OLEDs have seen a strong growth in development in recent years, however up to 80% of emitted light may be lost within the OLED stack and in the substrate layers. This thesis investigates the effects of the layer stack on the OLED properties and also studies a number of approaches to substrate structuring and treatment in order to couple light from the devices.

<p>The opposition between the realists and the anti-realists isas old as Western science. The question as to whether the“furniture of the world”we call the“things”is to be considered real or not hasconsistently been at the forefront in the debates about scienceand philosophy. This urgent interest is motivated by the closeconnection to another question–namely that of scientificobjectivity - an issue that seldom receives proper treatment.Objectivity has rather been taken for granted in thetraditional Newtonian paradigm with its well-known slogan: Thedetached observer is the objective one and the rational mind ofclarity.</p><p>It was impossible to continue with this dictum, which isresponsible for the cleft between the natural and socialsciences and still presents a ban on human feelings inscientific endeavours, after the findings of quantum mechanicsat the beginning of the 20th century. However the penetratingpower of this important insight has been astonishingly weak andwith the emergence of computer science in the middle of thecentury, Newtonian science’s self-assumed status ofobjectivity has been apprehended as both very doubtful and asevere hindrance in other areas outside the quantum domain ofscientific activity. The efforts of computer modelling andsimulation analysis revealed a pronounced observer-dependencyregarding investigation.</p><p>For these reasons this thesis will scrutinise the activityof science and the art of modelling–proposing the use ofa 2-step model of modelling (metamodel) to clarify andemphasize the involvement of the observer in the process ofobservation. This approach reveals that the object-orientedapproach (OOA), which has been the prevailing one since thedawn of Western science and is one of the basic tenets of theNewtonian paradigm, makes science unable to describe itsobjects of discourse in an observer-independent manner. Such ascience is at risk to be considered inconsistent, incompleteand non-objective and for that reason unfit for consensualscientific use.</p><p>The main claim of this thesis is that the object-orientedapproach is responsible for the genesis of Cartesian dualismand other inconsistencies, which are met in present dayscience. Such a claim is not novel however, but I will arguethat when science is dressed up as the Subject-orientedApproach to Knowledge (SOA) a long row of embarrassing andbewildering situations encountered in classical humanconceptualisation will vanish–in a way that, as far as Iknow, has never been explicitly explained before. This approachalso promises a unification of the different disciplines ofsciences so that e.g. the social sciences can be treated on anequal footing with the natural sciences–and thus thisembarrassing gulf of human knowledge can be removed. This is aprofound shift of paradigm in science and the re-orientation ofhuman thinking required is both considerable andtime-consuming.</p><p>For this reason this thesis is not a systematic presentationof the SOA, but rather tries, in Part 1, to pave the way for anunderstanding of this approach by an introductory discussionabout the means and scope of science and the essential role ofsymbolic modelling in this endeavour–and in particularthe way these activities will be influenced by the anticipatedchange of paradigm. Some historical aspects of this particularSOA are also given as a background and this section iscompleted by a brief survey of the modern trends in scientificmodelling.</p><p>Part 2 is collection of papers dealing with the principlesof modelling and simulation, and, rather more importantly, asequence of papers reflecting how the ideas of the SOA havedeveloped throughout the years due to the inconsistencies metwith in these and adjacent areas. To my mind they prove -beyond the point of any consensual doubt–that therealist’s position in science cannot be defended anylonger and that the“things of the world”by thescientific community must be considered merely privateallusions.</p><p>More important however is the insight that the Newtonianparadigm is unable to produce an observer-independentdescription of this world with its conceived things and theonly way out of this embarrassing dilemma seems to be theacceptance of the SOA–with its hitherto strictly bannedfeature of subjectivity. Using this approach, we claim, sciencecan be given a consensual and consistent foundation–andthe price to pay is the loss of scientific ontology. As alreadypointed out this thesis merely hints at the new path to take–instead concentrating on the reasons for the impendingdemise of scientific realism and need of a constructive systemsscience.</p>

