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In the state of Virginia, population growth and the associated increases in municipal wastewater, along with the threat of EPA regulations, will increase the need for reductions in phosphorous (P) loads in surface waters in order to meet and maintain water quality standards for the Chesapeake Bay. Agriculture contributes 49% of P entering the Bay; therefore, it can be expected that agriculture will be targeted as a source of P reductions. Spatially variable physical and socioeconomic characteristics of a watershed and its occupant farms affect both the decisions made by farmers and the transport of nutrients. Evidence suggests that spatially variable characteristics should be considered when designing policies to control nonpoint sources of water pollution. However, spatial information can be expensive to collect and the evidence is not conclusive as to the level of information required to analyze specific pollution-control policies. The objective of this study was to estimate the accuracy of predicted compliance costs and changes in P deliveries resulting from mandatory buffer installation and mandatory nutrient management for three alternative levels of information, relative to the population of farms in a Virginia watershed. For each information case, an economic model, FARMPLAN, was used to determine the profit maximizing levels of inputs, outputs and gross margins. Selected crop rotations and P applications were used as inputs to the physical model, PDM, which estimated the levels of P delivered to the watershed outlet. The compliance cost and P reduction estimates for the three alternative cases were compared to those of the population to determine their accuracy. The inclusion of greater levels of spatial information will lead to more accurate estimates of compliance costs and pollution reductions. Estimates of livestock capacity are more important to making accurate predictions than are farm boundaries. Differences in estimates made using different levels of information will be greater when the farmers have greater flexibility in meeting the policy requirements. The implications are that additional spatial information does not aid in the selection of one policy over the other, but can be useful in when estimating costs for budgeting purposes, or when evaluating how farmers will respond to the policy. / Master of Science

Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse portent sur l’ordonnancement d’applications multi-tâches linéaires de type workflow sur des plateformes distribuées. La particularité du système étudié est que le nombre de machines composant la plateforme est plus petit que le nombre de tâches à effectuer. Dans ce cas les machines sont supposées être capables d’effectuer toutes les tâches de l’application moyennant une reconfiguration, sachant que toute reconfiguration demande un temps donné dépendant ou non des tâches. Le problème posé est de maximiser le débit de l’application,c’est à dire le nombre moyen de sorties par unité de temps, ou de minimiser la période, c’est à dire le temps moyen entre deux sorties. Par conséquent le problème se décompose en deux sous problèmes: l’assignation des tâches sur les machines de la plateforme (une ou plusieurs tâches par machine), et l’ordonnancement de ces tâches au sein d’une même machine étant donné les temps de reconfiguration. Pour ce faire la plateforme dispose d’espaces appelés buffers, allouables ou imposés, pour stocker des résultats de production temporaires et ainsi éviter d’avoir à reconfigurer les machines après chaque tâche. Si les buffers ne sont pas pré-affectés nous devons également résoudre le problème de l’allocation de l’espace disponible en buffers afin d’optimiser l’exécution de l’ordonnancement au sein de chaque machine. Ce document est une étude exhaustive des différents problèmes associés à l’hétérogénéité de l’application ; en effet si la résolution des problèmes est triviale avec des temps de reconfiguration et des buffers homogènes, elle devient bien plus complexe si ceux-ci sont hétérogènes. Nous proposons ainsi d’étudier nos trois problèmes majeurs pour différents degrés d’hétérogénéité de l’application. Nous proposons des heuristiques pour traiter ces problèmes lorsqu’il n’est pas possible de trouver une solution algorithmique optimale. / In this document we tackle scheduling problems of multitask linear workflow applications ondistributed platforms. In our particular problem the number of available machines on the platformis lower than the number of stages within the pipeline. The machines are then assumed to be able toperform any kind of task on the application given the appropriate reconfiguration (or setup), the catchbeing that any reconfiguration is time consuming. The problem that we try to solve is to maximizethe throughput of such applications, i.e., the mean amount of outputs per unit of time, or to minimizeits period, i.e., the average time between two outputs. As a result this problem is split into two subproblems:mapping tasks onto different machines of the platform (most machines will likely handleseveral tasks), and find an optimal schedule within a machine while taking setup times into account.To solve this we introduce buffers, which are spaces available for each machine to store temporaryproduction results and avoid reconfiguring after each task execution, and which may or may notbe already allocated for each stage. If those buffers are not already allocated to each task then athird problem must be solved to properly allocate the available space onto each buffer, as differentbuffer configurations have a huge impact on the scheduling of a machine. This document presentsan exhaustive coverage of the different problems that are associated with the heterogeneity of theapplication; the problems with homogeneous buffer capacities and setup times are rather simple tosolve, but they get a lot more complex as heterogeneity increases. We study the three main subproblemsfor each heterogeneity combination, and offer heuristic solution to solve them when anoptimal solution cannot be reasonably found.

