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2016

Nova Southeastern University

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Articles 1 - 30 of 140

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Using Gis To Predict Cetacean Strandings Related To Harmful Algal Blooms, Jessica L. Boyd Dec 2016

Using Gis To Predict Cetacean Strandings Related To Harmful Algal Blooms, Jessica L. Boyd

HCNSO Student Capstones

Exposure to harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins, such as Karenia brevis, has been linked to cetacean strandings and mortalities. Biological and environmental data from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Unusual Mortality Event (UME) in 2004 are compared to those from pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) mass stranding events in 2013-2014 in western Florida. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) maps have been created by overlaying stranding locations and select K. brevis presence data in order to identify common spatial and temporal trends. Preliminary results indicate that elevated K. brevis levels (>10,000 cells/L) in Sarasota Bay during January-February and November may …

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A Review Of Present And Alternative Lionfish Controls In The Western Atlantic, Adam Rittermann Dec 2016

A Review Of Present And Alternative Lionfish Controls In The Western Atlantic, Adam Rittermann

HCNSO Student Capstones

Lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) are the first recorded invasive piscivore in the Caribbean and have become a threat to native species. As generalist consumers, lionfish have a broad diet and reduce prey and competitor abundance and juvenile recruitment. To confront this problem, this paper serves to review all of the current and alternative future controls available to manage lionfish populations in the Western Atlantic and determine where focus is lacking. Derby and cull efforts are the only management efforts in place and are not effective in their current state as these local events have short-term benefits, …

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An Evaluation Of The Seagrass Habitat In North Biscayne Bay, Florida, In Relation To A Changing Environment And Urbanization In The Port Of Miami Harbor Basin 2005-2011, Sara M. Jarossy Dec 2016

An Evaluation Of The Seagrass Habitat In North Biscayne Bay, Florida, In Relation To A Changing Environment And Urbanization In The Port Of Miami Harbor Basin 2005-2011, Sara M. Jarossy

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Seagrass habitats in South Florida are exceptionally valuable. They play an important ecological role in the coastal environment by stabilizing sediment, providing habitat for other species and supporting a whole food web. The availability of light and nutrients in aquatic ecosystems are the driving factors behind seagrass distribution. Water quality has been known to influence the abundance, distribution and composition of seagrass beds. South Florida has extensive diverse coastal communities. Throughout its human development dramatic changes have occurred in its natural ecosystems. In South Florida, many examples of seagrass habitat loss are documented, with a variety of contributing factors. The …

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Population Demographics And Sexual Reproduction Potential Of The Pillar Coral, Dendrogyra Cylindrus, On The Florida Reef Tract, Lystina Kabay Dec 2016

Population Demographics And Sexual Reproduction Potential Of The Pillar Coral, Dendrogyra Cylindrus, On The Florida Reef Tract, Lystina Kabay

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The pillar coral, Dendrogyra cylindrus, has been commonly described as widely distributed, but rare throughout its geographical range in the Caribbean. Having recently been listed as Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act, an understanding of population status is needed to promote species conservation and population recovery. Previous to this study the status of the pillar coral population in the state waters of Florida, U.S.A, was relatively unknown primarily due to few colonies being recorded and no comprehensive summary of population abundance, distribution or health being completed. Along with various environmental and anthropogenic factors affecting the pillar coral population …

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Coral Recovery On Phase-Shifted Reefs Depend Upon The Type Of Macroalgae Present, Justin N. Voss Dec 2016

Coral Recovery On Phase-Shifted Reefs Depend Upon The Type Of Macroalgae Present, Justin N. Voss

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The Florida Keys experienced some of the most drastic transitions from coral to macroalgae dominated states, known as phase-or regime-shifts, of any reefs in the Caribbean. Macroalgae on coral reefs lower coral recruitment by deterring coral settlement either directly through competition or indirectly by changing the chemical environment near the benthos. With evidence of species-specific interactions to coral-macroalgae competition, the type of macroalgae on a phase-shifted coral reef might be more important than just identifying a reef transition. To answer this question, I tested the effect of Laurencia intricata (a macroalgae related to the settlement inducing crustose coralline algae) and …

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Effects Of 17 Β-Estradiol And Progesterone On Acropora Cervicornis And Porites Astreoides Growth And Reproduction, Joshua L. Stocker Dec 2016

Effects Of 17 Β-Estradiol And Progesterone On Acropora Cervicornis And Porites Astreoides Growth And Reproduction, Joshua L. Stocker

