DESERT PALMS is a contemporary women’s novel set in an Arizona RV park. When Miamians Margie Campos and her husband, Carlos, unexpectantly inherit Desert Palms, a rundown retirement community, Margie reluctantly agrees to stay in Arizona to overhaul the park. With the discovery of a secret letter that threatens to unravel the family, an unscrupulous broker determined to buy the park on the cheap, and a husband bent on hitting it big, Margie digs in and starts to find purpose amidst a desert microcosm. Told from Margie’s perspective in a closely attached third person, DESERT PALMS is a realistic and humorous narrative that falls somewhere between the style of Liane Moriarty in, “The Husband’s Secret” and Anne Tyler in her novel, “Back When We Were Grownups.” DESERT PALMS offers an offbeat cast of central characters who help Margie gain a deeper understanding of herself and what makes life worth living.

Because of the harsh climate of Saudi Arabia, residential buildings on average, consume more than half of the total consumed energy. A substantial share of energy goes to the air-conditioning of buildings. Cooling buildings during summer is a major environmental problem in many Middle Eastern countries, especially since the electricity is highly dependent on fossil fuels. The aim of this study is to obtain a clearer picture of how various measures on the building envelope affects the buildings energy consumption, which can be used as a tool to save energy for buildings in the Middle East. In this study, different energy efficiency measures are evaluated using energy simulations in IDA ICE 4.7 to investigate how much energy can be saved by modifying the building envelope. A two-storey residential building with 247 m2 floor area is used for the simulations. The measures considered are; modifications of the external walls, modification of the roof, window type, window area/distribution, modification of the foundation, shading, exterior surface colour, infiltration rate and thermal bridges. All measures are compared against a base case where the building envelope is set to resemble a typical Saudi Arabian residential. First, all measures are investigated one by one. Thereafter, combinations of the measures are investigated, based on the results from single measure simulations. All simulations are carried out for two cities in Saudi Arabia, both with arid desert climate. Riyadh (midlands) with moderately cold winters and Jeddah (west coast) with mild winter. The results from simulations of single measures show the highest energy savings when changing the window type from single clear glass to double glass with reflective surface saving 27 % energy (heating & cooling) in Riyadh and 21 % in Jeddah. Adding insulation to an uninsulated roof saved up to 23 % and 21 % energy for Riyadh respectively Jeddah. Improvements of the thermal resistance of the exterior walls show 21 % energy savings in Riyadh and only 11 % in Jeddah. Lowering the window to wall ratio from 28 % to 10 % and changing the window distribution results in 19 % (Riyadh) and 17 % (Jeddah) energy savings. Adding fixed shades saves up to 8 % (Riyadh) and 13 % energy (Jeddah) when dimensioned for the peak cooling load. Using bright/reflective surface colour on the roof saves up to 9% (Riyadh) and 17 % (Jeddah) when the roof is uninsulated. For the exterior walls, bright/reflective surface saves up to 5 % (Riyadh) and 10 % (Jeddah) when the walls are uninsulated. The other single measures investigated show less than 7 % energy savings. The results for combined measures show the highest energy savings for two combined measures when improving the thermal resistance of the exterior walls and changing window area/distribution saving up to 52 % (Riyadh) and 39 % (Jeddah). When performing three measures the addition of improved thermal resistance and reflectance of the windows resulted in the highest energy savings, saving up to 62 % (Riyadh) and 48 % (Jeddah). When adding a fourth measure, improving the thermal resistance of the slab shows the highest energy savings, 71 % (Riyadh) and 54 % (Jeddah). Applying all measures on the building envelope results in 78 % (Riyadh) and 62 % (Jeddah) energy savings. Significant energy savings can be achieved with measures on the building envelope. Major savings can be made by adding only 50-100 mm of insulation to the exterior walls and roof. Decreased window area and improvements on the thermal resistance and reflectance on the windows result in significant energy savings. Energy savings achieved with shadings and reflective surface colours decrease significantly when the thermal resistance of the roof and external walls are improved. All measures concerning thermal