Orientador: Osvaldo Luís Manzoli / Abstract: This work presents a numerical method based on Discrete Fracture Model (DFM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM), where the fractures are approximated by a reduced model. The flow along and across the fracture is described by a simplified set of equations considering both conductive fractures and barriers. The coupled hydromechanical model is composed of a linear poroelastic Biot medium and a nonlinear model based on damage mechanics for the fractures, which captures the nonlinear normal deformation and shear dilation according to the Barton-Bandis model. Both flow and geomechanical models are approximated using the finite element model. Fractures are explicitly represented by three-node standard finite elements with high aspect ratio (i.e. ratio between the largest and the smallest element dimensions) and appropriate constitutive laws. These interface high aspect ratio elements represent a regularization method which continuously approximate the discontinuous pressure and displacement fields on a narrow material band around the fracture. The complete mathematical formulation is presented together with the algorithm suggested for its numerical implementation. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical examples, as well as the effects of fractures in the hydraulic properties of porous rocks and its dependency of the stress state. / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta um método numérico baseado no Modelo de Fratura Discreta (MFD) e no Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), onde as fraturas são aproximadas por um modelo reduzido. O fluxo ao longo e através da fratura é descrito por um conjunto simplificado de equações, considerando tanto fraturas condutoras quanto barreiras. O modelo hidromecânico acoplado é composto por um meio poroelástico linear e um modelo não linear para fraturas, baseado na mecânica do dano e que captura a deformação normal não linear e a dilatância ao cisalhamento de acordo com o modelo de Barton-Bandis. Os modelos de fluxo e geomecânico são aproximados usando o método dos elementos finitos. As fraturas são explicitamente representadas por elementos finitos triangulares de três nós com elevada razão de aspecto (isto é, a razão entre a maior e a menor dimensão do elemento) e leis constitutivas apropriadas. Esses elementos de elevada razão de aspecto representam um método de regularização que aproxima de forma contínua os campos de pressão e deslocamento descontínuos em uma estreita faixa material ao redor da fratura. A formulação matemática completa é apresentada juntamente com o algoritmo sugerido para sua implementação numérica. A eficiência do método proposto é demonstrada através de exemplos numéricos, bem como os efeitos de fraturas nas propriedades hidráulicas de rochas porosas e sua dependência do estado de tensão. / Mestre

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the transportation estimation in Metropolitan Muncie for the year 2000 done in 1975. The basis for evaluation is the present situation data. From these findings I expect to learn from what was correct and what was inaccurate in their projections. Finally, this study could present several recommendations for long-range transportation planning study in the future.Barton-Aschman Associates (B-A-A) transportation planning for Metropolitan Muncie for the year 2000 based on the year 1975 is a part of Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Transportation Estimations. The B-A-A had done many studies for Metropolitan Muncie, including a comprehensive plan, to support transportation projections. Land-use, socio-economic, and vehicle travel were examined in order to produce accurate transportation estimates. Socio-economic variables for Metropolitan Muncie are population, occupied dwelling units, employment, and automobiles.Trip generation, trip distribution, mode choice, trip assignment, and traffic volume are projected in the final estimations. But this project focuses on relationships among variables: land-use, zoning change, population, occupied dwelling units, employment, average daily traffic volume (ADT), assigned over service volume, and level of service (L.O.S.) that were projected by the B-A-A and for the present situation in Metropolitan Muncie.Overall proposed land-uses in the transportation study coincide well with the actual situation 1992. But commercial land-use growth along West Bethel Ave and McGsllinrd Ave in Metropolitan Muncie was not foreseen by the transportation study.Overall estimations of population and occupied dwelling units in Metropolitan Muncie agree well with the present situation. But in tract 9.01, 19.01, and 19.02 in north Metropolitan Muncie the present situation does not follow the transportation estimations closely and major differences appear between socio-economic estimations and the actual situation. Estimations of employment by the B-A-A are not closely with the present situation.Overall transportation estimates of average daily traffic volume and assigned over service volume in Metropolitan Muncie picture the present situation well on several roads but also not so well on the other roads. The B-A-A projections of Level of Service (L.O.S.) are very close with the present situation. / Department of Urban Planning

