Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'MacroSAS'

L'ipertensione è una condizione clinica caratterizzata da un’elevata pressione arteriosa (PA). Solitamente è necessaria una terapia farmacologica con antipertensivi (AI) per ridurre i livelli di PA. Le principali tecniche utilizzate per misurare la PA sono la tecnica Office e il monitoraggio ambulatoriale della pressione arteriosa nelle 24 ore (ABPM). La tecnica Office prevede di effettuare una singola misurazione in un ambiente clinico. Questa tecnica potrebbe però non mostrare il vero livello di PA a causa dell'effetto del camice bianco. L'ABPM è una tecnica in cui la misurazione della PA viene registrata continuamente per 24 ore. Questo strumento, al contrario del precedente, non è influenzato dall’ “effetto camice bianco”. Negli ultimi anni sono stati condotti differenti studi clinici (RCT) volti a valutare gli effetti dei farmaci AI nel ridurre la PA. Questi studi hanno usato indifferentemente le due tecniche anche se la scelta di quale strumento utilizzare può avere rilevanti implicazioni sui risultati. L'efficacia del trattamento con AI nella prevenzione degli eventi cardiovascolari può essere valutata solo dopo un lungo periodo di follow-up. Per evitare lunghi studi, è stato suggerito di valutare l'efficacia del trattamento considerando il danno d'organo come evento surrogato. Questa tesi ha l’obiettivo di quantificare, in pazienti trattati con AI, i cambiamenti di PA (fine del follow-up - baseline) misurati con le due tecniche sugli stessi pazienti e di indagare l'associazione tra utilizzo di antipertensivi e il rischio di due importanti danni d’organo: demenza e ipertrofia ventricolare sinistra. Tutti gli obiettivi di questa tesi sono stati affrontati attraverso un approccio meta-analitico. In particolare, nello studio sulle misurazioni della PA è stata condotta una meta-analisi di RCT con misure correlate e le stime riassuntive sono state calcolate mediante modelli lineari misti (MLM). In uno degli studi sul danno d’organo, l'aggiustamento per il fattore di confondimento non misurato è stato preso in considerazione in quanto la meta-analisi era basata su studi osservazionali. Per quanto riguarda il MLM, è stata creata una macro SAS che consente di calcolare le stime meta-analitiche scegliendo tra il modello ad effetti fissi o casuali per dati correlati e non. Invece, il problema del confondente non misurato è stato affrontato con due approcci: i) approccio bayesiano e ii) Monte Carlo Sensitivity Analysis (MCSA). Un'altra macro SAS è creata per l’applicazione del metodo MCSA. Infine, è stato affrontato il tema dell'ottimizzazione del processo di identificazione degli articoli da includere nella meta-analisi. La meta-analisi sulla riduzione della PA era basata su 52 RCT e la stima dell'interesse era la differenza tra la riduzione di Office e ABPM. I risultati mostrano una differenza significativa tra cambiamenti dei livelli di PA misurati con le tecniche di Office e ABPM. Questa differenza sembra essere almeno in parte dovuta all’effetto placebo e in gran parte alla regressione verso la media, sebbene non sia possibile escludere una componente dell’effetto camice bianco. Per quanto riguarda la meta-analisi sull’utilizzo di ACE inibitori e il rischio di demenza, i risultati supportano la probabilità che il trattamento potrebbe aiutare a preservare la funzione cognitiva. È possibile che l’effetto degli ACE non sia specifico e correlati con l'abbassamento della PA e quindi alla riduzione degli eventi vascolari silenti ed eventi cerebrovascolari. Invece, la meta-analisi sulla riduzione dell’indice di massa ventricolare sinistra dovuta a all’uso di antipertensivi mostra che le diverse classi di farmaci sembrano avere medesimi effetti anche se sono disponibili pochi studi osservazionali. Il problema dell'ottimizzazione della ricerca degli articoli è stato affrontato progettando un prototipo basato sul metodo di machine-learning.
Hypertension is a clinical condition characterized by high blood pressure (BP). The reduction of high blood pressure is an effective strategy to decrease the CV risk. Usually a drug therapy with antihypertensives (AHs) is necessary to reduce BP levels and the main techniques to measure BP in clinical practice are i) Office and ii) 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The office measurement consists in carrying out a single BP measurement in the clinical setting. This technique could not show the true BP level due to the white coat effect (WCE). For the ABPM method, the patient wears blood pressure equipment continuously for 24 hours. ABPM offers several advantages, for example, it is not modified by the WCE. In the last years many randomized clinical studies aimed to evaluate the effects of AH drugs in reducing BP used indifferently these techniques, while the choice of which tool to use has relevant implications. The effectiveness of AH treatment in the prevention of CV events can be evaluated only after a long follow-up period. In order to avoid long trials, it has been suggested to assess the treatment effectiveness considering organ damages as surrogate endpoint. The organs most frequent damaged by hypertension are i) brain, ii) heart and iii) kidney. The objectives of this thesis were to quantify the BP changes (i.e. the difference of the measure of BP between baseline and end of follow-up) measured with both Office and ABPM techniques on the same patients treated with AH and to investigate the association between AH use and risk of dementia and left ventricular hypertrophy (CV surrogate endpoints). In particular, in the study on BP measurements a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials with correlated measures was carried out and the summary estimates were calculated through linear mixed models. In one of the studies on organ damage the adjustment for unmeasured confounder was taken into account because meta-analysis based on observational studies. Regarding the LMM, a macro SAS was created to calculate meta-analytic estimates, choosing between the fixed and random effects model for both correlated and non-correlated data. Instead, the problem of unmeasured confounder was addressed with two approach: i) Bayesian approach through a method proposed by McCandless and ii) Monte Carlo Sensitivity Analysis (MCSA). Another macro SAS is made for the application of MCSA method. Finally, the issue of the optimization of the process of identifying the papers to include in the meta-analysis was faced. This process usually is very expensive in terms of time and the probability to mistake something is not low. The meta-analysis on BP reduction was based on 52 RCTs and the estimate of interest was the difference between Office and ABPM reduction. The results shows significant difference in the changes of BP levels when measured with Office or ABPM techniques. This difference seems to be at least partly accountable by a placebo-effect and to largely result from the regression of the mean phenomenon, though a WCE cannot be excluded. Regarding the meta-analysis on the use of ACE-inhibitors and risk of dementia, the results seem to show that the treatment helps to preserve cognitive function. It is possible that ACE drug’s effects is nonspecific and related more generally to lowering arterial hypertension, and thereby reducing silent vascular events and cerebrovascular events. Instead, the meta-analysis on reduction of left ventricular mass due to antihypertensive drugs shows that all antihypertensive drug classes have the same effect on the reduction of the left ventricular mass index even if there are actually few observational studies available on this issue. The problem of the optimization of papers’ search was addressed by designing a prototype based on machine-learning method.

De senaste 20 åren har Europa genomgått flera kriser som har bidragit till splittringar stater emellan. Parallellt med att allt fler nationalistiska och populistiska partier med viljan att lämna EU växer fram i Europa sprider Frankrikes president Emmanuel Macron EU-vänlig information på sociala medier där han propagerar för sina, Frankrikes och EU:s framtidsvisioner. Genom att studera hur europeiska ledare uttalar sig om EU kan vi få en bild av i vilken riktning de vill driva EU-samarbetet. Uppsatsen syftar till att klarlägga vilka värden som Macrons politiska retorik representerar genom att kategorisera hans uttalanden utifrån tidigare forskning om statliga eliters visioner om EU. Resultatet visar att Macrons vision om EU är att unionen ska fungera som en värdebaserad gemenskap där solidaritet och en gemensam EU-identitet är centrala utgångspunkter. Han har även en vision om att EU ska komma att växa till en allt större strategisk global aktör.

With the prevalence of legacy C/C++ code, issues of readability and maintainability have become increasingly important. When we consider the problem of refactoring or migrating C/C++ code, we see the significant role that preprocessor directives play. It is partially because of these preprocessor directives that code maintenance has become extremely difficult. This thesis describes a method of fact extraction and code manipulation to create a set of transformations which will remove preprocessor directives from the original source, converting them into regular C/C++ code with as few changes as possible, while maintaining readability in the code. In addition, some of the subtle issues that may arise when migrating preprocessor directives are explored. After discussing the general architecture of the test implementation, an examination of some metrics gathered by running it on two software systems is given.

Understanding how species respond to disturbance, both natural and anthropogenic, can be crucial to designing effective and targeted management strategies. The greater bilby is a medium-sized Australian marsupial that has suffered a dramatic decline in distribution since European settlement, largely due to introduced predators (foxes and feral cats), agriculture, and changed fire regimes. I conducted a series of natural experiments to investigate the habitat selection, predator-prey interactions, and ecosystem engineering of the bilby in the grazed rangelands of the West Kimberley; I also explored the impacts of fire and clearing of seismic lines (for petroleum exploration) on these processes. Firstly, I used remotely sensed and field sourced habitat characteristics, selected based on previous studies, to identify and predict the presence of bilbies. All variables used had little power to explain the presence of bilbies. Secondly, I investigated the effect of disturbance at two scales; at a fine scale, by investigating the use of seismic lines by a range of species, and at a broad scale, by recording changes in the occupancy of a range of species within disturbed area. I found that seismic lines are used by bilbies, cats, and dingoes (a naturalised predator), increasing the spatial and temporal overlap between bilbies and potential predators. The diet of a species is an important ‘bottom-up’ regulator, often influencing the habitat preference of a species. Therefore, thirdly, I tested the efficacy of contemporary methodologies for identifying bilby diet, determining that DNA barcoding can improve identification of dietary items from scats. Lastly, I identified a diverse range of species that use bilby burrows for shelter, indicating that bilbies are important ecosystem engineers. My research faced significant challenges associated with the rare and cryptic nature of bilbies and their predators, especially feral cats, and I provide suggestions for useful and practical approaches for future research. Anthropogenic disturbance can influence predator-prey interactions, which may increase the predation pressure on an already vulnerable species, adding to existing management concerns for bilbies in the West Kimberley associated with vegetation clearing, unmanaged and frequent broad-scale fires, and cattle grazing. Land managers should work in concert to reduce pressures on bilbies, by using of coordinated and targeted cat control, and managing fires to increase fire-age heterogeneity.

ITC/USA 2007 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Third Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 22-25, 2007 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
This paper introduces a set of macros that automate the importing of antenna data into Excel and charting that data. These macros (as discussed here) import data from a ViaSat ACUs (Antenna Control Unit) and a TCS ACU (Telemetry & Communications Systems Inc). After the import is complete, the macros can build a set of charts, all formatted and labeled in a predetermined and standard manner. A task that may take half a day or more can be completed in minutes. The concept and layout of the macros lend them to quick adaptation to your data. In scenarios of “test and collect” followed by “import and chart”, the data can be imported and charted within the minute.

