Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Sheep [trade]'

Recently, oxidative stress has been highlighted as a potential mediator underlying life-history trade-offs in animals. However, despite growing interest in the role of oxidative stress as a mechanistic explanation of trade-offs, the importance of oxidative stress in wild populations remain poorly understood. In this thesis, I use four commonly applied markers of oxidative stress. I apply two markers of oxidative damage, protein carbonyls and malondialdehyde, and two markers of antioxidant protection, superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity. These were applied to samples collected in 2010-2013 and 2015 from the wild population of Soay sheep (Ovis aries), St Kilda, Scotland. I investigate correlations among different markers of oxidative stress, and their within individual repeatability over time. In addition, I examine the role played by oxidative stress in mediating life-history traits at different life-stages; specifically, I test for associations between oxidative stress, growth and survival in Soay sheep lambs. I also investigate the oxidative costs of reproduction in adult Soay sheep females and I test whether any such costs vary with age. My findings reveal, firstly, that plasma markers of oxidative stress vary dramatically among years, and that the different markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant protection applied throughout this thesis, are uncorrelated with each other (Chapter 2). This indicates that oxidative stress is a multifaceted process, where each oxidative stress marker may reflect different and potentially uncoupled biochemical processes (Chapter 2). Second, faster lamb growth shows a weak, positive association with malondialdehyde. However, growth is not associated with variation in the other three markers (Chapter 3). In addition, lamb survival also shows marker dependent associations; lambs with higher superoxide dismutase activity are more likely to survive their first winter, as are male but not female lambs with lower protein carbonyl content. Survival does not vary with malondialdehyde or antioxidant capacity. Thus, different markers of oxidative stress capture different aspects of the complex relationships between individual oxidative state, physiology and fitness (Chapter 3). Third, protein carbonyl content and superoxide dismutase activity measured at birth and at four month old in the lambs, show no within individual repeatability, although there is a significant difference in mean marker values over time (Chapter 4). This indicates that these markers of oxidative stress might reflect transient, rather than general, physiological states. Finally, I find some evidence for an oxidative cost of reproduction and for age-related variation in oxidative stress (Chapter 5). However, once again, effect are highly marker and year dependent, and I find no consistent patterns of variation across the two oxidative damage markers or across the two antioxidant protection markers, as they all show different responses to both breeding and age (Chapter 5). Together, my results provide some support for the association between oxidative stress and life-histories, but the effects are both marker and year dependent. Furthermore, the lack of correlation among different markers and the lack of within individual repeatability of oxidative stress markers highlight the need for careful selection and interpretation of plasma oxidative stress markers in the wild.

Experiment 1 investigated whether sheep select between foods that differ in their effective rumen degradable protein (eRDP) content to achieve an estimated 'optimal' eRDP: fermentable metabolisable energy (fME) ratio. The foods offered were presented in a meal form to prevent chemical changes to the food ingredients that may occur during the pelleting process. However, as the food ingredients separated during the course of the experiment and the composition of the selected diet could not be sufficiently predicted, the results of the experiment were unclear. Experiments 2 and 3 re-asserted the hypothesis that diets selected by sheep would be those that meet the eRDP requirements of the animals and at the same time avoid excess consumption of rumen degradable protein (RDP). The sheep were given choices between pelleted foods differing in their urea content, which was used as an eRDP source. However, sheep selected a diet in favour of the urea-supplemented food regardless of the basal food to which the urea was added. This resulted in an excess consumption of RDP. The results did not support the hypothesis that sheep would avoid excess RDP when give a choice and suggest that eRDP may not be a relevant dimension in diet selection in the conditions of these experiments. It was thought that urea may have had other properties, such as a high buffering potential, that the sheep were selecting for when selectin a diet. Experiment 4 tested the hypothesis that the preference for and eRDP adequate food supplemented with urea would be reduced by the addition of a buffer (sodium bicarbonate (SB)) to both foods offered as a choice or offering ad libitum access to hay. In both cases urea may no longer be needed as a buffer and the preference for the urea-supplemented food would then be expected to be reduced or even disappear. Insufficient amounts of hay were consumed to reduce the preference for the urea-supplemented food.

The purpose of this research is to analyze the dynamic response of an industry to production subsidies and to trade restrictions on a competing product. Specifically I examine the U.S. sheep industry and compare the effects of a production intervention similar to the Wool Act and to a tariff-rate quota. I begin with a dynamic profit function and derive an Euler equation. I use the iterated generalized method of moments to estimate the demand for slaughter lambs, the Euler equation, and the demand for domestic wool. These equations are estimated separately using instrumental variable techniques to adjust for the endogenous right hand side variables and for future-dated variables, in which the number of instruments exceeds the number of parameters. In each case, the iterated generalized method of moment estimator converges and produces reasonable estimates. Separately I estimate the demand for imported lamb meat using regression with autocorrelated errors. I then generate equilibrium slaughter lamb prices and breeding stock levels for a base case, for the production-subsidies case and for the tariff-rate quota case. The equilibrium quantities and prices are generated from the solution to a variable-coefficient difference equation. A feature of the model is the effects of joint outputs, slaughter lambs and wool, are included in the model. Results are that re-imposition of the Wool Act increases breeding stock levels relative to the base case, although breeding stock levels continue to decline, and slaughter lamb prices also initially increase. Implementation of the tariff-rate quota raises slaughter lamb prices and lowers breeding stock levels relative to the base case. Effects of the tariff-rate quota are small compared with the re-imposition of the Wool Act.

Social and economic factors were involved in intensified sheep rearing that occurred in southeastern Poland during the middle late Neolithic, 3800-3700 BC. Sheep data from three settlement sites, Bronocice, Zawar¿a, and Nied¿wied¿, were used to document the importation and crossbreeding of animals within this region over this span of time. Portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used to measure elemental strontium concentrations in sheep dental enamel. Distinct patterning was documented for each site and phase of occupation. The earliest phases showed little variation in strontium concentrations whereas beginning with Phase 3 (3650 BC) great variation was apparent. Based on these data it was possible to distinguish local from non-local sheep. At Bronocice a major change in sheep rearing occurred. Large scale sheep importation began around 3650 BC which lasted through the end of the settlement in 2700 BC. On the other hand, small settlements like Zawar¿a, and Nied¿wied¿ continued to raise sheep in the region, occasionally acquiring new stock from the sheep market at Bronocice. It does not appear that sheep were raised at Bronocice. Instead it is more likely that Bronocice was interested in the wool and thread produced by small herders for weaving.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was sequenced from sheep at the three sites dating to the period 3650-3100 BC (Phases 3 and 4) at the three sites. That study revealed that close genetic relationships existed among sheep from the three settlements. The sheep from the outlying villages of Zawar¿a and Nied¿wied¿ were more closely related to sheep from Bronocice than sheep at Bronocice were to each other. It is evident that sheep from outlying villages were descended from sheep imported to Bronocice. Six lineages were identified, two of which were found in sheep from Phases 3 and 4. Individuals from `Family 1' were found only at Bronocice while those from Family 2 were present at all sites indicating that two common sources of sheep were exploited over a few hundred years.

This long term pattern confirms the existence of important social relationships between some groups and elites at Bronocice with outside communities, probably located in southeastern Europe. These data served as proxies for examining social relationships within and between settlements in the region as well as to investigate economic behaviors involving trade and exchange of sheep. Multiple levels of socioeconomic activities were revealed based on the XRF data revolving around the importation of sheep to Bronocice, the redistribution of sheep to smaller settlements, the staging of annual sheep market in late spring and the likely production of textiles for export. It is probably that people from the three communities shared social ties which extended beyond a shared cultural identity and included family and business partnerships. An annual cycle is proposed involving four distinct social categories: elites at Bronocice responsible for managing the annual sheep market, long distance traders importing sheep once a year, local sheep herders who acquired new stock from the traders and who harvested and spun wool for exchange, and weavers who required raw materials for making cloth. It is possible that weavers, whose cloth production depended on access to wool and thread, controlled or were involved with the importation and redistribution sheep to local herders and that they in turn exchanged wool and or thread. At Bronocice it is likely that control over sheep imports was managed by a small number of individuals, most likely elites. Evidence of a social hierarchy is evidenced by a large animal enclosure, fortification ditches and palisades, the construction of which reveals control over labor. The nature of trading relationships is unknown but may have been based on ancient ties dating to the early part of the Neolithic. Sheep intensification coincided not only with the growth of Bronocice in size, population, and appearance of specialists within the community, but also with an increase in fiber and textile production artifacts, most likely due to the start of wool production. At Bronocice, incipient wool production was suggested not only by signs of intensified sheep rearing but also by the recovery of large quantities of loom weights, spools and spindle whorls from houses, the numbers of which increased dating to different phases. The percentage of households within the settlement involved in fiber and textile production grew over time. Sheep intensification therefore appears to be strongly linked to the development of a wool industry. The identification of mobility patterns and sheep genetic relatedness afforded the opportunity to investigate animal husbandry practices, specifically breeding and the exchange of livestock, as well as to consider possible forms of social interaction between communities. Last, the scale and regularity at which sheep were imported to Bronocice over a period of 900 years suggest that a simple model of reciprocal trade between elites does not work for the later Neolithic. Instead, a more complex system is proposed in which sheep were an important trade commodity. They were imported on a regular schedule and in large numbers by specialized pastoralists. The data suggest they were imported during the late spring on an annual basis into Bronocice which strongly suggests the existence of a market system controlled by elites involving the acquisition of new sheep. Furthermore, it appears that sheep were redistributed sheep to outside settlements who managed the herds and that these communities were the primary suppliers of wool and spun fibers to weavers at Bronocice. There had to have existed codependent relationships between weaving households and local sheep herders which may have involved redistribution of sheep in exchange for wool products.

