Connectivity is a critical measure affecting the evolution and ecology of species. The purpose of this thesis was to assess connectivity between populations of Stegastes partitus at seven sites along the Mesoamerican barrier reef. First, seven novel microsatellite markers were developed to allow the assessment of genetic population structure in S. partitus in conjunction with existing markers. ...

The photoacoustic (PA) technique is one of many techniques for measuring thermal conductivity of thin films. Compared with other techniques for thermal conductivity measurement, the photoacoustic method is relatively simple, yet is able to provide accurate thermal conductivity data for many types of thin films and bulk materials. In this work, the PA measurement in a high frequency range is mad...

A semimicroscopic model of the binding of the two nucleotide strands in a double-stranded DNA is used to describe the effects of applied tension on strand unpairing. We show that the model describes strand separation by elevated temperature, applied torque, and applied force. In particular, we show how the interactions responsible for stabilizing the double helix against thermal denaturation de...

The thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) by gas tunnel-type plasma spraying exhibited ceramic-composite features consisting of a host oxide matrix ceramic with an embedded second phase material. The densities of the composite TBC were found to be higher than those sprayed with 100wt% ZrO2 or Al2O3. In the coatings produced with powder mixtures of 50wt%, the embedded splats are found to have a relati...

This research examines the benefits of designing a living space in a basement, as a method of passive temperature control in summer, combined with thermal ceramic panels (TCP) on some walls. These panels incorporate a capillary system of polypropylene tubes which work with cold water. We studied a detached house on the coast of Alicante, where the moderate temperature of the ground tempered int...