Marsupials and eutherians are the two principal groups of modern mammals. Mammalian immunological studies, to date, have focused on eutherian systems with little or no comprehensive work having been carried out on marsupials. This project investigates the functional and developmental aspects of T-cell responses in the marsupial, Macropus eugenii (Tammar wallaby) in both adults and pouch young at various stages of development. Determination of the age at which the Tammar wallaby immune system becomes competent has been examined through the use of cellular and molecular studies carried out on developing pouch young tissue. The capacity for generating an immunological response in adult and pouch young marsupials has been studied by following cellular proliferation in response to mitogens or mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). After examining adult responses to mitogens and allogenic lymphocytes, optimised conditions were then used to examine the development of responsiveness in pouch young. Several further tests were conducted and findings shown. The study has shown that the earliest age at which Macropus eugenii is capable of mounting a T-cell mediated immune response is between 5 to 13 days post-partum
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Marsupials and eutherians are the two principal groups of modern mammals. Mammalian immunological studies, to date, have focused on eutherian systems with little or no comprehensive work having been carried out on marsupials. This project investigates the functional and developmental aspects of T-cell responses in the marsupial, Macropus eugenii (Tammar wallaby) in both adults and pouch young at various stages of development. Determination of the age at which the Tammar wallaby immune system becomes competent has been examined through the use of cellular and molecular studies carried out on developing pouch young tissue. The capacity for generating an immunological response in adult and pouch young marsupials has been studied by following cellular proliferation in response to mitogens or mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). After examining adult responses to mitogens and allogenic lymphocytes, optimised conditions were then used to examine the development of responsiveness in pouch young. Several further tests were conducted and findings shown. The study has shown that the earliest age at which Macropus eugenii is capable of mounting a T-cell mediated immune response is between 5 to 13 days post-partum

"November 2001".
Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, 2002.
Bibliography: leaves 136-157.
General introduction -- Molecular markers for comparative and quantitative studies in macropods -- Genetic linkage map construction in the tammar wallaby (M. eugenii) -- Intraspecific variation, sex-biased dispersal and phylogeography of the eastern grey kangaroo (M. giganteus) -- General discussion.
The analysis of DNA using molecular techniques is an important tool for studies of evolutionary relationships, population genetics and genome organisation. The use of molecular markers within marsupials is primarily limited by their availability and success of amplification. Within this study, 77 macropodid type II microsatellite loci and two type I genetic markers were characterised within M. eugenii to evaluate polymorphic levels and cross-species amplification artifacts. Results indicated that 65 microsatellite loci amplified a single locus in M. eugenii with 44 exhibiting high levels of variability. The success of crossspecies amplification of microsatellite loci was inversely proportional to the evolutionary distance between the macropod species. It is revealed that the majority of species within the Macropodidae are capable of using many of the available heterologous microsatellites. When comparing the degree of variability between source-species and M. eugenii, most were significantly higher within source species (P < 0.05). These differences were most likely caused by ascertainment bias in microsatellite selection for both length and purity. -- The production of a marsupial genetic linkage map is perhaps one of the most important objectives in marsupial research. This study used a total of 353 informative meioses and 64 genetic markers to construct a framework genetic linkage map for M. eugenii. Nearly all markers (93.7%) formed a significant linkage (LOD > 3.0) with at least one other marker. More than 70% (828 cM) of the genome had been mapped when compared with chiasmata data. Nine linkage groups were identified, with all but one (LG7; X-linked) allocated to the autosomes. Theses groups ranged in size from 15.7 cM to 176.5 cM, and have an average distance of 16.2 cM between adjacent markers. Of the autosomal linkage groups, LG2 and LG3 were assigned to chromosome 1 and LG4 localised to chromosome 3 based on physical localisation of genes. Significant sex-specific distortions towards reduced female recombination rates were revealed in 22% of comparisons. Positive interference was observed within all the linkage groups analysed. When comparing the X-chromosome data to closely related species it is apparent that it is conserved both in synteny and gene order. -- The investigation of population dynamics of eastern grey kangaroos has been limited to a few ecological studies. The present investigation provides analysis of mtDNA and microsatellite data to infer both historical and contemporary patterns of population structuring and dispersal. The average level of genetic variation across sample locations was exceedingly high (h = 0.95, HE = 0.82), and is one of the highest observed for marsupials. Contrary to ecological studies, both genic and genotypic analyses reveal weak genetic structure of populations where high levels of dispersal may be inferred up to 230 km. The movement of individuals was predominantly male-biased (average N,m = 22.61, average N p = 2.73). However, neither sex showed significant isolation by distance. On a continental scale, there was strong genetic differentiation and phylogeographic distinction between southern (TAS, VIC and NSW) and northern (QLD) Australian populations, indicating a current and / or historical restriction of geneflow. In addition, it is evident that northern populations are historically more recent, and were derived from a small number of southern eastern grey kangaroo founders. Phylogenetic comparisons between M. g. giganteus and M. g. tasmaniensis, indicated that the current taxonomic status of these subspecies should be revised as there was a lack of genetic differentiation between the populations sampled.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
xv, 182 leaves ill

Résumé : La reproduction entraîne des dépenses énergétiques importantes chez les femelles mammifères. Ces dépenses sont supposées diminuer l'énergie disponible pour d'autres traits positivement corrélés à l'aptitude phénotypique et augmenter les besoins d'alimentation. Toutefois, des différences individuelles dans la capacité d'acquisition et d'allocation peuvent masquer l'impact négatif de l'effort reproducteur. La manipulation expérimentale de l'effort reproducteur et le contrôle statistique des effets individuels sont deux approches puissantes et complémentaires mises en œuvre dans le cadre de mon étude afin de contrôler pour l'hétérogénéité individuelle. Elles ont permis de montrer clairement un coût de la reproduction chez le kangourou gris de l'Est (Macropus giganteus). Dans un premier temps, nous avons trouvé que le coût de la reproduction affectait le montant d'énergie alloué à certaines fonctions somatiques (CHAPITRE I). L'effort reproducteur diminuait le gain de masse et la croissance des jambes pour des intervalles de capture supérieurs à deux ans. Chez les femelles non manipulées, un effet négatif sur le gain de masse était aussi observable pour un intervalle inférieur à 3 ans. À l'échelle de deux événements successifs de reproduction, le gain de masse et dans une moindre mesure la croissance des bras, mais non des jambes diminuaient avec un effort reproducteur plus important à la précédente reproduction. Ensuite, nous avons démontré qu'il y avait un coût de la reproduction en terme de futur succès reproducteur (CHAPITRE II). Les individus dont l'effort reproducteur avait été diminué expérimentalement produisaient davantage de jeunes qui survivaient au stade 'LPY', âgés approximativement de 7 mois, que les femelles contrôles. Ils diminuaient également davantage leur taux de reproduction en allongeant l'intervalle entre les naissances, mais la survie au sevrage n'était pas affectée. Le CHAPITRE III montre que les femelles adaptaient leur comportement alimentaire en fonction de leur statut reproducteur. En comparaison avec les individus manipulés ou ayant perdu leur jeune, les femelles allaitantes augmentaient leur temps passé à s'alimenter durant la journée, l'intensité de leurs bouchées et de leur mastication sans impliquer de compromis avec la vigilance. Nous avons aussi découvert que la survie au sevrage du jeune précédent menait à une augmentation du taux de bouchées pour l'année en cours. Les CHAPITRES I et II ont mis en évidence l'effet non négligeable des différences individuelles sur la détection des coûts de la reproduction. En effet, en l'absence de manipulation expérimentale ou de contrôle statistique, aucun compromis n'était détecté autant en terme de croissance que de prochaine reproduction. Au contraire, des corrélations positives entre l'effort reproducteur et les autres traits ont été trouvées. Le CHAPITRE I suggérait notamment que cette variabilité du succès reproducteur était liée à l'hétérogénéité individuelle dans le gain de masse maternelle qui augmentait la survie du jeune. Dans le CHAPITRE II, une corrélation positive entre les probabilités d'avoir un 'LPY' lors de deux événements successifs de reproduction suggérait que certaines femelles étaient capables de mener à bien ou non leur reproduction, mais cela indépendamment de l'effort reproducteur précédent. Enfin dans le dernier CHAPITRE (III), l'effet aléatoire était significatif dans l'analyse de différents comportements d'alimentation, ce qui pourrait être lié aux différences de gain de masse des femelles présentées dans le CHAPITRE I. Certaines contraintes individuelles affectant le coût de la reproduction ont été identifiées. La masse et la condition corporelle augmentaient le succès reproducteur et diminuaient l'intervalle entre deux naissances successives (CHAPITRES I et II), mais contrairement à de précédentes études le comportement d'alimentation des femelles n'était pas affecté par leur masse (CHAPITRE III). L'âge des individus avait également une influence. Les jeunes femelles croissaient davantage, avaient aussi une prise alimentaire plus importante et subissaient un coût de reproduction supérieur. Ce dernier se traduisait par un taux d'échec plus élevé à la reproduction suivante si les jeunes femelles avaient eu un jeune l'année précédente (CHAPITRES I, II et III). Des contraintes environnementales fortes influençaient la reproduction des femelles. La croissance, le succès reproducteur, l'intervalle entre les naissances et les comportements d'alimentation variaient suivant le site et l'année d'étude. Le site du Promontory et l'année 2011 apparaissaient particulièrement limitants. En effet en 2011, le gain de masse et le succès reproducteur ont diminué et l'intervalle de naissance et la prise de nourriture pour les femelles allaitantes ont augmenté (CHAPITRE I,II et III). Nous cherchions également à mettre au jour une allocation différentielle des mères suivant le sexe de leur jeune. Si le coût supérieur d'avoir un mâle par rapport à une femelle était évident quant aux taux de bouchées (CHAPITRE III), il s'est avéré plus difficile à détecter sur d'autres traits. À Anglesea, les jeunes mères avaient moins de probabilité d'avoir un jeune qui atteigne le stade 'LPY' après avoir eu un fils qu'une fille (CHAPITRE II). Toutefois, des résultats contraires à nos attentes ont été trouvés, du moins au premier abord, sur la croissance et le succès reproducteur subséquent. Ainsi, les femelles qui avaient eu une fille perdaient davantage de masse (CHAPITRE I) et avaient généralement une probabilité moindre de produire un jeune qui atteigne le stade 'LPY' ou qui soit sevré par la suite (CHAPITRE II). En revanche, l'intervalle de naissance n'était pas différent suivant le sexe du jeune alors qu'il était fortement affecté par le coût de la reproduction démontré grâce à la manipulation, invoquant une autre explication qu'un coût supérieur des filles par rapport aux fils. En effet, les femelles qui étaient en mauvaise condition corporelle gagnaient de la masse quand elles produisaient une fille, mais pas un fils (CHAPITRE I). De surcroît, les jeunes mères avaient moins de chances de sevrer un jeune à l'événement de reproduction suivant si elles avaient eu un fils plutôt qu'une fille, et le succès reproducteur des mères des fils n'était plus différent de celui des mères des filles dans les années plus difficiles (CHAPITRE II). Enfin, les mères des fils augmentaient la quantité de nourriture ingérée si elles avaient sevré un jeune l'année précédente, mais les mères des filles la diminuaient. Ces différents résultats suggéraient fortement qu'un ajustement du sexe-ratio était utilisé quand les ressources individuelles ou environnementales contraignaient davantage la reproduction. En conclusion, pour limiter le décalage entre les besoins énergétiques et la disponibilité en nourriture, les femelles chez le kangourou gris de l'Est pourraient modifier l'allocation de leurs ressources à la reproduction en reportant la prochaine mise bas et en produisant un jeune du sexe le moins coûteux en accord avec les contraintes individuelles et environnementales. Ces résultats soulignent l'importance d'études avec un suivi individuel sur plusieurs années afin de pouvoir comprendre la variabilité des stratégies de reproduction et leurs conséquences sur la dynamique des populations. // Abstract : Reproduction in living beings, particularly in female mammals that produce milk, is costly, potentially involving trade-offs with life-history traits if resources are limited and an increase in foraging effort. Individual differences may, however, hide the negative effects of this cost on life-history traits. I used two powerful and complementary approaches, to deal with individual heterogeneity: experimental manipulation of reproductive effort and statistical control of individual effect. Using both approaches, I investigated the effect of presence, size and sex of young on growth, subsequent reproduction and individual foraging behaviours of females. I used data of tagged free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) collected over six years at five study sites in Victoria, Australia. There was a clear cost of reproduction. Reproductive effort decreased mass gain and limb growth for inter-capture intervals greater than two years. Over two successive reproductive events, mass gain and arm growth were reduced but leg growth was independent of reproductive effort (CHAPTER II).In addition, survival to Large Pouch Young ('LPY') stage, about 7 months of age, was higher and birth rate lower in manipulated compared to control females but survival to weaning was not affected (CHAPTER III). CHAPTER IV shows that lactating females cope with current reproductive costs by increasing ivtime spent foraging as well as bite and chewing rates without decreasing vigilance comparedto non lactating ones. Bite rate was also greater for females that weaned a young at the previous reproductive event. My study supports reproductive cost hypothesis while showing substantial individual differences. To limit mismatch between energetic needs and resource availability, females of eastern grey kangaroo could modify resource allocation to reproduction by delaying birth date of subsequent young and producing the less costly sex according to individual and environmental constrains. My thesis shows the importance of experimental approach and individual monitoring over multiple years to understand the diversity of reproductive strategies and their consequences in evolutionary ecology and population dynamic.

