The Caribbean and Central America region (CCAR) undergoes the entire spectrum of earthquake types due to its complex tectonic setting comprised of transform zones, young oceanic spreading ridges, and subduction along its eastern and western boundaries. CCAR is, therefore, an ideal setting in which to study the impacts of long-term tectonic deformation on the distribution of present-day seismic activity. In this work, we develop a revised continuous tectonic strain rate model based on interseismic, secular geodetic data. We compare it with its predecessor, the Global Strain Rate Model v2.1 (GSRM). Specifically, we compare predicted fault types with known active faults and evaluate the style of predicted fault types with present-day earthquake focal mechanism data. We first create a 0.25$^{circ}$ x 0.25$^{circ}$ finite element grid that is comprised of block geometries defined from previous studies. Second, we isolate and remove anomalous signals that are inconsistent with rigid block motion from the latest open access community Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) velocity solution from UNAVCO and combine it with GNSS data compiled for the GSRM. In a third step, we delineate zones of deformation and rigidity by creating a buffer around the boundary of each block that varies depending on the size of the block and the expected deformation zone, which are based on locations of GNSS data consistent with rigid block motion. Fourth, we assign the regions within the buffer of zero for the deforming areas and a plate index outside the buffer to constrain plate rigidity. Finally, we calculate a tectonic strain rate and continuous velocity model for CCAR using the Haines and Holt finite element approach to fit bicubic Bessel splines to the GNSS data assuming block rotation for zones of rigidity. Our model of the CCAR is consistent with compression along subduction zones, extension across the East Pacific Rise, and a combination of compression and extension across the North America - Caribbean plate boundary with a few exceptions due to limitations with the modeling approach. Modeling results are then used to calculate expected faulting behaviors that we compare with seismic activity, the GSRM, and mapped geologic faults. We find the accumulation of strain rates in areas near the Middle American Trench, Hispaniola, the northeastern Caribbean, and northern South America indicate tectonic deformation that may result in seismic events. We conclude the tectonic deformation plays a critical role in explaining present-day seismicity along land masses adjacent to the subduction zone and the Hispaniola block. / Master of Science / Central America and the Caribbean are areas with high occurrences of earthquakes. This is due to the various types of tectonic plate boundaries that occur in the region. When plates move in relation to each other, they can accumulate strain, which plays a role in the size and type of earthquakes that occur. In this work, we aim to determine the effects on strain on earthquakes. To do this, we utilize an inversion method to calculate strain rates from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data. In our model, we first create a grid of points and a geometry of the regional tectonic blocks. We then gather data from public and published sources. The model also requires that we define where the plates are allowed to deform (accumulate strain) and where they remain rigid. Using the Haines and Holt method, we invert the GNSS velocities for strain rates and velocities. We find long-term tectonic deformation dominates the present-day seismic activity in three key regions: along the Middle America Trench and across the Hispaniola block.

Thesis advisor: Noah Snyder / Salt marshes are an essential ecosystem for connecting nutrients between coastal and land environments, protecting shorelines from erosion, and providing habitat for various species. Anthropogenic climate change causing sea level rise poses threats to salt marshes and the coastal communities nearby. In southern New Jersey, the relative rate of sea level rise (4.21 ± 0.15 mm/yr from 1911-2022; SLR; NOAA, 2023) is greater than the global average (3.4 ± 0.04 mm/yr). In this study, I measure chronologies, bulk density and organic content (loss on ignition, LOI) from cores collected in 2021-22 at four locations in the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab (SMIIL) in Stone Harbor, New Jersey to determine multidecadal accretion rates. Chronologies are developed from a radionuclide dating analysis (using concentrations of 210Pb, 241Am, 137Cs and 7Be) following procedures similar to Boyd et al. (2017) and Landis et al. (2016). The accretion rates from 1911-2022 of the four cores analyzed are 4.3 ± 0.2 mm/year, 4.1 ± 0.1 mm/year, 5.2 ± 0.1 mm/yr, and 6.0 ± 0.2 mm/yr, respectively, which are similar to the local SLR rate and are within error of RSLR in Atlantic City. The mean LOI for the 4 four cores is 27.2 ± 19.0%, 21.3 ± 8.9%, 20.2 ± 7.5% and 14.2 ± 13.0%. The mean dry bulk density for the 4 cores is 437 ± 127 kg/m3, 380 ± 103 kg/m3, 415 ± 88 kg/m3, 657 ± 353 kg/m3. The higher accretion rates of the salt marshes in SMIIL compared to relative sea level rise and consistency with the Sadler Effect indicates that the salt marsh vertical accretion rate is keeping up with increases in sea level rise. Thus, the salt marshes are not in immediate risk for inundation from sea level rise and supports the adaptability and resiliency of the salt marsh ecosystem. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2024. / Submitted to: Boston College. Morrissey School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Earth and Environmental Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors.

