Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Method of Regions'

In order to simulate both physically and visually realistic soft tissuedeformations, the Finite Element Method (FEM) is the mostpopular choice in the literature. However it is non-trivial to modelcomplex behaviour of soft tissue with sufficient refresh rates, especiallyfor haptic force feedback which requires an update rate ofthe order of 1 kHz. In this study the use of asynchronous regions isproposed to speed up the solution of FEM equations in real-time. Inthis way it is possible to solve the local neighborhood of the contactwith high refresh rates, while evaluating the more distant regions atlower frequencies, saving computational power to model complexbehaviour within the contact area. Solution of the different regionsusing different methods is also possible. To attain maximum efficiencythe size of the regions can be changed, in real-time, in responseto the size of the deformation.

A non-linear finite element computer program capable of predicting the complete response of two-dimensional reinforced concrete members was developed. This tool which accounts for the stress strain characteristics of cracked concrete was used to predict the responses of a number of members containing discontinuities. These members included corbels, dapped end beams, beams with web holes, and deep beams. The results of tests performed by the author as well as tests performed by other researchers were compared with the non-linear predictions. In addition, simple strut and tie models suitable for designing regions near discontinuities were developed. The predictions obtained by these models were compared with the non-linear finite element predictions and with the test results.

This study investigates unconditional convergence of Turkish regions and provinces. A recently introduced time series procedure developed by Nahar and Inder (2002) is used to test the convergence hypothesis for the period 1975-2001. Both the Ordinary Least Square and the Seemingly Unrelated Regression techniques are applied to analyze convergence of sixty five provinces, seven geographical regions as well as 12 NUTS - 1 regions of Turkey. The empirical findings indicate that most of the cases yield no evidence of convergence, which is a general result stated by the other studies in the literature regarding Turkey.

Genom att energin är begränsad i världen och att byggsektorn kräver en mycket stor andel så är arbetet att effektivisera i denna sektor ett av de viktigaste målen i denna bransch. Syftet med detta arbete är att finna en bra, effektiv, och billig metod för att snabbt nå målet med energieffektivitet för Kinas bostäder. Beaktat att Kina är ett stort land indelas det i flera delar med olika klimat för att med större säkerhet nå rätt. Ett typhus har antagits i beräkningarna för fem olika klimatzoner. Programmet Designbuilder har använts och data för isolering och ventilation i ett basfall, ett fall med bättre skal d v s U-värden och ett med värmeåtervinning diskuterats vilka tar längre tid att genomföra och kräver större investering men ändå är lönsamma. Dessa kan förordas med statligt stöd.
Due to the energy shortage situation of the world and building sector occupies the most significant particle of total energy consumption, promoting the energy efficiency in the buildings has become one of the most urgent goals for energy develop the profession. The purpose of this project is to look for the most reasonable method, which is efficient and can be carried out in a short term with a lower investment, to reach the goal of energy efficiency in residential buildings in China. Considering that China is a vast territory country, the whole mainland is separated into five parts according to the various climate types in order to research accurately. A base building has been modeled in five climate zones at the same time. The software Designbuilder is used to simulate the base scenario, the building envelope improved scenario and the HVAC system improved scenario. The final suggestion is given according to the comparison of these three scenarios.Besides, some other technologies have been given in the thesis. These methods would take a longer time period or more investment, but still are good choices for residential buildings energy efficiency. They should be promoted in the future by the government support.

Interactions between 3´ untranslated regions (UTRs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play critical roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Metazoan genomes encode hundreds of RBPs and thousands of 3’ UTRs have been experimentally identified, yet the spectrum of interactions between 3´UTRs and RBPs remains largely unknown. Several methods are available to map these interactions, including protein-centered methods such as RBP immunoprecipitation (RIP) and cross-link immunoprecipitation (CLIP), yeast three-hybrid assays and RNAcompete. However, there is a paucity of RNA-centered approaches for assaying an RNA element of interest against multiple RBPs in a parallel, scalable manner. Here, I present a strategy for delineating protein-RNA interaction networks using a gene centered approach. This approach includes annotating RBPs and identifying physical interactions between an RNA of interest and these RBPs using the Protein-RNA Interaction Mapping Assay (PRIMA). Few RBPs have been experimentally determined in most eukaryotic organisms. Therefore I show that existing RBP annotations can be supplemented using computational predictions of RNA binding domains (RBD) from protein sequences. A single RNA of interest can be tested using PRIMA against a library of RBPs constructed from these annotations. PRIMA utilizes the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in yeast as a reporter. PRIMA is based on reconstitution of the interaction between the 5´ and 3´ ends of an mRNA, which increases mRNA stability and enhances translation. PRIMA recapitulates known and uncovers new interactions involving RBPs from human, Caenorhabditis elegans and bacteriophage with short RNA fragments and full-length 3´UTRs. The development of RBP prey libraries will enable the testing of 3´UTRs against the hundreds of RBPs, which is essential to gain broad insights into post-transcriptional gene regulation at a systems level.

Interactions between 3´ untranslated regions (UTRs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play critical roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Metazoan genomes encode hundreds of RBPs and thousands of 3’ UTRs have been experimentally identified, yet the spectrum of interactions between 3´UTRs and RBPs remains largely unknown. Several methods are available to map these interactions, including protein-centered methods such as RBP immunoprecipitation (RIP) and cross-link immunoprecipitation (CLIP), yeast three-hybrid assays and RNAcompete. However, there is a paucity of RNA-centered approaches for assaying an RNA element of interest against multiple RBPs in a parallel, scalable manner. Here, I present a strategy for delineating protein-RNA interaction networks using a gene centered approach. This approach includes annotating RBPs and identifying physical interactions between an RNA of interest and these RBPs using the Protein-RNA Interaction Mapping Assay (PRIMA). Few RBPs have been experimentally determined in most eukaryotic organisms. Therefore I show that existing RBP annotations can be supplemented using computational predictions of RNA binding domains (RBD) from protein sequences. A single RNA of interest can be tested using PRIMA against a library of RBPs constructed from these annotations. PRIMA utilizes the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in yeast as a reporter. PRIMA is based on reconstitution of the interaction between the 5´ and 3´ ends of an mRNA, which increases mRNA stability and enhances translation. PRIMA recapitulates known and uncovers new interactions involving RBPs from human, Caenorhabditis elegans and bacteriophage with short RNA fragments and full-length 3´UTRs. The development of RBP prey libraries will enable the testing of 3´UTRs against the hundreds of RBPs, which is essential to gain broad insights into post-transcriptional gene regulation at a systems level.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 1999.
Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 165-166). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users. Address: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p9948028.

