No description available.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2005. / Thesis research directed by: Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Multiple aquifer systems similar to those that exist at coal gasification sites are complicated groundwater situations. In these types of systems, the aquifers are separated by aquitards through which interaction between aquifers can occur. The movement of the products of combustion into the coal seam and adjacent aquifers is a serious problem of interest. This dissertation presents two-dimensional finite element models for water flow and water quality in multiple aquifer systems. These models can be applied for general problems as well as the problems associated with the burned cavities in coal gasification sites. The Galerkin weightedresidual method is used in both models. Eight-noded isoparametric elements are used. Spatial numerical integration is performed using Gaussian quadrature. A weighted finite difference scheme is used, in both of them, for time integration. The two models are written in FORTRAN V for the CDC CYBER 175. They are applicable to one- or two-dimensional problems involving steady-state or transient flow. Each aquifer can have different initial conditions and boundary conditions. Boundary conditions, pumping rates, and the recharge can be specified as a function of time. The output of the flow program-nodal heads and velocity components is used as an input to the quality program. The numerical models were validated for simple problems that have available analytical solutions.

Numerical modeling has become a major tool for managing water quality in surface waterbodies such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries. Since the two-dimensional longitudinal/vertical model CE-QUAL-W2 is a well-known model and it has been applied to thousands of waterbodies around the world successfully, its numerical scheme was adapted to develop a new three-dimensional numerical model for simulating hydrodynamics, temperature, and water quality in surface waterbodies. Finite difference approximations were used to solve the fluid dynamic governing equations of continuity, free water surface, momentums, and mass transport. No coordinate transformations were performed and the z-coordinate system has been used. Higher-order schemes (QUICK, QUICKEST, and ULTIMATE QUICKEST) in addition to the UPWIND scheme were used for the advective temperature and mass transport. A novel numerical approach was used for the numerical formulation of the three-dimensional scheme. This approach forced the numerical solution of the free surface equation to be a tri-diagonal matrix form rather than a more computationally intensive penta-diagonal matrix solution. This new approach was done by linking a method called line-by-line with the free water surface numerical solution. Another new approach was that the three-dimensional numerical scheme involved a simultaneous solution of hydrodynamics, temperature, and water quality at every model time level instead of saving the hydrodynamic results to be used later for water quality simulation. Hence, this scheme allowed feedback between the hydrodynamics and water quality every time step. In addition, various unique numerical algorithms were employed from CE-QUAL-W2 such as the W2 turbulence model, selective withdrawal theory, surface heat fluxes, and water quality sources and sinks, making the three-dimensional model built on well-tested algorithms. To test the model structure and assumptions, an analytical verification was performed by comparing model predictions to known analytical exact solutions test cases. Good agreement was showed by the model for all of these tests. A computation of the volume balance over the simulation period was also incorporated within the model to assess how well the code performed. Sensitivity tests were also made varying bed and wind shear. The model was also applied to three reservoirs in the USA as field case studies: Lake Chaplain in WA, Laurance Lake in OR, and Cooper Creek Reservoir in OR. The model was validated by comparing the model predictions of water levels, velocities, vertical temperature profiles, and dissolved oxygen with field data. Through these real applications, the numerical predictions of the 3D model showed good agreement with field data based on error statistics. The model results of each field case study were discussed separately. In the Lake Chaplain model application, the study was focused on the importance of the higher-order schemes compared to the first-order UPWIND scheme. The model predictions of temperature were determined by using the UPWIND, QUICK, and QUICKEST scheme and compared with field data. The Error statistics of the model predictions compared to field data were an absolute mean error (AME) of 0.065 m for the water level predictions and an overall AME of 1.62 °C, 1.09 °C, and 1.23 °C for the temperature predictions by using the UPWIND, QUICK, and QUICKEST scheme, respectively. In the Laurance Lake model application, a comparison was performed between the present 3D model and the 2D CE-QUAL-W2. Since the 3D model was build based on CE-QUAL-W2, differences between the two models were evaluated. Error statistics between the model predictions of water level and temperature compared to field data showed that both models were in good agreement with field data. However, the 3D model AME (0.30 m for the water level predictions and 0.48 °C for the temperature predictions) was higher than the 2D model (0.03 m for the water level predictions and 0.42 °C for the temperature predictions). Finally, the Cooper Creek Reservoir case study was done to show the model predictions of temperature and dissolved oxygen. In this application, vertical temperature profiles were covered the entire simulation period in order to show how the model transfer heat between stratification and non- stratification conditions. The model showed good agreement with field data (0.12 m AME for the water level predictions, 1.00 °C overall AME for the temperature predictions, and 1.32 g/m3 overall AME for the dissolved oxygen predictions). Finally, comparisons were made between CE-QUAL-W2 and the 3D model. The 2D model generally performed better in the tests cases if the model user is unconcerned about lateral impacts. The 3D model is important to use when lateral currents and variation in the lateral dimension are important.

No description available.

Quality and its assurance are now important aspects of higher education in both developed and developing nations. Accordingly, this study seeks to explore the perceptions of stakeholders with regards to quality assurance in higher education institutions in Botswana. The study employed mixed methods research, which is a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis,Ivankoka,Creswell and Sticks (2006). Interviews were conducted with heads of quality units at Limkokwing and BIUST, Deans, Deputy Deans, Heads of Departments, DVC AA at UB and other academic staff members as well as questionnaires to also include officials in the ministry of education who are in charge of tertiary education. Quantitative data was analysed statistically using SAS V9.3 running under windows XP on a desktop computer. Interviews were conducted with 34 staff members from the participating institutions, while 61 lecturers from UB, Limkokwing and BIUST and 3 officers from the ministry of education responded to the questionnaires. The respondents in this study emphasised the need for proper implementation of the institutions quality assurance policy. The academic staff members also raised concern over high teaching loads and understaffing that impact negatively on the achievement of quality academic programmes. Chief among the recommendations in this study is the call for team work between the institutions and other important stakeholders like TEC and the ministry and to put in place a research plan for the institution in order to improve research output by the academic staff members. In terms of future research, the respondents suggested that there should be more research conducted to establish a quality assurance model that can be relevant to the institution. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / PhD / Unrestricted

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy