O movimento da água em solos não saturados (zona vadosa) pode ser descrito pela equação de Richards, obtida pela combinação da equação de conservação de massa e da lei de Darcy-Buckingham. Usualmente essa equação é representada sob três formas básicas: h - baseada na carga de pressão, θ - baseada na umidade volumétrica e mista - baseada na combinação das duas variáveis. Essas equações são matematicamente equivalentes; porém, em geral, suas aproximações numéricas podem levar a resultados bastante diferentes. Neste trabalho foram validados e comparados modelos numéricos, implementados em um código computacional na linguagem C, para a aproximação da equação de Richards, nas suas três formas, em uma dimensão. Para isso, empregou-se o método de diferenças finitas centrado no espaço e atrasado no tempo. Visando melhorar a conservação de massa dos modelos utilizados e o tempo de execução do programa, principalmente em problemas que apresentam mudanças bruscas nas condições de contorno e/ou camadas estratificadas, foram também implementadas três estratégias para a escolha do passo de tempo, assim como técnicas para aproximar as não-linearidades nos pontos intermediários da malha computacional e naqueles situados nas interfaces das camadas. A validação dos modelos acima se deu através da comparação das soluções aproximadas com a solução semi-analítica de Philip e a totalmente analítica de Srivastava e Yeh para colunas de solos homogêneas e estratificadas. A partir de dados disponíveis na literatura avaliou-se também a precisão e a eficiência das metodologias estudadas nas: i) aproximações da condutividade e da capacidade hidráulica e ii) na aplicação das estratégias de passo de tempo, quanto à precisão dos resultados simulados, à conservação de massa e ao tempo de execução do programa. De acordo com o desempenho das metodologias analisadas foram apontadas as melhores opções para a solução de cada problema, indicando-se assim alternativas na implementação de modelos numéricos para o escoamento da água na zona vadosa.

Sleep deprivation is a multifactorial phenomenon, occurring frequently in the intensive care unit (ICU) and linked to adverse patient healthcare outcomes. The key practice question of this project focused on determining if retiming of routine laboratory and imaging testing outside of the designated “quiet time” can improve sleep quality among adult patients in the ICU. The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing an evidence-based intervention to improve sleep quality in the ICU setting. The theoretical framework was the plan-do-study-act model, which offered a process for implementing a practice change and reevaluation of the intervention’s sustainability within the organization. A thorough literature search of over 100 scholarly journal articles, book references, and expert scholarly reports was completed to gain an understanding of this phenomenon in the ICU setting. The Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) was the data collection tool used to measure improvement in sleep quality. There were 72 participants that are included in the project. The Wilcoxon rank sum and chi square tests were used for the statistical analysis. The findings did not show statistical significance in the improvement in the RCSQ scores after implementation of the intervention. The recommendations include sleep deprivation training for nursing staff and providers, routine use of the RCSQ for data collection, and repeating the study with an increased number of participants and redefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to be more representative of the ICU patient population. The implication for social change is that this project empowers nursing to embrace a leadership role in using evidence-based practice to change clinical guidelines and improve patient outcomes.

In the first two chapters of this thesis, the novel method, developed by Mathews and Richards1, for predicting the thermal performance of buildings is introduced. The further enhancement and theoretical clarification of this method is the objective of this thesis. The method is based on a very simple thermo-flow network which models only the most important aspects of heat-flow in buildings. While Mathews and Richards based their network on analysis of the primary aspects of heat-flow in buildings, this thesis derives the simplified model by reduction from a comprehensive model. In this way, the assumptions and limitations is illuminated and the theoretical foundation of the method can be established. As a result of the investigation, a new simplified model with certain theoretical benefits is suggested. In later chapters, the method is extended and refined. Also, a new calculation procedure for finding solutions of the model is presented. In particular the method is extended to include multi-zone heat-flow, structural storage- and variable thermal systems. The new solution method is powerful, simple and efficient. This thesis contributes to the establishment of a viable tool for thermal analysis of buildings. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 1990. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

No description available.

