The dissertation consists of two parts.The first part is mainly to provide the algorithms and error estimates of the collocation Trefftz methods (CTMs) for seeking the solutions of partial differential equations. We consider several popular models of PDEs with singularities, including Poisson equations and the biharmonic equations. The second part is to present the collocation methods (CMs) and to give a unified framework of combinations of CMs with other numerical methods such as finite element method, etc. An interesting fact has been justified: The integration quadrature formulas only affect on the uniformly $V_h$-elliptic inequality, not on the solution accuracy. In CTMs and CMs, the Gaussian quadrature points will be chosen as the collocation points. Of course, the Newton-Cotes quadrature points can be applied as well. We need a suitable dense points to guarantee the uniformly $V_h$-elliptic inequality. In addition, the solution domain of problems may not be confined in polygons. We may also divide the domain into several small subdomains. For the smooth solutions of problems, the different degree polynomials can be chosen to approximate the solutions properly. However, different kinds of admissible functions may also be used in the methods given in this dissertation. Besides, a new unified framework of combinations of CMs with other methods will be analyzed. In this dissertation, the new analysis is more flexible towards the practical problems and is easy to fit into rather arbitrary domains. Thus is a great distinctive feature from that in the existing literatures of CTMs and CMs. Finally, a few numerical experiments for smooth and singularity problems are provided to display effectiveness of the methods proposed, and to support the analysis made.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 102 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 80-81).

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a sensorineural hearing loss resulting from excessive noise exposure (von Geirke, 1975). In New Zealand the Department of Labour stipulates that employees must not be exposed to more than an eight-hour equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (LAeq,8h) of 85 dB(A) or a peak sound pressure level (Lpeak) of 140 dB(A). Sandblasting is a process, whereby an abrasive is mixed with air at high pressures and exposes the operators to excessive noise (Blair, 1975). The protective equipment currently worn is a closed respirator system consisting of a helmet and cape, overseas research indicates noise levels inside the helmet are above the allowable levels (Blair, 1975; Environmental Medicine Unit, 1998; Irving, 1995; Patel and Irvings, 1999; Price and Whitaker, 1986 and Sussel 1992). There is disagreement in the literature as to the contribution of the noise created by the respirator system to the total noise exposure (Blair, 1975; Environmental Medicine Unit report, 1998; Irving, 1995 and Price and Whitaker, 1986). In some blasting sites additional hearing protection such as foam insert earplugs and/or earmuffs are worn in conjunction with the helmet. No research could be found investigating the resulting attenuation these combinations provide. It is well reported in the literature that the combined attenuation is more complex than the simple sum of the two components attenuation (Abel & Armstrong, 1991; Abel & Odell, 2006; Behar, 1990; Berger, 1983; Damongeot, Lataye & Kusy, 1989). The aims of the current study were to investigate noise levels during blasting inside booths and the operators’ helmets at two sites in New Zealand. The attenuation provided by the helmet alone and in combination with earmuffs was investigated in the laboratory. The contribution of the respirator airflow to the total noise exposure was also investigated. Finally the measured combined attenuation was compared to that calculated using three methods from the literature. Findings indicate that noise levels in blasting booths and inside operators’ helmets are above allowable levels. Laboratory findings indicate that the use of earmuffs in conjunction with the helmet increases the attenuation provided, therefore decreasing the risk of NIHL and that noise from the respirator airflow does not contribute to the total noise inside the helmet. The combined attenuation calculated from two methods in the literature was inaccurate while one was close. The findings, recommendations, limitations of the study and areas for further research are discussed.

This practice-based project explores the photographic phenomenon of ‘moment beyond moment’, which refers to the combined representations of an existing image in an environment, together with the real-life situation at the moment the photograph is taken. I call this photograph an ‘extended photograph’. Employing practical works of extended photographs and focusing on interactions between the moment in real-life and the moment in an existing image, the research explores the transformation of meanings caused by the interactions of these moments in an extended photograph. The research owes its approach to grounded theory, contrary thinking and Chinese Buddhist ‘Sudden Enlightenment’ to further its aim of exploring the unpredictable interaction of these moments, and to disclose the potentials of meaning transformation. My research outcome intends to initiate a discourse with photographic practitioners and theorists on the phenomenon of moment beyond moment in a working environment that is encaged by the excessive existence of displayed images. The thesis is composed as a creative work that consists of a series of photographic images accompanied by an exegesis component. The images represent a nominal 80%, and the exegesis 20% of the final submission.