resistance have a higher impact in Riyadh than in Jeddah due to that a large part of the total heating and cooling is air handling unit (AHU) cooling in Jeddah. AHU cooling is not affected significantly by measures on the building envelope. To optimise energy savings, measures on the building envelope should be considered in combination with measures concerning the AHU. / På grund av det hårda klimatet i Saudiarabien, konsumerar bostadshus mer än hälften av den totala energi som förbrukas. En stor del av den förbrukade energin går till luftkonditionering. Kylningen av byggnader är ett stort miljöproblem i många länder i Mellanöstern, särskilt eftersom elektriciteten till stor del är helt beroende av förbränning av fossila bränslen. Syftet med denna studie är att få en tydligare bild av hur olika åtgärder på klimatskalet påverkar byggnaders energiförbrukning. Tanken är att resultaten ska kunna användas som ett hjälpmedel vid design av mer energieffektiva byggnader i Mellanöstern. I denna studie är olika energieffektivitetsåtgärder utvärderade med hjälp av energisimuleringar i IDA ICE 4.7 för att undersöka hur mycket energi som kan sparas genom att modifiera klimatskalet. Ett bostadshus med 247 m2 golvyta i två våningar används för simuleringarna. De åtgärder som övervägs är; modifieringar av ytterväggar, modifiering av tak, fönstertyp, fönster area/ distribution, modifiering av fundamentet, skuggning, ytskikt, infiltration och köldbryggor. Alla åtgärder jämförs mot ett Base Case där klimatskalet är inställt för att likna en typisk bostad i Saudiarabiens. Först undersöks alla åtgärder en åt gången. Därefter undersöks kombinationer av de studerade åtgärderna, baserat på resultat från simuleringar av enskilda åtgärder. Alla simuleringar utförs för två städer i Saudiarabien, både med torrt ökenklimat. Riyadh (inlandet) med måttligt kalla vintrar och Jeddah (västkusten) med mild vinter. Resultatet från simuleringar av enskilda åtgärder visar högst energibesparing när fönstertypen byts ut från enkelt klarglas till dubbelt reflekterande glas. Med byte av fönstertyp sparas upp till 27 % energi (uppvärmning och kylning) i Riyadh och 21 % i Jeddah. Att isolera taket sparar upp till 23 % och 21 % för Riyadh respektive Jeddah. Förbättrat värmemotstånd i ytterväggarna resulterar i upp till 21 % energibesparing i Riyadh och endast 11 % i Jeddah. Minskning av fönsterarean från 28 % av väggytan till 10 % och omplacering av fönsterna ger19 % (Riyadh) och 17 % (Jeddah) energibesparingar. Solavskärmning med hjälp av fasta skärmtak och fenor sparar 8 % (Riyadh) och 13 % energi (Jeddah) när de är dimensionerad för maximalt kylbehovet. Använda ljus/reflekterande yta på taket sparar upp till 9 % (Riyadh) och 17 % (Jeddah) när taket är oisolerad. För ytterväggar, sparar ljust/reflekterande ytskikt upp till 5 % (Riyadh) och 10 % (Jeddah) när väggarna är oisolerad. De övriga enskilda åtgärderna som undersökts visar mindre än 7 % energibesparing. Resultaten för kombinerade åtgärder visar högst energibesparingar för två kombinerade åtgärder när ytterväggens värmemotstånd förbättras tillsammans med mindre fönsterarea och ändrad fönsterplacering. De två åtgärderna sparar upp till 52 % energi i Riyadh och 39 % i Jeddah. När tre åtgärder utförs, fås den högsta energibesparingen med de två åtgärderna ovan med tillägg av förbättrade fönster med lägre u-värde och högre reflektants. Tillsammans resulterar de tre åtgärderna i en energibesparing upp till 62 % för Riyadh och 48 % för Jeddah. När man lägger till en fjärde åtgärd, fås den högsta besparingen med tillägg av förbättrat u-värde på grunden till de tre tidigare åtgärderna. De fyra åtgärderna sparar upp till 71 % energi i Riyadh och 54 % i Jeddah. Tillämpning av alla åtgärder på klimatskalet resulterar i 78 % (Riyadh) och 62 % (Jeddah) energibesparing. Betydlig reducering av energianvändningen kan uppnås med åtgärder på byggnadens klimatskal. Stora besparingar fås med endast 50 – 100 mm isolering i ytterväggar och tak. Att minska fönsterarean och förbättra fönsternas u-värde och reflektivitet bidrar till stora energibesparingar.  Besparingarna som fås vid solavskärmning och reflektiva ytor på tak och väggar minskar signifikant när taket och ytterväggarna isoleras. Alla åtgärder som förbättrar u-värdet på klimatskalet har en större inverkan i Riyadh än i Jeddah på grund av att en större andel av total uppvärmning och kylning upptas av kylning av inkommande luft i ventilationen. Energin som behövs för att kyla inkommande luft påverkas inte nämnvärt av åtgärderna på klimatskalet. För att optimera energibesparingarna ytterligare, bör åtgärder på klimatskalets övervägas tillsammans med energieffektivitetsåtgärder av ventilationen.