Macropods exhibit the second largest sexual dimorphism in body size for any vertebrate, suggesting there is a major role of sexual selection, with the potential for different mating tactics amongst male kangaroos. It is suggested that dominant males invest heavily in large forelimb muscles, which aids in male-male competition, female coercion and increased attractiveness to females, gaining them the majority of matings. A subdominant male may not invest in muscle mass development, but rather rely on other reproductive tactics such as sneaky matings and investment in competitive spermatozoa characteristics; for example more spermatozoa (larger testes) and faster or longer spermatozoa. We examined whether there was a trade-off between investments in forelimb muscle development and sperm competition in the western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus). Sperm traits, body mass, and forelimb muscle masses were measured for 35 male M. fuliginosus and an index of ‘muscularity’ was calculated using the residuals of individual muscle masses against body mass. There were no significant relationships between forelimb muscle investment and sperm competition traits. Significant relationships were recorded between relative testes mass and relative epididymis mass (r2 = 0.26, p = 0.003), total motility and progressive motility (r2 = 0.31, p = 0.001) and spermatozoon velocity and spermatozoon head (r2 = 0.47, p < 0.001) and tail lengths (r2 = 0.19, p = 0.011) with the longer spermatozoa swimming slower. These results suggest that there is no evidence for a significant relationship between sperm competition and forelimb muscles. There was no evidence for a trade-off between these two measures of sexual selection, suggesting that these traits are independent of each other.

Abstração é um processo que consiste em encontrar similaridades em artefatos e omitir detalhes desnecessários em um particular momento. Em geral, tal processo resulta em simplificação, substituindo situações do mundo real complexas e excessivamente detalhadas por modelos compreensíveis que admitem resolução. Na computação, existem estilos de programação que fornecem ao programador uma visão particular sobre a organização e execução de um programa. Cada estilo viabiliza formas de representação e tratamento de abstrações aderentes ao conjunto de conceitos, valores, percepções e práticas compartilhadas por uma comunidade. Em particular, o fenômeno de reescrita de termos viabiliza transformações entre espaços de abstração. Como instância de tal fenômeno, macros constituem um padrão sintático que especifica uma transformação simbólica ou algorítmica sobre uma sequência de símbolos associada. Na ocorrência de uma instância de tal padrão sintático, este é substituído pela aplicação de sua transformação correspondente. Dada a importância da disponibilização de estruturas de representação mais convenientes às necessidades dos usuários, o objetivo principal desta tese é tratar da utilização de sistemas de reescrita como mecanismos de abstração em transformações textuais. Para tal, técnicas de projeto e aspectos de implementação de tais sistemas são apresentados, com enfoque em macros.
Abstraction is a process of finding similarities in artifacts and omitting unnecessary details at a particular moment. In general, such a process results in simplification, replacing complex and overly detailed real-world situations with understandable models that admit resolution. In computing, there are programming styles that give the programmer a particular insight into the organization and execution of a program. Each style enables forms of representation and treatment of abstractions adhering to the set of concepts, values, perceptions and practices shared by a community. In particular, the term rewriting phenomenon enables transformations along spaces of abstraction. As an instance of such a phenomenon, macros constitute a syntactic pattern that specifies a symbolic or algorithmic transformation over an associated symbol sequence. In the occurrence of an instance, the matched syntactic pattern is replaced by the application of its corresponding transformation. Given the importance of making representation structures more convenient to users\' needs, this thesis aims at addressing the use of rewriting systems as abstraction mechanics in textual transformations. To this end, design techniques and implementation aspects of such systems are presented, focusing on macros.

O presente relatório resulta do estágio curricular subordinado ao tema Clínica de Animais Selvagens e de Zoo, decorrido no Zoo de Dalas (E.U.A.) e no Zoo da Maia, com duração de 97 dias partilhados entre as duas instituições. Surge na conclusão do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária da Universidade de Évora A doença periodontal refere-se, geralmente, a alterações que envolvem os dentes e os tecidos adjacentes da cavidade oral e apresenta, na maioria das vezes, etiologia bacteriana associada a alterações da flora microbiana oral. A necrobacilose oral é uma causa comum de morbilidade e mortalidade nos animais do género Macropus, podendo ser o resultado do agravamento da doença periodontal e manifestando-se por lesões supurativas no tecido mole e ossos da face, sendo o Fusobacterium necrophorum o principal agente causal; ABSTRACT: Zoo and Wildlife Medicine The following report results from the externship in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine lasting 97 days, shared between Dalas Zoo (U.S.A.) and Maia Zoo. Appears as the conclusion of the Master in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Évora Periodontal disease generally describes the conditions involving the teeth and adjoining tissues of the oral cavity and presents mostly a bacterial etiology associated with changes in oral microbial flora. Oral necrobacillosis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in animals of the genus Macropus and may be the result of the progress of periodontal disease, manifesting as suppurative lesions of the soft tissue and bones of the face and the main causal agent seems to be Fusobacterium necrophorum.

Plus de 20 million de personnes à travers le monde sont infectées par le virus T-lymphotrope humain de type 1 (HTLV-1), causant des leucémies à cellules T dans ~5 % des individus infectés. Le virus de la leucémie bovine (BLV), structurellement et fonctionnellement proche de HTLV-1, induit des leucémies à cellules B dans des modèles animaux suite à une infection naturelle (bovin) ou expérimentale (mouton). Les mécanismes moléculaires responsables du potentiel oncogène de ces deux virus restent largement incompris. Dans les deux maladies, leucémies T chez l’homme, leucémies B chez l’animal, le site intégration du virus dans les cellules leucémiques est très variable. Il est donc généralement admis que le potentiel oncogène du provirus est principalement lié à l’activité de l’oncoprotéine virale Tax. De manière paradoxale cependant, ni HTLV-1 ni BLV n’expriment de protéines virales au stade tumoral. Dans ce travail, nous avons étudié le transcriptome non codant des leucémies induites par BLV et HTLV-1 par séquençage à haut débit. Dans la première partie, nous démontrons que le provirus BLV n’est en fait pas silencieux dans les cellules tumorales. BLV produit un ensemble de dix microARNs (miRNAs) très abondants et extrêmement conservés dans toutes les tumeurs. Cette observation constitue la première description de miRNAs encodés par un rétrovirus. Les microARNs encodés par BLV sont transcrits par la RNA Polymérase III, stratégie qui permet leur production de façon indépendante de celle des messagers viraux ainsi que leur expression abondante dans le contexte tumoral caractérisé par l’absence d’activité RNA Polymérase II. Nous avons ensuite montré que, comme HTLV-1, BLV produit des transcrits encodés par le brin négatif du provirus. L’analyse par séquençage ARN à haut débit (RNA-Seq) de tumeurs induites par BLV montre l’absence d’expression virale à partir du promoteur viral situé dans le LTR 5’. Cependant, elle révèle la présence de deux transcrits viraux anti-sens non codants (AS1 et AS2) produits par le LTR 3’. Nous avons identifié ces transcrits dans toutes les tumeurs BLV analysées. Enfin, l’analyse RNA-Seq de tumeurs induites par HTLV-1 et BLV a révélé la présence d’interactions transcriptionnelles virus-hôte. Les gènes hôtes affectés sont significativement enrichis en gènes liés au cancer. Ces résultats suggèrent que les transcrits HTLV hbz et BLV AS1 jouent un rôle essentiel dans la tumorigenèse en interagissant avec le génome de l’hôte. Nous avons également détecté ce type de perturbation à des temps précoces dans le modèle expérimental BLV chez le mouton. Ces observations suggèrent que ces interactions virus-hôte constituent des événements précoces qui procurent un avantage sélectif aux clones associés, mais que d’autres altérations -génétiques et/ou épigenetiques- sont nécessaires à l’établissement de la tumeur. En conclusion, nos travaux vont permettre de mieux comprendre le rôle des interactions virus-génome hôte dans l’oncogenèse ainsi que la fonction de transcrits non codants dans le développement des cancers qu’ils soient ou non d’étiologie virale.

More than 20 million people are infected by Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) worldwide and this will cause T-cell leukemia in 5% of them. Yet the molecular mechanisms that underlie the oncogenic potential of this virus remain largely unknown. Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) is closely related to HTLV1 and causes a very similar B-cell leukemia in cattle and sheep. As for HTLV1, the oncogenic mechanisms underlying BLV-induced leukemia remain poorly understood. In both diseases, leukemic cells harbor mainly one integrated provirus, yet the integration sites are very variable. As a consequence, it is generally assumed that the oncogenic effect of the provirus is largely mediated by the virally encoded Tax protein. Paradoxically, however, both HTLV1 and BLV proviruses are found to be epigenetically silenced in tumor cells. Thus Tax, as any other virally encoded protein, is not expressed in leukemic cells suggesting that other factors are involved in tumorigenesis. In this study we made three observations that might dramatically change the prevalent dogma of HTLV1 and BLV-induced leukemia. First, we demonstrated that the BLV provirus is not silent at all in tumor cells. A cluster of BLV-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) is highly expressed, accounting for 40% of the miRNAs present in leukemic cells. This finding is the first description of retroviral-encoded miRNAs. BLV miRNAs are transcribed from five independent RNA Pol III units and are exceedingly conserved across BLV isolates (more than the protein coding genes), strongly supporting an essential yet still unknown function. Next we showed that – as HTLV1 – BLV strongly expresses antisense RNAs. High-throughput sequencing of RNA libraries (RNA-seq) from BLV associated tumors, as expected, showed no expression of viral mRNA from the 5’ LTR. However, it did reveal the presence of two novel non-coding antisense transcripts originating in the 3’ LTR of BLV. Finally, RNA-Seq analysis of HTLV-1 and BLV-induced tumors revealed that the viral 3’ LTR-driven antisense RNAs produced by both viruses interact with host genes localized in the vicinity of proviral integration. Enrichment analysis of affected host genes suggests a significant bias towards cancer-related genes. Host gene perturbations were also found at early stages post-infection in the BLV experimental model in sheep, suggesting that provirus-dependent cancer driver gene perturbations trigger initial amplification of the corresponding clones, requiring additional genetic and/or epigenetic changes to develop full blown leukemia. Overall, our findings reveal an unexpected role for BLV and HTLV antisense transcripts and contribute to the understanding of non-coding RNA-mediated mechanisms in leukemogenesis.
Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

