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Master of Science / Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering / Stacy L. Hutchinson / Soil erosion is a serious problem resulting in degradation of soil systems and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution of water resources. Concentrated overland flow is the primary transport mechanism for many NPS pollutants including soil, and locating areas where sheet flow transitions into concentrated flow is useful for assessing the potential for soil erosion. The ability to predict areas where overland flow transitions to concentrated flow and soil erosion potential is high assists land managers in implementing best management practices (BMPs) to reduce soil erosion and NPS. An erosion model, called the nLS model, was developed to identify transitional overland flow regions. The model is based on the kinematic wave overland flow theory and uses Manning’s n values, flow length, and slope as inputs to determine where overland flow transitions to sheet flow and soil erosion potential increases. Currently, the model has only been tested and validated for watersheds within Kansas. In order to assess model uncertainties and evaluate the model’s applicability to other regions, a sensitivity analysis on key input parameters was conducted. To assess model operations, several sensitivity analyses were performed on model inputs, including digital elevation models (DEMs) and landuse/landcover data (LULC). The impact of slope was assessed using two methods. First, by modifying the DEMs in a stepwise fashion from flatter to steeper terrains, and second, by modifying the elevation of each DEM cell based on the associated elevation error. To assess difficulties that might arise from the parameterization of surface roughness, LULC classes were assigned Manning’s n values within the suggested range using a Monte Carlo simulation. In addition, the critical threshold value used for locating erosion potential sites was modified, and alternative model calculations were used to assess the potential for improving model accuracy. Finally, the model was run using data from multiple sites, including two study areas in Hawaii and two in Kansas. The outputs for each site were analyzed in an attempt to identify any trends caused by site characteristics. Results from this study showed that the nLS model was sensitive to all of the inputs. Modifying the Manning’s roughness coefficient significantly altered the final nLS values and shifted the critical threshold points, especially in areas of the upper watershed. Changes in the slope value modified the nLS model outputs in a predictable manner, but there was some variability, especially in areas with lower slope values. In addition, discrepancies in the DEM, which may be present due to measurement or processing error, were shown to significantly alter the flow paths of a watershed. These findings suggest that accurate roughness coefficients and LULC data are especially important for regions with a steeper topography, and accurate elevation data is important for regions with lower slope values. The results also suggest that the threshold value for the model plays a vital role in locating potential soil erosion sites, and adjustments to this value could possibly be used as a method for calibrating the nLS model. Finally, the alternative model calculations used in this study did not significantly improve the accuracy of the nLS model, so the existing model is sufficient for obtaining accurate nLS estimates. The information gained from this study can improve the assessment of soil erosion processes due to concentrated overland flow. By successfully implementing a land management program that makes use of the nLS models, it should be possible to improve BMP placement and design, helping to improve water and soil quality.