The immune system provides protection against parasites and is crucial for survival, but mounting, maintaining and controlling an immune response is expensive. Under limited resources these costs can lead to investment trade-offs between life history traits in order to maximize an individual's fitness. Understanding how these trade-offs relate to immunity can be important in understanding individual variation in fitness and the broader ecological implications that this may have in a population. In the wild there is evidence of trade-offs between life history traits and immunity, but there are relatively few studies which have measured specific aspects of the immune system under natural parasitic exposure. Using reagents developed in domestic sheep, I measured an unusually broad range of immune markers in a wild population of Soay sheep on the island of Hirta, St Kilda, Scotland. These include: T cell subsets (CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ & CD8+ naïve, gamma delta and Foxp3), anti-T.circumcincta (T. circ) antibody isotopes, (IgA, IgE, IgG), leukocyte subtypes (neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio & eosinophils), and leukocyte telomere length (LTL). I found that, in a year under high selection pressure for survival, anti-T. circ IgG positively predicted survival across all ages and for both sexes. Additionally, females had higher proportions of naïve T cells than males; a previously unreported sex difference in a wild mammal. In chapter 2, analysis of lambs in early life found higher growth rates associated with low antibody measures, while lower growth rates related to low antibody measures and high levels of inflammatory marker. I also found that male lambs with high anti-T. circ IgE and IgG were less likely to survive over-winter, contrary to the findings across all ages in chapter 1. In chapter 3, I detected an increase in LTL attrition with age in males >3 years, but this was not significant in females or in younger animals. In male lambs, high investment in horn growth was related to reduced LTL. Changes in LTL were independent of variation in leukocyte cell populations. The data in this thesis demonstrate the complexity of immune variation in the wild, and highlight the value of multiple ecologically relevant markers to understanding the evolutionary implications of resource trade-offs.

When you verify the economic profitability and quantify the centers of costs of a productive activity you are developing an analysis of production costs. This analysis allows a clearer reading and a more accurate diagnosis of the actual economic situation of the property. The objective of this study was to verify the main costs of production, between two systems of sales of sheep. The systems were characterized in S1 - this occurred when the product was animals for sale of breeding; and S2 - when the product was the sale of lambs to the slaughter. All data were obtained according to costs and performance of activity during the period of 15 January 2013 to 15 January 2014, of a property in south-central Sergipe. For storage and interpretation of the data we used two software management of the agricultural Prodap GP® (2007) to assess the economic indicators and the MultOvinos® for analysis zootecnical indicares. Variable costs possessed greater representation on the operational costs, for both the S1 and S2 representing 86.7% and 85.5% respectively. The greater representation of variable costs, in both systems, was with the concentrated feed used in animal nutrition S1 59.7% and S2 58.5%. The forage represented 14.2% and the hand labor 8.7% in S1, while in S2 13.9% for the forage and 17.1% with hand labor. Already fixed costs represented 13.3% in S1 and 14.5% in S2, the greatest contribution of fixed cost comes from the cost of depreciation of assets S1 98.8% and S2 98.6 %. Revenue from the sale S1 was composed of a ruffian and breeding animals both males and females. Revenue from S2 was composed by selling lamb to the slaughter and disposal of animals. The S1 totaled a gross income of R$ 77,850.00 and S2 R$ 34,149.28. During the study period the two systems evaluated achieved gross margin (difference between gross income and effective operational cost) negative S1 R$ $-9,267.31 and S2 R$ -10,310.88, leading to a short decapitalisation term and showing be precise a rapid decision- making by the producer so he can continue in the activity.
Quando se busca verificar a rentabilidade econômica e quantificar os centros de gastos de uma atividade produtiva está se desenvolvendo uma análise de custos de produção. Esta análise permiti uma leitura mais clara e um diagnóstico mais preciso da real situação econômica da propriedade. Objetivou-se com esse estudo verificar os principais custos de produção em dois sistemas de comercialização de ovinos. Os sistemas foram caracterizados em S1 - quando o produto eram animais para comercialização de reprodutores; e S2 quando o produto era a comercialização de cordeiros para o abate. Foram obtidos todos os dados quanto as despesas e as receitas da atividade durante o período de 15 de janeiro de 2013 a 15 de janeiro de 2014 de uma propriedade no centro-sul sergipano. Para armazenamento e interpretação dos dados foi utilizado dois softwares de gerenciamento agropecuário, o PRODAP GP® (2007) para as análises econômicas e o MultOvinos® para avaliação dos indicadores zootécnicos. Os custos variáveis possuíram maior representação sobre o custo operacional, tanto do S1 como do S2 representando 86,7% e 85,5% respectivamente. A maior representatividade dos custos variáveis em ambos os sistemas foi com o alimento concentrado fornecido aos animais S1 59,7% e S2 58,5%. O volumoso representou 14,2% e a mão-de-obra 8,7% no S1, enquanto que no S2 13,9% para o alimento volumoso e 17,1% com mão-de-obra. Já os custos fixos representaram 13,3% no S1 e 14,5% no S2. Dos custos fixos, a maior contribuição provém dos custos com a depreciação dos bens S1 98,8% e S2 98,6%. A receita do S1 foi composta pela venda de um rufião e de animais reprodutores tanto machos como fêmeas. A receita do S2 foi composta pela venda de cordeiro para o abate e de animais de descarte. O S1 totalizou uma renda bruta de R$ 77.850,00 e o S2 de R$ 34.149,28. Durante o período estudado os dois sistemas avaliados obtiveram margem bruta (diferença entre a renda bruta e o custo operacional efetivo) negativa S1 R$-9.267,31 e S2 R$ -10.310,88, levando a uma descapitalização em curto prazo e mostrando ser preciso uma rápida tomada de decisão por parte do produtor para que ele possa continuar na atividade.