Para tornar uma estrutura hidrÃulica segura e economicamente viÃvel à preciso que seu projeto seja concebido de forma a suportar eventos extremos, mas sempre seguindo a linha tÃnue entre os custos de execuÃÃo e os riscos calculados pelas consequÃncias da obra nÃo suportar os excessos de chuva. A relaÃÃo Intensidade-DuraÃÃo-FrequÃncia (IDF) da chuva à uma das ferramentas mais comumente utilizadas em engenharia de recursos hÃdricos para definir a vazÃo de projeto. As IDF sÃo determinadas atravÃs de dados pluviogrÃficos, porÃm, muitas vezes estes dados sÃo escassos levando a determinaÃÃo de equaÃÃes atravÃs de dados pluviomÃtricos diÃrios desagregados. Dada a escassez de dados pluviogrÃficos e equaÃÃes IDF no Estado do Cearà foi desenvolvido neste trabalho um programa computacional na linguagem Java que sistematizou a metodologia desenvolvida por Fechine Sobrinho (2011) para elaboraÃÃo de equaÃÃes IDF com base no mÃtodo de desagregaÃÃo de chuva atravÃs de isozonas, possibilitando a elaboraÃÃo das equaÃÃes IDF para os 30 municÃpios que compÃe a mesorregiÃo do Cariri cearense. A ferramenta computacional permite a geraÃÃo das equaÃÃes IDF a partir do processamento dos dados obtidos na base de informaÃÃes da FundaÃÃo Cearense de Meteorologia e Recursos HÃdricos â FUNCEME, apresentando grande potencial para o desdobramento das aplicaÃÃes, como à o caso da espacializaÃÃo dos parÃmetros. A sistematizaÃÃo do mÃtodo foi validada comparando os valores obtidos com os valores de equaÃÃes IDF consagradas na literatura e formuladas atravÃs de dados pluviogrÃficos. Foram obtidas correlaÃÃes acima de 95% para as funÃÃes de distribuiÃÃo empregadas e realizada a espacializaÃÃo dos parÃmetros.
In order to design a safe and economically viable hydraulic structure it is necessary to design a project to withstand extreme events, but always following the fine line between execution costs and calculated risks. The Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) relationship of rainfall is one of the most commonly used tools in water resources engineering to define the design outflow. The IDF is determined by rainfall-duration recorded data, however, these data are often scarce, leading to determination of equations using disaggregated daily rainfall data. Due to insufficient data about rainfall-duration and IDF equations in the state of CearÃ, this work developed a computational program in Java which systematized the methodology developed by Fechine Sobrinho (2011) for IDF equations establishment. This methodology was based on the isozone disaggregation of rain method, allowing the establishment of IDF equations for the 30 municipalities of the Cariri region located in the southern state. The computational tool allows the generation of IDF equations from the data obtained in the FundaÃÃo Cearense de Meteorologia e Recursos HÃdricos - FUNCEME, showing great applications, such as the spatial distribution of the parameters. The systematization of the IDF equations establishment through isozone method was validated by comparison of the obtained values with existing equations on the technical literature. Correlations above 95% were obtained for the distribution functions for the employed and performed the spatial parameters

The finite element method is a powerful analysis tool which has facilitated a better understanding of the behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. Its use in the research field is widespread and complements experimental tests and the development of new analytical models. Its application in practice engineering has permitted to deal with complex elements. However, the general structural engineer is still reluctant to consider finite element modelling for his work as he finds most of these models excessively sophisticated for his needs and knowledge. In particular, complexity of many finite element tools usually derives from the adoption of advanced concrete constitutive models. Implementation of more simple models based on engineering practice could facilitate its use by less experienced finite element users. In structural engineering practice finite element analysis can be of great usefulness to deal with those more problematic elements and/or where the application of traditional analysis methods presents limitations. This includes the so-called D-regions with a 3D behaviour. The strut-and-tie method and the stress field method are consistent and rational tools for the analysis and design of D-regions, but while their application to 2D elements is well covered in literature, its extension to 3D is problematic. This generally explains why excessively conservative assumptions are still common in the design of these elements. Refinement of current analytical and design approaches or the use of finite element analysis could lead to more rational solutions which in turn will reduce material requirements and costs. A 3D nonlinear finite element-based tool was developed in this thesis oriented towards the analysis and design of 3D D-regions by less experienced finite element users. Regarding material modelling, an orthotropic concrete model was adopted to permit the use of uniaxial stress-strain relationships. Only one single parameter, the uniaxial compressive strength of concrete, needs to be defined. Additionally, several aid functions were implemented, among which the following can be highlighted: a comprehensive, embedded reinforcement model to facilitate the introduction of complex rebar geometries; special support and load elements permitting an integrated and simple treatment of the boundary conditions imposed by them; and a simple design algorithm for the automatic determination of the required rebar areas. Three examples of applications to representative 3D D-regions are presented to show the capabilities of the tool. In particular, the analyses of fourteen four-pile caps, three socket base column-to-foundations connections and one anchorage block are described in the third part of the thesis. Results prove that realistic response predictions can be obtained considering relatively simple constitutive models. The capacity of the tool to configure consistent stress field models depending on the reinforcement arrangement is also demonstrated. The generation of rational reinforcement configurations by applying the implemented design algorithm is also shown. A strut-and-tie-based method for the analysis and design of four-pile caps with rectangular geometries is proposed in the fourth part. The method is based on a refined 3D strut-and-tie model and the consideration of three potential modes of failure: exceeding the reinforcement strength, crushing of the diagonal strut at the base of the column with narrowing of the strut and splitting of the diagonal strut due to transverse cracking. The main innovation is that the strut inclination is not fixed as in current strut-and-tie-based design procedures, but determined by maximizing the pile cap strength. The method accounts for strength softening of cracked concrete, compatibility constraints and reinforcement details. Its application to 162 specimens of literature led to very good predictions of the ultimate strength and, to a lesser extent, of the mode of failure.
El método de los elementos finitos es una potente herramienta de análisis que ha facilitado un mejor conocimiento del comportamiento de las estructuras de hormigón armado. Su uso en el ámbito de la investigación está ampliamente extendido. Su aplicación en la práctica ingenieril ha permitido la resolución de elementos complejos. Sin embargo, el ingeniero estructural común todavía es reticente a usar la modelización por elementos finitos ya que considera que la mayoría de estos modelos son excesivamente sofisticados para sus necesidades. La complejidad de muchas herramientas de elementos finitos suele derivarse de la adopción de modelos constitutivos de hormigón avanzados. La implementación de modelos más sencillos podría facilitar su uso por usuarios menos experimentados. En la práctica ingenieril el análisis con elementos finitos puede ser de gran utilidad para tratar aquellos elementos más problemáticos y/o donde la aplicación de los métodos de análisis tradicionales presenta limitaciones. Esto incluye las llamadas regiones D con comportamiento 3D. El método de bielas y tirantes y el método de campos de tensiones son herramientas racionales para el análisis y dimensionamiento de regiones D, pero su extensión a 3D es problemática. Este hecho explica por qué se adoptan todavía hipótesis excesivamente conservadoras en el dimensionamiento de estos elementos. La propuesta de métodos analíticos y de diseño más adecuados o la modelización con elementos finitos podría conducir a soluciones más racionales, lo que a su vez reduciría las necesidades de material y los costes. Como parte de esta tesis se ha desarrollado una herramienta de cálculo no lineal basada en el método de los elementos finitos orientada al análisis y dimensionamiento de regiones D tridimensionales por usuarios con menos experiencia en la modelización con elementos finitos. Se ha adoptado un modelo ortotrópico para el hormigón para permitir el uso de relaciones uniaxiales de tensión-deformación. Sólo es necesario definir un único parámetro, la resistencia a compresión uniaxial del hormigón. Adicionalmente, se han implementado varias funciones de ayuda, entre las que destacan: un modelo de armadura embebida para facilitar la introducción de geometrías de armado complejas; elementos especiales de apoyo y de carga que permiten un tratamiento integral de las condiciones de contorno; y un algoritmo de diseño para la determinación automática del área de armado necesaria. Se presentan tres ejemplos de aplicación a regiones D 3D representativas para mostrar las capacidades de la herramienta. En concreto, en la tercera parte del documento se describen los análisis de catorce encepados, tres cálices de cimentación y un bloque de anclaje. Los resultados muestran que se pueden obtener predicciones bastante realistas considerando modelos constitutivos relativamente sencillos. También se demuestra la capacidad de la herramienta para configurar modelos de campo de tensiones consistentes dependiendo de la configuración de armado. Además se muestra la capacidad del algoritmo de diseño para configurar disposiciones de armado racionales. En la cuarta parte se propone un método para el análisis y dimensionamiento de encepados sobre cuatro pilotes con geometría rectangular. El método se basa en un modelo 3D de bielas y tirantes refinado y la consideración de tres modos de fallo posibles: rotura del acero, aplastamiento de la biela diagonal en la base de la columna con estrechamiento de la misma y splitting de la biela diagonal debido a la fisuración transversal. La principal novedad es que el ángulo de la biela no se fija como en otros modelos, sino que se determina mediante la maximización de la resistencia del encepado. El método considera el debilitamiento de la resistencia del hormigón fisurado, condiciones de compatibilidad de deformaciones y detalles de armado. Su aplicación a 162 especímenes dio luga
El mètode dels elements finits és una potent eina d'anàlisi que ha facilitat un millor coneixement del comportament de les estructures de formigó armat. El seu ús en l'àmbit de la investigació està àmpliament estès. La seua aplicació en la pràctica enginyeril ha permès la resolució d'elements més complexos. No obstant això, l'enginyer estructural comú encara és reticent a fer servir la modelització per elements finits ja que considera que la majoria d'aquests models són excessivament sofisticats per a les seues necessitats i el seu conèixement. En concret, la complexitat de moltes eines d'elements finits sol derivar-se de l'adopció de models constitutius avançats de formigó. La implementació de models més senzills basats en la pràctica enginyeril podria facilitar el seu ús per a usuaris menys experimentats en la modelització amb elements finits. A la pràctica enginyeril l'anàlisi amb elements finits pot ser de gran utilitat per a tractar aquells elements més problemàtics i/o on l'aplicació dels mètodes d'anàlisi tradicionals presenta limitacions. Això inclou les anomenades regions D amb comportament 3D. El mètode de bieles i tirants i el mètode de camps de tensions són eines racionals per a l'anàlisi i dimensionament de regions D, però la seua extensió a 3D és problemàtica. Aquest fet explica per què s'adopten encara hipòtesis excessivament conservadores en el dimensionament d'aquests elements. La proposta de mètodes analítics i de disseny més adequats o la modelització amb elements finits podria conduir a solucions més racionals, amb el que també es reduirien les necessitats de material i els costos. Com a part d'aquesta tesi s'ha desenvolupat una eina de càlcul no lineal basada en el mètode dels elements finits orientada a l'anàlisi i dimensionament de regions D tridimensionals per a usuaris amb menys experiència en la modelització amb elements finits. S'ha adoptat un model ortotròpic per al formigó per permetre l'ús de relacions uniaxials de tensió-deformació. Només cal definir un únic paràmetre, la resistència a compressió uniaxial del formigó. Addicionalment, s'han implementat diverses funcions d'ajuda, entre les quals destaquen: un model d'armadura embeguda per facilitar la introducció de geometries d'armat complexes; elements especials de suport i de càrrega que permeten un tractament integral i senzill de les condicions de contorn; i un algoritme de disseny per a la determinació automàtica de l'àrea d'armat necessari. Es presenten tres exemples d'aplicació a regions D 3D representatives per mostrar les capacitats de l'eina. En particular, en la tercera part del document es descriuen les anàlisis de catorze enceps sobre quatre pilons, 3 calzes de fonamentació i un bloc d'ancoratge. Els resultats mostren que es poden obtenir prediccions prou realistes considerant models constitutius relativament senzills. També es demostra la capacitat de l'eina per configurar models de camp de tensions consistents depenent de la configuració d'armat. A més es mostra la capacitat de l'algoritme de disseny per configurar disposicions d'armat racionals. En la quarta part es proposa un mètode per a l'anàlisi i dimensionament d'enceps sobre quatre pilons amb geometria rectangular. El mètode es basa en un model 3D de bieles i tirants refinat i la consideració de tres modes de fallada possibles: trencament de l'acer, aixafament de la biela diagonal a la base de la columna amb estrenyiment de la mateixa i splitting de la biela diagonal per causa de la fissuració transversal. La principal novetat és que l'angle de la biela no es fixa com en els models actuals de bieles i tirants, sinó que es determina mitjan\c{c}ant la maximització de la resistència de l'encep. El mètode proposat considera el debilitament de la resistència del formigó fissurat, condicions de compatibilitat de deformacions i detalls d'armat. La seua aplicació a 162 espècimens de la liter
Meléndez Gimeno, C. (2017). A finite element-based approach for the analysis and design of 3D reinforced concrete elements and its applications to D-regions [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/86193
TESIS