Buffer pools are blocks of memory used in database systems to retain frequently referenced pages. Configuring the buffer pools is a difficult and manual task that involves determining the amount of memory to devote to the buffer pools, the number of buffer pools to use, their sizes, and the database objects assigned to each buffer pool. A good buffer configuration improves query response times and system throughput by reducing the number of disk accesses. Determining a good buffer configuration requires knowledge of the database workload. Empirical studies have shown that optimizing the initial buffer configuration (determined at database design time) can improve system throughput. A good initial configuration can also provide a faster convergence towards a favorable dynamic buffer allocation. Previous studies have not considered automating the buffer pool configuration process. This thesis presents two techniques that facilitate the initial buffer configuration task. First, we develop an analytic model of the GCLOCK buffer replacement policy that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular buffer configuration for a given workload. Second, to obtain the necessary model parameters, we propose a workload characterization scheme that extracts workload parameters, describing the query reference patterns, from the query access plans. In addition, we extend an existing multifractal model and present a multifractal skew model to represent query access skew. Our buffer model has been validated against measurements of the buffer manager of a commercial database system. The model has also been compared to an alternative GCLOCK buffer model. Our results show that our proposed model closely predicts the actual physical read rates and recognizes favourable buffer configurations. This work provides a foundation for the development of an automated buffer configuration tool.

Forest management, including timber harvesting, is the primary land use activity in most of Sweden.  However, clear cutting forests (i.e., final felling) can create a number of environmental problems in aquatic ecosystems and their communities. To combat these affects, intact riparian ‘buffer zones’ are typically left along streams and lakes in the Swedish landscape. There are many ideas on how wide a buffer zone has to be, to maintain an optimal ecological and hydrological state of a stream. Not only is the width of buffer zones debated, but also their overall design, including whether un-buffered stream segments could be beneficial. This study aims to test the effects of riparian buffers on macroinvertebrate biodiversity and community composition in streams draining catchments with clear cutting.  To do this, I estimated the family richness and a variety of additional metrics from nine streams from southern Sweden in the Jönköping area. Three of the streams had intact buffers (<5 meter), three had no buffers, and three were unharvested (i.e., forested) catchments that served as controls. This study used data and benthic invertebrate samples collected as part of a bigger study, which were picked and manually sorted by the author. Richness ranged from 3 families at one site to as many as 13 at another one. Total abundance ranged between sites from 19820/m2to 27920/m2individuals. Overall, the results showed no significant difference in any of the invertebrate metrics across the three stream types. However, family richness increased among sites as a function of water temperature. The lack of buffer effects reported here may reflect the extremely warm summer of 2018, which caused a massive drought and was the warmest one ever recorded in the parts of Sweden where the invertebrates were collected.

Buffer pools are blocks of memory used in database systems to retain frequently referenced pages. Configuring the buffer pools is a difficult and manual task that involves determining the amount of memory to devote to the buffer pools, the number of buffer pools to use, their sizes, and the database objects assigned to each buffer pool. A good buffer configuration improves query response times and system throughput by reducing the number of disk accesses. Determining a good buffer configuration requires knowledge of the database workload. Empirical studies have shown that optimizing the initial buffer configuration (determined at database design time) can improve system throughput. A good initial configuration can also provide a faster convergence towards a favorable dynamic buffer allocation. Previous studies have not considered automating the buffer pool configuration process. This thesis presents two techniques that facilitate the initial buffer configuration task. First, we develop an analytic model of the GCLOCK buffer replacement policy that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular buffer configuration for a given workload. Second, to obtain the necessary model parameters, we propose a workload characterization scheme that extracts workload parameters, describing the query reference patterns, from the query access plans. In addition, we extend an existing multifractal model and present a multifractal skew model to represent query access skew. Our buffer model has been validated against measurements of the buffer manager of a commercial database system. The model has also been compared to an alternative GCLOCK buffer model. Our results show that our proposed model closely predicts the actual physical read rates and recognizes favourable buffer configurations. This work provides a foundation for the development of an automated buffer configuration tool.

