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Ground-level ozone (O3) is a secondary pollutant produced by its precursors, such as volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) through complex photochemical reactions in sunlight. This study was aimed to investigate the relationships of surface ozone with its precursors in urban locations. Atmospheric measurements of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric acid (HNO3) were conducted at the three sites, namely Nan-Tze, Chien-Chin and Hsiung-Kong, in Kaohsiung City during three consecutive days of fall, winter and spring seasons in 2002-2003, from which the ozone-VOC-NOx sensitive regimes were derived using two methods, namely the indicator ratios of H2O2/HNO3 and O3/HNO3 developed by Sillman (1997), and the extent parameter, E, of SPM (Smog Production Model) developed by Blanchard (1994). Measurements indicate that H2O2 reaches its peak concentration approximately at noon to afternoon (12:00 to 15:00); meanwhile HNO3 reaches its lowest concentration. In general, fall season has highest concentrations on H2O2 and HNO3, followed by spring and winter. The correlation analyses indicate that ozone has positive relationships with temperature and solar insolation, while it has negative relationships with NOx, NO and NO2. According to the indicator ratios of H2O2/HNO3 = 0.3 ¡V 0.6, O3/HNO3 = 12 -16 (Sillman, 1997), results show that VOC-limited regimes occupy about 62.5% and 58.3% at the Hsiung-Kong site, 47.8% and 69.6% at the Nan-Tze site, and 33.3% and 70.8% at the Chien-Chin site in the fall season. Results also show that VOC-limited regimes occupy about 80.9% and 66.7% at the Hsiung-Kong site, 54.2% and 41.7% at the Nan-Tze site, and 70.8% and 45.8% at the Chien-Chin site in the winter, while it is 52.4¢Mand 80.9¢Mat the Hsiung-Kong site, 50.0¢Mand 66.7¢Mat the Nan-Tze site, and 35.7¢Mand 28.6¢Mat the Chien-Chin site in the spring. According to the critical value of extent parameter, Ecrit = 0.7 (Blanchard, 1994), IV results show that VOC-limited regimes pre-dominate at three sites in autumn, winter and spring, all occupying 100% except in that a VOC-limited regime occupies about 91.7% at the Chien-Chin site in spring. In summary, the ozone-VOC-NOx sensitivity results derived from indicator ratios agree fairly well with SPM results, except for the Chien-Chin site in spring. The indicator ratios and Ecrit are frequently considered to be universal under given assumptions. However, these values may vary with meteorology and topography. Further studies are needed to characterize these parameters locally.

ABSTRACT Ground-level ozone (O3) is a secondary pollutant produced by its precursors, such as volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) through complex photochemical reactions in sunlight. This study was aimed to investigate the relationships of surface ozone with its precursors in the urban and rural locations in Pingtung County. Atmospheric measurements of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric acid (HNO3) were conducted at the two sites, namely Pingtung city and Chaochou, in Pingtung County during three consecutive days of fall, winter and spring seasons in 2002-2003, from which the ozone-VOC-NOx sensitive regimes were derived using two methods, namely the indicator ratios of H2O2/HNO3 and O3/HNO3 developed by Sillman (1997), and the extent parameter, E, of SPM (Smog Production Model) developed by Blanchard (1994). According to the indicator ratios of H2O2/HNO3 = 0.3 ¡V 0.6, O3/HNO3 = 12 -16 (Sillman, 1997), results at the Pingtung site show that VOC-limited regimes occupy about 68% in autumn, winter and spring. Results at the Chaochou site show that VOC-limited regimes occupy about 52.8% in autumn and winter, while NOx-limited regimes occupy about 54.2% in spring. According to the critical value of extent parameter, Ecrit = 0.7 (Blanchard, 1994), results show that VOC-limited regimes predominate (93.8%) at Pingtung site in winter and spring. Results at the Chaochou site show that VOC-limited regimes predominate (87.5%) in winter, while NOx-limited regimes predominate (58.3%) in spring. In summary, the ozone-VOC-NOx sensitivity results derived from indicator ratios agree fairly well with SPM results. The indicator ratios and Ecrit are frequently considered to be universal under given assumptions. However, these values may vary with meteorology and topography. Further studies are needed to characterize these parameters locally.

