Problem: This study identifies some issues in the definitions of US megaregions which have strongly emphasized functional relationships without considering morphological characteristics. An extensive review of the literature revealed that the morphological approach and accompanying spatial statistical analysis described in this paper have not been done before, and represent a potentially useful refinement of current practice. Research strategy: This study examines morphological characteristics of the 11 US megaregions to represent morphologically-oriented US megaregions. A primary research hypothesis is that the megaregions spatially defined by morphological characteristics may not be the same as the current representation of the 11 US megaregions. The research hypothesis is tested by two distinct analyses which spatially examine the morphological characteristics at global and local scales. The global scale spatial patterns were examined with a density-based sprawl index, spatial scattering index, and spatial clustering index. Local scale spatial patterns were examined with the Getis-Ord Gi* hot spots analysis and the Anselin Local Moran’s I cluster and outlier analysis. In order to represent the megaregion-scale urban built environment, the morphological characteristics of total population, population density, impervious land cover, and nighttime light emissions were examined. All 11 megaregions were subjected to detailed GIS-based analysis and mapping for each morphological characteristic, and the results was analyzed using mapping, tables and graphs. Findings: The analysis results showed that global scale spatial distributions of morphological characteristics were inconsistently concentrated and clustered in high density subareas of each US megaregion. The morphological clustering representation of the 11 US megaregions clearly showed that the morphologically identified US megaregions were not the same as the current US megaregions. Takeaway for practice: This study asks the urban and regional planning profession to realize the incompleteness of a functional perspective, add a complementing morphological viewpoint, and balance the perspective between functional relations and morphological characteristics in identifying US megaregions.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 173-183). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2001. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiv, 234 p.; also contains graphics (some col.). Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: Morton E. O'Kelly, Dept. of Geography. Includes bibliographical references (p. 225-234).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-215). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

In Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace positions abjection in opposition to empathy. Both psychological phenomena derive from a relationship between two people, but abjection depends on a pushing away and empathy depends on a pulling toward. The experience of either phenomenon results in a blurring of interpersonal boundaries, but there is no intimacy in abjection. Instead, as made evident in the central family of Wallace’s novel, the result of abjection is that an individual retreats into the self, rejecting any attempt at intimacy that might be interpreted as an effort to breach autonomy. This alienation is best countered by empathy, as modeled in Infinite Jest in the practice of “Identification” in Alcoholics Anonymous. To identify with a person is to empathize with him or her: to share perspective and emotion. Empathy, unlike abjection, lasts only for a moment, allowing for the reinstatement of the boundaries of self.

This thesis presents results from a large-scale dynamic restoration program implemented by Parks Canada Agency (PCA) to remove invasive marram grasses (Ammophila spp.) from a foredune-transgressive dune complex in Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia, Canada. The program goal is to restore habitat for endangered Pink sandverbena (Abronia umbellate var breviflora) as required by the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA). Three sites were restored by PCA via mechanical removal of invasive marram grasses (Ammophila spp.) in September 2009. This study documents geomorphic and sediment mass exchange responses at one of these sites as derived from detailed Digital Elevation Model (DEM) surveys of a 10 320 m2 study area that spans three discrete geomorphic units (beach, foredune, and transgressive dune complex). Subsequent approximately bi-monthly total station surveys for the first year post-restoration are compared to a pre-restoration baseline Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey (August 2009) to quantify and describe morphodynamic responses and volumetric changes. Two different methodologies were utilized for post processing of volumetric change DEMs in order to filter out non-statistically significant change. The first filter used software developed for fluvial geomorphology and was tested using the student’s t distribution. This approach, while novel in the field of coastal geomorphology, was less complex than the second which was based on spatial statistical procedures popular in the ecological sciences. This filter was based on local Moran’s Ii, which was used to generate 1.5m and 5m distance thresholds of statistically significant geomorphic change. These thresholds were specified to simulate the outer limit of saltating grains and the dimensions of landform development, respectively. Results show that the beach receives appreciable sediment supply via bar welding and berm development in the winter, much of which is transported to the foredune and transgressive dune complex units in the spring. This promotes rapid redevelopment of incipient dunes in the backshore, rebuilding of the seaward slope of the foredune following wave scarping, and localized extension of depositional lobes in the transgressive dune complex fed by sediment from the beach and foredune stoss (only shown in local Moran’s Ii results). The results of this study suggest that the foredune-transgressive dune complex at Wickaninnish Dunes has experienced enhanced aeolian activity and positive sediment volume changes over the first year following mechanical restoration. In addition, comparison of the two methodologies show that spatial statistics were found to provide both more realistic calculated volumes at a smaller threshold distance (e.g., – 0.012m3 m-2 in the foredune after devegetation; only +0.015m3 m-2 in the transgressive dune complex in the year following restoration) and better highlighting of important spatial processes at a larger threshold distance (e.g., foredune stoss erosion; feature highlighting) than the volumetric change calculations based on a simpler statistical threshold. / Graduate

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 134-137).

Thesis (M.A.) - Carleton University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 234-259). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the Dept. of Natural Resources. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2009/06/09). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 106 p. : ill., maps (part col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-106).