The ability to make purchases in community settings is highly advantageous as it allows individuals freedom of choice and the ability to function within their own community. Independence and autonomy is especially important for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID’s), however prerequisite knowledge of money concepts required for making cash purchases may be too complex for individuals with cognitive challenges. The use of EFTPOS cards to make purchases is a comparatively easy process with limited prerequisite skills required therefore, is an ideal starting point for teaching purchasing skills to individuals with cognitive challenges. Video modelling (VM) and video self-modelling (VSM) procedures have shown to be effective and efficient instructional techniques for teaching various skills to individuals with ID’s however, research on the effectiveness and efficiency of these procedures with individuals with Down syndrome (DS) or with EFTPOS purchases is minimal. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of VM and VSM interventions in teaching independent EFTPOS purchasing skills to 6 young adults with DS using a non-concurrent within-participant design. The results indicates that both VM and VSM interventions were effective and efficient as all 6 participants exhibited increases in task acquisition with the introduction of the intervention, and 5 of the 6 were able to consistently use their EFTPOS cards to purchase chosen items throughout intervention and follow-up generalisation probes (2 weeks postintervention). Therefore, this study suggests both VM and VSM may be equally effective for teaching young adults with DS EFTPOS purchasing skills in community stores.

Freight transport is the output of an economic market, which converts commodity flows into vehicle flows. Interactions in this market influence vehicle flows and since freight market characteristics (product differentiation and economies of scale/scope) violate perfect competition conditions, the output of this market cannot be predicted directly, unless these interactions are represented in the forecasting models. Traditional freight modelling frameworks do not consider these interactions and consequently they may provide inaccurate freight flow forecasts. In this dissertation, a freight modelling framework is proposed using simulation of freight agent interactions in the economic market to forecast freight flows. The framework is named FREMIS (FREight Market Interactions Simulation). The FREMIS framework consists of two demand models to represent shipper decisions (bundling of shipments and carrier selection) in the market and functions based on profit maximizing behaviour to simulate carrier proposals for contracts. Besides that, learning models are proposed to simulate agent learning processes based on their interactions. The framework was developed aiming to create a realistic representation of freight markets using feasible data collection methods. To illustrate the feasibility of the data collection, a customized web survey was implemented with shippers and carriers in a freight market. Two probabilistic models were developed using the data. The first model, a shipment bundling model was proposed combining a probabilistic model and a vehicle routing algorithm. The results of the probabilistic model are presented in this dissertation, where the locations of shipments (origin and destination) influence the probability of bundling them. Second, three carrier selection models were developed aiming to analyse the nonresponse bias and non-attendance problem in the survey. All of these models assumed heteroskedasticity (different scale or variance) in shipper behaviour. In all models, the hypothesis of agents’ heteroskedasticity cannot be rejected. Besides that, nonresponse bias and non-attendance problem were identified in the survey. In conclusion, the models obtained from the survey were consistent with their behavioural assumptions and therefore they can be adopted during FREMIS implementation.

No description available.

