Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2004. / Includes abstract. "September 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-108).

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2007. / Vita. Appendix: leaves 40-42. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-47 ).

Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes final project proposal. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [128]-135, 194-200).

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2005. / Title from title screen. John Kantner, committee chair; Kathryn A. Kozaitis, Emanuela Guano, committee members. Electronic text (112 p. : col. ill.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed June 11, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 106-112).

Thesis (D.W.S.)--Institute for Worship Studies, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-210).

The presented thesis focused on the study of a new material concept of Ce3+ doped multicom- ponent aluminum garnets (GdLu)3(GaAl)5O12. High purity single crystalline epitaxial films were grown by the method of liquid phase epitaxy from the BaO-B2O3-BaF2 flux with spe- cial emphasis on the elimination of the potential impurities coming from the flux. Combined experimental study of photoelectron yield (under alpha excitation), decay kinetics of fast and delayed recombination in the milisecond time range (under e-beam excitation) and photo-, cathodo- and radio-luminescence spectroscopies were used to characterize the studied mater- ial. The single-step nonradiative energy transfer from the donor Gd3+ to an acceptor Ce3+ was observed in the low Gd, Ce doped LuAG films and established as long-range dipole - dipole interaction. Special attention was devoted to the positive effect of combined Gd and Ga substitution on the extensive suppression of shallow traps, which are responsible for the slow component in the scintillation response. The best obtained scintillation characteristics of the studied epitaxial films were comparable with the top performance bulk crystals. 1

The Earth’s surface bears the scars of 4.5 billion years of bombardment by asteroids, despite most having been erased by tectonic activity and erosion. Asteroids predominantly orbit the Sun in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but a large number occupy orbits close to the Earth’s. These bodies are termed Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and they present a very real impact threat to the Earth. In 1998 NASA inaugurated the ‘Spaceguard Survey’ to catalogue 90% of NEOs greater than 1 km in diameter. The smaller bodies, meanwhile, remain undetected and far more numerous. In order to understand the NEO hazard, the consequences resulting from an asteroid impact require modelling. While the atmospheric entry of asteroids is a critical part of the impact process, it is the surface impact which is most important, both onto land and into the oceans. It is the impact generated effects (IGEs) that are hazardous to human populations on the Earth and the infrastructure they occupy. By modelling these IGEs and the consequences they present for humans and infrastructure, an understanding of the global vulnerability to the hazard is developed. ‘NEOimpactor’ is the software solution built to investigate the global vulnerability to NEO impacts. By combining existing mathematical models which describe the impact and effects, a unified impact simulator tool has been developed with the capacity to model the real consequences of any terrestrial impact. By comparing the consequences of multiple impact events, a complete vulnerability assessment of the global NEO hazard is derived. The result maps are designed for ease of dissemination to explain the impact risk to a non-specialist audience. The system has identified China, US, India, Japan and Brazil as facing the greatest overall risk, as well as indicating the various factors influencing vulnerability. The results can be used for informing the international decision making processes regarding the NEO hazard and potential mitigation strategies.

Geomorphological evidence has frequently been used to infer past environmental conditions, but in recent years the emergence of landscape evolution models (LEMs) has opened the possibility of us- ing numerical modelling as a tool in palaeo-environmental reconstruction. The application of LEMs for this purpose involves retrodictive modelling, each simulation scenario being congured with model variables (e.g. reflecting climate change) and parameters to reflect a specic hypothesis of environmental change. Plausible scenarios are then identied by matching contemporary observed and modelled landscapes. However, although considerable uncertainty is known to surround the specication of model driving conditions and parameters, previous studies have not considered this issue. This research applies a technique of accounting for the uncertainty surrounding the speci- cation of driving conditions and model parameters by using reduced complexity 'metamodels' to analyse the full model parameter space and thus constrain sources of uncertainty and plausible retrodicted scenarios more eectively. This study applies the developed techniques to a case study focused on a specic set of coastal gullies found on the Isle of Wight, UK. A key factor in the evolution of these gullies are the relative balance between rates of cliff retreat (which reduces gully extent) and headwards incision caused by knickpoint migration (which increases gully extent). To inform the choice and parameterisation of the numerical model used in this research an empirical- conceptual model of gully evolution was initially developed. To provide a long-term context for the evolution of the gullies and to identify the relative importance of the various driving factors, the Holocene erosional history of the Isle of Wight gullies was then simulated using a LEM. In a preliminary set of simulations a 'traditional' (i.e. with no consideration of parameter uncertainty) retrodictive modelling approach was applied, in which driving variables were arbitrarily altered and observed and simulated landscape topographies compared, under various scenarios of imposed environmental change. These initial results revealed that the coastal gullies have been ephemeral in nature for much of the Holocene, only becoming semi-permanent once cli retreat rates fall below a critical threshold at 2500 cal. years BP. Next, in an attempt to constrain more detailed erosional histories and to explore the extent to which retrodicted interpretations of landscape change were confounded by uncertainty, a Central Composite Design (CCD) sampling technique was employed to sample variations in the model driving variables, enabling the trajectories of gully response to dierent combinations of the driving conditions to be modelled explicitly. In some of these simulations, where the ranges of bedrock erodibility (0:03-0:04m0:2a).

abstract: In this thesis, the author described a new genetic algorithm based on the idea: the better design could be found at the neighbor of the current best design. The details of the new genetic algorithm are described, including the rebuilding process from Micro-genetic algorithm and the different crossover and mutation formation. Some popular examples, including two variable function optimization and simple truss models are used to test this algorithm. In these study, the new genetic algorithm is proved able to find the optimized results like other algorithms. Besides, the author also tried to build one more complex truss model. After tests, the new genetic algorithm can produce a good and reasonable optimized result. Form the results, the rebuilding, crossover and mutation can the jobs as designed. At last, the author also discussed two possible points to improve this new genetic algorithm: the population size and the algorithm flexibility. The simple result of 2D finite element optimization showed that the effectiveness could be better, with the improvement of these two points. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Civil and Environmental Engineering 2015

M.Sc. (Aquatic Health) / The lower Olifants River within the Kruger National Park is regarded as an environmentally sensitive area which has been found to exhibit high levels of aquatic diversity. The biodiversity in this lower section of the Olifants River is under threat as a result of the cumulative impacts upstream within the catchment. These impacts are apparent in water pollution, siltation and reduced stream flows as a result of agriculture, mining, industry and power generation. Although the impacts within the upper catchment have been well documented, it was the numerous fish kills within the river which brought the issue of river health into the public eye. Due to the intensive industrial activities on the Ga-Selati River, a tributary of the Olifants River, and its close proximity to the Kruger National Park, much focus has been placed on the river’s water quality, especially industrial effluent containing high concentrations of pollutants. Currently bi-annual monitoring of the aquatic ecosystems associated with the industries along the Ga-Selati River is being conducted, providing information of the ichthyofaunal communities within the system. In addition to this, the separate industries collect water quality data as frequently as weekly. The aim of this project is to lay the foundation for understanding the state of the Ga-Selati River, and to determine what water quality variables may be influencing the ichthyofaunal structure within the river. Analysis of water quality data showed that elevated levels of salts are evident, with a downstream increase in concentrations being observed along the length of the Ga-Selati River at a given point in time. Over the eight years of data considered, the overall trend indicates a general water quality improvement (decreased concentrations). A reoccurring trend showed an increase in salts between two of the sites, suggesting a source of contamination within this area. A statistical analysis of the fish community data and environmental data showed there to be a clear distinction between historical (2003, 2004 and 2005) and recent surveys (2009 and 2010). During the first time period, Site 1 showed the lowest diversity and showed to be significantly different from the remainder of the sites. During the second time period, diversity at Site 1 increased, and it was noted that overall, there was greater variability within the data. In general it was observed that upstream species richness was lower compared with downstream sites. This trend is likely linked to the proximity of the Olifants River, which allows migration into the lower reaches of the Ga-Selati River. The historical monitoring data revealed that water quality and in particular salts are influential in the structuring of ichthyofaunal communities. This change can be substantiated by identifying that an improvement in water quality has resulted in a positive shift in ichthyofaunal community structure. The analysis of this information will contribute towards the improved management and conservation of the Ga-Selati River system. Although mining houses/industries are collecting and sharing water quality data, it would be valuable if a strategic approach to sample collection and management was perused. A centralised database will increase the understanding of the driving variables behind ichthyofaunal community structure within the river and would lay the foundation for future closure plans. It is imperative that an excellent set of water quality data is available during the design of appropriate rehabilitation and treatment facilities.