This study was an exploration of how an instructional technique that uses language, image, and sound—that of a meaningful presentation of language with image by gradual, step-by-step sequencing—affects vocabulary acquisition. Research was carried out with volunteers from the BYU language community, who were randomly assigned to one of two testing groups. The two groups viewed Arabic language presentations wherein the presentation for the experimental group received line drawings to indicate vocabulary meanings, and the other group received English translations. Following the treatment, learners completed an online vocabulary test, and one week later, the same online vocabulary test. Statistical analyses indicated that one method of presentation was not better than the other method of presentation. ACT English scores and testing times, however, were significant for their affect on learning outcomes.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The multifaceted land degradation problem and its associated manifold impacts have attracted research from different disciplines, resulting in varying definitions of the concept. However, most researchers agree that human intervention that deteriorates the state of the environment is the central element. Among the anthropogenic activities that exacerbate land degradation, land cover has been singled out as the salient element. Rapid and unplanned land cover changes are primary manifestations of this problem. UMhlathuze Municipality, the study area which has superior biodiversity richness, is one of fastest growing municipalities in South Africa and is the locale of significant land modifications in recent decades because of a variety of industrial and residential developments. Using Landsat TM imagery acquired for 1984, 1996 and 2004, this study mapped and quantified land cover change and manifestations of land degradation in the uMhlathuze Municipality in conjunction with settlement intensification computed from orthophotographs acquired for 1984 and 2004. Census population statistics were analysed as a reflection of population dynamics and further to gauge related causes of land cover change. Geographical information technology (GIT) was applied as an analytical tool. The results revealed the anthropogenic influences that led to changes in land cover over the 20- year period between 1984 and 2004. The dominant natural cover classes in 1984 declined continuously and human-dominated land categories had increased sharply by 2004. Much of grasslands, forest and wetlands were converted to monotypical agroforestry (sugar cane and forestry plantations), built-up settlement and mining. These changes engendered complete loss of biodiversity (floral and migration of fauna). Bare ground, signifying land degradation, was noticeable although it exhibited a fluctuating trend which could be attributable to differences between the various imagery used. Along with population growth, the area of settlements increased over the study period and spatially sprawled from urban areas. Settlements showed a fairly stable spatial configuration over the 20-year period, but became magnified in medium- and high-density areas. Grassland and wetlands occurring around Richards Bay, as well as indigenous forest near Port Durnford, were identified as critically threatened ecosystems. The proposed industrial development zone and port expansion were recognized as having adverse ecological implications for wetlands. The study concluded that significant land cover changes occurred in the form of natural land cover giving way to monotypical agroforestry, built-up settlements and mining - all to the detriment of pristine natural habitat. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die veelvlakkige probleem van omgewingsdegradasie en die gepaardgaande veelsoortige impakte lok navorsing uit verskillende dissiplines, wat lei tot verskillende definisies van die konsep. Tog is die meeste navorsers dit eens dat menslike invloede die sentrale element is wat die toestand van die omgewing verswak. Van die vele menslike aktiwiteite is grondgebruikverandering uitgesonder as die belangrikste beïnvloeder van agteruitgang van die omgewing. Veral vinnige en onbeplande grondgebruikveranderinge verteenwoordig die primêre manifestasies van hierdie probleem. UMhlathuze Munisipaliteit, die studiegebied met 'n hoë biodiversiteitsrykdom, is een van die vinnigste groeiende munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika, waar 'n verskeidenheid nywerheids- en residensiële ontwikkelings beduidende grondgebruikverandering oor die afgelope dekades dryf. Met behulp van Landsat TM beelde van 1984, 1996 en 2004, is hierdie studiegebied gekarteer en oppervlaktes gekwantifiseer om grondgebruikverandering en verwante manifestasies van die agteruitgang van landbedekking in die uMhlathuze Munisipaliteit te konstateer. Tesame hiermee is die verdigting van nedersettings ook met behulp van ortofoto’s van 1984 en 2004 aangeteken. Bevolkingsensusstatistieke is ontleed as weerspieëling van die gepaardgaande bevolkingsdinamika en om moontlike oorsake van verandering in grondbedekking te bepaal. Vir hierdie doel is geografiese inligtingstegnologie (GIT ) as analitiese instrument toegepas. Die resultate toon antropogeniese invloede lei tot veranderinge in grondbedekking oor die tydperk van 20 jaar tussen 1984 en 2004. Die dominante natuurlike dekkingsklasse in 1984 het voortdurend verminder en menslik-gedomineerde kategorieë het teen 2004 skerp gestyg. Baie van die grasvelde, woude en vleilande is daadwerklik omskep tot monotipiese agro-bosbou (suikerrieten bosbouplantasies), beboude nedersetting en mynbou. Hierdie veranderinge behels 'n volledige verlies van biodiversiteit (plantegroei en migrasie van fauna). Kaalgrond, wat dui op die agteruitgang van grondbedekking, was ook opvallend, hoewel dit 'n wisselende tendens toon wat ook kan wees as gevolg van die verskille tussen die beeldmateriaal wat gebruik is. Saam met die groei van die bevolking is bevind dat nedersettings oor die studieperiode toegeneem het en in tipiese spreipatrone weg van die stedelike gebiede uitbrei. Nedersettings het 'n redelik stabiele ruimtelike liggingsopset oor die tydperk van 20 jaar getoon, maar het in medium- en hoë- digtheid gebiedeverdeel. Die voorkoms van grasveld en vleiland rondom Richardsbaai, asook inheemse woud naby Port Durnford, is geïdentifiseer as krities-bedreigde ekosisteme. Die voorgestelde nywerheidsontwikkelingsone en hawe-uitbreiding is geïdentifiseer as ontwikkelings met nadelige ekologiese implikasies vir vleilande. Daar is dus tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat beduidende voortgaande grondbedekkingveranderinge in die gebied voorkom, waarin natuurlike landdekking transformeer tot monotipiese agrobosbou, beboude nedersettings en mynbou - alles tot nadeel van die ongerepte natuurlike habitat.