<p>This paper tested the purchasing power parity hypothesis for Botswana and South Africa using cointegration analysis. The data used are the spot exchange rate between the two countries (rand and pula) and their consumer price indices.</p>

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively describe the factors that influence the persistence rates of White undergraduate students attending HBCUs from the students' perspectives. Applying Tinto's Model of Student Departure (1975, 1993) as a lens for persistence, the overall aim in this study was to focus on the students' social and academic integration at the institution as well as their institutional experiences at the HBCU as it relates to their decision to persist or depart the HBCU. Through the participants"lived experiences", themes emerged relative to their decision to persist at the institution. The themes were: the influences on relationships with faculty, quality of academic programs, lack of racism from faculty, staff, and peers, involvement in campus activities and organizations, and affordability. The reasons associated with White students' persistence can assist faculty members and administrators at HBCUs in developing and cultivating a culture that is conducive for a positive matriculation and progression process all the way until graduation. Persistence leads to degree completion and no matter the institutional type, all administrators want to increase the number of students graduating from their institutions.

The focus of this dissertation is on performance indicators – specifically, retention and graduation indicators - that impact allocation of the ever-dwindling public sources of money. Decreasing revenue trends make understanding the performance indicators that are often used to fund postsecondary institutions very important. There is a significant amount of literature on funding, types of funding, and performance indicators used in funding; however, there is very little literature on quantitative differences on standard performance indicators in 2-year and 4- year postsecondary institutions. The purpose of this study is to look at retention and graduation rates for part-time and full-time students in public institutions of higher education in the United States. Retention and graduation rates for first-time full and part-time students from the Integrated Postsecondary Educational Data Systems (IPEDS), within the National Center for Educational Statistics, for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007, will be examined to determine if there are differences between two-year and four-year post secondary institutions.

Research Report: BUSA7167 (MM Finance and Investment Management). Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the (Master of Management in Finance and Investments). Submitted on 06th June 2016 / The findings of the research have implications on the efficiency of the South African exchange rate market, and by extension, the efficiency of similar emerging foreign exchange markets. The study used Ordinary Least Square Approach and Johansen cointegration. Despite their theoretical appeal, and in line with a dozen of related past literature, the findings of the research generally favour the rejection UIP, PPP and IFE. The findings have implications on some regulatory measures that can be undertaken by the financial authority to improve the efficiency of the foreign exchange market. While there have been extensive studies on uncovered interest parity (UIP), purchasing power parity(PPP), and the international Fisher effect(IFE), research has scarcely tested these hypotheses in the context of emerging markets. This study attempts to bridge the existing gap by testing the three related parity condition for South Africa. / MT2016