The emergence of parasite resistance to most classes of anthelmintics, as well as the difficulty of controlling Haemonchus contortus infection, are among the main problems faced in the sheep farming industry. Alternative and/or auxiliary control methods are essential to minimize the losses caused by H. contortus infection. The inflammatory process caused by parasitic infection increases the production of reactive species, when produced in excess exacerbate the damage caused by such infections. Given the importance of alternative control methods and the role that zinc plays in the activity of enzymes associated with the oxidative profile, the aim of the present study was to assess the action of a source of parenteral zinc (edetate zinc) in oxidative profile of lambs infected by H. contortus. For this, 24 lambs were divided into four groups: Group I - uninfected animals; Group II - uninfected animals and treated with 3 mg of edetate zinc kg-1 body weight; Group III - animals infected with 12000 larvae in the third stage of H. contortus; and Group IV - animals infected with 12000 larvae in the third stage of H. contortus and treated with 3 mg of edetate zinc kg-1 body weight. The lambs were monitored for 38 days, during which time feces and blood samples were collected on day zero and at seven days intervals. Serum samples from animals with an oxidative profile were analyzed by quantifying the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the total oxidation status (TOS). The eggs per gram (EPG) in feces were also counted. On the last experimental day, three animals from each group were euthanized and the quantity of H. contortus adults in the abomasums was determined. The results showed that oxidative stress in the animals from group IV was lower than in Group I 17 days after treatment with edetate zinc. Furthermore, 24 days after treatment, group IV showed a reduction in oxidative stress in relation to group III. No interference in the parasite load was recorded. These results show that treatment with edetate zinc could assist in reducing the damage caused by oxidative stress, but does not reduce infection with H. contortus.
O surgimento da resistência parasitária à maioria das classes de anti-helmínticos e, consequentemente, a dificuldade no controle do Haemonchus contortus, tornou a infecção por este parasito um dos principais entraves da criação de ovinos. Para minimizar as perdas causadas pelo H. contortus, métodos de controle alternativo e/ou auxiliar tornaram-se fundamentais. O processo inflamatório causado pela infecção parasitária aumenta a produção de espécies reativas, as quais quando produzidas em demasia agravam os danos causados por essa infecção. Visando a importância de métodos alternativos e sabendo que o zinco tem importante papel na atividade de enzimas ligadas ao perfil oxidativo o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a ação de uma fonte de zinco parenteral (edetato de zinco) no perfil oxidativo de cordeiros infectados por H. contortus. Para isto 24 cordeiros foram divididos em quatro grupos, sendo Grupo I - animais não infectados, Grupo II animais não infectados e tratados com 3 mg de edetato de zinco, via subcutânea (SC) kg-1 de peso vivo, Grupo III animais infectados com 12000 larvas de terceiro estágio de H. contortus e Grupo IV animais infectados com 12000 larvas de terceiro estágio de H. contortus e tratados com 3 mg de edetato de zinco, via subcutânea (SC) kg-1 de peso vivo. Estes cordeiros foram acompanhados por um período experimental de 38 dias, sendo realizada coleta de fezes e sangue em intervalo de sete dias a partir do dia zero. Nas amostras de soro foi analisado o perfil oxidativo, através da quantificação da capacidade antioxidante total (TAC) e do status de oxidação total (TOS), e na de fezes a contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG). No ultimo dia experimental, três animais de cada grupo foram submetidos à eutanásia e então realizada a contagem do número de H. contortus adultos no abomaso. Os resultados demonstraram que 17 dias após o tratamento com edetato de zinco o estresse oxidativo dos cordeiros do grupo IV foi inferior aos do grupo I e que 24 dias após o tratamento o grupo IV apresentou redução no estresse oxidativo em relação ao grupo III, porém sem interfere na carga parasitária. Demonstrando que o tratamento com edetato de zinco pode auxiliar na redução dos danos causados pelo estresse oxidativo, embora não reduza a infecção por H. contortus.