Notre thèse présente et analyse la vie et l’œuvre de Ceri Richards (1903-1971), artiste peintre britannique d’origine galloise, dont l’art est profondément influencé par la musique. Mélomane et pianiste amateur, Richards développe son art de façon très indépendante et marque l’art britannique par une originalité commentée et appréciée des critiques d’art londoniens de son temps, « ce qui le [classe] comme l’un des plus grands parmi les peintres britanniques du milieu du XXe siècle » (Bénézit). C’est après la Seconde Guerre mondiale que les références musicales apparaissent avec plus d’importance dans son travail artistique dont la série des Cathédrales englouties (v. 1957-1967), inspirée du prélude éponyme de Claude Debussy, est unanimement reconnue.La première partie de la thèse est une biographie revue et augmentée de Ceri Richards en suivant le fil conducteur de la musique. Elle s’appuie sur des sources, notamment épistolaires, jamais dévoilées jusqu’à présent et des articles sur l’artiste non encore exploités.La troisième partie est un catalogue raisonné de l’œuvre de Ceri Richards en rapport avec la musique. Notre classement, aussi exhaustif que possible à ce jour, établit huit grandes thématiques : le piano et les pianistes, Claude Debussy, Ludwig van Beethoven, les décors et les costumes d’opéras, la musique dans la poésie, les illustrations réalisées pour une Histoire de la musique écrite par Benjamin Britten et Imogen Holst, les illustrations d’ouvrages non musicaux et enfin d’autres thématiques musicales diverses. Ce travail de recensement et de catalogage, le premier jamais réalisé, souligne l’étendue et la diversité de l’inspiration musicale de Ceri Richards. / My thesis dissertation presents and analyses the life and work of Ceri Richards (1903-1971), a British painter originally from Wales. His art is profoundly influenced by music. As a music lover and pianist, Richards was particularly appreciated by London critics of his time who “placed him as one of the highest ranking, mid-20th-century British Painter” (E. Bénézit, Dictionary of Artists, Paris, Gründ, 2006). After the Second World War, the musical references are much more visible and important in his painting. His Cathédrale engloutie series, which was inspired by the eponymous Prelude by Debussy, is unanimously praised.The first part of my thesis is a biography of Ceri Richards, based on the importance of the music in his life. It relies on sources, letters unknown until now and articles about the artist never before explored.The second part investigates two corpus: the first one inspired by Debussy’s Cathédrale engloutie and the second by Beethoven in a comparative analysis.The third part is a catalogue raisonné of the work in relation with music. The organisation is in eight thematics: piano and pianists, Claude Debussy, Ludwig van Beethoven, opera stage decor and costumes, music in the poetry, illustrations realised for The Story of Music written by Benjamin Britten and Imogen Holst, illustrations for books which are not musical and other diverse musical themes. This catalogue raisonné is the first one and shows the extent and diversity of Ceri Richards’s musical inspiration.