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Reef-building coral populations throughout the world are being threatened by numerous stressors and continue to decline. As potent endocrine-disrupting compounds, exogenous sex steroid contamination has been a largely overlooked stressor to corals. Previous research indicates these compounds are prevalent in marine environments, fluctuate annually along with reproductive cycles, can bioaccumulate, and have had variable effects on growth and reproduction in several cnidarian species. This project had three primary objectives: (1) establish environmental estradiol and progesterone concentrations in Broward County and lower Florida Keys reef environments, (2) conduct 17 β-estradiol and progesterone larval assays on P. astreoides larvae to determine the …

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Discovery Of An Enzyme And Substrate Selective Inhibitor Of Adam10 Using An Exosite-Binding Glycosylated Substrate, Franck Madoux, Daniela Dreymuller, Jean-Phillipe Pettiloud, Radleigh Santos, Christoph Becker-Pauly, Andreas Ludwig, Gregg B. Fields, Thomas Bannister, Timothy P. Spicer, Mare Cudic, Louis D. Scampavia, Dmitriy Minond Dec 2016

Discovery Of An Enzyme And Substrate Selective Inhibitor Of Adam10 Using An Exosite-Binding Glycosylated Substrate, Franck Madoux, Daniela Dreymuller, Jean-Phillipe Pettiloud, Radleigh Santos, Christoph Becker-Pauly, Andreas Ludwig, Gregg B. Fields, Thomas Bannister, Timothy P. Spicer, Mare Cudic, Louis D. Scampavia, Dmitriy Minond

Mathematics Faculty Articles

ADAM10 and ADAM17 have been shown to contribute to the acquired drug resistance of HER2-positive breast cancer in response to trastuzumab. The majority of ADAM10 and ADAM17 inhibitor development has been focused on the discovery of compounds that bind the active site zinc, however, in recent years, there has been a shift from active site to secondary substrate binding site (exosite) inhibitor discovery in order to identify non-zinc-binding molecules. In the present work a glycosylated, exosite-binding substrate of ADAM10 and ADAM17 was utilized to screen 370,276 compounds from the MLPCN collection. As a result of this uHTS effort, a selective, …

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The Vertical And Horizontal Distribution Of Deep-Sea Crustaceans Of The Order Euphausiacea (Malacostraca: Eucarida) From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico With Notes On Reproductive Seasonality., Charles Douglas Fine Dec 2016

The Vertical And Horizontal Distribution Of Deep-Sea Crustaceans Of The Order Euphausiacea (Malacostraca: Eucarida) From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico With Notes On Reproductive Seasonality., Charles Douglas Fine

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The vertical and horizontal distributions of Euphausiacea in the northern Gulf of Mexico, including the location of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, were analyzed from 340 trawl samples collected between April-June, 2011. This study is the first comprehensive survey of euphausiid distributions from depths deeper than 1000 m in the Gulf of Mexico and included stratified sampling from five discrete depth ranges (0-200 m, 200-600 m, 600-1000 m, 1000-1200 m, and 1200-1500 m). In addition, this study encompasses the region heavily impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Data presented here could potentially be used in ecosystem models investigating trophic …

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Trophic Ecology Of Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) From Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, David C. Roche Dec 2016

Trophic Ecology Of Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) From Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, David C. Roche

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Located 100 km west of Key West, Florida, Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) is a largely untouched subtropical marine ecosystem that serves as an important developmental habitat, nesting ground, and foraging area for several species of sea turtles, including green turtles. The Park supports a recovering population of green turtles comprised of resident juveniles, subadults, and adults of both sexes; nesting females include residents and migrating females that only return to nest. Stable isotope analysis has been applied widely to describe the trophic ecology of green turtles, from urbanized bays with significant anthropogenic input, to relatively pristine ecosystems with healthy …

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Lipid Composition Of Oil Extracted From Wasted Norway Lobster (Nephrops Norvegicus) Heads And Comparison With Oil Extracted From Antarctic Krill (Euphasia Superba), Amaya Albalat, Lauren E. Nadler, Nicholas Foo, James R. Dick, Andrew J. R. Watts, Heather Philp, Douglas M. Neil, Oscar Monroig Dec 2016

Lipid Composition Of Oil Extracted From Wasted Norway Lobster (Nephrops Norvegicus) Heads And Comparison With Oil Extracted From Antarctic Krill (Euphasia Superba), Amaya Albalat, Lauren E. Nadler, Nicholas Foo, James R. Dick, Andrew J. R. Watts, Heather Philp, Douglas M. Neil, Oscar Monroig