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University. / The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate, by an examination of four philosophic points of view, the nature of selfhood. Although their thoughts diverge, the common assumption of Ralph Barton Perry, Edgar Sheffield Brightman, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Soren Kierkegaard appears to be that the self, rather than society, nature, or God, is the root of morality. Perry's philosophy, operating from the springboard of his polemic against idealism, is an expression of his doctrine of scientific method: that reality, including the reality of the self, is best discovered when the distorting effects of the observing self are minimized. These distortions include the several "fallacies of idealism" as well as the general idealistic error of assuming that being and being known are synonymous. Removal of the distortions reveals a self integrated with nature; a) epistemologically, in that consciousness means a structural unity of the objects of consciousness without residue; b) naturalistically, in that responses of the self to its environment are those of a natural, organic entity; c) morally, in that interest is the determiner of value, and the consummation of values--harmonious happiness--is derivable from that interest.[TRUNCATED]

This dissertation explores the manner in which theological elements from a biblical literalist perspective undergird and authorize the historical memory texts produced by Christian nationalist advocates in support of conservative Protestant religious establishment. Christian nationalist discourses exploit notions of divine warrant, public remembrance, and "historical evidence" as means to read the nation and contemporary far right ideological commitments as biblically founded, and hence, as binding upon the nation. Focusing on the rhetoric of David Barton, Christian nationalist par excellence and Republican Party operative, I argue that discourses of Christian nationhood mobilize the theologies of providence, inerrancy, inspiration, and literalism as rhetorical strategies to situate God's law as the definitive legal standard through which American law and cultural values are (de)authorized. Drawing upon the presumptions of biblical literalism to present the textual "proof' of a Christian nation, the politics of this memory work (and the many ways these discourses presume to furnish textual proofs of a biblical nation) aims to influence and to shape public memory, opinion, political behavior, and policy formation in favor of far right Protestant hegemonic interests.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 362-374). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Amphibian decline is a major concern worldwide, and a lack of basic ecological and life history information for many species significantly limits our ability to evaluate the degree and possible causes of such declines, and to develop effective conservation strategies for threatened and endangered species. Not only is there a shortage of adequate long-term datasets necessary for robust analyses of population variability, but the elusive nature and obscure microhabitats of many species make it difficult to collect even the most basic natural history data. In a series of observational and experimental studies, I employed both traditional and novel ecological methodologies to examine environmental correlates of temporal population variability, foraging ecology and anti-predator behavior in endangered Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum) from Austin (Travis County), Texas. Though headwater springs are typically thought of as habitats with relatively stable environmental conditions, I discovered that E. sosorum population abundance was strongly influenced by periodic extremes of rainfall that affect cycles in spring flow rates, water temperature, and other physico-chemical variables. I also found that population dynamics in E. sosorum are highly consistent with those expected for organisms with a storage effect life-history strategy, in which a few long-lived females capable of high fecundity and prolonged survival in subterranean habitat during adverse environmental conditions may be sufficient for population persistence. In addition, juveniles may use subterranean habitat as a thermal refuge. Using stable isotope analyses and macroinvertebrate prey censuses, I determined that at the population level, adult E. sosorum exhibits high electivity for planarian flatworms (Dugesia sp.). This would not have been detectable using traditional methods of dietary analysis such as stomach or fecal content analysis because Dugesia are soft-bodied animals. Additionally, stable isotope analyses revealed that adult E. sosorum exhibits inter-individual diet variation and is capable of diet switching. Finally, I discovered that anti-predator behavior in E. sosorum is influenced more strongly by visual and bioelectric cues from potential predators, but not olfactory cues. This is the first known demonstration of anti-predatory response mediated only by bioelectric stimuli in an amphibian, and one of very few to observe this phenomenon among aquatic vertebrates. / text