Le but de cette thèse est de documenter la variabilité des teneurs en aérosols minéraux en Afrique de l’Ouest et de comprendre les mécanismes qui la contrôlent. L’analyse des concentrations mesurées au sol au Sahel montre que ce sont les transports d’aérosols sahariens qui sont responsables des maxima de concentration observés en saison sèche Marticorena et al. (2010). Ces évènements présentent une très forte variabilité à l’échelle intra-saisonnière et interannuelle mais une certaine persistance à l’échelle régionale. Quelles sont les conditions météorologiques qui expliquent cette variabilité ? La réponse à cette question ne peut être obtenue qu’au travers d’une analyse systématique et conjointe des conditions météorologiques régionales et des mesures d’aérosol désertiques sur le continent (concentration de surface, épaisseurs optiques en aérosols) et au large de l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Les mesures d’épaisseur optique en aérosols (AOT) permettent la surveillance globale du contenu atmosphérique en particules. Cependant la relation permettant de retrouver les concentrations massiques en (PM10) à partir des mesures d’épaisseur optique n’est pas toujours simple. Ainsi dans un premier temps l’analyse de la variabilité de la concentration en PM10 et des conditions météorologiques locales mesurées au sol, a permis de confirmer un cycle saisonnier régional présenté par Marticorena et al. (2010), caractérisé par un maximum de concentration en saison sèche et un minimum pendant la saison des pluies sur l’ensemble de trois stations. L’analyse du cycle diurne des concentrations a permis de voir qu’il est diffèrent selon les saisons. En saison sèche, le jet de basses couches (NLLJ en anglais) saharien semble moduler le cycle diurne des concentrations en particules mesurées au Sahel, tandis que l’évolution diurne des concentrations de poussière en saison des pluies apparaît être modulé par l’évolution des systèmes convectifs a l’échelle régionale.Dans un deuxième temps, une méthodologie basée sur une classification en types de temps a été proposée. Elle permet de mettre en évidence des situations météorologiques typiques pour lesquelles la relation AOT-PM10 est simplifiée, puis une modélisation de PM10 à partir de l’épaisseur optique. Pour cela deux approches ont été adoptées. D’abord une famille composée de six régimes de temps bruts a été définie décrivant la saisonnalité climatique. La mise en relation AOT-PM10 permet de voir que les régimes de temps caractéristiques du flux d’harmattan présentent une relation meilleure en terme de corrélation par rapport à la relation avant la séparation en type de temps. Ensuite six régimes de temps ayant un impact sur la variabilité interannuelle des aérosols ont été définis. Les régimes de temps obtenus sont caractérisés par une forte variabilité interannuelle et moins persistante que pour les régimes de temps bruts. Les régimes de temps sont caractérisés par des anomalies de circulation atmosphérique, soit cyclonique, soit anticyclonique, d’échelle synoptique et centrée sur le nord du domaine. L’intégration de l’ensemble de cette approche en régimes de temps permet d’obtenir des résultats satisfaisants dans la prévision des valeurs de PM10, ouvrant des perspectives en terme de système d’alerte précoce. / The aim of this thesis is to document the variability of the atmospheric dust content in West Africa and to understand the mechanisms that control it. The analysis of the concentrations measured ground in the Sahel shows that it is the transport of Saharan aerosols that are responsible for the maximum concentration observed in the dry season. These events have a very high variability at intra-seasonal and interannual scale with some persistence on a regional scale. What are the weather conditions that explain this variability? The answer to this question can be obtained only through a systematic analysis of regional weather and desert aerosol measurements on the continent (surface concentration, aerosol optical thickness) and of the West Africa. The aerosol optical thickness measurements (AOT) allow global monitoring of atmospheric particulate content. However the relationship allowing to find the concentrations (PM10) from the optical thickness measurement is not always simple. So at first the analysis of the variability of the PM10 concentration and local meteorological conditions measured on the ground, confirmed a regional seasonal cycle presented by Marticorena et al. (2010), characterized by a maximum concentration during the dry season and a minimum