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

In the UK, the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) supports its most important shellfish fishery. Nephrops are sold either whole, or as “tails-only” for the scampi trade. In the “tailing” process, the “head” (cephalothorax) is discarded as waste. A smaller crustacean species, the Antarctic krill Euphasia superba, represents an economically valuable industry, as its extractable oil is sold as a human dietary supplement. The aim of this study was to determine the amount and composition of the oil contained in discarded Nephrops heads and to compare its composition to the oil extracted from krill. Differences due to Geographical …

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Mathematical Relativity And The Nature Of The Universe, Priscila Reyes Nov 2016

Mathematical Relativity And The Nature Of The Universe, Priscila Reyes

Mathematics Colloquium Series

In this talk, I will be discussing certain space-times, which can be used to model celestial objects and events in the universe. These are solutions to Einstein's field equations, which roughly describe the relation between matter, energy and the geometry of the universe. The concept of time in relation to an observer will be demonstrated. I will also include some interesting phenomena that arise out of the unusual mathematical structure of space-times , such as Lorentz contraction, reverse Cauchy-Schwarz, and the twin paradox.

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Mathematical Optimization And Applications, Teodora Suciu Nov 2016

Mathematical Optimization And Applications, Teodora Suciu

Mathematics Colloquium Series

This talk centers on mathematical optimization in the context of Calculus of Variations. Optimization involves choosing the best element from a set of choices, usually through mathematical approaches. Solving these kinds of problems is considered an essential tool in many areas of science and engineering. Additionally, various mathematics and business applications are discussed. Also explored is a real-life example with a detailed algorithm that is closely related to the Traveling Salesman problem.

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Ports, Prosperity, And Pests: Assessing The Threat Of Aquatic Invasive Species Introduced By Maritime Shipping Activity In Cuba, Charleen O'Brien Nov 2016

Ports, Prosperity, And Pests: Assessing The Threat Of Aquatic Invasive Species Introduced By Maritime Shipping Activity In Cuba, Charleen O'Brien

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are biological pollutants that cause detrimental ecological, economic, and sociological effects on non-native communities. With increasing globalization through maritime trade, coastal ports are vulnerable to AIS introductions transported by commercial vessels. As Cuba’s Port Mariel becomes a competitive transshipment hub within the Caribbean, it is essential to identify the potential threat that AIS may pose with a likely increase in shipping activity. It is equally important to understand the status of established AIS in Cuba and control measures presently being implemented by the country. This information can provide guidance for establishing or improving Cuban AIS preventative …

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Minimum Number Of Distinct Eigenvalues Of Graphs, Shahla Nasserasr Nov 2016

Minimum Number Of Distinct Eigenvalues Of Graphs, Shahla Nasserasr

Mathematics Colloquium Series

For a simple graph G on n vertices, a real symmetric nxn matrix A is said to be compatible with G, if for different i and j, the (i; j) entry of A is nonzero whenever there is an edge between the vertices i and j, it is zero otherwise. The minimum number of distinct eigenvalues, when minimum is taken over all compatible matrices with G, is denoted by q(G). In this talk, a survey of some known and new results about q(G) is presented.

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Effect Of Elevated Carbon Dioxide On Shoal Familiarity And Metabolism In A Coral Reef Fish, Lauren E. Nadler, Shaun S. Killen, Mark I. Mccormick, Sue-Ann Watson, Philip L. Munday Nov 2016

Effect Of Elevated Carbon Dioxide On Shoal Familiarity And Metabolism In A Coral Reef Fish, Lauren E. Nadler, Shaun S. Killen, Mark I. Mccormick, Sue-Ann Watson, Philip L. Munday

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Atmospheric CO2 is expected to more than double by the end of the century. The resulting changes in ocean chemistry will affect the behaviour, sensory systems and physiology of a range of fish species. Although a number of past studies have examined effects of CO2 in gregarious fishes, most have assessed individuals in social isolation, which can alter individual behaviour and metabolism in social species. Within social groups, a learned familiarity can develop following a prolonged period of interaction between individuals, with fishes preferentially associating with familiar conspecifics because of benefits such as improved social learning and greater …

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Continuous Dependence And Differentiating Solutions Of A Second Order Boundary Value Problem With Average Value Condition, Samantha A. Major Nov 2016

Continuous Dependence And Differentiating Solutions Of A Second Order Boundary Value Problem With Average Value Condition, Samantha A. Major

Mathematics Colloquium Series

Using a few conditions, continuous dependence, and a result regarding smoothness of initial conditions, we show that derivatives, with respect to each of the boundary data, of solutions to a second order boundary value problem with an average value integral condition solve the associated variational equation with interesting boundary conditions.

