST and monotonic test results was done using the APT device, which is the MMLS3 wet trafficking test. The results on both tests showed good correlations in evaluating and screening BSMs in terms of moisture susceptibility. Field temperature data was collected and a model to accurately simulate the curing of BSMs was identified and proposed for further investigation and validation. It was found from the field temperature data collected in this study that the temperature gradient on the study site varied according to the depth of the BSMs (that is, 10oC-17oC during winter and 17oC– 47oC during summer). Understanding the influence of the temperature conductivity and rate of evaporation is important for inferring moisture damage and age-hardening behaviour and proper selection of BSMs. The age-hardening behaviour of BSMs is linked to the durability properties and longterm performance of these materials. The fundamental characteristics associated with shortand long-term age hardening were investigated in this study. The short-term dimension involved assessing the age-hardening characteristics of the binder (foamed bitumen colloids and bitumen emulsion droplets) prior to the production of BSMs. The long-term study involved extracting and recovering the binder from the briquettes (made from different mixes) compacted in the laboratory and cores extracted from different field pavement sections which were in service for 8-10 years. The study found that the length of time bitumen is kept in circulation in the laboratory plant at elevated temperature (170oC–180oC) before making BSM-foam contributes to the ageing of the binder, especially after eight hours. The foaming process in itself was found not to alter the bitumen properties. It is recommended that a temperature range between 160oC- 165oC be used for the production of foamed bitumen with softer bitumen. This will not compromise its quality. In addition, the time of circulation of bitumen in laboratory plant should not be longer than three (3) hours. The rheological properties of the bitumen recovered from laboratory briquettes and cores from field pavement show that age hardening on foamed bitumen and bitumen emulsion during in-service life occurred. The ageing also seemed to be dependent on the effect of traffic, with trafficked areas (i.e. on-wheel path and inner-wheel path) experiencing more ageing than untrafficked areas (i.e. between-wheel path). However, the extraction and recovery process was found to be complex, and produce uncertain results. Although the results show that binders in BSMs undergo age hardening, its distinct behaviour in BSM performance was not obvious from the extensive tests carried out in this study. The last part of the study contains its conclusions and recommendations. The study provides an insight into fundamental material durability properties, and this will assist in improving the current procedure for selection, combining and formulation of the mix matrices for BSMs. In addition, the study provides guidelines that will enable practitioners to confidently apply a mix that is durable and long-lasting. The specific durability-related issues addressed in this study are substance for future research. This novel solution to the application of BSMs will benefit all parties involved in the development of pavement recycling technology.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Om volgehoue ekonomiese groei te verseker in beide ontwikkelende en ontwikkelde lande, geniet die soeke na die optimale werkverrigting van paaie ’n baie hoë prioriteit. ‘n Wêreldwye toename in die gebruik van skuimbitumen en bitumen-emulsiemateriale (BSMs) as ’n oplossing vir padonderhoud, rehabilitasie en opgradering is merkbaar. Dit word meegebring deur die omgewingsbeleide wat die ontginning van nuwe leengroewe beperk en besparing van energie bevorder. Die korrekte gebruik van hierdie materiale vereis dat die meganismes wat die duursaamheid en langtermyn-werkverrigting daarvan beïnvloed, deeglik verstaan word. Die verandering in materiaalgedrag en falingsmeganismes van BSM materiale is langtermynverskynsels. Dit impliseer dat bestudering van die fisiochemiese en meganiese eienskappe van die mengsels uiters belangrik is. Dis dus voor die hand liggend hoe belangrik vogbeskadiging en verharding met tyd, wat verwant is aan materiaaleienskappe, is. Die hoofdoelwit met hierdie studie is om die vooruitgang van BSM tegnologie te versnel deur dit moontlik te maak om gekose materiale te evalueer op grond van hulle invloed op duursaamheid en langtermyn-werkverrigting in alle toepassingsfases (naamlik mengontwerp, konstruksie en dienstoestand). Hierdie studie begin met ’n uitgebreide literatuuroorsig oor fundamentele begrippe van die karakterisering van interaksie van die bindstof en die minerale-aggregate. Inligting oor bitumen (skuimbitumen en bitumen emulsies) en eienskappe van minerale aggregate is bestudeer. Dit is gevolg deur ’n studie van die fundamentele begrip van die kolloïdale gedrag van skuim en