during the rainy season on all three stations. The analysis of the diurnal cycle concentrations allowed seeing that it differ depending on the season. In the dry season, the Saharian low level jet (NLLJ) appears to modulate the diurnal cycle of particulate concentrations in the Sahel, while the diurnal evolution of concentrations of the rainy season appears to be modulated by changes in convective systems has regionally. Secondly, a methodology based on a classification into weather types was proposed. It allows to highlight typical meteorological situations in which the AOT- PM10 relationship is simplified and modeling PM10 from the Aerosol Optical Thickness. For this, two approaches have been adopted. At first a family of six weather types has been defined describing the climate seasonality. The link between AOT and PM10 can allowed to see that the weather types characterise to harmattan flow have a better relationship in terms of correlation to the relationship before separating in weather type. Then six weather types affecting the interannual variability of aerosols were defined. The resulting weather patterns are characterized by high interannual variability and less persistent than for rough weather regimes. The weather patterns are characterized by atmospheric circulation anomalies, either cyclonic or anticyclonic at synoptic scale and centered on the northern area. The integration of all of this approach in weather types provides satisfactory results in forecasting PM10 values, opening perspectives in terms of early warning system.

Downtown districts of cities are usually the first areas to be developed and can inform one of how and why growth occurred in a particular instance. Las Vegas, an oasis within the Mojave desert, originated due to its strategic location in the Southwest US that provided spring water for westward travelers. The area currently known as downtown Las Vegas, one of the first areas to be developed, is depressed due to economic downturn. An arts district is emerging in this district. However, its growth is hampered by a lack of foot traffic and local activity. University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is in need of a new building for the arts department to accommodate its expanding program. The purpose of my thesis is to propose a satellite campus in Downtown Las Vegas that can house an arts building along with workshops and art galleries. The goal is to stimulate the development of the downtown arts district by developing strong interaction between the students and local arts activity. / Master of Architecture

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Among the tropical ornamental plants, although the desert rose (Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. e Schult.) is a little-known species, it presents a prosperous cultivation perspective. Aside from being an exuberant plant with several multi-colored flowers, this species also has as an advantage, a water and nutrients storage in its stem for dry periods or prolonged drought, working as an alternative for small and medium rural producers in semi-arid areas unequipped of an irrigation system. The association of this anatomic characteristic of the species to the use of the particle film may also be considered a strategy to minimize the effects of the hydro-deficit in high-temperature areas and low rainfall, improving the physiologic functions of the plants. Thus, in order to explore papers which analyze resistant species or techniques that enhance echo-physiologic functions, this study aims to evaluate the effects of hydro-restriction and the use of CaCO3 particle film in Adenium obesum associated to leaf gas exchange and growth parameters. The experiment was conducted in an ar-conditioned greenhouse, located at the Federal University (UFS) in São Cristóvão city, in the state of Sergipe. The seeds were obtained from a commercial supplier from São Paulo, and they were planted in trays and subsequently, the seedlings were transferred to 3-liter vases. After the transference and the plants acclimatization period, the samples were subjected to the effect or not, of the hidro-restriction and the use of CaCO3 particle film at a 5% concentration, as well as its absence. The leaf evolution parameters, as well as the echo-physiological and biometric ones were evaluated to the infliction of photosynthesis registered around 0 μmol CO2 m-² s-¹, to the samples subjected to hydro-restriction, those being subsequently hydrated and evaluated regarding their recovery of characteristics in comparison to