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Antagonistic Effects Of Ocean Acidification And Rising Sea Surface Temperature On The Dissolution Of Coral Reef Carbonate Sediments, Daniel Trnovsky, Laura Stoltenberg, Tyler Cyronak, Bradley D. Eyre Nov 2016

Antagonistic Effects Of Ocean Acidification And Rising Sea Surface Temperature On The Dissolution Of Coral Reef Carbonate Sediments, Daniel Trnovsky, Laura Stoltenberg, Tyler Cyronak, Bradley D. Eyre

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Increasing atmospheric CO2 is raising sea surface temperature (SST) and increasing seawater CO2 concentrations, resulting in a lower oceanic pH (ocean acidification; OA), which is expected to reduce the accretion of coral reef ecosystems. Although sediments comprise most of the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) within coral reefs, no in situ studies have looked at the combined effects of increased SST and OA on the dissolution of coral reef CaCO3 sediments. In situ benthic chamber incubations were used to measure dissolution rates in permeable CaCO3 sands under future OA and SST scenarios in a coral reef …

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Spatial Population Models With Fitness Based Dispersal, Chris Cosner Oct 2016

Spatial Population Models With Fitness Based Dispersal, Chris Cosner

Mathematics Colloquium Series

Traditional continuous time models in spatial ecology typically describe movement in terms of linear diffusion and advection, which combine with nonlinear population dynamics to produce semi-linear parabolic equations and systems. In environments that are favorable everywhere in the sense that the local population growth rate is always positive, organisms can use linear advection and diffusion to achieve an optimal spatial distribution. (Here optimal means evolutionarily stable.) In regions where there are environmental “sinks” where the local growth rate is negative, it does not seem possible to achieve an optimal distribution via linear dispersal. It is possible for organisms using advection …

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Abundance And Diversity Of Deep-Sea Crustaceans Of Bear Seamount, New England Seamount Chain, Valerie Renee Miranda Oct 2016

Abundance And Diversity Of Deep-Sea Crustaceans Of Bear Seamount, New England Seamount Chain, Valerie Renee Miranda

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Bear Seamount (39° 55’ N; 67° 30’ W) is the westernmost peak of extinct undersea volcanoes in the New England Seamount Chain (Moore et al., 2003). It is located on the continental slope off Georges Bank, and is governed by unique environmental factors and currents that may be unlike those of the other seamounts (Moore et al., 2003). Previous cruises to this seamount have been successful in capturing abundant fishes, cephalopods and invertebrates (Moore et al., 2003; Moore et al., 2004; Moore et al., 2008), but only the distribution patterns of the fishes and cephalopods have been examined, leaving a …

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Symmetric Integer Matrices Having Integer Eigenvalues, Lei Cao, Selcuk Koyuncu Oct 2016

Symmetric Integer Matrices Having Integer Eigenvalues, Lei Cao, Selcuk Koyuncu

Mathematics Faculty Articles

We provide characterization of symmetric integer matrices for rank at most 2 that have integer spectrum and give some constructions for such matrices of rank 3. We also make some connection between Hanlon’s conjecture and integer eigenvalue problem.

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Improving The Spatial Allocation Of Functional Group Biomasses In Spatially-Explicit Ecosystem Models: Insights From Three Gulf Of Mexico Models, Arnaud Gruss, Elizabeth A. Babcock, Skyler Sagarese, Michael Drexler, David D. Chagaris, Cameron H. Ainsworth, Brad Penta, Sergio Derada, Tracey Sutton Oct 2016

Improving The Spatial Allocation Of Functional Group Biomasses In Spatially-Explicit Ecosystem Models: Insights From Three Gulf Of Mexico Models, Arnaud Gruss, Elizabeth A. Babcock, Skyler Sagarese, Michael Drexler, David D. Chagaris, Cameron H. Ainsworth, Brad Penta, Sergio Derada, Tracey Sutton

