Research

A Mathematical and Empirical Analysis of Stoichiometric Effects of Light Intensity on Daphnia Dynamics and Coexistence

A Mathematical and Empirical Analysis of Stoichiometric Effects of Light Intensity on Daphnia Dynamics and Coexistence

Many factors affect population dynamics in Daphnia, including the quantity and quality of the algae upon which they feed. A previous study by Urabe and colleagues examined the effects of light and nutrient supply on stoichiometric food quality and showed that, while increased light intensity stimulated increased algae growth, the algae became phosphorus-limited and thus of poor quality due to higher C:P ratios. Furthermore, Urabe's study showed that, under low light, one Daphnia species outcompeted the other, but under high light the two species coexisted.

Aero-microbiological studies of Moisture Affected Buildings in the Indoor Environment

Microbes and moisture associated with building materials and structures are known to cause health effects. To understand this phenomenon it is important to know how the indoor environment of a moisture damaged building differs from that of a normal and non-damaged building in terms of microbial concentration. In this context, we have selected index and reference buildings based on the criteria like visible mold, smell of mold and moisture damage to compare indoor microbial concentrations of index buildings with that of reference building.