This dissertation examines speakers’ production of speech and representational gesture. It utilizes the Repetition Effect as the investigative tool. The Repetition Effect appears to vary by the tendency for some items to shorten when repeating, at least under the condition that speakers can primarily operate by their assumption of the state of knowledge of the listener. In speech, a highly conventionalized form of performance, word duration reduces within the same stretch of coherent discourse; then, it resets in the first mention of a new stretch of coherent discourse regardless of the state of knowledge to the speaker or the listener. Therefore, the Repetition Effect in speech is best analyzed as an automatic behavior triggered by discourse structure, rather than reflecting online changes in word accessibility for either interlocutor, be it for the speaker (Listener-neutral explanation) or for the listener (Listener-modeling explanation). The Repetition Effect in speech production in this dissertation will be accounted for within an exemplar model of the perception/production loop. However, in representational gestures, a much less conventionalized form of performance compared to speech, the Repetition Effect shows a different pattern. When speakers only operate by their assumption of the state of knowledge of the listener, without dynamic, appreciable listener feedback, they steadily reduce most types of representational gesture across tellings. Based on these results, it can be argued that representational gestures primarily serve as a part of speech production, rather than as communicative acts. That is, they are produced without regard to the novelty of the information to the listener, thus, consistent with the Listener-neutral explanation.

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This paper proposes an optimization model aimed at increasing production capabilities at a small-sized textile business dedicated to manufacturing polo shirts, while reducing order fulfillment issues, including incomplete orders and late deliveries. Hence, an assessment identified downtimes from unnecessary transportation travel, time spent looking for materials, and excessive losses due to cutting fabric errors. In this light, the study focused on selecting adaptable tools, such as 5S, Plant Layout, and Method Study, which may help improve production capabilities and address these situations. However, to guarantee that the objectives set forth are being met, the organizational culture must also be identified and improved so that it may serve as the foundation for the optimization model. Then, the proposed model will be validated to determine whether the selected operating tools supported by the strengthening of organization culture contribute to increasing production.

In natural sciences, frequentist paradigm has led statistical practice; however, Bayesian approach has been gaining strength in the last decades. Our study assessed the scalloped hammerhead shark population on the western North Atlantic Ocean using Bayesian methods. This approach allowed incorporate diverse types of errors in the surplus production model and compare the influences of different statistical estimators on the values of the key parameters (r, growth rate; K carrying capacity; depletion, FMSY , fishing levels that would sustain maximum yield; and NMSY, abundance at maximum sustainable yield). Furthermore, we considered multi-levelpriors due to the variety of results on the population growth rate of this species. Our research showed that estimator selection influences the results of the surplus production model and therefore, the value of the target management points. Based on key parameter estimates with uncertainty and Deviance Information Criterion, we suggest that state-space Bayesian models be used for assessing scalloped hammerhead shark or other fish stocks with poor data available. This study found the population was overfished and suffering overfishing. Therefore, based on our research and that there was very low evidence of recovery according with the last data available, we suggest prohibition of fishing for this species because: (1) it is highly depleted (14% of its initial population), (2) the fishery status is very unstable over time, (3) it has a low reproductive rate contributing to a higher risk of overexploitation, and (4) the easiness of misidentification among different hammerhead sharks (smooth, great, scalloped and cryptic species). / Master of Science