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Spatially-explicit ecosystem models, such as Ecospace, Atlantis, and OSMOSE, are key tools for achieving ecosystem-based fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). In spatially-explicit ecosystem models, trophic interactions strongly depend on the way functional group biomasses are allocated spatially, which conditions patterns of spatial overlap between predators, prey, and competitors. Here, we review realized and ongoing improvements in the spatial allocation of functional group biomasses in Ecospace and OSMOSE models of the West Florida Shelf ("WFS Reef fish Ecospace" and "OSMOSE-WFS") and in the Atlantis model of the GOM ("Atlantis-GOM"). A habitat capacity model, which defines the spatial distribution …

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Modeling And Methods Of Signal Separations With Applications In Spectroscopic Sensing, Yuanchang Sun Sep 2016

Modeling And Methods Of Signal Separations With Applications In Spectroscopic Sensing, Yuanchang Sun

Mathematics Colloquium Series

Spectroscopic sensing is a powerful and a widely used family of techniques for detecting and identifying chemical and biological substances. For example, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relies on the magnetic properties of the atomistic nucleus to determine the molecular structures. Raman spectroscopy (RS) uses laser light scattering and the resulting energy shift of photons to sense the vibrational modes of a sample. In remote sensing, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) makes use of hundreds of contiguous spectral bands to identify nearly invisible objects at subpixel level. Differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) is based on the light absorption property of matter to identify …

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Investigating The Spatial Distribution And Effects Of Nearshore Topography On Acropora Cervicornis Abundance In Southeast Florida, Nicole D'Antonio, David S. Gilliam, Brian K. Walker Sep 2016

Investigating The Spatial Distribution And Effects Of Nearshore Topography On Acropora Cervicornis Abundance In Southeast Florida, Nicole D'Antonio, David S. Gilliam, Brian K. Walker

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Dense Acropora cervicornis aggregations, or patches, have been documented within nearshore habitats in Southeast Florida (SE FL) despite close proximity to numerous anthropogenic stressors and subjection to frequent natural disturbance events. Limited information has been published concerning the distribution and abundance of A. cervicornis outside of these known dense patches. The first goal of this study was to conduct a spatially extensive and inclusive survey (9.78 km2) to determine whether A. cervicornis distribution in the nearshore habitat of SE FL was spatially uniform or clustered. The second goal was to investigate potential relationships between broad-scale seafloor topography and …

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Comparing Chemistry And Census-Based Estimates Of Net Ecosystem Calcification On A Rim Reef In Bermuda, Travis A. Courtney, Andreas J. Andersson, Nicholas R. Bates, Andrew R. Collins, Tyler Cyronak, Samantha J. De Putron, Bradley D. Eyre, Rebecca Garley, Eric J. Hochberg, Rodney Johnson, Sylvia Musielewicz, Tim J. Noyes, Christopher L. Sabine, Adrienne J. Sutton, Jessy Toncin, Aline Tribollet Sep 2016

Comparing Chemistry And Census-Based Estimates Of Net Ecosystem Calcification On A Rim Reef In Bermuda, Travis A. Courtney, Andreas J. Andersson, Nicholas R. Bates, Andrew R. Collins, Tyler Cyronak, Samantha J. De Putron, Bradley D. Eyre, Rebecca Garley, Eric J. Hochberg, Rodney Johnson, Sylvia Musielewicz, Tim J. Noyes, Christopher L. Sabine, Adrienne J. Sutton, Jessy Toncin, Aline Tribollet

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Coral reef net ecosystem calcification (NEC) has decreased for many Caribbean reefs over recent decades primarily due to changes in benthic community composition. Chemistry-based approaches to calculate NEC utilize the drawdown of seawater total alkalinity (TA) combined with residence time to calculate an instantaneous measurement of NEC. Census-based approaches combine annual growth rates with benthic cover and reef structural complexity to estimate NEC occurring over annual timescales. Here, NEC was calculated for Hog Reef in Bermuda using both chemistry and census-based NEC techniques to compare the mass-balance generated by the two methods and identify the dominant biocalcifiers at Hog Reef. …

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Increasing Shipping Traffic Through The Bering Strait: Challenges Of International Policy In A Rapidly Changing Climate And Managing Impacts To Regional Cetacean Populations, Laura Morse Sep 2016

Increasing Shipping Traffic Through The Bering Strait: Challenges Of International Policy In A Rapidly Changing Climate And Managing Impacts To Regional Cetacean Populations, Laura Morse

HCNSO Student Capstones

The Arctic region is experiencing growth in marine traffic as seasonal ice conditions shift to longer periods of open water and vessel improvements that have allowed for transit in heavier ice conditions. Regionally, Russia is improving existing transportation infrastructure to support increased traffic along the Northern Sea Route. As a result of these and other factors, shipping traffic is increasing through the Bering Strait and Bering Sea. Regulating traffic in these areas is more complex than most other areas in US waters given the presence of an international strait subject to international regulation through the International Maritime Organization. The US …