Esta tese interpreta o registro ambiental de um testemunho de gelo antártico pela análise de elementostraço. Esse testemunho de gelo, daqui em diante chamado Mount Johns (MJ), foi coletado no manto de gelo da Antártica Ocidental (79°55’28”S e 94°23’18”W; 91,20 m de comprimento) no verão austral de 2008/09. O testemunho foi descontaminado e subamostrado no Climate Change Institute (University of Maine – Maine /EUA). As primeiras 2137 amostras, correspondentes aos 45 m superiores do testemunho, foram analisadas no espectrômetro de massas Element 2 do CCI para 24 elementos-traço (Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Pb, Bi, U, As, Li, Al, S, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, Mg e K). Essa parte do testemunho representa 125 anos (1883–2008) de registro, segundo datação relativa baseada na variação sazonal nas concentrações de Na, Sr e S e na identificação dos principais eventos vulcânicos ocorridos no período. A taxa de acumulação média no local de amostragem foi 0,21 m a-1 em eq. H2O no mesmo período de tempo. As concentrações são controladas pelas variações climáticas sazonais (verão/inverno), por mudanças na circulação atmosféricas, por anomalias de temperatura, pela distância de transporte e pelas fontes naturais e antrópicas desses aerossóis. Baseada na análise dos fatores de enriquecimento crustal e marinho e em correlações de Pearson, as concentrações de Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, S, Sr e Ti são de origem natural. Poeira e solo de fontes continentais, oriundas principalmente de áreas áridas na Austrália, Nova Zelândia e Patagônia, são consideradas importantes fontes de Al, Mg e Ti. Aerossóis marinhos do Pacífico Sul, transportados para o continente antártico pelas massas de ar, são fontes predominantes de Na, Sr, K, S e Ca. Para os elementos Ba, Fe e Mn, tanto fontes crustais como marinhas são significativas. Adicionalmente, Mn e S apresentam um aporte considerável de origem vulcânica (variando de 20–30% na concentração total). Os resultados também mostram enriquecimento significativo nas concentrações de arsênio devido a atividades antrópicas. Foi observado concentrações médias da ordem de 1,92 pg g-1 antes de 1900, aumentando até 7,94 pg g-1 em 1950. Este enriquecimento está diretamente relacionado às emissões da mineração e fundição de metais não-ferrosos na América do Sul, principalmente no Chile. A queda na concentração de arsênio observado no século XXI (concentração média de 1,94 pg g-1 após 1999) é interpretada como uma consequência à introdução de leis ambientais (em 1994) para reduzir emissões desse elemento durante os processos de mineração e fundição de cobre no Chile. O modelo de trajetórias HYSPLIT mostra uma clara variação sazonal no transporte entre os meses de verão/outono e inverno/primavera, onde predomina o transporte de oeste durante o ano todo e um transporte secundário de nordeste durante o verão/outono. As correlações entre as concentrações médias dos elementos-traço estudados e o modelo de reanálises ERA-Interim para o período 1979–2008, indicam que as concentrações de aerossóis marinhos são fortemente influenciadas pelas condições meteorológicas, por exemplo, por anomalias na temperatura da superfície do mar e concentração de gelo marinho.
This thesis interprets the environmental record of an Antarctic ice core by the analysis of trace elements. This ice core, henceforward called Mount Johns (MJ), was collected in the West Antarctica ice sheet (79°55'28"S and 94°23'18"W; 91.20 m long) in the austral summer of 2008/09. The core was decontaminated and subsampled at the Climate Change Institute (CCI, University of Maine - Maine / USA). The first 2137 samples, corresponding to the upper 45 m of the core, were analyzed in the CCI's JRC Element 2 spectrometer for 24 trace elements (Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Pb, Bi, U, As, Li, Al, S, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, Mg and K). This part of the core represents a 125 years (1883– 2008) record, according to relative dating based on Na, Sr and S seasonal variations and on the identification of major volcanic events in the period. The mean accumulation rate for the sampling site was 0.21 m-1 in eq. H2O in the same time period. The concentrations are controlled by seasonal climatic changes (summer/winter), by changes in atmospheric circulation, temperature anomalies, the transport distance and the natural and anthropogenic sources of these aerosols. Based on analysis of crustal and marine enrichment factors and Pearson correlations, the Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, S, Sr and Ti concentrations have natural origin. Dust and soil from continental sources, primarily coming from arid areas in Australia, New Zealand and Patagonia, are considered important sources of Al, Mg and Ti. South Pacific marine aerosols, transported to the Antarctic continent by air masses, are predominant sources of Na, Sr, K, S and Ca. For the elements Ba, Fe and Mn, both crustal and marine sources are significant. In addition, Mn and S show a considerable contribution of volcanic origin (ranging from 20-30% of the total concentration). The results also show significant enrichment in arsenic concentrations due to human activities. Before 1900 the mean concentration was approximately 1.92 pg g-1, rising to 7.94 pg g-1 in 1950. This enrichment is directly related to mining emissions and casting of non-ferrous metals in South America, mainly in Chile. The decrease in the arsenic concentration, observed in the twenty-first century (mean concentration of 1.94 pg g-1 after 1999) is interpreted as a consequence of the introduction of environmental laws (in 1994) to reduce emissions of this element during the cupper mining and smelting in Chile. The HYSPLIT trajectories model show a clear seasonal variation in transport between the summer/autumn all and winter/spring months, where predominates an eastward transport throughout the year and a secondary transport from the northeast during the summer/fall. Correlations between the mean concentrations of the studied trace elements and the ERA-Interim reanalysis models for the 1979-2008 period indicate that marine aerosols concentrations are heavily influenced by weather conditions, for example, by sea surface temperature and sea ice concentration anomalies.