R??sum?? : La reproduction entra??ne des d??penses ??nerg??tiques importantes chez les femelles mammif??res. Ces d??penses sont suppos??es diminuer l'??nergie disponible pour d'autres traits positivement corr??l??s ?? l'aptitude ph??notypique et augmenter les besoins d'alimentation. Toutefois, des diff??rences individuelles dans la capacit?? d'acquisition et d'allocation peuvent masquer l'impact n??gatif de l'effort reproducteur. La manipulation exp??rimentale de l'effort reproducteur et le contr??le statistique des effets individuels sont deux approches puissantes et compl??mentaires mises en ??uvre dans le cadre de mon ??tude afin de contr??ler pour l'h??t??rog??n??it?? individuelle. Elles ont permis de montrer clairement un co??t de la reproduction chez le kangourou gris de l'Est (Macropus giganteus). Dans un premier temps, nous avons trouv?? que le co??t de la reproduction affectait le montant d'??nergie allou?? ?? certaines fonctions somatiques (CHAPITRE I). L'effort reproducteur diminuait le gain de masse et la croissance des jambes pour des intervalles de capture sup??rieurs ?? deux ans. Chez les femelles non manipul??es, un effet n??gatif sur le gain de masse ??tait aussi observable pour un intervalle inf??rieur ?? 3 ans. ?? l'??chelle de deux ??v??nements successifs de reproduction, le gain de masse et dans une moindre mesure la croissance des bras, mais non des jambes diminuaient avec un effort reproducteur plus important ?? la pr??c??dente reproduction. Ensuite, nous avons d??montr?? qu'il y avait un co??t de la reproduction en terme de futur succ??s reproducteur (CHAPITRE II). Les individus dont l'effort reproducteur avait ??t?? diminu?? exp??rimentalement produisaient davantage de jeunes qui survivaient au stade 'LPY', ??g??s approximativement de 7 mois, que les femelles contr??les. Ils diminuaient ??galement davantage leur taux de reproduction en allongeant l'intervalle entre les naissances, mais la survie au sevrage n'??tait pas affect??e. Le CHAPITRE III montre que les femelles adaptaient leur comportement alimentaire en fonction de leur statut reproducteur. En comparaison avec les individus manipul??s ou ayant perdu leur jeune, les femelles allaitantes augmentaient leur temps pass?? ?? s'alimenter durant la journ??e, l'intensit?? de leurs bouch??es et de leur mastication sans impliquer de compromis avec la vigilance. Nous avons aussi d??couvert que la survie au sevrage du jeune pr??c??dent menait ?? une augmentation du taux de bouch??es pour l'ann??e en cours. Les CHAPITRES I et II ont mis en ??vidence l'effet non n??gligeable des diff??rences individuelles sur la d??tection des co??ts de la reproduction. En effet, en l'absence de manipulation exp??rimentale ou de contr??le statistique, aucun compromis n'??tait d??tect?? autant en terme de croissance que de prochaine reproduction. Au contraire, des corr??lations positives entre l'effort reproducteur et les autres traits ont ??t?? trouv??es. Le CHAPITRE I sugg??rait notamment que cette variabilit?? du succ??s reproducteur ??tait li??e ?? l'h??t??rog??n??it?? individuelle dans le gain de masse maternelle qui augmentait la survie du jeune. Dans le CHAPITRE II, une corr??lation positive entre les probabilit??s d'avoir un 'LPY' lors de deux ??v??nements successifs de reproduction sugg??rait que certaines femelles ??taient capables de mener ?? bien ou non leur reproduction, mais cela ind??pendamment de l'effort reproducteur pr??c??dent. Enfin dans le dernier CHAPITRE (III), l'effet al??atoire ??tait significatif dans l'analyse de diff??rents comportements d'alimentation, ce qui pourrait ??tre li?? aux diff??rences de gain de masse des femelles pr??sent??es dans le CHAPITRE I. Certaines contraintes individuelles affectant le co??t de la reproduction ont ??t?? identifi??es. La masse et la condition corporelle augmentaient le succ??s reproducteur et diminuaient l'intervalle entre deux naissances successives (CHAPITRES I et II), mais contrairement ?? de pr??c??dentes ??tudes le comportement d'alimentation des femelles n'??tait pas affect?? par leur masse (CHAPITRE III). L'??ge des individus avait ??galement une influence. Les jeunes femelles croissaient davantage, avaient aussi une prise alimentaire plus importante et subissaient un co??t de reproduction sup??rieur. Ce dernier se traduisait par un taux d'??chec plus ??lev?? ?? la reproduction suivante si les jeunes femelles avaient eu un jeune l'ann??e pr??c??dente (CHAPITRES I, II et III). Des contraintes environnementales fortes influen??aient la reproduction des femelles. La croissance, le succ??s reproducteur, l'intervalle entre les naissances et les comportements d'alimentation variaient suivant le site et l'ann??e d'??tude. Le site du Promontory et l'ann??e 2011 apparaissaient particuli??rement limitants. En effet en 2011, le gain de masse et le succ??s reproducteur ont diminu?? et l'intervalle de naissance et la prise de nourriture pour les femelles allaitantes ont augment?? (CHAPITRE I,II et III). Nous cherchions ??galement ?? mettre au jour une allocation diff??rentielle des m??res suivant le sexe de leur jeune. Si le co??t sup??rieur d'avoir un m??le par rapport ?? une femelle ??tait ??vident quant aux taux de bouch??es (CHAPITRE III), il s'est av??r?? plus difficile ?? d??tecter sur d'autres traits. ?? Anglesea, les jeunes m??res avaient moins de probabilit?? d'avoir un jeune qui atteigne le stade 'LPY' apr??s avoir eu un fils qu'une fille (CHAPITRE II). Toutefois, des r??sultats contraires ?? nos attentes ont ??t?? trouv??s, du moins au premier abord, sur la croissance et le succ??s reproducteur subs??quent. Ainsi, les femelles qui avaient eu une fille perdaient davantage de masse (CHAPITRE I) et avaient g??n??ralement une probabilit?? moindre de produire un jeune qui atteigne le stade 'LPY' ou qui soit sevr?? par la suite (CHAPITRE II). En revanche, l'intervalle de naissance n'??tait pas diff??rent suivant le sexe du jeune alors qu'il ??tait fortement affect?? par le co??t de la reproduction d??montr?? gr??ce ?? la manipulation, invoquant une autre explication qu'un co??t sup??rieur des filles par rapport aux fils. En effet, les femelles qui ??taient en mauvaise condition corporelle gagnaient de la masse quand elles produisaient une fille, mais pas un fils (CHAPITRE I). De surcro??t, les jeunes m??res avaient moins de chances de sevrer un jeune ?? l'??v??nement de reproduction suivant si elles avaient eu un fils plut??t qu'une fille, et le succ??s reproducteur des m??res des fils n'??tait plus diff??rent de celui des m??res des filles dans les ann??es plus difficiles (CHAPITRE II). Enfin, les m??res des fils augmentaient la quantit?? de nourriture ing??r??e si elles avaient sevr?? un jeune l'ann??e pr??c??dente, mais les m??res des filles la diminuaient. Ces diff??rents r??sultats sugg??raient fortement qu'un ajustement du sexe-ratio ??tait utilis?? quand les ressources individuelles ou environnementales contraignaient davantage la reproduction. En conclusion, pour limiter le d??calage entre les besoins ??nerg??tiques et la disponibilit?? en nourriture, les femelles chez le kangourou gris de l'Est pourraient modifier l'allocation de leurs ressources ?? la reproduction en reportant la prochaine mise bas et en produisant un jeune du sexe le moins co??teux en accord avec les contraintes individuelles et environnementales. Ces r??sultats soulignent l'importance d'??tudes avec un suivi individuel sur plusieurs ann??es afin de pouvoir comprendre la variabilit?? des strat??gies de reproduction et leurs cons??quences sur la dynamique des populations. // Abstract : Reproduction in living beings, particularly in female mammals that produce milk, is costly, potentially involving trade-offs with life-history traits if resources are limited and an increase in foraging effort. Individual differences may, however, hide the negative effects of this cost on life-history traits. I used two powerful and complementary approaches, to deal with individual heterogeneity: experimental manipulation of reproductive effort and statistical control of individual effect. Using both approaches, I investigated the effect of presence, size and sex of young on growth, subsequent reproduction and individual foraging behaviours of females. I used data of tagged free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) collected over six years at five study sites in Victoria, Australia. There was a clear cost of reproduction. Reproductive effort decreased mass gain and limb growth for inter-capture intervals greater than two years. Over two successive reproductive events, mass gain and arm growth were reduced but leg growth was independent of reproductive effort (CHAPTER II).In addition, survival to Large Pouch Young ('LPY') stage, about 7 months of age, was higher and birth rate lower in manipulated compared to control females but survival to weaning was not affected (CHAPTER III). CHAPTER IV shows that lactating females cope with current reproductive costs by increasing ivtime spent foraging as well as bite and chewing rates without decreasing vigilance comparedto non lactating ones. Bite rate was also greater for females that weaned a young at the previous reproductive event. My study supports reproductive cost hypothesis while showing substantial individual differences. To limit mismatch between energetic needs and resource availability, females of eastern grey kangaroo could modify resource allocation to reproduction by delaying birth date of subsequent young and producing the less costly sex according to individual and environmental constrains. My thesis shows the importance of experimental approach and individual monitoring over multiple years to understand the diversity of reproductive strategies and their consequences in evolutionary ecology and population dynamic.

The kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) is a species of conservation concern in western North America. Recent methods for monitoring populations of kit fox include using lures and remote cameras in an occupancy-modeling framework and habitat modeling to predict areas of occupancy. In chapter one, we tested the optimal lure and movement procedure for scent stations to maximize visits and detection of foxes, thereby improving estimates of occupancy. Between May 2015 and October 2016, we placed remote cameras at 522 random locations throughout nine study areas in the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin Desert, and Mojave Desert. Each location was randomly assigned one of three methods (Scented Predator Survey Disks, cotton swabs, or hollowed golf ball) to broadcast one of three lure types (Red and Gray Fox liquid lure, Willey liquid lure, and fatty acid lure). After seven nights, half of all stations were moved 100 meters within the same sample grid cell, while the others remained in the same location. Stations were then monitored for an additional week. We used Program MARK and AIC model selection to identify optimal lure types and broadcast methods and to estimate rates of occupancy. Detection of kit foxes differed by method of scent deployment; cotton swabs were associated with the highest rates of visitation. Detection of kit foxes did not differ by lure type. Relocating the scent station after one week did not influence detection probability. We suggest that the use of cotton swabs maximizes detection, and therefore, the precision of estimates of occupancy. For chapter two, we used resource selection functions to identify variables that best discriminated between locations where kit fox were detected and random locations. We then produced a habitat map that predicted the relative probability of kit foxes occurring across seven study areas throughout the state of Utah. We placed remote cameras at 458 randomly selected locations throughout the study areas in the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin Desert, and Mojave Desert. We detected kit foxes at 157 "use" points from these cameras between May 2015 and October 2016. We then compared the attributes of these "use" points to 14,742 available, randomly selected points located within the study areas using variables derived from a Geographic Information System (GIS). We used model selection and minimization of AIC values to determine key habitat characteristics that differentiated use and random locations. We identified slope, elevation, and soil type as significant variables (P < 0.05) in habitat selection of kit foxes. Kit foxes selected areas that were 1) less steep, 2) lower in elevation, and 3) classified as having silty soils. The identification of these specific variables from our modeling effort was generally consistent with kit fox ecology. Our study produced a habitat model that can serve as a foundation for future monitoring efforts of kit foxes in potential habitat across Utah.

The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is an ecosystem engineer, modifying the physical environment through their digging activity. Their burrows provide shelter and hunting or foraging opportunities for a variety of species. Bilbies have experienced a severe decline in abundance and are now restricted to approximately 20% of their former distribution, resulting in the species being listed as ‘Vulnerable’. This decline has been driven, in part, by predation pressure from introduced predators such as feral cats. Predators can directly impact prey species survival and may also cause a change in the behaviour of prey species as they respond to the risk of predation. We used camera traps to monitor bilby burrows at five sites in Western Australia, with varying levels of predation risk to bilbies by cats. We investigated the impact of feral cats on the behaviour of bilbies at burrows, particularly during highly vulnerable periods, while they dig and clear away soil or debris from the mouth of their burrow. We tested the effect of visitation by cats on the proportion of days a bilby was active, camera detection rate, and burrowing behaviour, the effect of different levels of predation risk (between site comparison) on bilby burrowing behaviour, and the time of night bilbies perform maintenance. We also tested if cat activity was influenced by lunar illumination. Overall, there was little evidence that bilbies avoided burrows after a visit by a feral cat; however, they reduced the time spent performing burrow maintenance in the days following a cat visit (p=0.010). Bilbies performed varying amounts of burrow maintenance, and at different times of the night between sites. Finally, cat activity at bilby burrows significantly increased with lunar illumination (p=0.010) but was not influenced by bilby camera detection rate. Our results show that bilbies in the West Kimberley are not as naïve to feral cats as previously thought.

Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) offer an attractive compute platform because of their highly parallel and customizable nature in addition to the potential of being reconfigurable to any almost any desired circuit. However, compilation time (the time it takes to convert user design input into a functional implementation on the FPGA) has been a growing problem and is stifling designer productivity. This dissertation presents a new approach to FPGA compilation that more closely follows the software compilation model than that of the application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Instead of re-compiling every module in the design for each invocation of the compilation flow, the use of pre-compiled modules that can be "linked" in the final stage of compilation are used. These pre-compiled modules are called hard macros and contain the necessary physical information to ultimately implement a module or building block of a design. By assembling hard macros together, a complete and fully functional implementation can be created within seconds. This dissertation describes the process of creating a rapid compilation flow based on hard macros for Xilinx FPGAs. First, RapidSmith, an open source framework that enabled the creation of custom CAD tools for this work is presented. Second, HMFlow, the hard macro-based rapid compilation flow is described and presented as tuned to compile Xilinx FPGA designs as fast as possible. Finally, several modifications to HMFlow are made such that it produces circuits with clock rates that run at more than 75% of Xilinx-produced implementations while compiling more than 30X faster than the Xilinx tools.