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Quantifying The Toxicity Of 1-Methylnaphthalene To The Shallow-Water Coral, Porites Divaricata, For Use In The Target Lipid Model, Nicholas Turner Sep 2016

Quantifying The Toxicity Of 1-Methylnaphthalene To The Shallow-Water Coral, Porites Divaricata, For Use In The Target Lipid Model, Nicholas Turner

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The proximity of coral reefs to coastal urban areas and shipping lanes predisposes corals to petroleum pollution from multiple sources. Previous research has evaluated petroleum toxicity to coral using a variety of methodologies, including monitoring effects of acute and chronic spills, in situ exposures, and ex situ exposures with both adult and larval stage corals. Variability in toxicant, bioassay conditions, species and other methodological disparities among studies prevents comprehensive conclusions regarding the toxicity of hydrocarbons to corals. This research evaluated the 48-hour toxicity of 1-methylnaphthalene to Porites divaricata using a continuous-flow passive dosing system. The range-finding exposure evaluated the dosing …

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How Did The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Impact Deep-Sea Ecosystems?, Charles R. Fisher, Paul A. Montagna, Tracey Sutton Sep 2016

How Did The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Impact Deep-Sea Ecosystems?, Charles R. Fisher, Paul A. Montagna, Tracey Sutton

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Approximately 90% of the volume of the Gulf of Mexico is contained in water deeper than 200 m, a region where the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) blowout had more impact on ecosystems than any previous oil spill. The remoteness and relative inaccessibility of the deep sea makes documenting even acute impacts to the animals that live in this realm difficult. This article reviews Natural Resource Damage Assessment studies and follow-up work funded as part of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative that targeted deepwater pelagic and benthic fauna. Oil was incorporated into the pelagic food web, and a reduction in planktonic …

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Low Florida Coral Calcification Rates In The Plio-Pleistocene, Thomas C. Brachert, Markus Reuter, Stefan Kruger, James S. Klaus, Kevin P. Helmle, Janice M. Lough Aug 2016

Low Florida Coral Calcification Rates In The Plio-Pleistocene, Thomas C. Brachert, Markus Reuter, Stefan Kruger, James S. Klaus, Kevin P. Helmle, Janice M. Lough

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

In geological outcrops and drill cores from reef frameworks, the skeletons of scleractinian corals are usually leached and more or less completely transformed into sparry calcite because the highly porous skeletons formed of metastable aragonite (CaCO3) undergo rapid diagenetic alteration. Upon alteration, ghost structures of the distinct annual growth bands often allow for reconstructions of annual extension ( =  growth) rates, but information on skeletal density needed for reconstructions of calcification rates is invariably lost. This report presents the bulk density, extension rates and calcification rates of fossil reef corals which underwent minor diagenetic alteration only. The corals derive from …

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Fish Communities Associated With Cold-Water Corals Vary With Depth And Substratum Type, Rosanna Milligan, Gemma Spence, J. Murray Roberts, David M. Bailey Aug 2016

Fish Communities Associated With Cold-Water Corals Vary With Depth And Substratum Type, Rosanna Milligan, Gemma Spence, J. Murray Roberts, David M. Bailey

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Understanding the processes that drive the distribution patterns of organisms and the scales over which these processes operate are vital when considering the effective management of species with high commercial or conservation value. In the deep sea, the importance of scleractinian cold-water corals (CWCs) to fish has been the focus of several studies but their role remains unclear. We propose this may be due to the confounding effects of multiple drivers operating over multiple spatial scales. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of CWCs in shaping fish community structure and individual species-habitat associations across four spatial …

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An Update On A Few Permanent Conjectures, Fuzhen Zhang Aug 2016

An Update On A Few Permanent Conjectures, Fuzhen Zhang

Mathematics Faculty Articles

We review and update on a few conjectures concerning matrix permanent that are easily stated, understood, and accessible to general math audience. They are: Soules permanent-on-top conjecture†, Lieb permanent dominance conjecture, Bapat and Sunder conjecture† on Hadamard product and diagonal entries, Chollet conjecture on Hadamard product, Marcus conjecture on permanent of permanents, and several other conjectures. Some of these conjectures are recently settled; some are still open.We also raise a few new questions for future study. (†conjectures have been recently settled negatively.)

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