Wetlands and streams provide many ecosystem services, yet many of these services have been lost during the process of surface mining. It is often not practical to avoid wetlands and streams, and newer technologies such as large draglines have made it possible to mine through large perennial streams and their associated riparian wetland systems. Laws such as the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and Clean Water Act require the restoration of these systems in approximately the same location and configuration as before mining, but do not address the long-term replacement of function. In Perry County, Illinois, three stream segments of Bonnie Creek, Galum Creek, and Pipestone Creek and their associated riparian wetland systems were among the largest ever restored following surface mining. The research objective was to determine whether or not function was restored in the three aforementioned streams and riparian wetlands following surface mining reclamation. Wetland soil properties, vegetation, and hydrology at study sites along Bonnie and Galum Creeks were compared to that of nearby natural wetlands and across a chronosequence of soil age. Water quality was assessed [alkalinity, chloride (Cl), fluoride (Fl), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), nitrate (NO3), sulfate (SO4), total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS)] in the three restored streams for post restoration trends over time and along the length of the restored channels. Deep basins, called incline pits, were located inline of all three restored channels and are unique to streams restored on surface mines. Stream samples were collected above and below incline pits during storm events to evaluate their ability to reduce sediment concentrations. Two types of wetlands were found at the mine site: mined planned wetlands (MPWs) that had deeper water and fewer or no trees, and mined bottomland forested wetlands (MBFWs) with more shallow water depths and many trees. Significant differences were found between the two wetland types among soil properties, vegetation, and hydrology. Unlike most studies comparing wetlands restored on non-mined sites to natural wetlands, SOM, C, N, and C/N ratio in the surface 15 cm in the MBFWs were not significantly different from the natural wetlands, indicating restoration of function. Plant taxa richness was higher in both mined wetland types than in the natural wetlands at lower elevation sample points where inundation was seasonal. Overall, the mined wetlands also retained water within 30 cm of the surface for more time than the natural wetlands. However, not all function was fully regained in the mined wetlands. Several soil properties were significantly different in the mined wetlands compared to the natural wetlands. SOM, N and the C/N ratio was significantly lower in the 15-30 cm depth, and in the surface 15 cm of the lower elevation samples of the MPW. Soil texture was significantly different in the MPW. There was more sand and less silt. Plan taxa richness was also lower in the higher elevation sample points of the MPW due to the presence of the invasive Phragmites australis. Few trends were found in the soil properties across a chronosequence of soil age. Only pH showed a significant negative linear trend in both mined wetland types across soil age. Assessment of the water chemistry of the restored streams showed that for some parameters, water quality remained stable or improved with distance or time along the restored streams. However, along Bonnie and Galum Creek, a significant positive trend was seen by length of relocated channel in SO4, Fe, Mn, Zn, TDS, conductivity, and Cl. On the other hand, at Pipestone Creek, significant negative trends were evident in TDS, Mn, water temperature, conductivity, and SO4 levels over time or along the length of the relocated channel. Trends along the length of the Pipestone Creek were only found in monitoring conducted twenty years after the channel relocation was complete. Sediment concentration above and below the incline pits inline of Bonnie and Galum Creek were not significantly different based on the sampling of two storm events. An additional input from an agricultural drainage ditch to the Bonnie Pit increased sediment concentrations at the downstream sample point counteracting the reductions that were seen in the Galum pit. Research on the mined stream and riparian systems indicated that reclamation of wetlands and streams to a stable or condition similar to a natural system is possible and sets a standard for future mining operations to follow. However, several shortcomings were identified. Reduced levels of SOM and soil N in the MPWs in the surface 15 cm of the lower sample points may have been the result of longer periods of inundation that reduced nitrification and vegetation recruitment. SOM, soil N, and the C/N ratio in the 15-30 cm depth were lower in the mined wetlands suggesting that these properties take longer to recover at deeper depths, but the significant linear trend in pH show that soil in the deeper strata is changing with time. Invasion by P. Australis reduced taxa richness suggesting that invasive plants are still a problem even more than twenty years after restoration. In addition, the increase in conductivity and SO4 downstream of a visible seep in Bonnie Creek highlight the potential for contaminated groundwater to affect surface water. More consideration should be given to reclaiming not just the surface and subsoils, but also the deeper water bearing strata to ensure that surface water chemistry is not impacted by mining.

Riparian buffers have been proven to reduce nutrient and sediment transport to streams in agricultural watersheds. Southern Illinois offers a unique opportunity to study functions of riparian buffers in reclaimed mine soils. In Perry County, Illinois three stream segments of Bonnie Creek, Galum Creek and Pipestone Creek were restored to their approximate original position following mining. Between 1980 and 2000, as part of the restoration, vegetative buffers of grasses and trees were planted along the streams to minimize nutrient and sediment inputs from adjacent restored agricultural land. Our research objective was to determine whether riparian soil function was being restored in the vegetated buffers by comparing multiple soil properties to the adjacent reclaimed soils in agricultural production. Four transects were established on each study site through the buffer and agricultural field. Ten one meter plots were evenly spaced along each transect in each of the land uses. In summers 2010 and 2011, water infiltration rates, bulk density, total carbon concentration, total nitrogen concentration, and C:N ratio measurements were made to assess the restoration of soil function. Soil water infiltration was significantly higher and bulk density was significantly lower in the riparian buffers compared to the adjacent agricultural fields. In the riparian buffer, roots likely helped to break up the soil adding pore space, which reduced the bulk density and increased the water infiltration rates. Soil total carbon, total nitrogen, and C:N ratio were significantly higher in the riparian buffers than the agricultural fields. The additional organic matter inputs from the roots of the riparian vegetation along with incorporation of litter from the soil macrofauna likely helped to increase the soil carbon and nitrogen levels compared to the agricultural fields. Even though the soil C:N ratio was significantly higher in the riparian buffers than the agricultural fields, more time is needed to restore the ratio to levels where nitrogen will be immobilized not mineralized in the riparian soils. Soil function in the riparian areas should continue to develop at a faster rate compared to the agricultural fields due to the impact of the perennial vegetation. Restoration of landscapes is not estimated by the return of structure alone, it also includes the re-establishment of function such as soil quality improvement, water quality improvement, and wildlife habitat restoration.