This study is one of the first attempts to understand the long-term mechanisms of poverty dynamics at the household level in rural villages in Thailand. It does so by identifying dynamic patterns of poverty and by examining the factors and processes that underlie poverty dynamics in two major rice production regions of Thailand, namely, Khon Kaen province in the Northeast, Thailand's poorest region, and Suphanburi province in the Central plain, one of the richest regions of the country. The study is based on a survey of a panel of 240 households that were originally interviewed in 1988, and followed and interviewed again in 2009 for the purpose of this longitudinal study. The contrast between the survey areas is deliberate and has been useful for comparing economic and social structural changes of rural households across two decades, as well as examining disparities in the opportunities and resources between the two regions. In order to capture the complex and multidimensional nature of poverty, the study combines quantitative and qualitative methods in the analysis of poverty dynamics in Thailand. A quantitative survey analysis was merged with qualitative assessments by using the same sampling frame and then sequentially integrating life history interviews. The results show that both quantitative and qualitative approaches provide similar patterns of poverty transition. Notably, the study has found that the proportions of households moving into and out of poverty were higher than those remaining in chronic poverty, similarly to most experiences of poverty mobility in other developing countries. In addition, the study demonstrates the benefits of using a mixed-method approach for examining the factors underlying poverty dynamics. The study argues that combining these two approaches provides a richer insight of how rural households' economic, social and demographic characteristics have been associated with poverty dynamics. A number of similar factors that influence households' poverty dynamics were identified in both quantitative and qualitative approaches. These include asset factors, demographic factors and employment factors. However, the qualitative approach has provided further insight into additional contextual factors and processes not easily identified by the quantitative approach, notably the impact of ill-health shocks and behavioural factors. Understanding the distinction between the patterns of poverty dynamics and the mechanisms explaining them is of crucial importance for policy interventions. The implications derived from this study of poverty dynamics seek to strengthen poverty reduction efforts in Thailand, as well as to derive useful lessons to other developing countries.