In recent years pervasive computing has enjoyed an amazing growth in both research and commercial fields. Not only have the number of available techniques and tools expanded, but the number of actual deployments has been underwhelming. With this growth however, we are also experiencing a divergence of software interfaces, languages, and techniques. This leads to an understandably confusing landscape which needlessly burdens the development of applications. It is our sincere hope that through the use of specialized interfaces, languages, and tools, we can make pervasive computing environments more approachable and efficient to software developers and thereby increase the utility and value of pervasive computing applications. In this dissertation, we present a new method for creating and managing the long-term conversations between peers in pervasive computing environments. The Application Sessions Model formally describes these conversations and specifies techniques for managing them over their lifetimes. In addition to these descriptions, this dissertation presents a prototype implementation of the model and results from its use for realistic scenarios. To address the Application Sessions Model's unique needs for resource discovery in pervasive computing environments, we also present the Evolving Tuples Model. This model is also formally defined in this dissertation and practical examples are used to clarify its features. A prototype for both sensor hardware and software simulation of this model is described along with results characterizing the behavior of the model. The models, prototypes, and evaluations of both models presented here form the basis of a new and interesting line of research into support structures for pervasive computing application development. / text

Com o objetivo de fornecer ferramenta para auxiliar no dimensionamento da subunidade em irrigação localizada, especificamente para o método de irrigação por gotejamento, foi desenvolvido um Modelo Computacional, para o ambiente Windows em linguagem Visual Basic. Este modelo permitirá que esses sistemas de irrigação possam ser dimensionados sem negligenciar a perda localizada de carga ocasionada pela inserção dos emissores nas linhas laterais e pela inserção das linhas laterais nas linhas de derivação, o que muitas vezes causa desbalanço hidráulico destes sistemas. O modelo considera todas as etapas do desenvolvimento do projeto de irrigação para dimensionamento da subunidade, as características agronômicas do solo, do clima e da cultura, determinando-se condições de armazenamento da água no solo, a evapotranspiração e o ciclo de desenvolvimento da cultura. Para o dimensionamento da subunidade o modelo utiliza parâmetros como, declividade do terreno, pressão de entrada na linha, espaçamento entre emissores e linhas laterais, diâmetro da linha lateral, comprimento da linha de derivação, variação máxima de carga de pressão na lateral e variação máxima de vazão dos emissores. Estes dois últimos parâmetros considerados como critério de projeto. Por último, as características do emissor, sua vazão e área de protrusão, assim como o conector utilizado na conexão da linha lateral com a linha de derivação, que determinarão as perdas localizadas de carga. Com esses parâmetros o modelo determina e fornece como resultado, de forma ágil e precisa, o comprimento máximo da linha lateral pelo método da aproximação hidráulica, a perda localizada de carga, ocasionada pela inserção dos emissores na linha, expresso em termos de comprimento equivalente, os diâmetros para a linha de derivação, a perda localizada de carga, ocasionada pela inserção dos conectores na linha de derivação e o numero de linhas laterais conectadas na linha de derivação. Apresentando a tabela do dimensionamento da linha e o gráfico do perfil de pressão. Nos dimensionamentos realizados, utilizando os tipos de emissores existentes na base de dados do modelo, o emissor que proporcionou maior perda localizada de carga, em termos de comprimento equivalente, foi o emissor in-line (Uniram) com 0,758 m, resultando acréscimo do comprimento da linha lateral em 197,25 m, se desconsideradas as perdas localizadas de carga. O emissor que resultou menor acréscimo nas perdas localizadas de carga foi o do tipo online (Katif), com 0,11 m de comprimento equivalente, correspondendo 29 m de acréscimo no comprimento da linha lateral se desconsideradas as perdas localizadas de carga. Portanto, o modelo permite realizar as comparações do dimensionamento da subunidade considerando e desconsiderando as perdas localizadas de carga, possibilitando observar as diferenças resultantes no dimensionamento da subunidade quando negligenciadas estas perdas. / This research had the objective to develop a tool to design drip irrigation systems subunit. The computational model was developed to Windows in Visual Basic language. The model takes into account in the design both the local head loss due to the insertion of emitters in the lateral line and the insertion the lateral line in the main line. These local head losses are responsible for hydraulic unbalance of this type of irrigation system. The model considers all irrigation project steps for design of a sub-unit: soil properties, climate and crop characteristics. The model determines soil water content, evapotranspiration and crop cycle stage. In the sub-unit design, the model utilizes some parameters, such as, slope, pressure head in the main line, space between emitters and lateral lines, lateral line diameter, length of derivation line, maximum variation of pressure head in the lateral line, and maximum variation of emitters discharge. Emitter characteristics, its discharge and protrusion area, connector used to connect the lateral line into the derivation line, are also taken into account in the model. The model with previous parameters determines and provides precisely results of: maximum length of lateral line by hydraulic approximation method; local head losses, due to emitter insertion into lateral line, expressed as equivalent length losses; derivation line diameter; local head loss, due to connector insertion in the derivation line; and number of lateral line connected in the derivation line. It shows a design table and pressure profile. It was utilized some emitter types in the model database. The in-line emitter (Uniram) showed the biggest local head losses, 0,758 m in terms of equivalent length, it resulted in a increment in the lateral line length of the 197,25 m compared to lateral line without consider the local losses. Emitter online type (Katif) showed the lowest local head losses, 0,11 m of equivalent length which correspond 29 m in the lateral line length. Therefore, the model allows to compare the differences in the sub-unit design when it is considered the local head losses with the sub-units design neglecting theses losses.