Esta dissertação investiga o registro de conteúdo iônico do testemunho de gelo monte Johns (79°55'28"S; 94°23'18"O) obtido na Antártica Ocidental, contribuindo para o adensamento espacial de informações glacioquímicas empregadas em estudos paleoclimáticos. As concentrações de Na+ (16,6 ± 28,2 μg L-1), K+ (1,3 ± 3,7 μg L-1), Mg2+ (3,7 ± 3,7 μg L-1), Ca2+ (5,4 ± 3,4 μg L-1), Cl- (33,3 ± 43,7 μg L-1), SO42- (25,9 ± 17,7 μg L-1), NO3- (50,8 ± 18,5 μg L-1) e H3CSO3- (7,1 ± 5,4 μg L-1) foram determinadas por cromatografia iônica em 2.164 amostras para o período 1882–2008. A variabilidade sazonal de NO3- e, especialmente do nssSO42-, em antifase com Na+, possibilitou a datação pela contagem de ciclos anuais ao longo do período estudado. A identificação dos sinais vulcânicos do Krakatoa (1883), Agung (1963) e Pinatubo/Hudson (1991) foi usada para determinar horizontes de referência (datação absoluta). Eventos de aporte significativo de aerossóis foram identificados e agrupados considerando o conteúdo iônico, proveniência e estação do ano. A avaliação da proveniência dos íons e do balanço iônico mostra a origem da carga iônica: 36% é oriunda de aerossóis de sal marinho, 13% de poeira mineral, 17% de atividade biogênica marinha e 34% de produtos da reatividade química na atmosfera. É observada uma leve redução nas concentrações de Mg2+ (-0,04 μg L-1 ano-1) e K+ (-0,01 μg L-1 ano-1), e mais forte para NO3- (-0,17 μg L-1 ano-1), no período 1909–2008. A média anual da acumulação líquida de neve foi 0,21 ± 0,04 m eq. H2O no período 1882–2008 sem apresentar tendência significante. A acumulação mostra alta correspondência com dados anuais de reanálise climática, com coeficiente de correlação cruzada de +0,42 (α < 0,05) para o período 1979–2008.
This dissertation investigates the ionic content record of the mount Johns ice core (79°55'28"S; 94°23'18"W) recovered from the West Antarctica, contributing to the spatial densification of glaciochemical information used in paleoclimatic studies. The concentrations of Na+ (16.6 ± 28.2 μg L-1), K+ (1.3 ± 3.7 μg L-1), Mg2+ (3.7 ± 3.7 μg L-1), Ca2+ (5.4 ± 3.4 μg L-1), Cl- (33.3 ± 43.7 μg L-1), SO42- (25.9 ± 17.7 μg L-1), NO3- (50.8 ± 18.5 μg L-1) e H3CSO3- (7.1 ± 5.4 μg L-1) were determined by ion chromatography on 2,164 samples for the period 1882–2008. The NO3- seasonal variability and, especially, of the nssSO42- in antiphase with the Na+, allowed the counting of annual cycles over the studied period. The identification of Krakatau (1883), Agung (1963) and Pinatubo / Hudson (1991) volcanic signals was used to determine reference horizons (absolute dating). Significant aerosols events were identified and grouped considering the ionic content, provenance and season of the year. The evaluation of the ions provenance and of the ionic balance points to ionic content origin: 36% come from sea salt aerosols, 13% from mineral dust, 17% originate from marine biogenic activity and 34% are chemical reactivity products in the atmosphere. It is observed a slight reduction in the Mg2+ (-0.04 μg L-1 y-1) and K+ (-0.01 μg L-1 y-1) concentrations, and stronger in the NO3- (-0.17 μg L-1 y-1), during the 1909–2008 period. The annual mean net accumulation rate averaged 0.21 ± 0.04 m w.e. y-1 in the period 1882–2008 did not show any significant trend and shows high correspondence with climatic reanalysis data in years with data overlap, with a cross-correlation coefficient of +0.42 (α < 0.05) for the period 1979–2008.