Quantifying carbon emissions of water bodies at regional scale is required as recent studies revealed their contribution in carbon cycling is significant. This demands to scale up water bodies carbon emissions from local to regional scale using as accurate approach as possible. In this study data of carbon (CO2-C) fluxes for 80 sampled lakes were used to scale up to more than 3000 lakes and ponds over the catchment. The most appropriate method for upscaling was the one in which two factors of water body size and location (altitude) were involved and the uncertainties were quantified in an advanced approach (Monte Carlo model). Based on the estimates obtained in this method, the annual carbon emission from all water bodies (~ 500 km2) was about 2900 ton C yr-1 . About 62% of this annual emission was related to the large lake Torneträsk (334 km2) and another 38% to all other lakes and ponds (166 km2). Water bodies in subalpine region dominated (90%) total water bodies area and were the major contributor (97%) to the total carbon emissions of all water bodies. The remaining small contribution (3%) was for water bodies in the alpine region, which contains only 10% of total water bodies area. These data indicate that all water bodies smaller than the large lake Torneträsk especially the ones in the subalpine region have considerable contribution to the annual carbon emission of all water bodies. Considering water body size and altitude factors in the advanced upscaling method was appropriate to obtain accurate estimates.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005.
Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 97 p.; also includes graphics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-97). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

DEVELOPMENT OF GIS BASED TRAJECTORY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS METHOD TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF REGIONAL AIR POLLUTION Yikmaz, Riza Fikret M.Sc., Department of Geodetic and Geographic Information Technologies Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Gü
rdal Tuncel Co-supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zuhal Akyü
rek May 2010, 186 pages Apportionment of source regions affecting a certain receptor in the regional scale is necessary information for air quality management and development of national policy for exchange of air pollutants with other countries. Source region apportionment can be studied either through numerical modeling or by using trajectory statistics that is a hybrid methodology of modeling and measurements. Each of these approaches has their advantages and disadvantages. In this study treatment of back-trajectory segments in Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF), which is one of the tools used in trajectory statistics will be investigated, to increase the reliability of the apportionment process. In the current method run in GIS, especially two parameters gains importance. One is that the vertical locations of trajectory segments are not taken into account at present. In this study, how the evaluation of the segments in 3-D instead of 2-D could improve the results will be assessed. The other parameter that is rainfall at each segment will be included in the PSCF calculations and its effects on the spatial distribution of PSCF values will be evaluated. A user interface in Geographical Information System (GIS) will be developed for effective use of improved methodology.

This thesis describes the development of a novel thermal desalination process based on the vapour transfer processes occurring in a water-filled bubble column. A strong focus on facilitating the involvement of local people and on promoting local capacity building by utilising simple technologies steers the research towards thermal desalination. The problem is addressed by first identifying alternative and previously unused water sources that can be utilised for sustainable water provision in remote places. The experimental analysis of a new desalination concept that combines a bubble column evaporator with a simple passive flatplate copper condenser is then provided. A comprehensive condenser assessment under a range of different physical conditions that examine the effects of external water cooling, partial insulation and aspects of air circulation on condenser performance is presented. Subsequently, for the purpose of mitigating high bubble column vapour temperatures without risking greenhouse plant survival in a prospective Bubble-Greenhouse, an alternative set of cooling and pre-condensing devices is assessed. Based on the findings, a conceptual Bubble-Greenhouse design that promotes a holistic sustainable approach to combined water provision and community development is then described. A prototype bubble evaporator is quantitatively and qualitatively assessed for the consistency of its performance and demonstrates a steady evaporation rate. The resulting data provides the basis for extrapolation of bubble evaporator capacity, both for relatively small standalone systems and for significantly up-scaled components that would operate in a Bubble-Greenhouse. In passive mode, condensate recovery rates of around 73% are achieved without the need for external cooling. Estimated by extrapolation, a standalone bubble desalination system with a 1m2 condenser may produce around 19 litres of distilled water per day. The common feature of the alternative set of cooling and pre-condensing devices is that they are easy to manufacture, of low energy demand and low investment cost and technically and operationally appropriate for local people in remote places. Under laboratory conditions, the passive copper tube concepts achieve water recovery rates of between 65-75% and the air cooled bubble condenser columns achieve condensate recovery rates of at least 50%. However, it emerges that a well designed latent heat recovery system is required to keep the energy demand of a thermal desalination system within acceptable limits, both technically and financially. Although the stacked evaporator-condenser bubble column array cannot demonstrate a significant cooling and condensing advantage over the flat-plate condenser, the concept facilitates the implementation of a heat recovery cycle. This attribute ultimately leads to the multistage evaporator-condenser module concept with an effective latent heat recovery system that is integrated into the horizontally stacked chambers, a key element of the Bubble- Greenhouse technology. The greenhouse desalination system is designed with a water production capacity of 8m3 per day. Due to the strongly reduced water demand of plants inside a humidified greenhouse, only a fraction is required for irrigation and the bulk of water is intended for human consumption. This study aims to contribute to the field of water service provision in remote communities, particularly by improving some of the shortcomings of conventional high-tech water treatment technologies that often fail in these situations. A comprehensive discussion posits the Bubble-Greenhouse concept in the context of these remote community water provision shortcomings and highlights how the proposed new treatment method aims to alleviate these. Consequently, the findings presented here may help to inform the essential transition from externally-led water service provision towards a self-determined community operated service, recommendations for future research and recommendations for implementation of a Bubble- Greenhouse field trial conclude the thesis.

O dimensionamento de Regiões D (regiões em que não é aplicável a Hipótese de Bernoulli), embora amplamente estudado e discutido, é um tópico ainda em desenvolvimento e com normatização relativamente escassa. Os métodos mais comumente empregados são o Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF) e o Método de Bielas e Tirantes (MBT). A dissertação expõe a base teórica e a metodologia dos dois métodos no dimensionamento de estruturas de concreto armado ao Estado Limite Último e aborda a utilização da otimização, em especial da otimização topológica, na definição dos modelos para o MBT. Metodologias para a aplicação dos dois métodos são propostas e aplicadas a exemplos práticos de Regiões D com recomendações normativas específicas para seu dimensionamento (consolo e viga parede biapoiada) e também a uma viga parede de geometria complexa, os resultados através de diferentes técnicas de dimensionamento são comparados e discutidos, assim como a utilização da otimização como meio de obtenção de modelos.
The design of D-Regions (Regions where the Bernoulli hypothesis is not valid), although widely studied and discussed, is a topic still under development and with relatively little standardization, especially in Brazil. The most commonly used methods are the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Strut-And-Tie Method (STM). The theoretical basis and methodology of both methods in the design of reinforced concrete structures are presented as well as the use of optimization, especially topology optimization, in the definition of STM models. Procedures are proposed for both methods and applied to practical examples of D-Regions with specific recommendations for its design (Corbel and Deep Beam) as well as a deep beam with complex geometry, the results using the different design methods are compared and discussed as well as the use of optimization as a means of obtaining STM models.