In this thesis, a new computer model (tool) for the reliability-based design of rubble-mound coastal defense structures is developed in which design is carried out in a user frienly way giving outputs on time variant reliability for the predetermined lifetimes and damage levels. The model aims to perform the following steps: 1. Determine the sources of uncertainties in design parameters 2. Evaluate the damage risk of coastal structures which are at design stage and are recently constructed. 3. Study the sensitivity of limit state functions to the design parameters. Different from other reliability studies on coastal projects, a new design computer program is developed that can be easily used by everyone working in coastal engineering field.

Agriculture is one of the main sources of phosphorous and nitrogen (P and N) contributing to cultural eutrophication of freshwater lakes and estuaries. In cold regions, the effects of agricultural management practices used to mitigate the runoff loss of these nutrients remain uncertain. In particular, the use of forage crops and minimum tillage, have not reduced some forms of P and N in runoff to streams, in part, as a result of freeze-thaw induced losses of mobile P and N from forages and crop residues. The purpose of this research is to improve the current understanding of the controls on P and N loss from Canadian Prairie fields to ultimately aid in the development and evaluation of beneficial agricultural management practices that perform predictably in cold regions. This study aims to provide new insights into the effects of cold regions hydrological processes on runoff quality through the development and application of a novel inductive - deductive modelling approach. Runoff flowpaths resulting from the three infiltration regimes identified for frozen soils (Granger et al., 1984) are hypothesized to impact the chemistry of field scale meltwater runoff by varying meltwater interaction with agricultural soils and vegetation. Hydrochemistry data from six intensively monitored minimum tillage and forage cropped fields in South Tobacco Creek, Manitoba were used to develop a nutrient model to integrate with a physics-based hydrological modelling platform that can represent the frozen soil infiltration regimes, in addition to other important cold region hydrological processes. The inductive development of a nutrient model, integrated with a deductive physics-based hydrological platform, enabled the modelling of meltwater flowpaths and freeze-thaw induced losses from vegetation. Further testing of the developed model and field experimentation are required to test the hypothesis that runoff generated over a basal ice layer eliminates the transfer of soil nutrients to runoff. Comparison of predicted and observed field scale runoff concentrations and masses suggest that this method of inductive-deductive model development has potential to predict the performance of agricultural management practices in cold regions.

The key to understanding any system, including physiologic and pathologic systems, is to obtain a truly comprehensive view of the system. The purpose of this dissertation was to develop foundational analytical and modeling tools, which would enable such a comprehensive view to be obtained of any physiological or pathological system by combining experimental, clinical, and theoretical viewpoints. Specifically, we focus on the development of analytical and modeling techniques capable of predicting and prioritizing the mechanisms, emergent dynamics, and underlying principles necessary in order to obtain a comprehensive system understanding. Since physiologic systems are inherently complex systems, our approach was to translate the philosophy of complex systems into a set of applied and quantitative methods, which focused on the relationships within the system that result in the system's emergent properties and behavior. The result was a set of developed techniques, referred to as relational modeling and analysis that utilize relationships as either a placeholder or bridging structure from which unknown aspects of the system can be effectively explored. These techniques were subsequently tested via the construction and analysis of models of five very different systems: synaptic neurotransmitter spillover, secondary spinal cord injury, physiological and pathological axonal transport, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and to analyze neurophysiological data of in vivo cat spinal motoneurons. Our relationship-based methodologies provide an equivalent means by which the different perspectives can be compared, contrasted, and aggregated into a truly comprehensive viewpoint that can drive research forward.