emulsie, asook fisiochemiese en meganiese interaksie met minerale aggregate. Faktore wat die interaksie van BSM-materiale beïnvloed is geïdentifiseer. Die basiese teorie van termodinamika, hidrodinamika en elektrokinetika is daarna gebruik om stap vir stap die proses en formulering van adhesie-binding en kohesie in die BSMs, wat in hierdie studie aangebied word, te beskryf. Die kwantifisering van mengsel-duursaamheid in terme van vogbeskadiging is ontwikkel. Om hierdie doel te bereik, is die fisiese en meganiese proses van beskadiging deur vogindringing geïdentifiseer. Die gekontroleerde parameters is bepaal en ’n laboratoriumapparaat is ontwerp om hierdie parameters te kwantifiseer. Nuwe vogkondisioneringsprosedures is ontwikkel en in hierdie studie gedemonstreer. Van prosedures van voggeïnduseerde sensitiwiteitstoetsing (Engels: moisture induction simulation test (MIST)) was dit duidelik dat pulsering van waterdruk in BSM materiale die hidrodinamiese effek naboots wat in die veld bestaan as gevolg van dinamiese verkeerslaste. Verskillende mengselmatrikse wat tipies is van hergebruik, soos byvoorbeeld hoornfels-hersikleerde asfalt produk (Engels: recycled asphalt product (RAP)) en vergruisde granietklip, met skuimbitumen of bitumenemulsie gestabiliseer en met byvoeging van aktiewe vulmateriaal (sement of kalksteen), is ondersoek. Daar is bevind dat nuwe vogkondisioneringsprosedures (soos bepaal deur MIST apparaat en drie-assige toets) kan onderskei tussen BSM materiale wat weerstandig is teen vogbeskadiging en dié wat minder weerstandig (vatbaar) is. Die geldigheid van die MIST en monotone toetsresultate is bepaal deur gebruik van die APT apparaat wat ’n MMLS3 nat verkeerstoets is. Die resultate van beide toetse toon goeie korrelasie in die keuring van BM materiale in terme van vogvatbaarheid. In hierdie ondersoek is veldtemperatuurdata versamel en die toepaslike model om verouderende BM lae akkuraat te simuleer is geïdentifiseer en voorgelê vir verdere ondersoek en verifikasie. Daar is uit veldtemperatuurdata bevind dat temperatuurgradiënt op die betrokke terrein gewissel het met die dikte van die BSM, naamlik 10oC-17oC gedurende die winter en 17oC-47oC gedurende die somer. Begrip vir die invloed van temperatuuroordragkoëffisiënt en verdampingstempo is belangrik by die afleiding van vogbeskadiging en verharding met ouderdom en die korrekte keuse van BSM materiale.Verouderingsverhardinggedrag van BSMs is verwant aan die duursaamheidseienskappe en langtermynwerkverrigting van hierdie materiale. Die basiese karakteristieke wat met kort- en langtermyn verouderingsverharding geassosieer word, is in hierdie studie ondersoek. Die klem op die kort termyn is geplaas op die verouderingsverhardingsgedrag van die bindstof (skuimbitumen kolloïdes en bitumen-emulsiedruppels) voordat BSMs vervaardig word. In die lang termyn evaluasie het die studie ekstraksie en herwinning van bindstof uit brikette wat in die laboratorium gekompakteer is (van verskillende mengsels) en uit kerns verkry vanaf verskeie plaveiselgedeeltes na 8-10 jaar diens ingesluit. Die ondersoek het bevind dat die tydsverloop waarin bitumen in sirkulasie gehou is by verhoogde temperatuur (170oC-180oC) in die laboratorium-aanleg voordat BSMs vervaardig is, veral indien na 8 uur, bydra tot die veroudering van die bindstof. Die skuimproses op sigself verander nie die bitumeneienskappe nie. Daar word aanbeveel dat temperature tussen die grense 160oC-165oC gehandhaaf word vir produksie van skuimbitumen met sagter bitumen sonder dat die kwaliteit benadeel word en dat die sirkulasietyd nie 2 tot 3 ure behoort te oorskry nie. Die reologiese eienskappe van die herwinde bitumen vanuit laboratoriumbrikette en kerns van plaveisels toon dat ouderdomsverharding van skuimbitumen en bitumen-emulsie tydens die diensleeftyd plaasvind. Die veroudering is skynbaar ook afhanklik van verkeerseffekte, met belaste areas (in wielspoor of binne wielspoor) wat ’n hoër mate van veroudering toon as onbelaste areas (tussen wielspore). Die ekstraksie- en herwinningsproses op sigself was egter bevind as baie kompleks met uiters onseker resultate. Dit het gelei tot onsekere gedrag in terme van ouderdomsverharding van die BSM bindmiddel (skuim of emulsie). Alhoewel resultate toon dat die bindmiddels ouderdomsverharding ondergaan het, is die BSM werkverrigting nie duidelik uit die uitgebreide toetse wat in hierdie studie uitgevoer is nie. Die laaste deel van die studie bevat gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings. Die studie lewer insig in die fundamentele duursaamheidseienskappe van die materiaal, wat bydra tot verbetering van die huidige prosedure van seleksie, saamstelling en formulering van die mengmatriks vir BSMs. Verder voorsien dit ’n metode wat in die praktyk gebruik kan word om met vertroue duursame mengsels met lang diensbaarheidsleeftye te vervaardig. ’n Nuwe oplossing en vooruitgang in die toepassing van BSMs is daargestel tot voordeel van alle partye betrokke by die ontwikkeling van herwinningstegnologie.