This work has examined the thermochemical conversion of sugar cane processing wastes (bagasse and cane harvesting trash) for use in the design of pressurised entrained flow gasification power cycles (~20 Barg, 600-900oC). The two key parameters of interest were the residual char yield from initial pyrolysis and the heterogeneous reactivity of the char with respect to carbon dioxide. Char yield and gasification rates were measured by a conventional wire mesh reactor and thermogravimetric (TGA) technique, an in-situ sample charring TGA technique and with an entrained flow reactor specifically designed for this work. The new experimental reactor concept is one of the major contributions of the work. Chars from the entrained flow experiments were characterised by optical microscope, SEM/EDS, TEM/EDS and XPS techniques, to help elucidate the processes occurring during pyrolysis and gasification. The key findings and conclusions of the work were as follows: 1. Initial (pyrolysis) char yields were consistent with the data reported in literature for similar materials. Char yields varied with reaction conditions, from 6 to 49 wt% daf for cane trash and 4 to 40 wt% daf for bagasse. Ash content also had a significant effect on char yield. The char yield for both cane trash and bagasse increased in proportion to the logarithm of system pressure. 2. A relatively simple empirical model for char yield under pressurised entrained flow conditions was formulated. This could predict char yields for both the experimental data in this work and those reported in literature for similar biomass materials. While temperature, pressure and ash content were all significant parameters in the model, the primary fitting parameter was a measure of the contribution of secondary char forming reactions and ongoing pyrolysis to char yield. The identification of this parameter is one of the contributions of this work. 3. The measured initial rate of char gasification by carbon dioxide was 0.06 to 1.2 mg per gram of initial char, over the temperature range 750 to 900oC. The rate of gasification was so low as to not contribute significantly to overall fuel conversion in the reaction residence times iv expected of a commercial gasifier. In essence almost all of the experimentally measured fuel conversion could be attributed to pyrolysis, which resulted in 85-95% fuel conversion. 4. Both the raw materials and the residual chars had low surface areas and negligible microporosity. The majority of the measured surface area may have been associated with the ash component rather than the carbonaceous component, which supported the finding of low reactivity. 5. The silica component of the chars exhibited crystalline silicate formation by migration of metal species over time periods of minutes. These silicates displayed signs of sintering, but otherwise remained physically intact; leaving a characteristic skeleton that corresponded to the original structure in the raw materials. 6. The gasification rate showed a time dependent decrease in the entrained flow experiments. This was attributed to coke formation on the char surface, followed by carbon trapping in the ash component at high levels of conversion. Both findings are significant contributions from this work, because they highlight key mechanisms that hinder fuel conversion in the proposed gasification concept. The broad coverage achieved in this work has provided an overall picture of how fuel conversion progresses during the pressurised entrained flow gasification of sugar cane wastes. It is recommended that many of the aspects highlighted in this work be examined further, to confirm the findings and to investigate the means to avoid the factors identified in this work as hindering fuel conversion.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S. in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy)--Joint Forces Staff College, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, 2008. / Title from PDF title page; viewed on Dec. 24, 2008. "04 April 2008." Electronic version of original print document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-70).

Thesis (M.S. in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy)--Joint Forces Staff College, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, 2007. / Title from title screen; viewed on July 9, 2007. "1 June 2007." Electronic version of original print document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-100).

DECATHLON TRAINING Thesis objectives: The aim of the thesis was to describe an actual performance process, to characterize an athletic training in its three stages, and to analyse in more detail a training in the last three years training cycles. The other aim was an evaluation of the last three seasons, searching for unbalanced results, and estimation of further performance possibilities. Methods: The methods used in the thesis were description, comparison and analysis. Results: We found out the individual training cycles are consistent to a large extent. The performance had a rising tendency almost to the final training cycle; nevertheless, the performance according to possible performance potential heretofore was not achieved. Better results are achieved in individual competitions, than in the whole decathlon. Keywords: decathlon, training, performance

The untreated overflow of combined sewer system contains a variety of pollutants that can contaminate the receiving water body. Total suspended solids (TSS) transported in the sewer networks can adsorb these pollutants and become the main contaminant source. Existing models contain a numerous formulas that make the calculation process complex and time consuming. A simplified model was presented in this thesis to simulate the process of TSS transport in combined sewer pipes. The combined sewer system evaluated was a combination of an existing sewer system in Le Marais and an example system provided with the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). SWMM was used in this research to simulate the rainfall event, pollutant build-up and wash-off process, and to provide hydraulic calculations for the combined sewer system. A spreadsheet model was created to calculate the TSS concentration profile and flow velocity profile. The total TSS transport rate was computed using a numerical estimation of the integral of the concentration in the cross-section area multiplied by the velocity. The flow depth, velocity, and Froude number of each pipe was calculated to show that the combined sewer system was under proper working conditions. The first flush phenomenon was observed by plotting the TSS concentration pollutograph of the combined sewer system. From the TSS transport pollutograph, the maximum transport rate was found (0.2609 kg/s at 6:45). The study of TSS profile showed that the concentration distribution was based on the solid density. The TSS particle also affected the transport rate. A sensitivity analysis of particle size was conducted in this thesis. A second order polynomial was used to describe the relationship between median particle size d50¬ ¬and TSS transport rate.