those with no restriction. The following variables were evaluated: the plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, length of central nerve (CNC); chlorophyll content (Chl a, Chl b, Chl total); leaf dry matter, stem and root and root volume, a chlorophyll fluorescence (F0, Fm, Fv/Fm), liquid photosynthesis rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (E), vapor pressure deficit (DPVfolha-ar), internal carbon concentration (Ci). The experiment in DIC was carried out in factorial function (plants with or without hydro-restriction and the use or not of the particle film analyzed over time) in nine repetitions, considering one plant per repetition. The hydro-restriction as a variable was shown to interfere in all analyzed variables negatively, except from Ci, in which higher means were verified. Due to the anatomic and physiologic characteristics of A. obesum, it has proved to be resistant to hydro-restriction treatment, and it also showed fast recovery of the echo-physiologic parameters and growth indicators after 38 days of irrigation interruption. The use of the film didn’t interfere with the characteristics of the species, and only showed significant effect to the Ci variable, presenting higher means in addition to the hydro deficit factor. / Dentre as plantas ornamentais tropicais, a rosa do deserto (Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. e Schult.) é uma espécie que apesar de ser pouco conhecida, apresenta excelentes perspectivas de cultivo. Além de ser uma planta exuberante dotada de flores com vários tons de cores, esta espécie é beneficiada pela anatomia do caule que conta com um reservatório em que armazena água e nutrientes por períodos de estiagem ou seca prolongada, podendo ser uma alternativa para o pequeno e médio produtor rural de áreas semiáridas que não constam de sistema de irrigação. Associada essa característica anatômica desta espécie, a utilização de filme de partícula também pode ser considerada uma estratégia para minimizar os efeitos do déficit hídrico em áreas de altas temperaturas e baixa pluviosidade, melhorando as funções fisiológicas das plantas. Assim, a fim de explorar trabalhos que busquem espécies resistentes ou técnicas que potencializem as funções ecofisiológicas, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da restrição hídrica e ação do filme de partícula de CaCO3 em Adenium obesum associado aos parâmetros de trocas gasosas foliares e de crescimento. O experimento foi conduzido em estufa climatizada do tipo arco, situada na UFS localizada no município de São Cristóvão-SE. As sementes foram adquiridas por fornecedor comercial de São Paulo, sendo plantadas inicialmente em bandeja e posteriormente transplantadas as mudas para vasos de 3 litros. Após o transplantio e período de aclimatação das plantas, os tratamentos foram submetidos a ação ou não da restrição hídrica e utilização do filme de partícula de CaCO3 à 5% de concentração, como também a sua ausência. Avaliou-se os parâmetros de ontogenia foliar, ecofisiológicos e biométricos até a imposição da fotossíntese registrada em torno de 0 μmol CO2 m-² s-¹, para o tratamento submetidos à restrição hídrica, sendo posteriormente hidratados e avaliados a recuperação das características em relação aos sem restrição. Foram avaliadas as variáveis: altura da planta, números de folhas, diâmetro do caule, comprimento da nervura central (CNC); teor de clorofila (Chl a, Chl b, Chl total); massa fresca e seca de folha, caule e raiz e volume de raiz, fluorescência de clorofila a (F0, Fm, Fv/Fm,) taxa de fotossíntese líquida (A), condutância estomática (gs), transpiração (E), déficit de pressão de vapor (DPVfolha-ar), e a concentração interna de carbono (Ci). Realizou-se o experimento em DIC em esquema fatorial (plantas com e sem restrição hídrica e utilização ou não do filme de partícula analisadas em função do tempo) em nove repetições, considerando uma planta por repetição. Observou-se que o fator restrição hídrica interferiu em todas as variáveis analisadas, contribuindo negativamente, com exceção da Ci, em que verificou-se as maiores médias. Devido as características anatômicas e fisiológicas da A. obesum, esta demonstrou-se resistente ao tratamento de restrição hídrica, como também apresentou uma rápida recuperação dos parâmetros ecofisiológicos e dos indicadores de crescimento após 38 dias de suspensão de irrigação. O uso do filme não interferiu nas características da espécie, e somente mostrou efeito significativo na variável Ci, apresentando as maiores médias junto com o fator de déficit hídrico.