Introdução: Os culicídeos (insetos da Ordem Diptera, Família Culicidae), vulgarmente conhecidos como pernilongos, são vetores de diversos agentes patogênicos de doenças humanas e animais e fator de incômodo à população em geral. Os recursos lançados com o objetivo de controlar as pragas urbanas utilizando compostos químicos devem ser feitos com o máximo de parcimônia a fim de se evitar a contaminação ambiental e dificultar o aparecimento de linhagens resistentes dos vetores e pragas urbanas aos biocidas empregados. Objetivos: Estabelecer índices de infestações de Culex quinquefasciatus baseados na contagem de insetos adultos e de suas formas imaturas, coletados em piscinões e propor instrumento para estimar o incômodo provocado pelas picadas na população do entorno. Materiais e Métodos: O período estabelecido de coleta de espécimes de mosquitos e dados provenientes foi de agosto de 2014 a maio de 2015. Foram escolhidos dois piscinões do Município de Santo André, o Piscinão do Bairro Bom Pastor e o Piscinão da Faculdade de Medicina (Valparaíso) para ser a área de estudo. Esta pesquisa propõe a construção de alguns índices de infestação da espécie em estudo baseado em duas vertentes: 1) Foi feito o diagnóstico por meio de contagem de pernilongos conduzida na área dos piscinões. Foram contados e identificados os exemplares adultos deste mosquito que foram coletados por meio de aspiração nos abrigos e a aspiração dentro de caixas de repouso que foram instaladas nas áreas dos piscinões e contagem de formas imaturas (larvas e pupas), recolhidas dos criadouros aquáticos dos piscinões. 2) Foram analisadas as reclamações provindas dos munícipes através do Sistema de Informação de Atendimento da Prefeitura Municipal, dentro de um raio limítrofe correspondente à área de influência de cada reservatório. Resultados: Foram coletados 1896 exemplares adultos na atividade de aspiração nos abrigos, 621 exemplares imaturos e 67 exemplares adultos aspirados das caixas de repouso. Identificados o sexo dos exemplares adultos e verificou-se a predominância de machos. A partir da amostragem efetuada com observância das variáveis naturais e antrópicas, e análise das reclamações, foram criados e aplicados três índices de infestação (Densidade de Imaturos por Litro, Índice de Mosquitos Aspirados por Minuto e Índice de Mosquitos Aspirados das Caixas de Repouso) e um índice de reclamações (Índice de Reclamações Correspondentes). Conclusões: Através da análise de aspectos sazonais, os índices mostram-se ferramentas importantes para as intervenções de controle desta praga. O método das caixas de repouso mostrou-se pouco produtivo se comparado aos outros índices. / Introduction: Culicids (Diptera: Culicidae) usually known as mosquitoes, are vectors of several animal and human diseases pathogenic agents and also are nuisance factors to general population. The features launched with the objective to control the urban pests using chemicals must be made with maximum parsimony to avoid environmental contamination and also hamper the emergence of resistant strains to biocides used. Objectives: To establish infestation levels of Culex quinquefasciatus based on the insect count adults and their immature forms, collected in big pools and propose tool to estimate the nuisance caused by the bites on the surrounding population. Materials and Methods: The established period collection of mosquito specimens and originated data was from August 2014 to May 2015.For the study area, were chosen two reservoirs of the Municipality of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, from the reservoir of the Bom Pastor and the reservoir district, School of Medicine, located in Valparaiso neighborhood. This research proposes the construction of some infestation rates of target species based on two fronts: 1) it was diagnosed by mosquitoes count conducted in the area of big pools. They were counted and identified the adult specimens of this mosquito were collected through aspiration in shelters and aspiration within resting boxes were installed in the areas of big pools and count immature forms (larvae and pupae), collected in aquatic breeding of big pools . 2) Complaints were analyzed stemmed from residents through the Information Service of the City System within a radius corresponding to the boundary area of influence of each reservoir. Results: 1896 adult specimens were collected in the suction activity in shelters, 621 immature specimens and 67 adult specimens aspirated the resting box. Identified the sex of adult specimens and were a predominance of males. From the sampling done in compliance with the natural and anthropogenic variables, and analysis of complaints they were created and applied three indices of infestation (Immature Density per Liter, Mosquitoes Aspirates per Minute Index and Mosquitoes Aspirates from Resting Boxes) and one of complaints (Correspondents Complaints Index). Conclusions: Through the analysis of seasonal aspects, the indexes showed how important tools for control interventions of this pest. The method of resting boxes proved to be unproductive compared to other indices.

by Kwok-tai Wan. / Bibliography: leaves 133-138 / Thesis (M.Ph.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1985

by Tse Chi-wai, Wong Yiu-man. / Bibliography: leaf 56 / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1986

by Kam Pok-man, Yip Shiu-kwong. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1983. / Bibliography: leaves 62-64.