O principal objetivo dessa pesquisa foi realizar uma análise socioespacial da rede escolar de educação básica de Porto Alegre e suas condições de acessibilidade com relação à população em faixa etária estudantil do Município, identificando-se as áreas com melhor potencial para a implantação de novas escolas. A elaboração da metodologia da presente pesquisa baseou-se nas metas e estratégias estabelecidas pelo Plano Nacional de Educação (2014 – 2024), sendo utilizadas as seguintes informações na análise socioespacial: dados do Censo do IBGE de 2010 (população em faixa etária estudantil e renda); dados do Censo Escolar de 2010 e 2015 (matrículas); malha digital dos setores censitários; shape atualizado da mancha urbana de Porto Alegre; localização dos equipamentos de ensino. Os dados foram integrados em ambiente SIG, através do software Arcgis, para a geração de mapas temáticos, e organizados no Excel, para a geração de tabelas. Esses dados foram organizados em duas escalas de análise, a fim de se investigar as condições de atendimento da rede escolar de Porto Alegre. Na primeira escala de análise considerou-se o Município e as suas 17 Regiões do Orçamento Participativo (ROPs), sendo selecionadas duas regiões prioritárias para a instalação de novos equipamentos de ensino Na segunda etapa da análise foi considerada apenas uma região prioritária para a instalação de creches e outra região para a instalação de pré-escolas. O ensino fundamental não foi considerado nesta segunda etapa, tendo em vista que se encontra universalizado em Porto Alegre. Sendo assim, essas duas regiões foram mapeadas em um maior nível de detalhamento através do método dasimétrico. Nesse mapeamento foram considerados os pontos com as localizações dos equipamentos de ensino e os seus raios de recrutamento, a fim de se identificar as áreas mais distantes desses equipamentos nas regiões. Dessa forma, nas duas regiões em conjunto foram identificadas um total de quatro áreas prioritárias para a instalação de equipamentos de educação infantil. Em síntese, conclui-se que a carência de investimentos no ensino público está ocasionando o aumento das desigualdades sociais em um nível intraurbano em Porto Alegre. Essas desigualdades estão se ampliando tanto entre as diferentes regiões do Município, como no interior delas. Nesse sentido, deve haver um avanço na discussão de políticas públicas educacionais com vistas a regular o avanço do ensino privado e a fomentar a ampliação do acesso ao ensino público nas periferias do Município, a fim de minimizar as desigualdades socioespaciais em Porto Alegre.
The main objective of this research was to perform a socio-spatial analysis of the school system of basic education network in Porto Alegre and its accessibility conditions in relation to the population in student age range of the Municipality, identifying the areas with the best potential for the implantation of new schools. The elaboration of the methodology of the present research was based on the goals and strategies established by the National Education Plan (2014-2024), using the following information in the socio-spatial analysis: data from demografic Census 2010 (population in student age range and income ); data from School Census 2010 and 2015 (enrollment); digital mesh of the census tracts; shape of urbanization of Porto Alegre; location of teaching equipments. The data were integrated in GIS environment, through the software Arcgis, for the generation of thematic maps, and organized in Excel, for the generation of tables. These data were organized in two scales of analysis, in order to investigate the conditions of service of the school network of Porto Alegre. The first scale of analysis was considered the Municipality and its 17 Participatory Budget Regions, with only two priority regions being selected for the installation of new teaching equipment. In the second stage of the analysis, only one priority region was considered for the installation of day care centers and another region for the installation of pre-schools Elementary education was not considered in this second stage, considering that it is universalized in Porto Alegre. Thus, these two regions were mapped in a higher level of detail through the dasimetric method. The points with the locations of teaching equipment and their radius of recruitment were also considered in order to map the most distant areas of such equipment in the regions. Therefore, in the two regions together a total of four priority areas for the installation of infantile education equipment were mapped. In summary, it is concluded that the lack of public investments in education is leading to an increase in social inequalities at an intra-urban level in Porto Alegre. These inequalities are widening both between the different regions of the Municipality and within them. Accordingly, there must be a progress in the discussion of public educational policies aimed at regulating the advance of private education and fostering the expansion of access to public education in the peripheries of the Municipality, in order to minimize socio-spatial inequalities in Porto Alegre.

My thesis deals with the system of support of the regional level in the context of the contemporary concept of regional policy, which accents the component of the competitive ability. The target of my thesis is to show on the connection between the implemented support of tourism development and the competitive ability of a region in the form of the case study for two selected Czech regions. To the achieving of the target is used the method of comparison of two analysed regional politics subjects and also modified the method of economics n--angle. This method researches the procedural level of the selected criteria for the selected regions during a period of time. The result of this analysis is the comparison of the competitive ability and the evaluation of the regions using graphic presentation with the average of the Czech Republic.

A genética forense tem grande importância na geração de provas em casos de violência sexual, paternidade criminal, identificação de cadáveres e investigação de evidências de locais de crime. A análise de STRs apresenta grande poder de discriminação, mas é uma metodologia multi-etapas, trabalhosa, cara e em muitos casos a análise genética é prejudicada pela baixa quantidade e qualidade das evidências coletadas. Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e caracterizar uma metodologia de triagem de amostras forenses através da análise de perfis de dissociação em alta resolução (HRM) de regiões do DNA mitocondrial, o qual está presente em maior número de cópias e mais resistente a degradação. Para tanto, foram extraídos DNAs de 68 doadores. Estas amostras foram sequenciadas e analisadas por HRM para sete alvos no DNA mitocondrial. Também foram realizados ensaios para determinar a influência do método de extração, da concentração e nível de degradação do DNA no perfil de HRM obtido para uma amostra. Os resultados demonstraram a capacidade da técnica de excluir indivíduos com sequências diferentes da referência comparativa em cinco regiões amplificadas. Podem ser analisadas em conjunto, amostras de DNA com variação de concentração de até a ordem de 100 vezes e extraídas por diferentes metodologias. Condições de degradação de material genético não prejudicaram a obtenção de perfis de dissociação em alta resolução. A sensibilidade da técnica foi aprimorada com a análise de produtos de amplificação de tamanho reduzido. A fim de otimizar o ensaio foi testada a análise de HRM em reações de PCR duplex. Um dos pares de amplificação forneceu perfis de HRM compatíveis com resultados obtidos de reações com amplificação de apenas um dos alvos. Através da análise conjunta das cinco regiões, esta metodologia visa a identificação de indivíduos não relacionados com as referências comparativas, diminuindo o número de amostras a serem analisadas por STRs, reduzindo gastos e aumentando a eficiência da rotina de laboratórios de genética forense.
The forensic genetics has an important role in the generation of evidence in cases of sexual assault, criminal paternity, identification of corpses and crime scenes investigation. The analysis of STRs has great power of discrimination, but it is a multi-stage methodology, complex, expensive and in many cases the genetic analysis is hampered by the low quantity and quality of evidence collected. This study aimed to develop and characterize a forensic samples screening methodology to examine high resolution melting profiles (HRM) of regions of the mitochondrial DNA, which is present in more copies and more resistant to degradation. Thus, we extracted DNA from 68 donors. These samples were sequenced and analyzed by HRM to seven mitochondrial DNA targets. Tests were also conducted to determine the influence of extraction method, concentration and DNA degradation level of HRM profile obtained for a sample. The results demonstrated the technical ability to exclude individuals with different sequences of comparative reference amplified in five regions. Can be analyzed together samples with varying concentration to the order of 100 times and extracted by different methods. Genetic material degradation conditions did not prevent obtaining high resolution melting profiles. The sensitivity of the technique was improved with the analysis of reduced size amplification products. In order to optimize the assay HRM analysis was tested in duplex PCR reactions. A pair of amplification provided HRM profiles consistent with results from amplification in reactions with only one of the targets. Through the joint analysis of the five regions, this approach aims to identify individuals not related to comparative references, reducing the number of samples to be analyzed by STRs, reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of the routine of forensic genetics laboratories.

In this thesis, we investigate methods of finding a local minimum for unconstrained problems of non-convex functions with n variables, by following the solution curve of a system of ordinary differential equations. The motivation for this was the fact that existing methods (e.g. those based on Newton methods with line search) sometimes terminate at a non-stationary point when applied to functions f(x) that do not a have positive-definite Hessian (i.e. ∇²f → 0) for all x. Even when methods terminate at a stationary point it could be a saddle or maximum rather than a minimum. The only method which makes intuitive sense in non-convex region is the trust region approach where we seek a step which minimises a quadratic model subject to a restriction on the two-norm of the step size. This gives a well-defined search direction but at the expense of a costly evaluation. The algorithms derived in this thesis are gradient based methods which require systems of equations to be solved at each step but which do not use a line search in the usual sense. Progress along the Continuous Steepest Descent Path (CSDP) is governed both by the decrease in the function value and measures of accuracy of a local quadratic model. Numerical results on specially constructed test problems and a number of standard test problems from CUTEr [38] show that the approaches we have considered are more promising when compared with routines in the optimization tool box of MATLAB [46], namely the trust region method and the quasi-Newton method. In particular, they perform well in comparison with the, superficially similar, gradient-flow method proposed by Behrman [7].