In the 1960s, a large number of World Councils were founded in a number of industrial branches. One of the most recognized World Councils was established in the multinational glass manufacturer Compagnie de Saint-Gobain in 1969, in connection to an international trade union action against the company. The purpose of this study is to investigate and understand the origin and character of this World Council and international action. The study places great emphasis on the American participation in the Saint-Gobain World Council and the international action, but explores, in addition, the work and function of the World Council, the international action’s outcome in terms of wages and working conditions, the so-called vertical implementation of the trade union action, i.e. the integration of several trade union-organizational levels in a single action, as well as the wider contexts beyond the purely economic to which the World Council and the action can be linked. An essential point of departure is retrieved from the historical materialist tradition in order to understand the conflicts of interests and the ability to realize interests on the labor market, in the production, and within politics. An in-depth discussion on the structuring of overt conflicts and international trade union actions is undertaken based on four specific theories that are based on the assumption that trade unions and employers are rational actors. The survey consists of three main parts. The first empirical section identifies the action itself—its parties, origins, course of events, and aftermath. The second empirical section interprets the parties’ perspectives and interests in the long run. The third, and final empirical section examines the structural conditions in the United States for conflictual sentiments and international action. The study provides new perspectives on the structural background to the American union’s mobilization and international strategies. It also helps to explain why the World Councils were short-lived and, in the end, did not meet the high expectations placed on them. At the same time, the study displays the main achievements and shortcomings of the international campaign against Saint-Gobain and the postwar political context to which the action can be linked.

碩士
國立臺北科技大學
技術及職業教育研究所
89
Taiwan held its first National Vocational Training Competition (NVTC) in 1968, in which sheet metal trade was among its earliest 14 competing categories. In 1975, the 22nd annual International Vocational Training Competition (IVTC) was held in Madrid, Spain, and Taiwan had the first time its representatives of sheet metal trade vying in it. By the time of 1990, the contests in sheet metal trade in NVTC had accommodated for 30 times, of which for 14 times there were national representatives, who had been chosen from the NVTC winners, and sent to contend in IVTC. In total, within these 14 times of sheet metal trade contests in IVTC, Taiwan had won six gold medals, three silver medals, and four bronze medals, with an excellent medal attainment rate of 92.86%. By means of NVTC and IVTC, Taiwan therefore: (1) had a better understanding about the effect of its vocational training and education and the level of sheet metal skills nationwide as well as worldwide; (2) and meantime had a far-reaching outcome in cultivating occupational concept among young generation, in enhancing sheet metal skills, and in upgrading industry. Thus, this study was meant to meta research by content analysis deep the essence and evolution in IVTC during recent 20 (1979-1999) years, with a view to furnishing some suggestions for related agencies’ reference. The conclusions were as follows: 1. The rationale of skill competitions consisted of psychological, social, and educational foundation, and job analysis. 2. The essence and evolution of sheet metal trade competition category in IVTC included: (1) The International Vocational Training organization set up competition rules, made trade description, etc. (2) Each competing country sent its own experts. The number of experts increases and the grading system in IVTC became complex; and thus reduced its bias. (3) The implement of the competition ask for the completion of projects on the spot. There were fixed competition project questions had being reused each time, so the IVSC host country tent to stand in a more favored position in winning the game. (4) The job scope was wide in sheet metal trade but experiences tell the researcher that the past competition project questions mainly focused on transitions. (5) CNC guillotine shears and CNC press-brakes had been listed as the imperative competition equipments. (6) Besides traditional materials, stainless-steel alike had been listed as necessary items. (7) Except gas welding arc welding and spot welding , TIG welding had been designated as the indispensable test items. (8) Safety measures and competitors’ concepts of safety and hygiene had been taken very seriously. The suggestions inferred from this above conclusions were listed as follows: 1. We should get to know what constructs basic competence needed for sheet metal trade in IVTC, so that we could provide reference for training contestants, for redesigning training courses and teaching materials, and for planning school-based curriculum of sheet metal trade at vocational school, etc. 2. The sheet metal trade related divisions/programs at both training institutes and vocational schools should purchase new CNC machines, and enhance students’ abilities of operating this kind of machine. 3. The sheet metal trade related divisions/programs in vocational schools should add some more related courses to specialized application in computer. 4. The sheet metal trade related divisions/programs in vocational schools should strengthen students’ abilities of maneuvering machines so as to heighten job efficiency and to help solve the problem of manpower shortage currently in sheet metal industry. 5. Following the trend that MIG welding was taking place of gas welding, training institute as well as school should include MIG welding machine, and fortify students’ skills on sheet metal MIG welding. 6. The sheet metal trade related divisions/programs at both training institute and vocational school should underscore the importance of special sheet metal skills teaching. 7. Both training institute and vocational school should strengthen industrial safety and hygiene education and endue students with good occupational ethic and with the concept that all jobs were respectable.

碩士
國立中央大學
機械工程學系
85
In recent years, aluminum alloys are now increasingly used for automotive body panel applications to reduce weight in new automobile designs. Aluminum alloys based on 6000 series are capable of providing a good combination of formability and paint bake response, they have been proved suitable for automotive body panel applications. After solution treatment and natural aging, this material is in a soft condition which provides good formability and shape fixability. It acquires considerable strength due to forming and subsequent paint bake process. This study on the age-hardenability and formability of Al-Mg-Si alloy focuses on the influences of 1.4wt%Cu and additional transition elements (0.1wt%, 0.2wt%) of Mn,Cr, Zr and V on Al-0.5wt%Mg-1.0wt%Si alloy. In this paper, there are one traditional heat treatment and two modified treatments: step-quench heat treatment and retrogression heat treatment. The yield strengths of alloys were investigated by tensile test. The process and mechanism of precipitation are confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and analytical transmission electron microscope (AEM) has revealed the dispersion of precipitate particles. The results show: among the three heat treatments most alloys treated by step-quench heat treatment can get best bake-hardenability, the next is the retrogression heat treatment, the worst is the traditional heat treatment. The additions of Mn, Cr, Zr or V on the increasing yield strength of alloys treated by three heat treatment methods are effective, but the bake- hardenability of alloys dependes on the heat treatment method. The Al-0.5wt%Mg- 1.0wt% Si-1.4wt%Cu-0.2wt%V alloy treated by step-quench heat treatment is found to be the most appropriate for automotive body panels because it has best bake-hardenability and formability.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2009.
Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on Dec. 30, 2009). "A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Process Control, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta." Includes bibliographical references.