Com o objetivo de fornecer ferramenta para auxiliar no dimensionamento da subunidade em irrigação localizada, especificamente para o método de irrigação por gotejamento, foi desenvolvido um Modelo Computacional, para o ambiente Windows em linguagem Visual Basic. Este modelo permitirá que esses sistemas de irrigação possam ser dimensionados sem negligenciar a perda localizada de carga ocasionada pela inserção dos emissores nas linhas laterais e pela inserção das linhas laterais nas linhas de derivação, o que muitas vezes causa desbalanço hidráulico destes sistemas. O modelo considera todas as etapas do desenvolvimento do projeto de irrigação para dimensionamento da subunidade, as características agronômicas do solo, do clima e da cultura, determinando-se condições de armazenamento da água no solo, a evapotranspiração e o ciclo de desenvolvimento da cultura. Para o dimensionamento da subunidade o modelo utiliza parâmetros como, declividade do terreno, pressão de entrada na linha, espaçamento entre emissores e linhas laterais, diâmetro da linha lateral, comprimento da linha de derivação, variação máxima de carga de pressão na lateral e variação máxima de vazão dos emissores. Estes dois últimos parâmetros considerados como critério de projeto. Por último, as características do emissor, sua vazão e área de protrusão, assim como o conector utilizado na conexão da linha lateral com a linha de derivação, que determinarão as perdas localizadas de carga. Com esses parâmetros o modelo determina e fornece como resultado, de forma ágil e precisa, o comprimento máximo da linha lateral pelo método da aproximação hidráulica, a perda localizada de carga, ocasionada pela inserção dos emissores na linha, expresso em termos de comprimento equivalente, os diâmetros para a linha de derivação, a perda localizada de carga, ocasionada pela inserção dos conectores na linha de derivação e o numero de linhas laterais conectadas na linha de derivação. Apresentando a tabela do dimensionamento da linha e o gráfico do perfil de pressão. Nos dimensionamentos realizados, utilizando os tipos de emissores existentes na base de dados do modelo, o emissor que proporcionou maior perda localizada de carga, em termos de comprimento equivalente, foi o emissor in-line (Uniram) com 0,758 m, resultando acréscimo do comprimento da linha lateral em 197,25 m, se desconsideradas as perdas localizadas de carga. O emissor que resultou menor acréscimo nas perdas localizadas de carga foi o do tipo online (Katif), com 0,11 m de comprimento equivalente, correspondendo 29 m de acréscimo no comprimento da linha lateral se desconsideradas as perdas localizadas de carga. Portanto, o modelo permite realizar as comparações do dimensionamento da subunidade considerando e desconsiderando as perdas localizadas de carga, possibilitando observar as diferenças resultantes no dimensionamento da subunidade quando negligenciadas estas perdas. / This research had the objective to develop a tool to design drip irrigation systems subunit. The computational model was developed to Windows in Visual Basic language. The model takes into account in the design both the local head loss due to the insertion of emitters in the lateral line and the insertion the lateral line in the main line. These local head losses are responsible for hydraulic unbalance of this type of irrigation system. The model considers all irrigation project steps for design of a sub-unit: soil properties, climate and crop characteristics. The model determines soil water content, evapotranspiration and crop cycle stage. In the sub-unit design, the model utilizes some parameters, such as, slope, pressure head in the main line, space between emitters and lateral lines, lateral line diameter, length of derivation line, maximum variation of pressure head in the lateral line, and maximum variation of emitters discharge. Emitter characteristics, its discharge and protrusion area, connector used to connect the lateral line into the derivation line, are also taken into account in the model. The model with previous parameters determines and provides precisely results of: maximum length of lateral line by hydraulic approximation method; local head losses, due to emitter insertion into lateral line, expressed as equivalent length losses; derivation line diameter; local head loss, due to connector insertion in the derivation line; and number of lateral line connected in the derivation line. It shows a design table and pressure profile. It was utilized some emitter types in the model database. The in-line emitter (Uniram) showed the biggest local head losses, 0,758 m in terms of equivalent length, it resulted in a increment in the lateral line length of the 197,25 m compared to lateral line without consider the local losses. Emitter online type (Katif) showed the lowest local head losses, 0,11 m of equivalent length which correspond 29 m in the lateral line length. Therefore, the model allows to compare the differences in the sub-unit design when it is considered the local head losses with the sub-units design neglecting theses losses.