Riparian buffers are a commonly utilized best management practice (BMP) for mitigating non-point source pollution from agricultural fields. This practice is most effective when runoff enters the buffer as sheet flow. However runoff from becomes concentrated and forms concentrated flow paths (CFPs) breaking through the buffer in critical erosional areas. These critical areas can be determined prior to the implementation of a BMP such as a riparian buffer through incorporation of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This approach utilizes field characteristics with hydrological processes in order to determine the erosion risk areas from observed field data throughout an entire watershed. In order to re-establish a riparian buffer in critical areas managers need a method that can prevent erosion and the loss of top soil. This study evaluates an innovative method, "Buffer in a Bag", used to restore riparian buffer benefits and to prevent further erosion in CFPs. There were three different treatments initiated for this study the first two treatments the "Buffer in a Bag", and Hand-Planted were implemented prior to the broadcasting of switchgrass seed. The final treatment was the Control, which required no planting within the treatment plot. The "Buffer in a Bag" treatment utilized the placement of giant cane rhizomes within burlap bags along the channel of concentrated flow. The hand planted treatment utilized the placement of giant cane rhizomes planted in the agricultural field adjacent to the path of concentrated flow. The presence of these CFPs breaking through riparian buffers has been noted, but the actual significant soil erosion occurring within the CFP and in the adjacent field has yet to be quantified. Through the use of topographical surveys and geostatistical analysis to produce digital elevation models (DEM) of in-field elevation changes the hydrological processes and volumetric difference for CFPs can be determined. The goal was to define the variability and the spatial pattern from the data as a means of providing comparisons between subsequent survey periods over time and space to estimate the difference and movement of sediment within CFPs. The volumetric differences found when comparing the DEMs between survey periods provide a quantifiable method for evaluating the implementation of a treatment, such as the "Buffer in a Bag". Using geostatistical analysis of volumetric difference between the treatment plots determined that that there was no significant difference between the CFP's over the study period. The mean percentage volumetric difference within the treatment plots between "Buffer in a Bag", Hand-Planted, and Control treatments were -2.49%, -3.72%, and -2.37%, respectively. There was overall net erosion across all treatments with the erosion and accumulation being significantly different across the survey periods for all the treatment CFPs. The mean percentage volume loss across treatments and survey periods varied from positive 10% accumulation to negative 15% erosion for overall loss when looking at each individual survey and CFP. The displayed loss of valuable topsoil and continued expansion of these concentrated flow paths emphasis the need for research in further management applications. There needs to be an effective method developed to address the volumetric difference within CFPs forming in these high risk erosion areas. Using a GIS/RUSLE approach to indicate these high risk erosion areas will hopefully facilitate the prevention of the formation of concentrated flow paths prior to the implementation of a BMP, such as riparian buffers.

Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) is a relatively new method of scheduling. Whilst it has a number of advantages over traditional scheduling methods, it is still far from perfect. A literature review of the CCPM method, its shortcomings and suggestions for improvement is presented in this thesis. The review reveals that, in addition to other issues addressed, most researchers concentrate on the question of project and feeding buffer size. Issues concerning the resource buffer are ignored in the literature. This is a crucial gap in research, as resources are needed to perform tasks, and resource buffers protect the critical activities from the unavailability of resources. Although the original CCPM method treats resource buffers only as a notice or a ‘wake-up call’, the research in this thesis proposes to include resource buffers as time buffers with the assigned resources and cost. The research in this thesis provides a simulation methodology to answer the problem of resource buffer allocation and sizing. The simulation is performed on 3 projects, generated by RanGen software, each with the same characteristics of network order strength, resource strength and resource use. Three different buffer sizes and three different uncertainty levels are applied to the schedules. The analysis of simulation results demonstrates that no optimum resource buffer can be obtained for all projects in general. Each project, even with the same characteristics, behaves differently. Therefore the simulation methodology, developed and presented in the thesis, has to be applied to decide on the size of resource buffer in a specific project. The research outcomes demonstrate that resource buffers cannot be neglected and should be simulated using CCPM schedules, as they help to reduce the total project duration during execution. The decision whether to apply the resource buffer should also be based on financial analysis of the cost and benefits of inclusion.