No Brasil, assim como no mundo, a idade da mulher na ocasião do parto vem aumentando, visto que essa mudança reflete um declínio da fecundidade de cinco filhos nos anos 1980 para 1,8 na década de 2010. Acredita-se que o uso de contraceptivos, a entrada da mulher no mercado de trabalho, a aspiração acadêmica, a busca pelo parceiro ideal e o avanço das técnicas de reprodução assistida tenham sido as mudanças maiores que influenciaram no declínio da fertilidade. Frente a esse contexto, o estudo teve como objetivo analisar a idade das mulheres primíparas por meio da Declaração de Nascidos Vivos (DNV) e do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC). Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, comparativo-analítico e transversal, fundamentado em dados secundários. As informações foram extraídas de documentos oficiais governamentais, referentes à macrorregião do Sul de Minas Gerais, composta por 154 municípios, no período de 2000 a 2013. Os dados foram organizados contendo as informações dos registros da DNV como características sociodemográficas (idade; estado civil; escolaridade), informações obstétricas (duração da gestação; número de consultas de pré-natal; tipo de parto e tipo de gestação) e neonatais (peso ao nascer; índice do APGAR no 1º e 5º minuto após o nascimento e má-formação). As análises foram realizadas, usando-se o teste de qui-quadrado, coeficiente de correlação de Spearman, Kruskal Wallis e regressão logística (Oddis Ratio), por meio dos programas estatísticos SPSS e R. Os resultados obtidos ratificam o status da macrorregião do Sul de Minas Gerais como região desenvolvida, quanto às características demográficas, sociais, obstétricas e neonatais: queda da fecundidade; aumento da idade materna ao engravidar; escolaridade elevada; relacionamento estável; números de consultas de pré-natal conforme o preconizado; baixa prematuridade, e aumento indesejável de parto cesariano. No entanto, ao contrário de outras regiões com essas características, o peso ao nascer e a prematuridade não foram variáveis afetadas. Os resultados permitiram traçar o perfil social e clínico das gestantes e do recém-nascido, disponibilizando dados para servirem como subsídio pelos profissionais de saúde por meio do SINASC, possibilitando a organização e o planejamento de ações específicas para o perfil da população usuária dos serviços de saúde.
In Brazil, as in the world, the woman's age at birth time is increasing, since this change reflects a decline in fertility of five children in the 1980s to 1.8 in the decade of 2010. It is believed that the use of contraceptives, women's entry into the labor market, academic aspiration, the search for the ideal partner and the advancement of assisted reproduction techniques have been the biggest changes that influenced the decline in fertility. Facing this context, the study aimed to analyze the age of primiparous women through the Live Birth Declaration (DNV) and Live Birth Information System (SINASC). This is a descriptive, comparative-analytical and cross-sectional study, based on secondary data. The information was extracted from official government documents relating to the macro-region of southern Minas Gerais, made up of 154 municipalities in the period from 2000 to 2013. The data were organized containing information from DNV records as sociodemographic characteristics (age, marital status; education), obstetrical information (duration of pregnancy, number of prenatal visits, type of delivery and type of pregnancy) and neonatal (birth weight, Apgar index at 1 and 5 minutes after birth and malformation). Analyses were performed using the chi-square test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Kruskal Wallis and logistic regression (Oddis Ratio), by means of statistical programs SPSS and R. The obtained results confirm the status of the macro-region of South of Minas General and developed region, for the demographic and social characteristics obstetric and neonatal: the fertility decline; increasing maternal age when pregnant; higher education; stable relationship; numbers of prenatal consultations as recommended; low premature and undesirable increase in caesarean section. However, unlike other regions with these characteristics, birth weight and prematurity were not results affected. The variables allowed tracing the social and clinical profile of pregnant women and newborns, providing data to serve as the health professional allowance through SINASC, enabling the organization and planning of specific actions for the profile of the user population of health services.
Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Pós-Graduação - PIB-PÓS

The feeding strategies and habitat utilisation of agile wallabies (Macropus agilis) and swamp wallabies ( Wallabia bicolo() were studied on South Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay, Queensland. Utilisation of foredunes on the island was chiefly by agile wallabies with higher utilisation recorded on the more lush spinifex grass on the primary dune. The extent of grazing on the foredunes along the island was dependent on a number of factors, especially vegetation composition and abundance of grasses in habitats adjacent to the foredunes. In addition, higher feeding activity by both species of wallaby were found on more abundant areas of foredune. Grazing impact on the principal foredune stabilising species, sand spinifex grass ( Spinifex sericeus) was minimal. However, grazing resulted in a decreased abundance of other sand stabilising species on the foredune and could result in decreased species diversity.

Thesis: M. Eng., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2017.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 77-78).
In this thesis, we present the design and implementation of a new novice-oriented programming language with automatically hygienic runtime macros, as well as an interpreter framework for creating such languages. The language is intended to be used as a pedagogical tool for introducing basic programming concepts to introductory programming students. We designed it to have a simple notional machine and to be similar to other modern languages in order to ease a student's transition into other programming languages.
by Jeremy Daniel Kaplan.
M. Eng.

The large-footed myotis (Myotis macropus) is a specialist trawling bat that can be found roosting in concrete culverts under roads, throughout urban environments. This study used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate culvert roost selection and urban landscape use by a specialist species in a subtropical city. The foundational ecological information detailed in this thesis concerning culvert roost selection and availability, urban movement patterns and gene flow between culvert roosts, will assist in planning future urban conservation initiatives of this specialist bat.

FPGA design implementation and debug tools have not kept pace with the advances in FPGA device density. The emphasis on area optimization and circuit speed has resulted in longer runtimes of the implementation tools. We address the implementation problem using a divide-and-conquer approach in which some device area and circuit speed is sacrificed for improved implementation turnaround time. The PATIS floorplanner enables dynamic modular design that accelerates implementation for incremental changes to a design. While the existing implementation flows facilitate timing closure late in the design cycle by reusing the layout of unmodified blocks, dynamic modular design accelerates implementation by achieving timing closure for each block independently. A complete re-implementation is still rapid as the design blocks can be processed by independent and concurrent invocations of the standard tools. PATIS creates the floorplan for implementing modules in the design. Bus macros serve as module interfaces and enable independent implementation of the modules. The dynamic modular design flow achieves around 10x speedup over the standard design flow for our benchmark designs.
Master of Science

Through discourse analysis, this thesis explores the way in which speeches delivered by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, during the health crisis of COVID-19 are creating a meaning for the floating signifier “COVID-19”. The methodological approach highlights how the discourse used is intrinsically gendered, both grammatically and conceptually, during the construction of meaning. The focus of this analysis is the extended metaphor of war and its relationship to the concept of Nation in the way they build a field of discursivity for “COVID-19”. These concepts are ambiguous when it comes to gender, questioning the way discourse and grammar build meaning.

Land clearing has detrimental and long-lasting impacts on natural ecosystems and biodiversity, yet land clearing is accelerating world-wide. The eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is a large common macropod that can reach high densities on cleared land. Despite their apparent success, kangaroo populations are susceptible to food shortages and increased disease risk. Developing a broad understanding of the drivers of kangaroo health is required to establish a benchmark to study poor health. This thesis aimed to develop an evidence-based tool that characterises kangaroo health. Species-specific haematological reference intervals (RI) were developed using blood samples collected from up to 245 animals from four sites across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Results showed that abiotic factors are critical determinants of kangaroo health outcomes. A health investigation was then performed, utilising the developed RIs, on a population of kangaroos in which health and welfare issues. This kangaroo population was from Look At Me Now Headland (LAMN) in NSW and was found to have widespread disease (parasitism and non-regenerative anaemia) and nutritional deficiencies stemming from a high population density, prolonged drought and reduced grazing habitat. The risk factors associated with parasitism were explored by examining potential selection pressures driving the evolution of kangaroos. An experiment was done to examine the influence of testosterone suppression on health parameters, parasite burdens and movement patterns in male kangaroos. While there was no effect of testosterone on these factors during the ten-week suppression period, a trend for reduced parasite burdens in kangaroos with supressed testosterone was evident. The findings of this thesis emphasise that regional planning must consider habitat connectivity for kangaroo populations to prevent overabundance and enhance positive outcomes for the health and welfare of the species.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2000.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-110).
by Ravi A. Nanavati.
M.Eng.

Programmers want to write modular programs to increase maintainability and create abstractions, but modularity hampers optimizations, especially when modules are compiled separately or written in different languages. In languages with syntactic extension capabilities, each module in a program can be written in a separate language, and the module system must ensure that the modules interoperate correctly. In Racket, the module system ensures this by separating module code into phases for runtime and compile-time and allowing phased imports and exports inside modules. We present an algorithm, called demodularization, that combines all executable code from a phased modular program into a single module that can then be optimized as a whole program. The demodularized programs have the same behavior as their modular counterparts but are easier to optimize. We show that programs maintain their meaning through an operational semantics of the demodularization process and verify that performance increases by comparing modular Racket programs to the equivalent demodularized and optimized programs. We use the existing Racket optimizer to optimize the demodularized programs by decompiling them into an intermediate form that the optimizer uses. We also demonstrate a dead code elimination optimization that dramatically reduces the file size of demodularized Racket programs.

Macro systems allow programmers abstractions over the syntax of a programming language. This gives the programmer some of the same power posessed by a programming language designer, namely, the ability to extend the programming language to meet the needs of the programmer. The value of such systems has been demonstrated by their continued adoption in more languages and platforms. However, several barriers to widespread adoption of macro systems still exist. The language Racket defines a small core of primitive language constructs, including a powerful macro system, upon which all other features are built. Because of this design, many features of other programming languages can be implemented through libraries, keeping the core language simple without sacrificing power or flexibility. However, slow macro expansion remains a lingering problem in the language's primary implementation, and in fact macro expansion currently dominates compile times for Racket modules and programs. Besides the typical problems associated with slow compile times, such as slower testing feedback, increased mental disruption during the programming process, and unscalable build times for large projects, slow macro expansion carries its own unique problems, such as poorer performance for IDEs and other software analysis tools. In order to improve macro expansion times for Racket, we implement an existing expansion algorithm for R5RS Scheme macros, which comprise a subset of Racket's macro system, and use that implementation to explore optimization opportunities. Our resulting expander appears to be the fastest implementation of a R5RS macro expander in a high-level language and performs several times faster than the existing C-based Racket implementation.

Pour une étude de population un sex-ratio à la naissance déviant de la parité peut avoir un impact important dans un contexte de conservation. En effet, un plus grand nombre d’individus d’un sexe peu affecter les dynamiques de population chez une espèce donnée. Plus d’une dizaine d’hypothèses tentent d’expliquer la variation du sex-ratio à la naissance chez les mammifères. La plupart de celles-ci sont construites sur l’idée qu’un investissement parental différentiel selon le sexe du jeune devrait affecter la valeur adaptative du ou des parents (Clutton-Brock and Iason, 1986; Frank, 1990; Clutton-Brock, 1991; West, 2009). Ce mémoire vise à étudier la variation du sex-ratio chez le kangourou gris de l’Est (Macropus giganteus) principalement selon des caractéristiques liées à la mère, au jeune et à l’environnement. L’hypothèse de Trivers et Willard (1973) sera aussi testée dans le cadre de ma maîtrise. Cette hypothèse stipule que pour un mammifère polygyne ayant un dimorphisme sexuel, les mères ayant la capacité de fournir un niveau élevé de soins maternels devraient produire plus de fils. Pour ce faire, un suivi longitudinal de deux populations a été effectué, de 2008 à 2013 au Wilsons Promontory National Park (Prom) et de 2007 à 2013 au Anglesea Golf Club, tous deux dans l’état du Victoria, en Australie. Au total, au sein de la population du Prom, 324 jeunes sont de sexe connu et les analyses ont été effectuées sur 166 paires de mères-jeunes. Un effet important de la masse ainsi que de la longueur de la jambe de la mère sur le sexe de son jeune a été trouvé. Les femelles plus lourdes ou ayant une plus longue jambe ont plus de chance de donner naissance à des fils. Pour un individu, une augmentation de 2 kg par rapport à la moyenne populationnelle en masse (27,5 kg) équivaut à une augmentation de 11 % en probabilité de produire un fils alors qu’une augmentation de 10 mm par rapport à la moyenne populationnelle en longueur de jambe (520 mm) correspond à 8 % d’augmentation en probabilité d’avoir un fils. Ces effets ne sont pas retrouvés chez les primipares, qui pourtant sont en moyennes plus petites et plus légères. Je ne suis pas en mesure d’expliquer ce résultat inattendu chez les femelles primipares. Contrairement à la masse, la condition corporelle de la mère, définie comme étant un reflet des réserves énergétiques d’une femelle et mesurée par un indice de condition relative, n’a aucun effet sur le sexe de son jeune. À ce sujet, je soulève un questionnement quant au choix d’un indice de condition corporelle pour une espèce ayant une croissance indéterminée comme le kangourou. En effet, les indices de condition corporelle lient la masse d’un individu à une longueur corporelle. Toutefois, lorsque ces deux variables varient annuellement, les changements d’indice ne sont donc pas clairement attribuables à l’une ou à l’autre de ces variables. Aucun des résultats obtenus pour la population du Prom n’est présent dans celle d’Anglesea. En fait, aucune des variables testées n’avaient d’effet sur le sexe de la progéniture. Ce projet ne supporte donc pas l’hypothèse de Trivers et Willard au sens strict puisque nous n’avons pas trouvé d’effet de la condition sur le sex-ratio. Nous suggérons plutôt que pour la population du Prom, la taille structurelle ainsi que la masse d’une femelle sont liées à son potentiel reproducteur. Donc, cette maîtrise supporte l’idée générale de cette hypothèse puisque les femelles ayant un plus grand potentiel reproducteur ont des fils. Ce projet souligne également l’importance des conditions environnementales au sein d’une population et à la fois pour deux populations retrouvées dans des conditions environnementales différentes qui présentait des résultats distincts. En effet, les résultats sur la variation du sex-ratio au Wilsons Promontory sont différents de ceux du Anglesea Golf Club, où il n’y a pas de lien entre masse ou taille maternelle et sex-ratio. Ce mémoire présente un portrait complexe du sex-ratio chez le kangourou gris de l’Est variant avec des effets très forts affectant celui-ci. De plus, de nouvelles réflexions émergent du projet notamment concernant le choix d’un indice de condition corporelle pour cette espèce, l’identification des variables environnementales affectant le sex-ratio et l’explication d’un résultat surprenant pour les primipares par rapport au sex-ratio. En conclusion, il sera intéressant de vérifier si les effets de la taille et la masse des femelles sur la progéniture étudiés dans ce projet de maîtrise persistent ou non à travers les années.