The main topic of this master thesis is to analyze the development of (un)employment rate at Czech labour market between the years 1998 -- 2011 with the major focus on period after the impacts of economic crisis. Another goal of this essay is to evaluate and analyze the impact of the economic crisis on various labor market indicators together with sensitivity of each gender on the performance of the Czech economy. Theoretical part of essay will explain the basic concepts through the literature. The analysis will focus on comparing and evaluating the development of unemployment rates in selected regions and unemployment by gender. The method used is a comparative analysis of development of regional and gender unemployment which will be then interpreted with time series and geometrical interpretation. Theoretical foundations are confronted with the results of analytic work which enables to provide a comprehensive evaluation.

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; and, Thesis (B.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1998.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-63).
by Kuniaki Takahashi.
B.S.
M.Eng.

Promoter classification is the task of separating promoter from non promoter sequences. Determining promoter regions where the transcription initiation takes place is important for several reasons such as improving genome annotation and defining transcription start sites. In this study, various promoter prediction methods called ProK-means, ProSVM, and 3S1C are proposed. In ProSVM and ProK-means algorithms, structural features of DNA sequences are used to distinguish promoters from non promoters. Obtained results are compared with ProSOM which is an existing promoter prediction method. It is shown that ProSVM is able to achieve greater recall rate compared to ProSOM results. Another promoter prediction methods proposed in this study is 3S1C. The difference of the proposed technique from existing methods is using signal, similarity, structure, and context features of DNA sequences in an integrated way and a hierarchical manner. In addition to current methods related to promoter classification, the similarity feature, which compares the promoter regions between human and other species, is added to the proposed system. We show that the similarity feature improves the accuracy. To classify core promoter regions, firstly, signal, similarity, structure, and context features are extracted and then, these features are classified separately by using Support Vector Machines. Finally, output predictions are combined using multilayer perceptron. The result of 3S1C algorithm is very promising.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Keywords: Periodic Solutions, Under-Determined Systems, Continuation, Nonlinear Eigenvalue, Inexact Newton Methods, Newton's Method, Trust Region Methods Includes bibliographical references (p.93-95).

Meshless methods provide a highly continuous approximation field, convenient for thin structures like shells. Nevertheless, the lack of Kronecker Delta property makes the formulation of essential boundary conditions not straightforward, as the trial and test fields cannot be tailored to boundary values. Similar problem arise when different approximation regions must be joined, in a multi-region problem, such as kinks, folds or joints. This work presents three approaches to impose both kinematic conditions: the well known Lagrange Multiplier method, used since the beginning of the Element Free Galerkin method; a pure penalty approach; and the recently rediscovered alternative of Nitsche\'s Method. We use the EFG discretization technique for thick Reissner-Mindlin shells and adapt the weak form as to separate displacement and rotational degrees of freedom and obtain suitable and separate stabilization parameters. This approach enables the modeling of discontinuous shells and local refinement on multi-region problems.
Métodos sem malha geram campos de aproximação com alta continuidade, convenientes para estruturas finas como cascas. No entanto, a ausência da propriedade de Delta de Kronecker dificulta a formulação de condições essenciais de contorno, já que os campos de aproximação e teste não podem ser moldados aos valores de contorno. Um problema similar aparece quando diferentes regiões de aproximação precisam ser juntadas em um problema multi-regiões como dobras, vincos ou junções. Este trabalho apresenta três métodos de imposição ambas condições cinemáticas: o já conhecido método dos multiplicadores de Lagrange, usado desde o começo do método de Galekin sem elementos (EFG); uma abordagem de penalidade pura; e o recentemente redescoberto método de Nitsche. Nós usamos a técnica de discretização com EFG para cascas espessas de Reissner-Mindlin e adaptamos a forma fraca de forma a separar graus de liberdade de deslocamento e rotação e obter coeficientes de estabilização diferentes e apropriados. Essa abordagem permite a modelagem de cascas discontínuas e o refinamento local em problemas multi-regiões.

La réactivité totale OH est la perte totale du radical hydroxyle (le principal oxydant de l'atmosphère) avec les gaz réactifs dans l'air ambiant. Elle représente la mesure de la quantité totale des réactifs dans un environnement donné.Nous présentons ici un travail expérimental se concentrant sur les améliorations techniques d'une méthode appelée "Comparative Reactivity Method" pour mesurer la réactivité OH su le terrain ainsi que sur des résultats obtenus sur deux sites ciblés dans le bassin méditerranéen.La réactivité OH mesurée était élevée dans les deux sites. Sur le site récepteur en Corse (France) au cours de l'été 2013, nous avons observé que la réactivité OH était en moyenne de 5,5 s-1 (avec un maximum de 17 s-1). Ces mesures ont été comparées avec les observations de composés en phase gazeuse réalisées pendant la campagne. Il a été noté que pendant une période de la campagne, seulement 50% de la réactvité était expliqué par les mesures complémentaires.Lors de mesures dans une forêt de chênes pubescents, émetteurs isoprène, dans le sud de la France, nous avons observé que la réactivité OH maximale était très élevée (69 s-1), en accord avec la réactivité calculée à partir des mesures des gaz réactifs.Ce travail de thèse met en évidence que: (i) le bassin méditerranéen est un fort émetteur de gaz réactifs, (ii) la réactivité mesurée dans ces deux sites de la Méditerranée a été fortement impactée par les émissions biogéniques, (iii) il reste encore beaucoup de composés inconnus associés aux émissions biogéniques primaires et secondaires. A l'avenir, plusieurs approches pourraient etre utilisées pour identifier ces composés inconnus: en couplant la mesure de la réactivité OH avec des mesures de plantes dans des enceintes fermées (composés primaires), études en chambre de vieillissement (composés primaires et secondaires), ainsi que des approches de modélisation
The total OH reactivity is the total loss rate of the hydroxyl radical with the reactive gases in ambient air. It represents the measure of the total loading of reactants in a given environment.Here we present an experimental work focusing on the technical improvements of the Comparative Reactivity Method to measure the OH reactivity on the field and field measurements of OH reactivity at two targeted sites in the Mediterranean basin.The measured OH reactivity was high at both sites. At a receptor site in Corsica (France) during summer 2013, we observed that the OH reactivity was maximum 17 s-1, on average 5.5 s-1 and during one week only 50% was explained by the complementary measurements in the gas phase.At a forest of downy oak trees, high isoprene emitters, in the south of France, we observed that the OH reactivity was maximum 69 s-1, in agreement with the reactivity calculated from the measurements of reactive gases only during daytime.This thesis work highlights that: (i) the Mediterranean basin is a strong emitter of reactive gases, (ii) the reactivity measured in these two sites in the Mediterranean was strongly impacted by the biogenic emissions, (iii) there are still many unknowns associated to measures of biogenic volatiles primary emitted and secondary produced. Such unknowns might be reduced in the future by coupling the measurement of the OH reactivity with plants enclosures and chambers studies as well as modelling approaches

A method is described for implementing group selection regeneration in Appalachian hardwoods. The diverse set of definitions of the method, and the current forest demands are combined to form a flexible system of implementation that can accommodate public as well as private forests. Group selection is used where an unevenâ aged silvicultural system is required and multiple objectives demanded. Several types of information are collected in a sample of the forest and then used to make the selection decision of which groups of trees to remove, and which groups to leave.