Inferential control of boric acid production system using the reaction of colemanite with sulfuric acid in four continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) connected in series is aimed. In this control scheme, pH of the product is measured on-line instead of boric acid concentration for control purposes. An empirical correlation between pH and boric acid concentration is developed using the collected data in a batch reacting system in laboratory-scale and this correlation is utilized in the control system for estimator design. The transfer function model of the 4-CSTR system previously obtained is used in the MPC controller design. In the experiments done previously for the modelling of 4-CSTR system, it was observed that the reaction goes complete within the first reactor. Therefore, the control is based on the measurements of pH of the second reactor by manipulating the flow rate of sulfuric acid given to the first reactor, while the flow rate of colemanite fed to the system is considered as disturbance. The designed controller&rsquo / s performance is tested for set point tracking, disturbance rejection and robustness issues using a simulation program. It is found that, the designed controller is performing satisfactorily, using the inferential control strategy for this complex reacting system.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The efficient model preparation allows a crop forecast, better research strategies and the correct allocation of a determinate crop in an environment, according to weather conditions. With the techniques uses as the modeling, it is possible to create future scenarios using simulations, which use equations to represent a process. To achieve the high agricultural productive, there is a necessity to identify the production factors that limit the plants growth. The most part of the years, the rain frequency and its intensity in the soybean development period aren t enough to a crop shows its productive potential. So, the present research has as a purpose the application of a simulation model to the soybean crop in the region of Santiago RS, allowing to know the production response of many different water lengths. To accomplish the job it was necessary to develop an experimental proceeding to generate necessary datas to calibrate, test and apply a simulation model of water extraction from the soil and its respective response in the crop production. As experimental results, it was obtained variation in the growth and soybean crop development with the application of many different irrigation strategies, resulting in distinct productivities. The increase in the irrigation length provided an increment in the production components of the studied crops. The production model applied was able to simulate satisfactorily the total dry matter and the grain production to the soybean crop. The water balance components were influenced by different simulated irrigation strategies, and these influenced in the final productivity of the crop studied. The efficiency of the water use and the efficiency of the water application became less with the irrigation strategies increase. The production model application to the production functions showed that, the applied length since 800 mm caused a reduction in the production of soybean crop grains. The model showed itself as an important tool in the productive preview in irrigated conductions, showing the best strategies of irrigation that result in a high grain production. / A elaboração de modelos eficientes permite a previsão de safra, melhores estratégias de pesquisa e a alocação correta de determinada cultura em um ambiente, estando na dependência do conhecimento das condições climáticas. A partir da utilização de técnicas como a modelagem, é possível a criação de cenários futuros por intermédio de simulações, que utilizam um conjunto de equações que irão representar um processo. Para se alcançar altas produtividades agrícolas, há necessidade de se identificar os fatores de produção que limitam o crescimento das plantas. Na maior parte dos anos, a freqüência e a intensidade das chuvas no período de desenvolvimento da soja, são insuficientes para que a cultura manifeste seu potencial produtivo. Desta forma, o presente trabalho propõe a aplicação de um modelo de simulação para a cultura da soja na região de Santiago, RS, permitindo conhecer a resposta da produção a diferentes lâminas de água aplicada. Para isto, foi necessário desenvolver procedimento experimental para geração de dados necessários para calibrar, testar e aplicar um modelo de simulação da extração da água do solo e a respectiva resposta em produção da cultura. Como resultados experimentais, obteve-se variações no crescimento e desenvolvimento da cultura da soja com a aplicação de diferentes estratégias de irrigação, resultando em produtividades distintas. O aumento nas lâminas de irrigação proporcionou incremento nos componentes de produção das cultivares estudadas. O modelo de produção aplicado foi capaz de simular satisfatoriamente o acúmulo de matéria seca total e a produção de grãos para a cultura da soja. Os componentes do balanço hídrico foram influenciados pelas diferentes estratégias de irrigação simuladas, e estas influenciaram na produtividade final da cultura em estudo. A eficiência do uso da água e a eficiência de aplicação da água diminuíram com o aumento da estratégia de irrigação. A aplicação do modelo de produção para funções de produção mostrou que, lâmina aplicada a partir de 800 mm causou redução na produção de grãos na cultura da soja. O modelo se mostrou uma importante ferramenta na previsão da produtividade em condições irrigadas, evidenciando as melhores estratégias de irrigação que resultem em elevadas produções de grãos.