This project explores internet memes, pinpointing the utilisation of image macros by online-based basketball fans, as a cultural tool for communication, conversation, critique and debate. More specifically, this study focuses on how basketball fans, through image macros, are engaging with different facets of culture, beyond professional sports. The nature of internet memes allow users to create texts that express the tone of their feelings, and this research contends that the idiosyncratic nature of basketball memes are motivated by non-serious sports-related banter, and yet, can potentially offer legitimate cultural insight by often drawing on popular cultural myths and trends.

[Truncated abstract] Understanding the effect that the disturbance of habitat by humans has on the population dynamics and ecology of wild animals is critical for the management of these populations. By understanding the demographic effects of disturbance the ways in which a population can be managed to increase or decrease its rate of change in size also become apparent. This thesis describes the effect that human disturbance, through the establishment of a large naval base, has had on the population dynamics and ecology of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia. The disturbance of the environment on the HMAS Stirling Naval Base included the establishment of large areas of irrigated and fertilised couch grass (Cynodon dactylon) that increased and made virtually constant the amount of food available to the tammars in that area. In addition, traffic associated with the naval base resulted in large numbers of tammar wallabies being killed by vehicles. The effects of these disturbances were determined by comparing population dynamics, through vital rates of survival and fecundity and population growth rates, and spatial ecology, through the size of the animals' home ranges, in three areas of Garden Island. The three areas were the naval base (highly disturbed), southern bushland (adjacent to the naval base) and the northern bushland (undisturbed). The tammars on the naval base were in better body condition than those living in the two bushland areas of the island. ... When the impact of road-kills was removed, increased to 1.150.101 per year on the naval base and 0.960.076 per year in the southern bushland. Fecundity transitions, defined as the product of the rates of birth and pouch-young survival, and adult survival rates were lower in the bushland areas compared with the naval base in two of the three years, which were the main reasons for the lower estimates. There were no significant differences in the size of the tammars' home ranges between areas with modified or unmodified habitats or between the sexes (P>0.05). In summer the mean size of the home ranges was 3.90.66 ha, which was larger than winter when home ranges were 3.20.54 ha, but this difference failed to reach significance (P=0.058). These results indicate that the modification of the tammars' habitat has probably not caused significant changes in the size of the animals' home ranges. The size of the home ranges of tammar wallabies is likely to be determined by a complex interaction of many factors, and habitat modification alone has not been sufficient to cause substantial changes. The results presented in this thesis demonstrate that the disturbance caused by the establishment of the naval base on Garden Island has altered the population dynamics of the tammars wallabies, through increasing in the amount of food available to the tammars and through high numbers of road-kills. These results also demonstrate how gaining detailed knowledge of population dynamics can have direct application to managing the impact of disturbance on populations of wild animals.

L’étude des déterminants de l’aptitude phénotypique renseigne sur l’écologie évolutive des organismes, et sur les pressions de sélection pouvant agir sur leurs traits phénotypiques. Chez les femelles mammifères, la taille corporelle est associée à un meilleur succès reproducteur, à travers une fécondité accrue, des soins maternels plus performants et une survie améliorée de leurs juvéniles. Atteindre une grande taille, néanmoins, implique des coûts et des compromis, car la croissance est un processus coûteux qui limite l’énergie restante pour d’autres fonctions. Ainsi, la croissance occasionne des compromis à court terme entre différents traits pouvant tous favoriser une meilleure aptitude phénotypique. Il est intéressant d’étudier les décisions d’allocation entre la croissance et la reproduction pour mieux comprendre l’évolution des stratégies d’histoire de vie, plus particulièrement chez un grand mammifère itéropare. Mon projet de maîtrise visait à quantifier l’effet de la taille squelettique sur le succès reproducteur des femelles chez le kangourou gris de l’Est (Macropus giganteus). Ce modèle d’étude est particulièrement pertinent puisque les kangourous continuent de grandir pendant une grande partie de leur vie, prolongeant les compromis entre la croissance et la reproduction. Pour répondre à mes questions de recherche, j’ai utilisé les données de captures de femelles d’âge connu au fil des huit années de suivi, de 2008 à 2016, d’une population naturelle de kangourous au Wilsons Promontory National Park, dans l’état de Victoria en Australie. J’ai également étudié la composition du lait chez un sous-échantillon de femelles en 2014 et 2015, pour évaluer la variabilité des soins maternels chez cette espèce. J’ai d’abord identifié les facteurs les plus importants expliquant la croissance des femelles adultes. Les femelles plus jeunes et plus petites avaient les taux de croissance les plus élevés, mais les femelles de petite taille plus âgées grandissaient moins que les plus jeunes, indiquant potentiellement une accumulation de coûts pour la croissance avec l'âge. J’ai également trouvé que la condition corporelle des individus était positivement corrélée à leur croissance squelettique annuelle, alors que les précipitations hivernales semblaient réduire celle-ci. Parallèlement, la fécondité d’une femelle était positivement expliquée par sa taille corporelle et son âge, mais l’effet de la taille corporelle s’estompait chez les femelles plus âgées. De plus, la condition corporelle d’une femelle augmentait la probabilité de donner naissance et la survie du juvénile jusqu’à 10 mois. Ces résultats suggèrent que la fécondité et le succès reproducteur entrent en compromis avec la croissance squelettique, spécialement chez les jeunes femelles de petite taille. Alors que la croissance somatique semble priorisée en début de vie, l’allocation à la reproduction semble augmenter avec l’âge, et ce, indépendamment de la taille. L’étude de la composition du lait a révélé que les soins maternels des kangourous semblent fortement affectés par la qualité de leur environnement. En effet, les femelles allaitant pendant une année à faible productivité végétale produisaient un lait beaucoup plus faible en énergie que les femelles allaitant pendant une année plus productive, et ce, au même stade de lactation. De plus, les femelles atteignant le milieu de la lactation avant l’émergence printanière de la végétation produisaient un lait plus riche en lipides que celles allaitant vers la fin du printemps, suggérant que les femelles se reproduisant tôt ont dû puiser dans leurs réserves d’énergie au lieu de tirer l’énergie nécessaire à lactation de leur environnement. J’ai également trouvé que les femelles de plus grande taille squelettique produisaient un lait plus riche en protéines, suggérant que l’allocation des ressources à la reproduction augmente lorsque le compromis avec la croissance est plus faible. Finalement, les mères en bonne condition corporelle ayant un fils produisaient un lait plus riche en protéines que les mères de filles, suggérant un mécanisme adaptatif d’allocation de ressources en faveur de la croissance des mâles. En conclusion, les femelles atteignant une grande taille squelettique tôt dans leur vie ont une meilleure fécondité spécifique à leur âge. Comme les conditions environnementales expliquent en partie la variabilité en croissance annuelle chez les femelles adultes, les conditions précoces de vie auront potentiellement des répercussions à long terme sur le succès reproducteur à vie, en affectant les taux de croissance avant l’atteinte de la maturité. Finalement, la stratégie de lactation des kangourous semble être fortement influencée par la disponibilité de ressources, renforçant l’hypothèse que ces mammifères possèdent une stratégie de reproduction conservatrice et dépendante du statut nutritionnel de la femelle. Mes résultats offrent aussi une explication de la modulation de la composition du lait selon le sexe du jeune, montrant que les femelles de meilleure qualité phénotypique ont avantage à allouer davantage de ressources à leur progéniture mâle, pour augmenter leur succès reproducteur. Les prochains travaux pourront bénéficier des années additionnelles de suivi de cette population pour investiguer le succès reproducteur à vie et quantifier l’importance des effets cohorte.

This study seeks to explain political leaders' motives to action, by studying how Jair Bolsonaro and Emmanuel Macron have acted in the matter of the fires in the Amazon rainforest. It is assumed that while political leaders may try to act rationally, they are influenced by psychological factors in terms of educational background and style. The theories of rational choice and political psychology are therefore used and integrated to explain their motives. The method used in the paper is a comparative qualitative content analysis, in which various statements and speeches made by the Presidents are read and analyzed. The results of the thesis show that for Bolsonaro, the Amazon fires is an internal matter and should be handled by the Amazonian countries. He seems to be seeking to achieve national goals, while being influenced by his conservative educational background. Macron indicates that the Amazon is an issue for the international community and that it is of major importance for the whole world. He appears to be seeking international goals, while being influenced by his liberal educational background. The assumption that political leaders' style influence their motives to action is not supported.