Master of Science

Context. In computer graphics, realistic looking fluid is often desired. Simulating realistic fluids is a time consuming and computationally expensive task, therefore, much research has been devoted to reducing the simulation time while maintaining the realism. Two of the more recent optimization algorithms within particle based simulations are two-scale simulation and regional time stepping (RTS). Both of them are based on the predictive-corrective incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (PCISPH) algorithm. Objectives. These algorithms improve on two separate aspects of PCISPH, two-scale simulation reduces the number of particles and RTS focuses computational power on regions of the fluid where it is most needed. In this paper we have developed and investigated the performance of an algorithm combining them, utilizing both optimizations. Methods. We implemented both of the base algorithms, as well as PCISPH, before combining them. Therefore we had equal conditions for all algorithms when we performed our experiments, which consisted of measuring the time it took to run each algorithm in three different scene configurations. Results. Results showed that our combined algorithm on average was faster than the other three algorithms. However, our implementation of two-scale simulation gave results inconsistent with the original paper, showing a slower time than even PCISPH. This invalidates the results for our combined algorithm since it utilizes the same implementation. Conclusions. We see that our combined algorithm has potential to speed up fluid simulations, but since the two-scale implementation was incorrect, our results are inconclusive.

Bakgrund: Den psykosociala arbetsmiljön är viktig för individen. Att skapa arbetsplatser med en tillfredsställande arbetsmiljö är både svårt och utmanande, men med kunskap och utbildad personal kan det skapas goda arbetsmiljöer och främja hälsan hos personalen. Syftet: Var att beskriva och jämföra hur ambulanspersonalen skattade sin psykosociala arbetsmiljö samt om det fanns skillnad i skattning mellan män och kvinnor inom ett verksamhetsområde i en region inom hälso-och sjukvården. Metod: En beskrivande och jämförande studie med kvantitativ ansats. Huvudresultat: Resultatet visade att faktorerna arbetskrav, låg kontroll i arbete, rollförväntningar, förutsägbarget i arbetet, social interaktion, ledarskap, kommunikation, organisationskultur/klimat, grupparbete, skicklighet i arbetet, arbetets centralitet och interaktion mellan arbete och privatliv/stress innefattade den påverkade psykosociala arbetsmiljön. Det fanns inga signifikanta skillnader mellan män och kvinnor av de beskrivna områdena arbetsnivå, social och organisationsnivå samt individnivå. Slutsatser: Distriktsjuksköterskans preventiva arbete kan förse arbetsplatser med hälsofrämjande kunskap angående den psykosociala arbetsmiljön. Att uppmärksamma och bibehålla faktorer på arbetsplatsen som gör den till en god och hälsosam arbetsplats är viktigt. Känslan av att känna ett sammanhang är betydelsefullt för både individen och gruppen.
Background: The psychosocial work environment is important for the individual. Creating workplaces with a satisfactory working environment is both difficult and challenging, but with knowledge and trained staff good working environments can be created and health promotion for the staff. Aim: To describe and compare how ambulance staff estimated their psychosocial work environment and whether there was a difference in estimation between men and women within an operation area in a healthcare region. Method: A descriptive and comparative study with quantitative approach. Main results: The result showed that factors such as work demands, control at work, role expectations, predictability, social interactions, leadership, communication, organization culture/climate, group work and skills at work, centrality of work, interactions between work and private life/stress were factors that included the affected psychosocial work environment. There were no significant differences between men and women in the described areas of work level, social and organizational level and individual level.    Conclusion: The district nurse´s preventive work can provide workplaces with health promotion knowledge regarding the psychosocial work environment. Attention and maintaining factors in the workplace that make it a good healthy workplace is important. The feeling of feeling a context is important for both individual and group.

The diploma thesis is focused on defining the peripheral regions in the Czech Republic. This topic is still very actual, both nationally, and internationally. Study of definition of unexposed regions is a part of comprehensive research of the territory polarization. Concern about this question was intensifying during the nineties. This time was characterized by growing differentiation between regions. This evoked interest about rise and progress of periphery. The theoretical part consists of important concepts, major theoretical approaches, policies and principles, which define the periphery of concern. Also development of interest in the Czech Republic is described as well as situation in foreign countries and time comparison. Practical knowledge of methods in the Czech Republic are summarized in conclusion of the thesis.

The central induction TEM and CSAMT strengths and weaknesses were analyzed at the San Xavier geophysical test site. TEM results indicate that the depth of investigation of the TEM sounding data is limited by the noise level. CSAMT data are contaminated by static shift effects due to shallow geological inhomogeneities or topography. CSAMT data are also contaminated by the transmitter overprint which depends on the geology beneath the transmitter dipole and the receiving stations. In the Miami Wash-Pinal Creek area of Arizona, where the groundwater contamination was to be studied by electrical methods, the complex resistivity method was first used. Results in the Miami Wash-Pinal Creek area show a trend which consists of a high-low-high trend in the resistivity/I.P. curves for soundings located in the contaminated zone and of an increase of the I.P. curve in the uncontaminated zone.

Small region sustainability is an extremely important part of the journey to sustainability of the global population, as the most difference can be made at this spatial level through decision making and community choice. However, small regions have not been the focus of sustainability literature. Therefore, this thesis develops theory to explain what small region sustainability involves and tested the applicability of current sustainability assessment methods to find an effective tool for the journey to sustainability that can be used for social learning, decision making, policy development, research and monitoring of sustainability in small regions. It was found through the development of a model of sustainable carrying capacity and the major pressures of human activities on the environment, that sustainability for small regions means living equitably with the impacts of human activities in the region within the limits of its ecosystems. This thesis also found that none of the current sustainability methods tested were effective or useful as a tool for small regions. Therefore, a new sustainability assessment method was developed, the Sustainable Carrying Capacity Assessment (SCCA), which assesses the equitability and size of the major pressures that the human activities are causing and determines if this pressure exceeds the sustainable carrying capacity of the region, and thus, the sustainability of the population. Thus, for small regions to become sustainable, they must live equitably within the sustainable carrying capacity of the region's ecosystems, and a tool that can help them achieve this is the SCCA. By raising social awareness, guiding policy development and decision making this method can help guide small regions, and other spatial levels on their journey to sustainability. Therefore, it is recommended that Local Government Areas, Regional Organisation of Councils, schools, local community groups and anyone who wants to learn more about sustainability use this method. This thesis, therefore, makes a significant contribution to the field of sustainability.

Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) plays a key role in a number of biological applications: assessment of temporal trends in distribution, environmental impact assessment and spatial conservation planning. From a statistical perspective, this thesis develops two methods for increasing the accuracy and reliability of maps of density surfaces and provides a solution to the problem of how to collate multiple density maps of the same region, obtained from differing sources. From a biological perspective, these statistical methods are used to analyse two marine mammal datasets to produce accurate maps for use in spatial conservation planning and temporal trend assessment. The first new method, Complex Region Spatial Smoother [CReSS; Scott-Hayward et al., 2013], improves smoothing in areas where the real distance an animal must travel (`as the animal swims') between two points may be greater than the straight line distance between them, a problem that occurs in complex domains with coastline or islands. CReSS uses estimates of the geodesic distance between points, model averaging and local radial smoothing. Simulation is used to compare its performance with other traditional and recently-developed smoothing techniques: Thin Plate Splines (TPS, Harder and Desmarais [1972]), Geodesic Low rank TPS (GLTPS; Wang and Ranalli [2007]) and the Soap lm smoother (SOAP; Wood et al. [2008]). GLTPS cannot be used in areas with islands and SOAP can be very hard to parametrise. CReSS outperforms all of the other methods on a range of simulations, based on their fit to the underlying function as measured by mean squared error, particularly for sparse data sets. Smoothing functions need to be flexible when they are used to model density surfaces that are highly heterogeneous, in order to avoid biases due to under- or over-fitting. This issue was addressed using an adaptation of a Spatially Adaptive Local Smoothing Algorithm (SALSA, Walker et al. [2010]) in combination with the CReSS method (CReSS-SALSA2D). Unlike traditional methods, such as Generalised Additive Modelling, the adaptive knot selection approach used in SALSA2D naturally accommodates local changes in the smoothness of the density surface that is being modelled. At the time of writing, there are no other methods available to deal with this issue in topographically complex regions. Simulation results show that CReSS-SALSA2D performs better than CReSS (based on MSE scores), except at very high noise levels where there is an issue with over-fitting. There is an increasing need for a facility to combine multiple density surface maps of individual species in order to make best use of meta-databases, to maintain existing maps, and to extend their geographical coverage. This thesis develops a framework and methods for combining species distribution maps as new information becomes available. The methods use Bayes Theorem to combine density surfaces, taking account of the levels of precision associated with the different sets of estimates, and kernel smoothing to alleviate artefacts that may be created where pairs of surfaces join. The methods were used as part of an algorithm (the Dynamic Cetacean Abundance Predictor) designed for BAE Systems to aid in risk mitigation for naval exercises. Two case studies show the capabilities of CReSS and CReSS-SALSA2D when applied to real ecological data. In the first case study, CReSS was used in a Generalised Estimating Equation framework to identify a candidate Marine Protected Area for the Southern Resident Killer Whale population to the south of San Juan Island, off the Pacific coast of the United States. In the second case study, changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of harbour porpoise and minke whale in north-western European waters over a period of 17 years (1994-2010) were modelled. CReSS and CReSS-SALSA2D performed well in a large, topographically complex study area. Based on simulation results, maps produced using these methods are more accurate than if a traditional GAM-based method is used. The resulting maps identified particularly high densities of both harbour porpoise and minke whale in an area off the west coast of Scotland in 2010, that might be a candidate for inclusion into the Scottish network of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas.

This thesis focuses on multilocus methods designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with disease using case-control data. I study multilocus methods that allow for interaction in the regression model because epistasis is thought to be pervasive in the etiology of common human diseases. In contrast, the single-SNP models widely used in genome wide association studies (GWAS) are thought to oversimplify the underlying biology. I consider both pairwise interactions between individual SNPs and modular interactions between sets of biologically similar SNPs. Modular epistasis may be more representative of disease processes and its incorporation into regression analyses yields more parsimonious models. My methodological work focuses on strategies to increase power to detect susceptibility SNPs in the presence of genetic interaction. I emphasize the effect of gene-gene independence constraints and explore methods to relax them. I review several existing methods for interaction analyses and present their first empirical evaluation in a GWAS setting. I introduce the innovative retrospective Tukey score test (RTS) that investigates modular epistasis. Simulation studies suggest it offers a more powerful alternative to existing methods. I present diverse applications of these methods, using data from a multi-stage GWAS on prostate cancer (PRCA). My applied work is designed to generate hypotheses about the functionality of established susceptibility regions for PRCA by identifying SNPs that affect disease risk through interactions with them. Comparison of results across methods illustrates the impact of incorporating different forms of epistasis on inference about disease association. The top findings from these analyses are well supported by molecular studies. The results unite several susceptibility regions through overlapping biological pathways known to be disrupted in PRCA, motivating replication study.

Small region sustainability is an extremely important part of the journey to sustainability of the global population, as the most difference can be made at this spatial level through decision making and community choice. However, small regions have not been the focus of sustainability literature. Therefore, this thesis develops theory to explain what small region sustainability involves and tested the applicability of current sustainability assessment methods to find an effective tool for the journey to sustainability that can be used for social learning, decision making, policy development, research and monitoring of sustainability in small regions. It was found through the development of a model of sustainable carrying capacity and the major pressures of human activities on the environment, that sustainability for small regions means living equitably with the impacts of human activities in the region within the limits of its ecosystems. This thesis also found that none of the current sustainability methods tested were effective or useful as a tool for small regions. Therefore, a new sustainability assessment method was developed, the Sustainable Carrying Capacity Assessment (SCCA), which assesses the equitability and size of the major pressures that the human activities are causing and determines if this pressure exceeds the sustainable carrying capacity of the region, and thus, the sustainability of the population. Thus, for small regions to become sustainable, they must live equitably within the sustainable carrying capacity of the region's ecosystems, and a tool that can help them achieve this is the SCCA. By raising social awareness, guiding policy development and decision making this method can help guide small regions, and other spatial levels on their journey to sustainability. Therefore, it is recommended that Local Government Areas, Regional Organisation of Councils, schools, local community groups and anyone who wants to learn more about sustainability use this method. This thesis, therefore, makes a significant contribution to the field of sustainability.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Australian School of Environmental Studies
Full Text

2010 - 2011
The objective of this thesis is the study of slow deformation of the soil as a result of intrusion of magma inside the magmatic chambers of some volcanoes located in Southern Italy. In particular, the Mt. Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei caldera have been monitored over the last 7 years. The research has been accomplished through the use of geodetic instrumentation (long baseline tiltmeters, Sacks-Evertson dilatometers) that has been installed during the entire period of the research near the aforementioned volcanoes. The data were recorded with the aid of data-logger, some of which are specifically designed for the current research. Campi Flegrei and Mt. Vesuvius are two volcanoes located near Naples, already monitored by Osservatorio Vesuviano, the local office of INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia). In the last 40 years systematic recordings of seismic data, of changes in distance of milestones, of leveling lines, of local gravimetric anomalies and of GPS-InSAR data have been carried out. Starting from 2004, the monitoring network maintained by Osservatorio Vesuviano has been enriched by the DINEV project: this is intended as a complementary network of geodetic stations and consists in the installation of a small array of 6 borehole stations (with an average depth of 120 m), each of which is constituted by a three components borehole broadband seismometer Teledyne Geotech KS2000BH and a Sacks-Evertson areal strainmeter (dilatometer). In addition, two three components surface broadband seismometers Guralp CMG 3-ESP have been installed to control the anthropogenic surface noise. In Campi Flegrei caldera, then, another array of instruments has been installed: two long baseline water tiltmeters have been installed in Italian Army abandoned tunnels. The total length of tiltmeters is about 350 m for the northernmost tunnel, and of about 150 m for the southernmost tunnel. Tiltmeters were installed, respectively, in axial and tangential direction in respect with the position of the Campi Flegrei magmatic chamber. The use of the instruments described in the current report allows to model the strain field in the range of low frequencies, monitoring the deformation tensor for its non-diagonal components (pure tilt) by using the tiltmeters, and the diagonal components (pure deformation) by using the dilatometers. The monitoring is occurred for a time range of some years in length, needed to remove the seasonal drifts due to changes in rainfalls, while the deformation due to changes in barometric pressure have been deleted using linear regression techniques. [edited by author]
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