Devido aos riscos de contaminação dos recursos naturais solo e água, ao alto custo, ao tempo e ao esforço humano nas investigações de campo, os modelos matemáticos, aliados às técnicas numéricas e aos avanços computacionais, constituem uma ferramenta importante na previsão do deslocamento de solutos, contribuindo assim, para o controle de alterações ambientais. No Brasil, a modelação de fluxo e transporte de solutos na zona não-saturada é voltada, quase que exclusivamente, aos problemas relacionados às atividades agrícolas. Entretanto, tão importante quanto a problemática dos produtos químicos nas atividades agrícolas é a questão de poluição e contaminação do solo e da água por chorume, gerado pelos resíduos sólidos domiciliares. Neste trabalho, é desenvolvido e validado um modelo computacional unidimensional para simulação de fluxo e transporte de solutos na zona não-saturada do solo. O modelo matemático é dado pela equação diferencial parcial não-linear de Richards, que rege o movimento de água no solo, e a equação diferencial parcial linear de advecção-dispersão, do transporte de solutos, acompanhadas das condições iniciais e de contorno. A equação de Richards é dada em função do potencial matricial da água e a equação de transporte de solutos estima a evolução temporal da concentração de solutos no perfil do solo. Devido à dificuldade de se obter soluções analíticas destas equações, são resolvidas numericamente pelo método de elementos finitos. As referidas equações são resolvidas utilizando-se malhas uniformes inicialmente. Com a finalidade de obter simulações mais eficientes, a um custo computacional reduzido, é empregada a adaptatividade com refinamento h na malha de elementos finitos. A função interpolação polinomial utilizada é de grau 2 ou maior que garante a conservação de massa. Na equação de Richards, a derivada temporal é aproximada por um quociente de diferença finita e é aplicado o esquema de Euler explícito e na equação de advecção-dispersão, é aproximada por um quociente de diferença finita, aplicando-se o esquema de Euler implícito, devido à linearidade da equação. O sistema operacional é o Linux Ubuntu 32 bits, o ambiente de programação é o PZ, escrito em linguagem de programação C++. Na validação do modelo, utilizam-se dados disponíveis na literatura. Os resultados são comparados, utilizando-se malhas uniformes e malhas adaptativas com refinamento h. Usando-se as malhas uniformes para o problema de Richards e de transporte de potássio, o tempo de execução é de 22 minutos e a memória utilizada de 6164 Kb. Com as malhas adaptadas, o tempo de execução é de 3 minutos e 27 segundos, consumindo 5876 Kb de memória. Houve, portanto, uma redução de 84,32% no tempo de execução, usando-se malhas adaptativas. A utilização da função interpolação polinomial de grau 2 ou maior e o refinamento h, permitem uma boa concordância do modelo na comparação com soluções disponíveis na literatura. / Due to the risks of contamination of soil and water resources, the high cost, time and human effort in the field investigations, the mathematical models, combined with numerical techniques and computational advances, are important tools in forecasting the movement of solutes thereby contributing to the control of environmental alteration. In Brazil, modeling of flow and solute transport in the unsaturated zone is focused, almost exclusively, on problems related to agricultural activities. However, as important as the problematical of chemicals products in agricultural activities is the issue of pollution and contamination of soil and water by leachate, generated by municipal solid wastes. In this work, an one-dimensional computational model for simulation of flow and solute transport in the unsaturated soil has been developed and validated. The mathematical model is given by the Richards\'s non-linear partial differential equation, which determines the movement of water in the soil, and the advection-dispersion linear partial differential equation, of the solute transport, together with initial and boundary conditions. The Richards equation is a function of the water pressure head and the solute transport equation estimate the temporal evolution of the solutes concentration in the soil profile. Due to the difficulty of obtaining analytical solutions of these equations, they are solved numerically using the finite element method. The governing equations are solved using initially a uniform mesh. In order to obtain more efficient simulations with low computational cost, adaptativity with h refinement on the finite element mesh is implemented. The interpolation function is of degree two or higher, assuring mass conservation. In Richards\' equation, the temporal derivative is approximated by Euler explicit finite difference. For the advection-dispersion equation, due to the linearity of the equation, an implicit finite difference scheme is used. The code is written in the programming language C++ based on the programming environment PZ using operating system Linux Ubuntu 32 bit. Model results are validated in comparison with data available in the literature. The results are evaluated using uniform meshes and with h refinement adaptive mesh. Using the uniform meshes for the problem of Richards and transport of potassium, the running time is 22 minutes and 6164 Kb of memory is used. With the adapted meshes, the execution time is 3 minutes and 27 seconds, consuming 5,876 Kb of memory. Therefore there was a reduction of 84.32% in execution time, using adaptive meshes. The interpolation function with degree two or higher and the h refinement, with reduction of the computation time, showed a good agreement in comparison with the literature.