No
This research work was carried out to compare the physicochemical parameters of milk samples from four different animal species namely cow, goat, camel and sheep. Milk samples were collected from different areas of Misurata, Libya and analyzed for the key physiochemical parameters, pH, titratable acidity, total solids, ash, fat, protein and lactose. Furthermore in this study the concentrations of Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca) Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Lead (Pb) in similar commercial milk specimens from the same area were determined using microwave plasma- atomic emission spectrometry In fresh cow’s milk, the mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca and K were 0.13± 0.19 (mg/l), 0.004± 0.001 (mg/l), 0.04± 0.01 (mg/l), 0.17± 0.11 (mg/l), 0.72± 0.02 (mg/l), 1.98± 0.04 (mg/l), 214.00± 0.20 (mg/l), 0.080± 0.05 (mg/l), 423.0± 3.5 (mg/l) and 427.0± 2.5 (mg/l), respectively. While the mean concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca and K, in the goat’s milk were 0.761 ± 0.78 (mg/l), 0.085 ± 0.02 (mg/l), 1.253 ± 0.18 (mg/l), 0.400± 0.08 (mg/l), 1.23± 0.21 (mg/l), 3.110± 0.15 (mg/l), 140.0± 0.31 (mg/l), 0.097± 0.07 (mg/l), 473± 5.12 (mg/l) and 510± 6.05 (mg/l), respectively. The concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca and K, in the camel’s milk were 0.025 ± 0.019 (mg/l), 0.091± 0.05 (mg/l), 0.069± 0.07 (mg/l), 0.080 ± 0.05 (mg/l), 1.680 ± 0.43 (mg/l), 5.380 ± 1.17 (mg/l), 120.0 ± 0.11 (mg/l), 0.094 ± 0.04 (mg/l), 520.0 ± 0.32 (mg/l) and 571.0± 0.81 (mg/l), respectively. The concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca and K, in the sheep’s milk were 0.062± 0.03, 0.106± 0.11, 0.040± 0.01, 0.201± 0.10, 0.880± 0.31, 5.350± 0.50, 180± 1.20, 0.072± 0.01, 478± 3.10, and 593.96± 1.87, respectively.

The Diploma thesis deals with unconventional monetary policies,that important central banks used in order to cope with global financial and economic crisis in recent years. Goals of the paper is to introduce the most significant unconventional monetary policies, analyze their effectivity in selected countries (Japan, USA, Great Britain, eurozone and Czech republic), and statistically test impact of these nonstandard approaches on international trade.

The years 1815 to 1867 marked the first protracted period of peace in Nova Scotia’s colonial history. While the immediate effects of peace were nearly disastrous, these years ultimately marked a formative period for the province. By the eve of Confederation, various social, cultural, political, economic, and technological developments had enabled Nova Scotia to become a mature province with a distinct identity. One of the manifestations of this era of community formation was the emergence of a cosmopolitan-oriented music culture. Although Atlantic trade routes ensured that Nova Scotia was never isolated, the colonial progress of the pre-Confederation era reinforced and entrenched Nova Scotia’s membership within the Atlantic World. The same trade routes that brought imported goods to the province also introduced Nova Scotians to British and American culture. Immigration, importation, and developments to transportation and communication systems strengthened Nova Scotia’s connections to its cultural arbiters – and made possible the importation and naturalization of metropolitan music practices. This dissertation examines the processes of cultural exchange operating between Nova Scotia and the rest of the Atlantic World, and the resultant musical life to which they gave rise. The topic of music-making in nineteenth-century Nova Scotia has seldom been addressed, so one of the immediate aims of my research is to document an important but little-known aspect of the province’s cultural history. In doing so, I situate Nova Scotia’s musical life within a transatlantic context and provide a lens through which to view Nova Scotia’s connectivity to a vast network of culture and ideas. After establishing and contextualizing the musical practices introduced to Nova Scotia by a diverse group of musicians and entrepreneurs, I explore how this imported music culture was both a response to and an agent of the formative developments of the pre-Confederation era. I argue that, as Nova Scotia joined the Victorian march of progress, its musicians, music institutions, and music-making were among the many socio-cultural forces that helped to transform a colonial backwater into the civilized province that on 1 July 1867 joined the new nation of Canada.