The Diploma thesis is focused on analysis of widespread theoretical and methodical techniques of government spending effectiveness evaluation. Emphasis is as well put on advantages and disadvantages clarification of particular methods, their mutual relations and on possible result interpretation error sources. In the theoretical part are suggested different modifications of traditional techniques, which extends usage abilities of those methods. Practical application is intentionally demonstrated on problematic healthcare area, since its controversy allows to better display different ways of real analytic tasks solving. The second chapter contains alternative evaluation approach suggestion in form of computer model of human life economic value estimation. Because of mutual synthesis of different methods, text provides to a reader a complex evaluation system with wide spectrum of usability.

The use of lasers for diagnosis and treatment in medical and cosmetic applications is increasing worldwide. Not all of these modalities are superficial and many require laser light to penetrate some distance into the tissue or skin to reach the treatment site. Human skin is highly scattering for light in the visible and near infrared wavelength regions, with a consequent reduction of the fluence rate. Melanin, which occurs in the epidermis of the skin, acts as an absorber in these wavelength regions and further reduces the fluence rate of light that penetrates through the epidermis to a treatment site. In vivo fluence rate measurements are not viable, but validated and calibrated computer models may play a role in predicting the fluence rate reaching the treatment site. A layered planar computer model to predict laser fluence rate at some depth into skin was developed in a commercial raytracing environment (ASAP). The model describes the properties of various skin layers and accounts for both the absorption and scattering taking place in the skin. The model was validated with optical measurements on skin-simulating phantoms in both reflectance and transmission configurations. It was shown that a planar epidermal/dermal interface is adequate for simulation purposes. In the near infrared wavelength region (676 nm), melanin (consisting of eumelanin and pheomelanin) is the major absorber of light in the epidermis. The epidermal absorption coefficient is one of the required input parameters for the computer model. The range of absorption coefficients expected for typical South African skin phototypes (ranging from photo-sensitive light skin, phototype I on the Fitzpatrick scale, to the photo-insensitive darker skin phototype V) was not available. Non-invasive diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements were done on 30 volunteers to establish the expected range of absorption coefficients. In the analysis it became apparent that the contributions of the eumelanin and pheomelanin must be accounted for separately, specifically for the Asian volunteers. This is a new concept that was introduced in the diffuse reflectance probe analysis. These absorption coefficient measurements were the first to be done on the expected range of skin phototypes for the South African population. Other authors dealing with diffuse reflectance probe analysis only account for the dominant eumelanin. Both the epidermal absorption coefficient and thickness are important in the prediction of the fluence rate loss. The computer model was used to evaluate the effect of the epidermal absorption coefficient (a parameter dictated by an individual’s skin phototype) and the epidermal thickness on the fluence rate loss through the skin. The epidermal absorption is strongly wavelength dependent with the higher absorption at the shorter wavelengths. In the computer model a longer wavelength of 676 nm (typical for a photodynamic treatment (PDT) of cancer) was used. For the darker skin phototypes (V) only about 30% of the initial laser fluence rate reached a depth of 200 ìm into the skin (just into the dermis). For the PDT application, results from the computer model indicated that treatment times need to be increased by as much as 50% for very dark skin phototypes when compared to that of very light phototypes. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Physics / unrestricted