Increased population and recent droughts in 1996 and 2009 for the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer have focused attention on groundwater resources and sustainability of spring flow. These springs serve as a local iconic cultural center as well as the natural habitat for the endangered Barton Springs salamander. In response to the potential compromise of these vulnerable groundwater resources, a two-dimensional, numerical groundwater-flow model was developed for the Barton Springs / Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and other governmental entities to aid in aquifer management. The objective of this study is to develop new methods of quantifying and distributing recharge for this model. The motivation for conducting this study includes the following: recent availability of more extensive data sets, new conceptual models of the aquifer system, and the desire to incorporate estimates of urban recharge. Estimates of recharge quantities and distributions for natural and artificial sources were implemented within this model to simulate discharge at Barton Springs and water-level elevations from January, 1999 to December, 2009. Results indicate that the new methods employed generated good agreement amongst simulated and observed discharge and water-level elevations (Root mean square error of 0.5 m3 sec-1 and 10.5 m, respectively). Additionally, these recharge calculations are decoupled from Barton Springs discharge which eliminates the circular logic inherent with the previous methodology. Anthropogenic, or artificial, recharge accounts for 4% of the total recharge between January, 1999 and December, 2009. Using observed data to quantify contributions from leaky utility lines and irrigation return flows, recharge estimates were completed with spatial and temporal resolution. Analyses revealed that on a month by month basis, anthropogenic contributions can vary from <1 to 59% of the total recharge. During peak anthropogenic recharge intervals, irrigation return flow is the most significant contributor. However, leakage from utility lines provides more total recharge during the study period. Recharge contributions from artificial sources are comparable to the mid-size watershed contributions over the ten-year analysis period. Urban recharge can be a critical source for buffering seasonal fluctuations, particularly during low flow periods. Outcomes are relevant for habitat conservation, drought response planning, and urban groundwater management. / text

Tyrimo objektas - kaimo turizmo sodybų įvaizdis. Tyrimo dalykas - kaimo turizmo sodybų įvaizdžio kūrimas. Darbo tikslas - parengti kaimo turizmo sodybų įvaizdžio kūrimo modelį. Darbo hipotezė - Dzūkijos regiono kaimo turizmo sodybų šeimininkai nežino įvaizdžio kūrimo principų. Darbo tikslas - parengti Dzūkijos regiono kaimo turizmo sodybų įvaizdžio kūrimo modelį. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Atlikti kaimo turizmo sodybos įvaizdžio teorines studijas. 2. Parengti tyrimo metodinį pagrindimą. 3. Išanalizuoti šeimininkų ir poilsiautojų nuomones į Dzūkijos regiono kaimo turizmo sodybų įvaizdį. 4. Pateikti siūlymus Dzūkijos regiono kaimo turizmo sodybų įvaizdžio gerinimui. Tyrimo metodai. Darbe buvo naudota mokslinės literatūros analizės ir sintezės, monografinis, lyginimo, grafinio vaizdavimo, modeliavimo metodai, statistinė analizė – SPSS 12 programa.. Tyrimo duomenų surinkimui pasirinktas anketinės apklausos metodas. Darbo rezultatai. Tyrimu patvirtinta hipotezė, jog Dzūkijos regiono kaimo turizmo sodybų šeimininkai nežino įvaizdžio kūrimo principų. Remiantis mokslinės literatūros analize ir empiriniu tyrimu sudarytas kaimo turizmo sodybos įvaizdžio kūrimo modelis, kuris padės Dzūkijos regiono kaimo turizmo sodybų šeimininkams tikslingai kurti sodybos įvaizdį. / Research object is image of country tourism bartons. Research subject is the creation of image of country tourism. Work hypothesis is the owners of country tourism bartons in Dzukija region doesn’t know the principles of image creation. Research aim is to prepare the model of creation of image in country tourism. Objectives: 1. To perform theoretical studies of image country tourism bartons. 2. To prepare the methodical grounding of the research. 3. To analyse the owners and holidaymakers opinions about the image of country tourism bartons in Dzukija region. 4. To prepare the suggestion for improving the image of country tourism bartons. Research methods - in work were used analyses and syntheses of nonfiction literature, monographic, comparison, graphic representation modeling methods, the data is wrought by statistic analysis – SSPS 12 program. For the data of research there was chosen the method of questionnaire poll. Work results. By the research certified the hypothesis that the owners of country tourism bartons in Dzukija region doesn’t know the principles of image creation. According to nonfiction analysis and empirical research, created the model of country tourism image creation, which will help the owners of country tourism bartons in Dzukija region purposefully to create the image of bartons.

The Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) is a federally endangered species that is endemic to Barton Springs in Austin, Texas. Development within the Barton Springs watershed threatens the continued existence of E. sosorum. A factor that may be contributing to its decline is contamination from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Nearby asphalt parking lots paved with coal-tar and asphalt sealants can be sources of PAHs. Unaltered parent compounds of PAHs can have toxic effects, but oxidation and ultraviolet radiation can create degradation products 100 times more toxic than the parent compounds. The objective of this project was to determine if PAHs are potentially harmful to E. sosorum using two surrogate species. Adult eastern newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) and larval spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) were exposed to sediments with nominal concentrations of total PAHs that ranged from 0 to 1500 mg/kg under UV (290 - 400 nm) and visible (400 - 700 nm) light to determine concentration/response relationships. No statistically significant mortality occurred under any treatment. Exposure to both coal-tar sealant and UV light resulted in sublethal effects such as decreased righting ability and swimming speed. Difficulty in performing such movements would make it difficult to catch prey and increase susceptibility to predation. Exposure to UV light also resulted in elevated numbers of micronucleated erythrocytes and white blood cells. This study shows that simultaneous exposure to PAHs and UV light result in sublethal effects that could make the population of E. sosorum vulnerable to further decline.

Submitted by Pedro Barros (pedro.silvabarros@ufpe.br) on 2018-08-28T21:21:02Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO Tarcisio Augusto da Silva.pdf: 3259202 bytes, checksum: 1388511178e9383528116b5b028ba7f9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alice Araujo (alice.caraujo@ufpe.br) on 2018-09-06T22:35:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO Tarcisio Augusto da Silva.pdf: 3259202 bytes, checksum: 1388511178e9383528116b5b028ba7f9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-06T22:35:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO Tarcisio Augusto da Silva.pdf: 3259202 bytes, checksum: 1388511178e9383528116b5b028ba7f9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-31 / O fechamento de fraturas, devido a depleção, nos reservatórios naturalmente fraturados sensíveis ao estado de tensões pode promover uma redução significativa da permeabilidade da formação geológica. Compreender as características hidráulicas da rede de fraturas como função das tensões atuantes é fundamental para a concepção do plano de desenvolvimento do reservatório. Na presente dissertação foi proposto um modelo de fechamento de fraturas durante a produção de fluidos em reservatórios, pós-fraturamento hidráulico, utilizando para isso, uma modificação do modelo constitutivo de Barton-Bandis, objetivando simular o efeito do propante tanto na produção de fluidos como nas tensões atuantes na formação. Este modelo é capaz de reproduzir, adequadamente, o comportamento do fechamento de fraturas submetidas a uma tensão normal compressiva. É um modelo hiperbólico de fechamento com uma rigidez inicial, que converge assintoticamente para o fechamento máximo da fratura. Considera-se também a existência de um propante com diâmetro e rigidez especificado, de modo a dificultar o fechamento da fratura hidráulica, alterando desta forma o estado de tensões na região adjacente a fratura, neste sentido, a implementação em um programa de elementos finitos do modelo Barton-Bandis com propante simula um comportamento que permite um melhor entendimento do fenômeno de fraturamento hidráulico em formações rochosas bem como um aumento de produtividade em poços de petróleo decorrente do aumento da permeabilidade na fratura com propante. / The closure of fractures, due to depletion, in the naturally fractured reservoirs sensitive to the stress state can promote a significant reduction of the permeability of the geological formation. Understanding the hydraulic characteristics of the fracture network as a function of the operating voltages is fundamental for the design of the reservoir development plane. In this dissertation, a model of fracture closure was proposed during the production of fluids in reservoirs, post-hydraulic billing, using a modification of the constitutive model of Barton-Bandis, aiming to simulate the effect of the proppant in both fluid production and Stresses in training. This model is able to adequately reproduce the behavior of the closure of fractures subjected to a normal compressive stress. It is a hyperbolic closure model with initial rigidity, which converges asymptotically to maximum fracture closure. It is also considered the existence of a proppant with specified diameter and rigidity, in order to make it difficult to close the hydraulic fracture, thus altering the state of tensions in the region adjacent to the fracture, in this sense, the implementation in a finite element program of the Model Barton-Bandis simulates a behavior that allows a better understanding of the phenomenon of hydraulic fracturing in rock formations as well as an increase in productivity in oil wells due to the increase of permeability in proppant fracture.