Durch Messungen von spektraler optischer Dicke, Sonnenaureole und Himmelshelligkeit in Kombination mit den Programmen CIRATRA und BILANZ werden die optischen Eigenschaften von Sahara-Wüstenaerosol und dessen klimatische Wirkung unter Berücksichtigung der Nichtsphärizität der Aerosolpartikel untersucht. / By combining measurements of spectral optical thickness, solar aureole and sky brightness with the programs CIRATRA and BILANZ the optical porperties of Saharan desert aerosol and its climatic effects are investigated, including a consideration of the Nonsphericity of the aerosol particles.

The idea of taming the Desert Southwest has captivated the American psyche for hundreds of years. The intoxicating beauty of the wide-open and wild landscape has lured people westward. The lure remains: the U.S. census figures are forecasting that by the year 2030, more than 67 million people will live in the West and that Nevada, Arizona, and Utah will be among the top 5 states in the nation in terms of percentage of population increase. The survival of the Desert Southwest's ecosystem depends greatly on the geographic distribution of this growing population. As the Desert Southwest's population continues to grow, a new urban paradigm is needed. Americans’ 20th century desire to live in nature in order to escape the squalor of the city has been fueled by the automobile and highway systems. These conditions have defined a sprawling and suburbanized pattern of settlement throughout the United States. Charles Waldheim says, “Across many disciplines, and for many centuries, the city and the country have been called upon to define each other through a binary opposition.” Resulting urban models sought to dissolve this opposition between city and nature. Such development had enormous horizontal spatial implications. But, as Edward Glaeser puts it, “it would be a lot better for the planet if their urbanized populations lived in dense cities built around the elevator, rather than in sprawling areas built around the car.” Our horizontal development has had devastating effects on the ecosystems they encroach upon and swallow up. One landscape that is particularly threatened by our outward sprawl is the Sonoran Desert located in the Southwestern United States. The beauty of the wild and unique desert landscape has drawn people and development to it for centuries. The dilemma is that the closer we get, and the more that we try to live within this natural world, the more we destroy it. The suburban development in the region has had a disregard for water usage and resources. Diverted waters from the West’s great rivers, rising temperatures, highways, and loss of habitat have made an arid climate even more unforgiving, put desert flora and fauna in danger of extinction, and endangered the landscape that has been our muse for hundreds of years. This thesis aims to define an intimate relationship between city and nature in the Desert Southwest, but unlike its historical counterparts, proposes that we build up instead of out in order to reduce water and energy use, contain expansion and growth, and begin to repair the land that we have loved to death. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu

The thesis A Voice in the desert examines the possibilities of beginnings, their continuance and reflection.

No description available.

Drastic alterations to the North American Southwest’s hydrology have highly influenced resident fish communities. In New Mexico and Texas, the Pecos River has been severely altered as a result of water manipulation, isolating backwaters and various habitats that were once connected to the main river. Cyprinodon pecosensis (Pecos pupfish) has been highly impacted due to the effects of anthropogenic water manipulation, as well as species introductions. Cyprinodon pecosensis populations have become isolated and scattered, residing in sinkholes, remnant lakes, and static backwaters, thus creating numerous micropopulations. The purpose of this study was to assess the morphological variation in cranial features that occur in response to varied habitats, especially in terms of environmental factors and species co-occurrence. Landmark-based geometric morphometrics was used to assess shape variation across the aforementioned micropopulations comprising four general habitat types and 27 different localities, each with varied community structure and salinity. Results from this study suggest that head and mandible morphology vary temporally, with year to year variation, as well as among different localities. The head morphology of C. pecosensis was most heavily influenced by habitat type and localities within habitat types, but was largely canalized with the exception of localities classified as deep sinkholes. Year to year variation and localities among habitat types were the most influential factors associated with mandible morphology, but there was strong overlap among the convex hulls that defined regions of morphospace for habitat types. As C. pecosensis is a threatened species, this research has important implications for future conservation and management. Additionally, these results could further aid in the understanding of preserving species in fragmented landscapes.