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Leptospirosis is considered a global health problem in human and veterinary medicine. It is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, prevalent on every continent. The development of an effective macroscopic serum agglutination test against leptospirosis is justified, since the available ones are expensive, cumbersome and restricted to specialized laboratories. In Brazil, leptospirosis in pigs has been a major cause of reproductive failure in several states, mainly in the south and southeast regions of the country. Among the animals used in production of rural ecosystems, pigs have the most frequent clinical manifestations in the reproductive sphere with abortions, usually in the final third of pregnancy. Infertility, sterility or birth of debilitated or dead pigs which dies in the first days of life are signs of the presence of the bacteria in the breeding matrix. In the present study, six suspensions formulations of antigenic serovars pomona, icterohaemorrhagiae and copenhageni were used in single suspension form or in two serovars combinations. These were tested against pig serum with no clinical suspicion of leptospirosis compared with the microscopic agglutination test that is accepted as the gold standard by the World Health Organization (WHO). Among the six proposed suspensions the combination of serovars pomona + icterohaemorrhagiae showed the best result. The results demonstrates a percentage of 89% sensitivity and specificity of 89% for the suspension with the serovars combination of pomona + icterohaemorrhagiae and 87% for positive predictive value and 90% negative predictive value for the same combination, demonstrated by the statistics methods such as Chi-square, Kappa and Linear Logistic Model. Given the importance of leptospirosis in pigs and economic impact that it causes worldwide, in addition to the lack of current information, this study aimed to develop a screening rapid test for the diagnosis of pigs kept in variable dimension farms from rural regions of the Rio de Janeiro state.
A leptospirose ? considerada um problema global de sa?de na ?rea humana e veterin?ria. ? uma zoonose causada por bact?rias do g?nero Leptospira, prevalente em todos os continentes. O desenvolvimento de um teste de soro aglutina??o macrosc?pica eficaz contra a leptospirose se justifica, j? que os existentes s?o caros, trabalhosos e restritos a laborat?rios especializados. No Brasil, a leptospirose em su?nos tem sido uma das principais causas de falhas reprodutivas em v?rios estados, principalmente nas regi?es sul e sudeste do pa?s. Dentre os animais de produ??o explorados em ecossistemas rurais os su?nos apresentam as manifesta??es cl?nicas mais freq?entes na esfera reprodutiva com abortamentos, usualmente no ter?o final da gesta??o. A infertilidade, a esterilidade o nascimento de leit?es debilitados que morrem nos primeiros dias de vida s?o sinais da presen?a da bact?ria nas matrizes reprodutoras. No presente estudo, utilizou-se seis formula??es de suspens?es antig?nicas dos sorovares pomona, icterohaemorrhagiae e copenhageni em forma de suspens?o ?nica ou em combina??es de dois sorovares. Foram testadas frente a soros de su?nos sem suspeita cl?nica de leptospirose comparando com a soroaglutina??o microsc?pica que ? o teste aceito como padr?o ouro pela Organiza??o Mundial de Sa?de (OMS). Dentre as seis suspens?es propostas a combina??o dos sorovares pomona + icterohaemorrhagiae apresentou o melhor resultado. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram um percentual de 89% de sensibilidade e 89% de especificidade para a suspens?o com a combina??o dos sorovares pomona + icterohaemorrhagiae e de 87% de valor preditivo positivo e 90% de valor preditivo negativo para a mesma combina??o, comprovado pelos m?todos estat?sticos Qui-quadrado, Kappa e Modelo Linear Log?stico. Dada ? import?ncia da leptospirose em su?nos e o impacto econ?mico que causa mundialmente, al?m da car?ncia de informa??es atuais, este trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver um teste r?pido de triagem para diagn?stico em su?nos mantidos em cria??es rurais de diferentes regi?es e tamanhos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Microsatellites are simple repetitive DNA sequences that are used as genetic markers throughout the biological sciences. The high levels of variation observed at microsatellite loci contribute to their utility in studies at the population and individual levels. This variation is a consequence of mutations that change the length of microsatellite repeat tracts. Current understanding suggests that most mutations are caused by polymerase slippage during DNA replication and lead to changes of a single repeat unit in length, but some changes involving multiple repeats can also occur. Despite this simplistic overview, there is evidence for considerable heterogeneity in mutation processes between species, loci and alleles. Such complex patterns suggest that other mechanisms, including those associated with DNA recombination, are also involved in the generation of microsatellite mutations. Understanding which mutational mechanisms are responsible for variation at microsatellite markers is essential to enable accurate data interpretation in genotyping projects, as many commonly used statistics assume specific mutation models. I developed microsatellite markers specific to the X and Y chromosomes and an autosome in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, and investigated their evolutionary properties using two approaches: indirectly, as inferred from population data, and directly, from observation of mutation events. First, I found that allelic richness increased with repeat length and that two popular mutation models, the stepwise mutation model and the infinite allele model, were poor at predicting the number of alleles per locus, particularly when gene diversity was high. These results suggest that neither model can account for all mutations at tammar wallaby microsatellites and hint at the involvement of more complex mechanisms than replication slippage. I also determined levels of variation at each locus in two tammar wallaby populations. I found that allelic richness was highest for chromosome 2, intermediate for the X chromosome and lowest for the Y chromosome in both populations. Thus, allelic richness varied between chromosomes in the manner predicted by their relative exposure to recombination, although these results may also be explained by the relative effective population sizes of the chromosomes studied. Second, I used small-pool PCR from sperm DNA to observe de novo mutation events at three of the most polymorphic autosomal markers. To determine the reliability of my observations I developed and applied strict criteria for scoring alleles and mutations at microsatellite loci. I observed mutations at all three markers, with rate variation between loci. Single step mutations could not be distinguished because of the limitations of the approach, but 24 multi-step mutations, involving changes of up to 35 repeat units, were recorded. Many of these mutations involved changes that could not be explained by the gain or loss of whole repeat units. These results imply that a large number of mutations at tammar wallaby microsatellites are caused by mechanisms other than replication slippage and are consistent with a role for recombination in the mutation process. Taken as a whole, my results provide evidence for complex mutation processes at tammar wallaby microsatellites. I conclude that careful characterisation of microsatellite mutation properties should be conducted on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate mutation models and analysis tools for each locus. In addition, my work has provided a set of chromosome-specific markers for use in macropod genetic studies, which includes the first marsupial Y chromosome microsatellites. Sex chromosome microsatellites open a new range of possibilities for population studies, as they provide opportunities to investigate gene flow in a male context, to complement data from autosomal and maternally-inherited mitochondrial markers.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos métodos para a quantificação de Co, Mo, Mn, Cu Fe, Zn, Mg, Na, Ca e K por espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES) em amostras de soro de leite integral e leite desnatado, obtidas por coagulação enzimática e por coagulação ácida. As condições instrumentais foram previamente estabelecidas pela avaliação da robustez do plasma. O método desenvolvido por digestão ácida em chapa de aquecimento foi utilizado como referência, cujos resultados mostraram Co, Mo, Mn, Cu e Fe abaixo dos seus LOQs, desvios padrão relativos (RSDs) abaixo de 10 % e recuperações entre 90 e 110 % para a maioria dos elementos. Os resultados obtidos através do método de introdução direta apresentaram recuperações entre 90 e 110 % para os elementos estudados e RSDs inferiores a 10 %. Porém, quando comparados com método de referência (teste F e t, 95 % de confiança), revelaram diferenças significativas entre as concentrações, sendo observadas também interferências de matriz. A fim de minimizar esses efeitos, foi feita a sonicação prévia das amostras. As concentrações obtidas com o uso do banho de ultrassom foram similares às obtidas pelo método de referência (teste F e t, com 95 % de confiança), mostrando que o método é simples, rápido e eficiente para a quantificação dos elementos estudados em amostras de soro de leite. O método utilizando o banho de ultrassom foi utilizado para quantificação dos elementos em diferentes amostras de soro de leite, apresentando RSDs abaixo de 10 % e recuperações entre 90 e 110 % e que as concentrações para o Mg, Na, Ca e K não apresentam diferenças significativas (ANOVA, 95 % de confiança) entre as diferentes amostras, independente da coagulação empregada no preparo do soro de leite e do tipo de leite utilizado. Estudos relacionados à disponibilidade dos elementos também foram conduzidos, revelando as frações disponíveis nas amostras de soro de leite na faixa de 4,2 a 5,5 % para o Mg, 3,0 a 7,4 % para o Na, 12,3 a 14,7 % para o Ca e 5,1 a 5,8 % para o K. Além disso, as frações disponíveis determinadas para o Ca e para o K em todas as amostras, independentemente das suas concentrações no soro de leite e do tipo de coagulação empregada no seu preparo, não mostraram diferenças significativas (ANOVA, 95 % de confiança). Através desse estudo, espera-se contribuir para o entendimento da composição inorgânica e desses elementos no soro de leite para o organismo humano.
Methods for quantification of the elements of Co, Mo, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Na, Ca and K by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) in whey samples were developed. Instrumental conditions were previously established by evaluation of plasma robustness. The method of acidic digestion using a hot plate was employed as a reference method, in which Co, Mo, Mn, Cu and Fe were not detected. The relative standard deviation, RSD, was lower than 10 % and the recoveries were between 90-110 % for the most elements. The results obtained by direct introduction have presented recoveries between 90-110% for the studied elements and the values of RSD were lower than 10 %. However, when compared with the reference method (test F and t at 95 % confidence level) showed significant differences between their concentrations and it was also observed matrix interferences. In order to minimize these effects, the samples were previously submitted to an ultrasound treatment. The concentration values obtained with this treatment were similar to the concentration values obtained by reference method (test F and t at 95 % confidence level), showing that the method is simple, fast and efficient for the quantification of the elements studied in samples of whey. The method using ultrasound was applied to quantify the elements in different samples of whey, featuring RSD lower than 10 % and recoveries between 90-110%. The results showed that the concentration of Mg, Na, Ca and K are independent of both, the kind of coagulation and the type of milk used in the preparation of whey (ANOVA, 95 % confidence level) for all the samples. The bioacessibility studies of minerals present in whey samples were also carried out and it was verified that the bioaccessibility fractions of whey were between 4.2-5.5 % for Mg, 3.0-7.4 % for Na, 12.3-14.7 % for Ca and 5.1-5.8 % for K. Ca and K did not show significant differences (ANOVA, 95 % confidence level) for all the samples independent of the kind of preparation or milk used. Through this study, it was expected to contribute to understanding the inorganic composition of these elements in whey for the human.