This thesis explores the roles of physical and mathematical modelling in the prediction of temperature profiles in the composting process. A literature-based evaluation of the performance of laboratory- and pilot scale composting reactors, showed that physical models used in composting research frequently do not properly simulate the full-scale composting environment, and may therefore produce results which are not applicable at full scale. In particular, self-heating, laboratory-scale, reactors typically involve significant convective/conductive/radiative losses, even with insulation present. This problem can be overcome by using controlled temperature difference or controlled heat flux laboratory reactors, which allow convective/conductive/radiative heat fluxes to be controlled to levels close to those occurring in full-scale systems. A new method of assessing the simulation performance of composting systems is presented. This utilises the areas bounded by the temperature-time profile and reference temperatures of 40 and 55 ℃ (A₄₀ and A₅₅), the times for which these temperatures are exceeded (t₄₀ and t₅₅), and times to peak temperature. An evaluation of published temperature profiles showed a marked difference in these parameters when comparing many laboratory- and full-scale reactors. The impact of aeration is illustrated, and laboratory- and pilot-scale reactors able to provide good temperature profile simulation, both qualitatively and quantitatively, are identified. Mathematical models of the composting process are reviewed and their ability to predict temperature profiles assessed. The most successful models in predicting temperature profiles have incorporated either empirical kinetic expressions, or utilised a first-order model, with empirical corrections for temperature and moisture. However, no temperature models have been able to predict maximum, average and peak temperatures to within 5, 2 and 2 ℃ respectively, or to predict the times to reach peak temperatures to within 8 h, although many models were able to successfully predict temperature profile shape characteristics. An evaluation of published constant-temperature and varying-temperature substrate degradation profiles revealed very limited evidence to support the application of single exponential, double exponential or non-logarithmic Gompertz functions in modelling substrate degradation kinetics, and this was identified as a potential weakness in the temperature prediction model. A new procedure for correcting substrate degradation profiles generated at varying temperature to a constant temperature of 40 ℃ was developed and applied in this analysis, and on experimental data generated in the present work. A new approach to the estimation of substrate degradation profiles in the composting process, based on a re-arrangement of the heat balance around a reactor, was developed, and implemented with both a simulated data set, and data from composting experiments conducted in a laboratory-scale constant temperature difference (CTD) reactor. A new simulated composting feedstock for use in these experiments was prepared from ostrich feed pellets, office paper, finished compost and woodchips. The new modelling approach successfully predicted the generic shape of experimental substrate degradation profiles obtained from CO2 measurements, but under the conditions and assumptions of the experiment, the profiles were quantitatively different. Both measured CO2-carbon (CO2-C) and predicted biodegradable volatile solids carbon (BVS-C) profiles were moderately to well fitted by single exponential functions with similar rate coefficients. When corrected to a constant temperature of 40 ℃, these profiles gave either multi-phase or double exponential profiles, depending upon the cardinal temperatures used in the temperature correction procedure. If it is assumed that the double exponential model generated is correct, this work provides strong evidence that a substrate degradation curve generated under appropriate laboratory conditions at 40 ℃ would, given the correct cardinal temperatures, generate a correct substrate degradation profile under varying temperature conditions, and that this in turn would enable an accurate and precise prediction of the temperature profile using a heat and mass balance approach. This finding opens the door for the development of a simple laboratory test for composting raw material characterisation, but underlines the need for accurate estimates of the physical cardinal temperatures. Experimental factors appear to be the likely cause of the dysfunction between previously reported substrate degradation patterns and existing substrate degradation models, and suggestions for further research are provided in order to more precisely and accurately quantify these factors.

Freight transport is the output of an economic market, which converts commodity flows into vehicle flows. Interactions in this market influence vehicle flows and since freight market characteristics (product differentiation and economies of scale/scope) violate perfect competition conditions, the output of this market cannot be predicted directly, unless these interactions are represented in the forecasting models. Traditional freight modelling frameworks do not consider these interactions and consequently they may provide inaccurate freight flow forecasts. In this dissertation, a freight modelling framework is proposed using simulation of freight agent interactions in the economic market to forecast freight flows. The framework is named FREMIS (FREight Market Interactions Simulation). The FREMIS framework consists of two demand models to represent shipper decisions (bundling of shipments and carrier selection) in the market and functions based on profit maximizing behaviour to simulate carrier proposals for contracts. Besides that, learning models are proposed to simulate agent learning processes based on their interactions. The framework was developed aiming to create a realistic representation of freight markets using feasible data collection methods. To illustrate the feasibility of the data collection, a customized web survey was implemented with shippers and carriers in a freight market. Two probabilistic models were developed using the data. The first model, a shipment bundling model was proposed combining a probabilistic model and a vehicle routing algorithm. The results of the probabilistic model are presented in this dissertation, where the locations of shipments (origin and destination) influence the probability of bundling them. Second, three carrier selection models were developed aiming to analyse the nonresponse bias and non-attendance problem in the survey. All of these models assumed heteroskedasticity (different scale or variance) in shipper behaviour. In all models, the hypothesis of agents’ heteroskedasticity cannot be rejected. Besides that, nonresponse bias and non-attendance problem were identified in the survey. In conclusion, the models obtained from the survey were consistent with their behavioural assumptions and therefore they can be adopted during FREMIS implementation.

The Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis, WEGR) is a Species of Special Concern in Alberta, declining in distribution and abundance. I evaluated how environmental variables including emergent vegetation, human developments, and prey availability affected WEGR persistence and abundance on 43 lakes in Alberta that historically supported WEGR. Persistence and abundance of WEGR were correlated, and both were positively associated with shoreline bulrush (Scirpus lacustris) and human development within a 500m buffer surrounding the lake, while inversely associated with surrounding forest. Bulrush provides important habitat for nesting, and WEGR are likely to occur on the same large fish-bearing lakes that humans prefer for recreation. However, this relationship with development puts grebes at risk for disturbance and habitat lossa primary threat to endangered birds. I recommend shoreline vegetation be protected for the success of breeding grebes, and human activity around colonies should be kept to a minimum to curb further WEGR decline. / Ecology