Dissertação de Mestrado, Biologia Marinha, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2016
Unevenness within a population is challenging to explain. It appears hazardous to interpret inter-individual dissimilarities in behavior, mainly due to a lack of information about the underlying mechanisms responsible for such expression. The key component of this study was the focus on the relationship between an intrinsic decision-making mechanism and the expression of individual movements. The uniqueness of this research laid in the study of how personality in juvenile lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris (Poey, 1868), may influence their natural behavior, providing a correlative analysis between personality and movement ecology. Twelve individuals were preliminarily exposed to a novel open field test to quantify a personality trait. Afterwards, the sharks were fitted with acoustic transmitters and monitored inside their nursery area, using an array of fifteen acoustic receivers, over an eight-month period. Movement patterns were assessed using active tracking. Home range and core area were measured using Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) and Kernel Utilization Density (KUD). Although the two analyses produced different outputs, both revealed high individual differences in term of location and size. The results suggested an extensive use of the mangrove by the juveniles. The home range varied from 568.52m2 to 1296.01 m2 whilst using MCP approach, and ranged from 770.10 m2 to 1474.51 m2 based on the kernel-bivariate analysis. Similarly, core area estimates ranged from 85.88 m2 to 323.67 m2 (KUD). The estimation of the distance from the nearest shore captured a similar pattern and ranged from 38.16 m to 155.38 m. These inter-individual differences persisted even after effects of body size, sex or monitoring features were removed. However, multiple correlations revealed a strong relationship between personality traits and the spatial metrics (home range, Rs = 0.71; core area, Rs = 0.84; distance from the shore, Rs = 0.69). The results uncovered the likelihood of an influence of personality on the movement ecology of juvenile lemon sharks. Identifying mechanisms driving the expression of movement patterns provided crucial insight into decision-making processes at an individual level. Such observation should encourage further investigations to consider individual-based analyses for conservation purposes and advocate for the integration of behavioral ecology and movement ecology into a common framework to enhance the understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes.
É difícil explicar a ausência de uniformidade em populações. Pode ser arriscado interpretar diferenças comportamentais entre indivíduos, principalmente devido à falta de informação sobre os mecanismos subjacentes responsáveis pela expressão destes comportamentos. O principal foco deste estudo foi a relação entre o mecanismo intrínseco de tomada de decisão e a expressão dos movimentos individuais. A originalidade deste trabalho baseia-se no estudo de como a personalidade na tubarões jovens, Negaprion brevirostris (Poey, 1868), pode influenciar o seu comportamento natural, criando uma análise de correlação entre a personalidade e a ecologia do movimento. Doze indivíduos foram previamente expostos a um teste novo para quantificar traços de personalidade. Seguidamente, os tubarões foram equipados com transmissores acústicos e monitorados dentro de sua área de maternidade, usando um conjunto de quinze receptores acústicos, ao longo de um período de oito meses. Os padrões de movimento foram avaliados através de um seguimento activo. A extensão da área habitada e a área central foram medidas usando Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) e Kernel Utilization Density (KUD). Embora as duas análises tenham tido resultados diferentes, ambas revelaram grandes diferenças individuais em termos de localização e tamanho. Os resultados sugerem um uso intensivo de mangais pelos juvenis. Utilizando a abordagem MCP, a extensão da área habitada variou entre 568.52m2 e 1 296.01 m2. Utilizando a análise bivariada de kernel, a variação foi entre 770.10 m2 e 1 474.51 m2. Da mesma forma, as estimativas da área central variaram entre 85.88 m2 e 323.67 m2 (KUD). A estimativa da distância à costa mais próxima evidenciou um padrão semelhante, com uma variação de 38.16 a 155.38 m. Estas diferenças inter-individuais persistiram mesmo depois de removidos os efeitos do tamanho, sexo e características de monitorização. No entanto, várias correlações revelaram uma relação forte entre traços de personalidade e as métricas espaciais (área habitada, Rs = 0.71; área central, Rs = 0.84; distância à costa, Rs = 0.69). Os resultados revelaram a possibilidade da personalidade influenciar a ecologia do movimento de tubarões-limão jovens. A identificação de mecanismos que impulsionam a expressão de padrões de movimento forneceu percepção crucial sobre os processos de tomada de decisão a nível individual. Estas observações devem servir de incentivo a novas investigações, para que considerem análises individuais para fins de conservação, e insistir na integração da ecologia comportamental e ecologia do movimento num plano de trabalhos comum, com o fim de melhorar a compreensão dos processos evolutivos e ecológicos.