The aim of the diploma thesis was to create independently an application, automating a correspondence analysis calculation using MS Excel and taking advantage of VBA programming language. The application was then used to analyse Slovak banking sector. The created application is based on macro sets which can be split up to two parts. The first part produces a contingency table and converts it into a format usable in the second part. Then there is executed the Correspondence Analysis calculation itself. Supplement Matrix is being used, that allows to discharge functions from matrix and linear algebra. The application allows to process any matrix dimension. Dialog window offers four normalization types, shortened and also full output and it is possible to display row or column variable categories, eventually both. The analysis subject was to find out which of the products are typical for considered banks and for which clients, divided into age categories, is attractive particular bank and/or product. A starting point is a product usage data matrix at a particular bank. There was made a conclusion, that it is possible to divide banks into more traditional or modern type institutions and also that each bank has a typical product.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit sollten die in der veterinärmedizinischen Literatur bisher diskutierten Ursachen für LJD bei Makropoden hinsichtlich ihrer tatsächlichen Bedeutung abgeklärt und die Eignung einer formalininaktivierten, bestandsspezifischen Adsorbatvakzine zur Prophylaxe von LJD getestet werden. Da LJD eine parodontale Erkrankung darstellt, wurden auch die für Entstehung einer humanen Parodontitis prädisponierenden Faktoren mit in die Untersuchung einbezogen. Es wurden Tupferproben zur bakteriologischen Untersuchung von insgesamt 15 gesunden und 11 an LJD erkrankten Kängurus entnommen. Dabei konnten gramnegative Anaerobier bei allen Tieren isoliert werden. Fusobacterium nucleatum wurde in 82% der von an LJD erkrankten und nur in 33% der von gesunden Tieren entnommenen Tupferproben nachgewiesen, womit sich ein signifikanter Zusammenhang (P < 0,05) zwischen diesem Erreger und LJD ergab. Weitere überwiegend bei erkrankten Makropoden nachgewiesene Anaerobier stellten Prevotella oris/oralis (bei 73% der LJD-Fälle und bei 40% der gesunden Tiere) sowie Capnocytophaga spp. (45% vs. 13%) dar. Bacteroides spp. und Porphyromonas gingivalis wurden – wenn auch nur mit 3 bzw. 2 Nachweisen – ausschließlich bei kranken Tieren isoliert. Fusobacterium necrophorum wurde jeweils in 27% der Kängurus gefunden und spielte damit in dieser Studie keine Rolle für die Entstehung von LJD. In Übereinstimmung mit der Literatur konnten Moraxella spp. ausschließlich bei gesunden Makropoden isoliert werden. Vertreter dieser Gattung gehören damit offensichtlich zur normalen Maulflora der Kängurus. Für die Zoos in Halle und Leipzig wurde eine formalininaktivierte, bestandsspezifische Adsorbatvakzine gegen die bei einem an LJD erkrankten Känguru des jeweiligen Bestandes isolierten gramnegativen Anaerobier hergestellt. 7 Tiere (2 Rote Riesenkängurus, 5 Bennettwallabies) des Leipziger Zoos und 6 Bennettkängurus des Zoos in Halle wurden geimpft, wobei Auffrischungsimpfungen nach 4 bzw. 8 Wochen und nach 6 bzw. 12 Monaten erfolgten. Die spezifischen AK gegen das Prüfantigen Fusobacterium necrophorum wurden im SLA bestimmt. Es konnte keine Erhöhung der AK-Titer induziert werden und auch die Todesrate infolge von LJD senkte sich während des Untersuchungszeitraumes von 42 Monaten in den beiden Zoos nicht. Die höchsten AK-Level (1:512 bis 1:2048) ließen sich im Serum von natürlich infizierten und letztendlich tödlich erkrankten Bennettwallabies des Zoos in Hoyerswerda feststellen. Der Nachweis von AK-Titern im Serum von nicht geimpften Jungtieren lässt vermuten, dass AK via Kolostrum oder Dottersackplazenta auf die Jungtiere übertragen werden. Die Untersuchungen hinsichtlich der Fütterung zeigten, dass im Zoo Leipzig eine azidotische Stoffwechsellage induziert wurde, was sich bei den Leipziger Bennettkängurus in einem mit 7,53 signifikant niedrigeren Vormagen-pH-Wert im Vergleich zu den Hallenser und Auer Tieren (8,25 und 8,38) offenbarte. Dies schlug sich auch in erhöhten K-, Cholesterol- und -Amylasewerten im Serum der Leipziger Wallabies nieder, womit gezeigt werden konnte, dass sich diese Parameter offenbar auch bei Makropoden zur Diagnostik einer chronischen Azidose eignen. Die Versorgung der Bennettkängurus in Magdeburg und Halle mit Ca und P war zwar nicht ausreichend, spiegelte sich aber nicht in veränderten Blutwerten dieser Mengenelemente wider. Die Aktivität der AP nimmt mit zunehmenden Alter ähnlich wie bei anderen Tierarten ab. Ihre negative Korrelation mit dem Alter der Tiere war dabei hochsignifikant (P < 0,001, r = 0,77 bzw. 0,62). Beim direkten Vergleich gesunder mit an LJD erkrankten Tieren konnte weder eine Störung im Ca/P-Stoffwechsel noch eine Azidose in Verbindung zu LJD gebracht werden. In allen Zoos erfolgte eine Überversorgung mit Vitamin A, wobei die Bedarfswerte für Schaflämmer um das 3,5fache bis 41fache übertroffen wurden. Den Bedarfswerten am nächsten lagen die Versorgungswerte der Bennettkängurus vom TP Aue und der Östlichen Grauen Riesenkängurus vom Zoo Magdeburg, beides Bestände ohne LJD. Die ermittelten Retinolplasmakonzentrationen standen in keiner Beziehung zu den Vitamin-A-Gehalten im Futter, was darauf hindeutet, dass sich Retinolbestimmungen im Blutplasma ebenso wie bei anderen Tierarten nur in extremsten defizitären Situationen zur Einschätzung des Vitamin-A-Status eignen. Ob eine Hypervitaminose A für die Entstehung von LJD tatsächlich eine Rolle spielt, muss in zukünftigen Arbeiten unter Einbeziehung von Retinolesterbestimmungen in der Leber abgeklärt werden. Die Glukosewerte lagen mit 8,57 mmol/l (M. rufus) bzw. 6,51 mmol/l (M. rufogriseus) über den bisher bekannten Werten aus der Literatur. Da die Werte bei an LJD erkrankten Kängurus niedriger waren als bei gesunden Tieren, kann ein Diabetes mellitus als Ursache für LJD ausgeschlossen werden. Weder die Durchsicht von 144 Sektionsprotokollen noch die Bestimmung der Kreatinin- und Harnstoffkonzentration im Serum von an LJD erkrankten Tieren ließen einen Zusammenhang zwischen Erkrankungen der Nieren und LJD erkennen. 30 Tiere verendeten an LJD, wovon 20% auch an den Nieren erkrankt waren. Allerdings wiesen auch 16,7% der anderweitig gestorbenen Kängurus eine Nierenerkrankung auf. Die Serumkonzentrationen von Harnstoff bzw. Kreatinin der an LJD erkrankten Makropoden unterschieden sich nicht von den für die gesunden Roten Riesenkängurus (7,40 mmol bzw. 114 mmol/l) und Bennettwallabies (7,81 mmol/l bzw. 86 mmol/l) ermittelten Werten. Insgesamt 184 Sera von 107 Kängurus wurden auf AK gegen MaHV-1 und MaHV-2 mittels Neutralisationtest geprüft. Während 94,4% bzw. 97,2% der Roten Riesenkängurus serologisch positiv für MaHV-1 bzw. MaHV-2 waren, reagierten von den 71 überprüften Bennettkängurus nur 4 bzw. 3 Tiere positiv. Unter den Wallabies befanden sich auch 21 an LJD erkrankte Tiere, wovon lediglich 2 Tiere gegen MaHV-1 und 1 Tier gegen MaHV-2 eine Serokonversion zeigten. Die AK-Titer der Roten Riesenkängurus ließen keine Unterschiede zwischen gesunden und an LJD leidenden Tieren zu und die entnommenen Serumpaarproben von 5 zum Zeitpunkt der Blutentnahme an LJD leidenden Riesenkängurus zeigten kein einheitliches Verhalten im Sinne einer Serokonversion. Somit ließ sich der Verdacht, dass die Reaktivierung latenter Herpesinfektionen die Ursache für LJD sein könnte, nicht bestätigen. Im Ergebnis der vorliegenden Studie und im Zusammenhang mit den Angaben aus der Literatur stellt sich LJD primär als eine Infektion mit gramnegativen Anaerobiern dar, wovon Fusobacterium nucleatum, Bacteroides spp., Prophyromonas gingivalis und Fusobacterium necrophorum, Biovar A die größte Bedeutung haben dürften. Den Abschluss der Arbeit bilden Empfehlungen für die Haltung von Kängurus in zoologischen Einrichtungen und für die Therapie von LJD. Im Anhang finden sich Röntgenaufnahmen und Photographien von erkrankten und gesunden Makropoden
The aim of this thesis was the investigation of the aetiology of Lumpy Jaw Disease (LJD) in macropods concentrating specifically on the causes of the diseases in current veterinary medicine literature and to evaluate the use of a group-specific Al(OH)3-adjuvanted, formalin-inactivated whole-cell vaccine for the control of LJD in kangaroos kept in zoos. LJD is regarded as periodontal disease, therefore the risk factors for the development of human periodontitis were also included in this study. The oral flora from 15 healthy macropods and 11 animals suffering from LJD was isolated. At least one anaerobic gram-negative bacterial species was found in swabs of each macropod. The occurrence of Fusobacterium nucleatum was associated with LJD (P < 0.05) by detecting this bacterium in 82% of the kangaroos suffering from LJD compared to only in 33% of the healthy animals. Prevotella oris/oralis and Capnocytophaga spp. were also predominantly found in diseased animals in comparison with healthy macropods (73% vs. 40% and 45% vs. 13% respectively). Bacteroides spp. and Porphyromonas gingivalis were isolated in only 3 and 2 kangaroos suffering from LJD, respectively. Contrary to previously published studies about LJD Fusobacterium necrophorum was not associated with LJD, as this anaerobe was detected in only 27% of the diseased as well as healthy macropods. Moraxella spp. seem to be a part of the normal oral flora of macropods and was found exclusively in healthy animals. 11 Red-necked Wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) and 2 Red Kangaroos (Macropus rufus) were immunized with a group-specific Al(OH)3-adjuvanted, formalin-inactivated whole-cell vaccine containing previously in a kangaroo suffering from LJD isolated gramnegative anaerobs. The kangaroos were re-vaccinated after 1, 2, 6 and 12 months. Blood was collected from each animal at the same time. Antibodies were titrated against Fusobacterium necrophorum in an agglutination assay. The vaccine failed to induce increased levels of antibodies as well as to protect wallabies and kangaroos against LJD. As the highest antibody titres were detected in most severely diseased wallabies kept in the Hoyerswerda zoo, the protective role of the humoral immune response in LJD seems to be doubtful. The finding of detectable levels of antibodies in unvaccinated joeys supports the theory, that there is a transmission of antibodies from the mother to the offspring via colostrum or yolk-sac placenta. The diet of the Red-necked Wallabies in one zoo has induced an acidosis: The pH of the forestomach fluid collected by probang was lower in the animals of this zoo (pH = 7.53) than in the wallabies of two other zoos (pH = 8.25 and 8.38, respectively). Potassium, cholesterol and -amylase were also higher in the blood of the animals of this zoo in comparison to the wallabies of the two other ones, hence these blood values seem to be helpful for the diagnosis of chronic acidosis in macropods. There was a calcium and phosphor deficiency in the nutrition of the wallabies in two zoos, but the blood concentration of both of these minerals was not changed. The activity of the ALP correlated negative with the age of the Bennett`s Wallabies (P < 0.001, r = -.77 and r = -.62 respectively, depending on the instruments). All of the above mentioned blood values showed no differences between healthy and diseased animals and could so far not support the assumption, that an imbalance in Ca and P metabolism or an acidosis are important factors for LJD. The macropods of all investigated zoos were fed on a diet rich in vitamin A ranging from the 3.5 to the 41fold requirement for lambs. The vitamin A content of the diets for the 2 collections without a history of LJD was the lowest in this study. These results raised the point, that a hypervitaminosis A could be a more predisposing factor for LJD than a vitamin A deficiency. Due to the fact the plasma retinol concentration was independent from the vitamin A content of the diet and so not helpful in diagnosis of a vitamin A deficiency or toxicity, further investigations regarding the role of vitamin A in the aetiopathogenesis of LJD should include measurements of the liver tissue content of retinol esters. The glucose plasma concentration of the healthy Red Kangaroos (8.57 mmol/l) as well as the Red-necked Wallabies (6.51 mmol/l) was higher than previously published values for macropods, but also higher than the results of the diseased animals in this study. Therefore diabetes mellitus can be ruled out as an underlying factor for LJD. The analysis of 144 pathological records showed, that 30 animals died because of LJD, 20% of them and 16.7% of the other 114 macropods had a concurrent kidney disease. The urea and creatinin concentration in serum samples of healthy animals was not higher than the values of diseased animals. In conclusion, these results suggest kidney diseases are not important for the development of LJD. Altogether 184 sera collected from 107 kangaroos were tested for antibodies against MaHV-1 and MaHV-2 using a neutralisation assay. The prevalence of the MaHV-1- as well as MaHV-2-antibodies was high among the Red Kangaroos (94.4% and 97.2% respectively), but low among the Red-necked Wallabies (5.6% and 4.2% respectively). Seroconversion for MaHV-1 was seen in 2 out of 21 wallabies suffering from LJD, only 1 of these animals also had antibodies against MaHV-2. The antibody-titres against both of the macropodid herpes viruses also did not differ between Red Kangaroos with and without LJD, therefore a reactivation of a latent herpesvirus infection does not appear to be causative for LJD. In summary, considering the results of this study and previously published literature LJD is an infectious disease caused by gramnegative anaerobic bacteria with Fusobacterium nucleatum, Bacteroides spp., Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium necrophorum subsp. necrophorum being of most significance. Recommendations concerning the keeping of kangaroos in captivity and the management of LJD are listed in the conclusion of this thesis. Some radiographs and photos of diseased and healthy kangaroos are attached

Gene flow dictates a broad range of ecological and evolutionary processes. Understanding the factors mediating magnitude and direction of gene flow is crucial for interpreting patterns of genetic diversity and for answering many kinds of biological questions. Recent advances at the interface of population genetics and GIS technology have expanded our perspective of the geographic and physical features influencing gene flow and, in turn, shaping genetic structure of populations. I investigated the effect of surface-level trade winds on genetic structure and gene flow in two species of phyllostomid bats in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles: Erophylla sezekorni (the buffy flower bat) and Macrotus waterhousii (Waterhouse's leaf-nosed bat). Bayesian Clustering Analysis revealed that all islands sampled represent independent genetic populations for M. waterhousii but not for E. sezekorni. Samples from 13 islands (spanning E. sezekorni?s range) clustered into five genetic populations and revealed the existence of two main clades (eastern: Hispaniola and Puerto Rico; western: Cuba, Jamaica, and Bahamas). To test the hypothesis that surface-level trade winds mediate gene flow in this system, I generated measures of effective distance between islands using anisotropic cost modeling based on wind data from the National Climactic Data Center. Both species exhibited significant isolation by distance with geographical distance and some of the measures of effective distance, but effective distance did not provide increased explanatory power in predicting distribution of genetic diversity. The IBDGEO slope was steeper for E. sezekorni than M. waterhousii, suggesting greater dispersal ability in the former species. According to Maximum Likelihood analysis, a majority (80%) of gene flow between genetic populations was asymmetric in both species. The degree of asymmetric gene flow between populations was not explained by the degree of asymmetry in effective distance or island area, indicating an unknown mechanism driving asymmetric gene flow. More information about the ecology of these taxa is required to understand the incidence of asymmetric gene flow in this system. The results of this study suggest that gene flow among islands is highly restricted for M. waterhousii and that this species deserves greater taxonomic attention and conservation concern.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2002.
"A thesis submitted to the University of Western Sydney in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy" Bibliography : leaves 400-437.