This work concerns the modelling of scenarios for a residential hydrogen refuelling system. Such a system is under construction within the Engineering Safe and Compact Hydrogen Energy Reserves (ESCHER) project. Non-reacting and reacting simulations are compared against experimental data before being applied to a residential garage scenario. The non-reacting simulations utilise natural ventilation, which utilises the natural buoyancy of hydrogen and vent locations to disperse flammable mixtures. This is favoured over mechanical ventilation, which could fail. The non-reacting work focuses on investigating the most suitable venting configuration for a release of hydrogen from a refuelling system located within a residential garage. Different vent configurations are examined initially before proceeding to take into account atmospheric conditions, wind, and the presence of a vehicle for the two best venting configurations. This is to determine the venting configuration that would diminish the accumulation of a flammable mixture, as well as dissipating the mixture quickest after the release has stopped. The modelling strategy utilised for this work is validated against two different sets of experimental data, prior to the investigation into residential garages. The predicted and experimental results show good agreement for the modelling procedure suggested. The reacting investigations are for both premixed and non-premixed combustion. The non-premixed combustion investigates the temperature distributions and as such the possible harm to people for such a scenario, compared against experimental data. The results show some over predictions of the temperatures. The premixed combustion investigates the potential overpressures that may occur if a homogeneous mixture was to form and ignite, within a residential garage. This work is preceded by a validation of the combustion model with the predicted results compared to data from The University of Sydney. The validation results show that the modelling strategy matches the peak overpressures accurately. The non-reacting studies show that having a lower vent opposite the release and an higher vent near the release produces the smallest flammable mixture as well as dissipating the mixture to the external surroundings quickest. The non-premixed reacting work shows good agreement with experimental results. The premixed reacting work shows that the garage would destruct with major consequences to people and surroundings. This work would be applicable to any potential usage of indoor refuelling for hydrogen vehicles, helping to determine a suitable configuration for mitigating hydrogen releases. It should be noted that all such work is geometrically dependent and as such the strategy proposed would be useful for investigating individual scenarios.

The Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) is an important species, not only ecologically and economically, but as a source of recreation to many. The pollination services the species provides benefit a number of crops worldwide, and, as the honeybee is domesticated and kept in hives, can be directed commercially. Recently, although overall global stocks are growing, there have been reports of high colony losses worldwide. Due to the value of this species, this is a worrying trend. There are many stressors facing the honeybee, both natural and anthropogenic in origin. Two of the most prevalent, both in the popular media and in monitoring studies of colonies are insecticidal pesticides and the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. Due to the difficulties and expense of carrying out large-scale field studies required to properly investigate the multiple stressors and their interaction, the use of modelling to explore the problem and direct field work is a vital resource. In this thesis, I present research using the BEEHAVE model and a novel model to explore the exposure and potential impacts of pesticides and the varroa mite. The results show that the timing of a pesticide exposure in the year greatly changes the resultant impact on the colony. Pesticides can have many impacts on different stages of the honeybee, and I show that increased mortalities of different life stages of the honeybee (larvae, in-hive adults, foragers) and decreasing egg-laying rate, affect the development of the colony to different extents at different times of the year, with the colony being highly sensitive to losses of in-hive bees during the summer, and the over-wintering bees at the beginning and end of the year. A novel model is presented exploring the in-hive distribution of pesticide-containing nectar and the effect it has on the exposure of in-hive receiving bees and larvae. The results from this model show that, in-hive distribution is not important to consider for the adults, but may be for the larvae. The landscape, specifically the distance to pesticide-treated forage in relation to untreated forage also has an impact on the result of a pesticide exposure, and this is a potential avenue for the mitigation of pesticide impacts. I also present work towards the validation of BEEHAVE with regards to varroa mite infestation, finding that the model results are close to empirical data, both for datasets from the UK and USA, but the impact of varroa is underestimated. The results are discussed in the context of pesticide risk assessment, the mitigation of potential stressors and the modelling of the varroa mite. The BEEHAVE model is a vital tool for many applications, one being the risk assessment of pesticides. A review of the model by the European Food Security Agency (EFSA) highlighted extensions to the model required before it can be incorporated. This research begins to answer some questions asked in that review.